More teams are in the market for a new offensive coordinator. And there are now more potential candidates for the Washington Commanders to interview.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, while the Baltimore Ravens parted ways with offensive coordinator Greg Roman — marking the latest openings around the NFL. There are now eight teams that need new offensive coordinators: the Commanders, Ravens, Buccaneers, New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers. That also does not include teams such as the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts, who are in the market for a new head coach and likely to bring a new staff.
Leftwich and Roman are two experienced play callers who could be intriguing options for Washington, which has interviewed three candidates — Pat Shurmur, Ken Zampese and Charles London — for its coordinator vacancy so far.
Leftwich is from the District and led one of the league’s most productive units from 2019 to 2021, though his unit failed to match those same highs this past season. Leftwich held the position for four seasons. The Buccaneers set a franchise record for regular season wins in 2021, but Leftwich fell into disfavor this season when Tampa Bay scored 18.4 points per game after averaging over 30 the previous two seasons. Brady set a league record with 490 completions and finished third in the league in passing yards behind Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.
Roman, meanwhile, is credited for designing one of the NFL’s most creative rushing attacks over the last few years with quarterback Lamar Jackson. In his first year with the team in 2019, Roman was honored as The Associated Press Assistant Coach of the Year with Jackson as the NFL’s unanimous MVP. With Jackson playing, the Ravens went 39-15 with Roman as coordinator.
“Greg devised and led our offense to no fewer than 26 historical NFL and franchise achievements,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “He established an identity for our offense. We are grateful for Greg’s great work and abilities, and we wish him and his wonderful family the utmost happiness going forward.”
Commanders coach Ron Rivera said last week he wants the team’s offense to have a run-first identity. The team’s next coordinator will also likely be tasked with developing Sam Howell, who sources say will be Washington’s likely starter in 2023 but will have to earn the job through offseason workouts and training camp.
Statement from Head Coach John Harbaugh on Greg Roman. pic.twitter.com/itERSCJP81
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 19, 2023
2019 3rd rank offense with Leftwich. And that was w Jameis Winston at QB. Not all Brady. https://t.co/79EdkICU7o
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 19, 2023
This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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