NFC Rumors: Buccaneers, Cowboys, Lions

Buccaneers

• Albert Breer confirms that there has been “chatter over the last couple weeks” that the Buccaneers firing HC Dirk Koetter is not a foregone conclusion.
• The Buccaneers would reportedly like to make a “splashy” hire, which explains why they’ve been linked to Mike McCarthy.
• However, if there isn’t a notable move to be made, Breer says it’s possible Koetter could return. One issue with bringing Koetter back is that the majority of his staff is on expiring contracts, so the Bucs would have to commit two-year deals to keep them.
• Sources tell Breer that Buccaneers OC Todd Monken’s contract is up after this year and he’s expected to be a hot candidate for coordinator openings and could even get a head-coaching interview.

Cowboys

• Albert Breer says he expects Jason Garrett to be back in Dallas for the 2019 season, even if the team loses their playoff game.
• However, Breer adds that he doesn’t think it’s a “100% percent slam dunk” returns and says there has been buzz that the feeling on the Cowboys’ staff is a “little different this year” in terms of uncertainty regarding their future.
• According to Breer, one part of this could be the potential hiring Oklahoma HC Lincoln Riley. If Riley is willing to leave Oklahoma, Breer thinks Jerry Jones would be “very interested.”

Lions

• Albert Breer reports that Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter is on an expiring contract and should garner interest from other NFL teams.
• According to Breer, other NFL teams appear willing to chalk up the Lions’ decline in offensive production to a poor fit with HC Matt Patricia.
• If the Lions end up needing to replace Cooter, Breer says QBs coach George Godsey or former Patriots OC Charlie Weis could be options.