Following the retirement of quarterback Tom Brady, little was expected from the 2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Instead, they improved their record, going from 8-9 in 2022 to 9-8, and raised a third straight NFC South banner. Despite that, the Bucs offense hardly covered itself in glory, finishing 23rd in total yards, 20th in scoring, and dead last in rushing at a measly 88.8 yards per game — their 3.4 yards per carry was also the lowest figure in the NFL.
The club will have a new offensive coordinator after Dave Canales left to take the head coaching gig with the Carolina Panthers. In his stead, the Bucs hired Liam Coen, who sandwiched two years with the University of Kentucky as OC around a one-year stint in the same role for the Los Angeles Rams. He’s been primarily involved with the passing game in his career, including serving as quarterbacks and wide receivers coach in previous stops, but he’d still like to see improvement from the ground attack.
In terms of personnel, Tampa Bay brings back its top-two rushers from last year in running backs Rachaad White and Chase Edmonds, and they added Bucky Irving in the draft.