The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have spent this offseason walking a tightrope of expectations and reality. Their decision to retain head coach Todd Bowles despite a disappointing campaign sparked intense debate throughout the fan base, creating a palpable sense of uncertainty about the franchise's direction. However, the front office attempted to quell some of that unrest by making a decisive move at offensive coordinator, parting ways with Josh Grizzard after his unit failed to capitalize on one of the NFL's most impressive collections of offensive talent.
Grizzard's departure opened a critical vacancy—one that could define not just the 2026 season, but the remainder of Baker Mayfield's tenure in Tampa Bay. The search for his replacement has been both conventional and creative, with the Buccaneers reportedly interviewing established offensive minds like former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel alongside more unconventional candidates such as David Shaw, the former Stanford head coach who brings a collegiate perspective to the professional game. Yet among all the names circulating, none generated more conversation than Todd Monken, the former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator with deep ties to both the Buccaneers organization and their starting quarterback.
The Interview That Wasn't Meant to Be
Monken's candidacy carried significant weight, particularly because of the seriousness with which both parties approached the process. According to reports from FOX Sports journalist Greg Auman, Monken didn't simply participate in a routine virtual call—he traveled to Tampa Bay for a face-to-face interview on Wednesday, a gesture that typically signals genuine interest from both candidate and organization. These in-person meetings allow for deeper discussions about philosophy, personnel, and vision that video conferences simply cannot replicate.
However, before the Buccaneers could complete their evaluation process, fate intervened. The New York Giants successfully recruited John Harbaugh to become their next head coach, and Monken, who had worked under Harbaugh in Baltimore, immediately followed his mentor to East Rutherford. The swiftness of his decision suggests that while Tampa Bay represented a comfortable option, the opportunity to maintain continuity with a trusted head coach proved more compelling.
A History of Unfulfilled Potential
The narrative surrounding Monken's potential return to Tampa Bay focused heavily on familiarity, but familiarity doesn't always equate to success. His previous stint with the Buccaneers from 2016 through 2018 coincided with a period of offensive inconsistency that frustrated fans and analysts alike. Despite having weapons like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin emerging as dominant forces, the unit never achieved the explosive, high-scoring reputation that its talent suggested was possible. The team's offensive metrics were middle-of-the-pack, and the overall performance felt constrained rather than unleashed.
Interestingly, the Buccaneers' offense actually improved in the immediate aftermath of Monken's departure, a fact that shouldn't be overlooked when evaluating his potential impact. The subsequent coaching staff coaxed more production from largely the same personnel, raising legitimate questions about whether Monken's scheme and play-calling were maximizing the roster's capabilities or holding it back.
His connection to Mayfield stems from a brief, unremarkable partnership in Cleveland during the 2019 season. Monken served as the Browns' offensive coordinator for that campaign, a year that ended with the team posting a disappointing record and the offense struggling to find rhythm. The one-and-done nature of his tenure there speaks volumes—NFL teams typically don't part ways with coordinators after a single season unless the results are particularly underwhelming or the fit is clearly wrong. In Cleveland's case, both appeared to be true.
The Lamar Jackson Situation: A Red Flag
Any discussion of Monken's coaching acumen must address his most recent—and most controversial—season with the Baltimore Ravens. In 2025, Monken inherited an offense built around Lamar Jackson, a quarterback whose unique dual-threat capabilities have redefined the position. Expectations were sky-high, with many anticipating that Monken's experience would help Jackson reach new heights and finally capture the championship his talent deserved.
The reality was starkly different. Throughout the season, Ravens fans and football analysts consistently criticized Monken's play-calling as overly conservative, predictable, and ill-suited to Jackson's strengths. Social media platforms and sports radio shows buzzed with frustration as drives stalled and the offense sputtered in crucial moments. Many observers assigned Monken equal blame with John Harbaugh for what they perceived as the systematic quarterback mismanagement of generational talent.
