Every new revelation about how chaotic Liam Coen’s split from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was makes it feel even more like an episode of reality TV.
By now, most people are familiar with the key points: Coen assured the Bucs he was returning on a record-breaking contract, failed to show up to sign it, and instead secretly negotiated with the Jacksonville Jaguars to become their next head coach.
Changing his mind wasn’t the issue—it was the way he handled it. Coen ghosted the Bucs, ignored their calls, and only revealed his plans after securing the Jaguars job. And even then, it seems he only came clean because a staffer in Jacksonville caught wind of it.
The entire ordeal has turned into one of the most surreal moments in NFL history, with new details still surfacing to keep the drama alive.
Liam Coen reportedly texted Baker Mayfield he was coming back before taking the Jagaurs’ job
Two more significant details have emerged about how Liam Coen’s messy exit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers unfolded, and neither puts him in a favorable light.
According to Adam Schefter, Coen’s camp claimed they were “strong-armed” into accepting a record-breaking contract to stay in Tampa Bay. However, ESPN’s Michael DiRocco and Jenna Laine paint a different picture, reporting that Coen himself presented the Buccaneers with a list of demands, all of which the team met.
“Coen came back with a number: between $4 million to $5 million per year, which would have made him the highest-paid coordinator in the league,” the report stated. “Bucs ownership agreed to the number—contingent upon him not taking the in-person interview in Jacksonville.”
That doesn’t sound like someone being forced into anything. While the Bucs did request an answer by Tuesday night, Coen’s claim of feeling pressured seems weak, especially in hindsight.
What makes matters worse is Coen’s poor communication, which has been a recurring issue throughout this saga. While it’s already well-documented that he ghosted the team after agreeing to the deal, DiRocco and Laine also revealed that Coen texted Baker Mayfield to say he was staying in Tampa Bay next season—only to go silent for the next 36 hours.
This lack of transparency is a key reason so many in Tampa are upset. The frustration isn’t about Coen taking a new job; it’s about the way he led people on, shut out those he supposedly respected, and handled the situation poorly.
It’s a disappointing end to Coen’s time with the Buccaneers, especially given the success he brought to the team. Under his guidance, the Bucs’ offense became one of the best in the league, and Baker Mayfield had the best season of his career. Coen’s departure, announced so abruptly and messily, has understandably left a sour taste for those who had high hopes for his return.
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