Tampa Bay Buccaneers to interview Todd Monken for offensive coordinator position

Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken is reportedly set to interview for an NFL offensive coordinator position. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are preparing to interview him next week, ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported Friday.

On3’s Matt Zenitz also confirmed Laine’s report that Monken will interview with the Buccaneers.

Monken has been at Georgia since 2020, but previously worked as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator from 2016-18. He also spent a year as the Cleveland Browns’ offensive coordinator in 2019 before taking over as the Bulldogs’ OC. In Athens, Monken played a key role in turning Georgia into back-to-back national champions and helped with the development of Stetson Bennett at quarterback.

Tampa Bay recently shook up its coaching staff by firing Byron Leftwich earlier this month. Leftwich, who was a hot candidate to be a head coach last offseason, replaced Monken with the Buccaneers in 2019. Monken’s name came up almost immediately, with NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport connecting him to the opening.

“For the first time, #Bucs coach Todd Bowles will assemble his own offensive staff. Per me and @MikeGarafolo, one name to watch as OC: #Georgia OC Todd Monken,” Rapoport tweeted Jan. 19. “The former #Bucs OC could be back.”

However, the Buccaneers might not be the only team vying for Monken’s services. ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler also said Monken could be a hot name around NFL circles considering his success at Georgia over the last few seasons. The Bulldogs went from 424.1 total yards of offense per game in 2020 to 501.1 yards per contest in 2022 en route to two straight titles.

Leftwich coached the Buccaneers offense for four seasons and stuck through the transition from Bruce Arians to Todd Bowles as head coach. He won a Super Bowl with the team in 2020, but the Bucs have had early exits from the playoffs since.

Although Tampa Bay did make the playoffs this season, the offense slumped to No. 25 overall. The run game in particular ranked last in the league, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. The Bucs’ running backs scored just five rushing touchdowns all season.

Imbalance in the offense was on full display in the team’s loss to Dallas. After getting behind early, the Bucs finished with 12 rushing attempts and 66 passing attempts.

On3’s Stephen Samra and Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this report.