To be fair, Monken faced legitimate challenges in Baltimore. The Ravens' wide receiver corps was widely regarded as one of the league's weakest, lacking the speed and separation ability to threaten defenses vertically. The front office's failure to address these roster deficiencies undoubtedly hampered the offensive potential. Additionally, Jackson battled injuries throughout the season, limiting his mobility and practice time, which inevitably affected chemistry and execution.
Nevertheless, perception often becomes reality in the NFL, and the perception is that Monken failed to elevate his quarterback. When a coordinator cannot maximize the talents of a player as gifted as Lamar Jackson, it creates serious doubt about his ability to do so with any quarterback—especially one as psychologically complex as Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield's Precarious Position
Baker Mayfield's career trajectory has been a rollercoaster of spectacular highs and concerning lows. From his record-breaking rookie season to his turbulent final years in Cleveland, and now his attempt to establish long-term stability in Tampa Bay, Mayfield has consistently demonstrated that his success is directly tied to his environment. When confident and supported, he can be a top-tier quarterback capable of carrying a team. When rattled or mismanaged, his performance can deteriorate rapidly.
What makes Mayfield particularly challenging to coach is his emotional investment in the game. He wears his heart on his sleeve, plays with visible passion, and responds intensely to both success and failure. This volatility, while part of his competitive charm, also makes him vulnerable to coaching instability. He needs a coordinator who can provide not just a solid game plan, but also the psychological support and consistent messaging that helps him navigate the inevitable storms of an NFL season.
Pairing Mayfield with a coordinator fresh off a season where he was widely criticized for mismanaging the league's most dynamic quarterback would have been a dangerous experiment. If Monken struggled to build a productive relationship with Jackson—a player whose physical tools are virtually unmatched—how would he fare with Mayfield, whose game relies more on timing, anticipation, and emotional rhythm? The risk of another season of offensive dysfunction could have had catastrophic consequences for Mayfield's confidence and his future in Tampa Bay.
A Blessing in Disguise
In retrospect, Monken's decision to join the Giants may represent a rare instance where all parties benefit from a coaching carousel move. The Giants acquire a coordinator with extensive experience and familiarity with their new head coach's system. The Buccaneers avoid making a hire based more on comfort and connections than on proven recent success. And most importantly, Baker Mayfield is spared from a potentially toxic partnership that could have derailed his career at a critical juncture.
The Buccaneers now have the opportunity—and the imperative—to conduct a more thorough search for an offensive coordinator who truly fits their quarterback's needs. They should prioritize candidates who have demonstrated the ability to adapt their schemes to personnel, develop quarterbacks psychologically as well as physically, and innovate in an NFL landscape that increasingly rewards offensive creativity. The modern game demands coordinators who can design systems that accentuate their players' strengths rather than forcing square pegs into round holes.
The Path Forward
As Tampa Bay continues its search, the front office must recognize that this hire will likely determine Baker Mayfield's legacy with the franchise. Get it right, and they may finally unlock the consistent excellence that has tantalized teams throughout his career. Get it wrong, and they risk wasting what might be his final opportunity to establish himself as a franchise cornerstone.
The lesson from the Monken situation is clear: sometimes the most appealing option on paper is the riskiest in reality. Familiarity and past connections can blind organizations to recent failures and warning signs. By avoiding what many saw as a comfortable reunion, the Buccaneers have given themselves a chance to find a truly transformative offensive mind.
For Baker Mayfield, watching Monken head to New Jersey should bring a sigh of relief. It eliminates the possibility of a reunion that felt right emotionally but made little sense strategically. Instead, he can now look forward to working with a coordinator chosen specifically for their ability to elevate his game, not just because they share a history.
In the high-stakes world of NFL coaching, the best decisions are often the ones that prevent potential disasters before they happen. Mayfield should be absolutely thrilled that this particular partnership never came to fruition. His career may depend on it.