5 potential OC replacements if the Jaguars parted ways with Press Taylor in 2024

4. Thaddeus Lewis, Buccaneers QB coach

The Tom Brady era finally came to an end after the 2022 season and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers opted for a soft reboot instead of a full rebuild. This made sense because there were still plenty of talented, albeit aging players, on the roster.

That said, the Bucs' post-Brady quarterback room didn't look particularly enticing in the offseason. Led by backup Kyle Trask, and Baker Mayfield, not much was expected from Tampa Bay heading into the 2023 season. But then, Mayfield showed signs of the quarterback he was early in his career.

Heading into Week 17, and following a win over the Jags, Tampa Bay has a strong chance of qualifying for the postseason, giving head coach Todd Bowles and the rest of his staff plenty of security ahead of the offseason. While Bowles deserves lots of credit for keeping the team focused and getting the most out of his players in 2023, quarterbacks coach Thaddeus Lewis should also get lots of praise for helping Mayfield resurrect his NFL career.

Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, displayed potential in his first three NFL seasons. But then, a shoulder injury hampered his performance in 2021. By 2022, he had fallen out of grace with the Cleveland Browns, who traded for Deshaun Watson. Mayfield spent time with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams that year. He became a free agent in the offseason and chose to sign with the Buccaneers.

Looking back, Mayfield landed in the best possible situation, and his resurgence wouldn't have been possible without Lewis, who's previously been an assistant wide receivers coach. His ample knowledge of other areas of the offense besides quarterback could make him an enticing choice for coordinator in Jacksonville, or any team with an opening.