Nov 13, 2022; Munich, Germany; Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets on the bench before an NFL International Series game at Allianz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut ties with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich last week, aren’t sure about the identity of their 2023 QB1, and are now interviewing a former Minnesota Vikings coach for the OC position.
That’s Klint Kubiak, who offensively coordinated the Vikings in 2021 before jettisoning to the Denver Broncos for a quarterbacks coach job in 2022. Kubiak was a casualty on Minnesota’s coaching staff when the organization parted ways with Mike Zimmer about a year ago.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted Wednesday, “The Bucs have interviewed Broncos pass game coordinator Klint Kubiak for their OC job.”
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Last weekend, Kubiak also interviewed with the Jets for the same job as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero confirmed, “The Jets are interviewing Klint Kubiak today for their offensive coordinator job, per source. Kubiak was the Vikings’ OC in 2021 and spent last season with the Broncos.”
So, that’s two offensive coordinator auditions so far for the 35-year-old.
Kubiak led the Vikings offense inside an underwhelming 2021 season, an 8-9 campaign that led to the terminations of general manager Rick Spielman and the aforementioned Zimmer. Coaching staffs are rarely retained when a new coach takes over, and with Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings last February, Kubiak was no different.
In Minnesota, Kubiak’s offense ranked 17th leaguewide per offensive EPA/Play in 2021. Then, in Denver, the Broncos offense, plus Russell Wilson, sunk to 27th in the NFL in the same metric. It was not a good year for offense in Denver, so Kubiak and his boss, Nathaniel Hackett, are subsequently looking for employment.
Vikings wide receiver coach Keenan McCardell is also on tap to interview for the open Buccaneers OC job after the New England Patriots passed on McCardell’s services for former Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien.
Whichever man — Kubiak, McCardell, or a different candidate — earns the Tampa Bay job will have to navigate life amid quarterback uncertainty. Tom Brady, the team’s QB1 from 2020 to 2022, is a free agent, so the Buccaneers could turn to QB2 Kyle Trask next year, explore a free agent like Derek Carr, or draft Brady’s replacement in April.
Ex-Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter is interviewing for the Buccaneers OC gig as well.
Klint Kubiak is the son of former Vikings offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. The father Kubiak led the Broncos to a Super Bowl triumph in 2015 as head coach.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.