Earlier this morning, Byron Leftwich was fired from his post as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
There are many potential reasons for Leftwich’s firing.
Some have speculated that he didn’t get along with Tom Brady or other members of the organization, and others have indicated that, simply, the Buccaneers needed a new look on offense.
In the end, it might have just come down to the numbers.
Byron Leftwich as Buccaneers offensive coordinator
PPG NFL Rank
2019 28.6 T-3rd
2020 30.8 3rd
2021 30.1 2nd
2022 18.4 25th pic.twitter.com/ZipSEYOYr7— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 19, 2023
After three seasons in the NFL’s top three offensive teams according to points scored, the Buccaneers had a fall from grace in 2022.
They scored just 18.4 points per game, which was the 25th-best mark in the league.
Like any coach across the league, pedigree and name recognition can only take a coach so far.
Leftwich has found great success in the NFL, both as a player and as a coach, evidenced by the Buccaneers’ offense from 2019-2021.
Unfortunately for Leftwich, the NFL has turned into a “What have you done for me lately?” type of league, which was likely the reason for his firing.
For the Buccaneers, it didn’t matter what Leftwich had done in years prior.
By finishing the regular season with an 8-9 record and losing in the first round of the playoffs, the season was over a lot quicker than many within the organization were counting on.
Leftwich ended up falling on the sword for the failed season.
The good news is that Leftwich will almost certainly get another chance for the 2023 season, considering that he has been previously considered for head coaching roles.
NEXT: NFL Insider Comments On The Buccaneers' Changes