TAMPA, Fla. — The Bucs may not have seen the last of Byron Leftwich. He could play them twice a year.
The New Orleans Saints have asked permission to interview Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator for their head-coaching job, the Tampa Bay Times confirmed.
Saints head coach Sean Payton resigned after 16 years on Wednesday, providing a possible opportunity for Leftwich.
It should provide some leverage for Leftwich, who is a finalist for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ head-coaching job.
However, despite interviewing with the Jaguars for a second time this week, Leftwich has been unable to reach an agreement with the team.
Jacksonville was interested in resuming talks with Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett Thursday.
But Hackett reportedly will be hired by the Denver Broncos, and Eberflus is expected to take the Chicago Bears’ head-coaching job.
Seemingly, that would clear a path for Leftwich to become the Jaguars’ next head coach. replacing Urban Meyer, who was fired after a 2-11 start in 2021.
But there may have been some snags in talks with Leftwich. One of those could include control over the roster.
According to Mike Jurecki who covers the Cardinals for AZCardinals.com, the Jaguars are close to hiring Adrian Wilson as their general manager and Leftwich as head coach.
That would mean the end for current Jaguars GM Trent Baalke. Wilson is the Cardinals’ director of pro scouting, who worked with Leftwich when he was on Bruce Arians’ staff in Arizona.
The big winner if the Saints hire Leftwich? It may be quarterback Jameis Winston, who is recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in a game against the Bucs this season.
Leftwich is a big fan of Winston’s and has said he wished he had more than one season with the former Heisman Trophy winner.
In his only season under Leftwich, Winston led the NFL in passing yardage with 5,109, along with 33 touchdowns. But Winston also set an NFL record with 30 interceptions.
At minimum, the interview process could help the Saints, who no doubt will take the opportunity to learn as much about the Bucs’ offensive operation as they can.
