Report: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Returns To the NFC South

Tampa Bay's division rival is getting help from a familiar face.

The NFC South is going to look a lot different in 2023 with at least three franchises (Tampa Bay, Carolina, New Orleans) fielding new starting quarterbacks and revamped coaching staffs. The division is wide open and any of the four teams could realistically stake their claim.

READ MORE: Former Buccaneers Quarterback, NFL Record Holder Signs With AFC Contender

Following a disappointing campaign in 2022, the New Orleans Saints have to feel confident that they can turn things around this upcoming season. Under second-year head coach Dennis Allen, the Saints will be fielding a veteran quarterback after trading for former Las Vegas star Derek Carr, a variety of playmakers, and a formidable defense.

While Allen worked with Carr during a previous stint with the Raiders, he's tapping into every resource possible to have his new signal-caller hit the ground running in the Big Easy.

On Friday morning, the Times-Picayune's Jeff Duncan reported that New Orleans brought in former head coach Jon Gruden to the facility this week. Gruden spent time with Carr and the Saints' coaching staff to discuss how the franchise is adjusting its offense ahead of the season.

Gruden coached Carr during his time with Las Vegas from 2018-21. Carr played the best football of his career over that four-year stretch, completing 68.7% of his passes for 17,010 yards with 90 passing touchdowns to 41 interceptions. 

With the 32-year-old entering the first season of a four-year/$150 million deal, it's imperative for him to play well out of the gate. Outside of his expedited crash course of the offense, the team is providing him with a couple of familiar weapons. The Saints signed wide receiver Bryan Edwards and tight end Foster Moreau in free agency. Both players suited up alongside Carr for at least two years in Las Vegas.

Gruden has been out of the league since resigning in 2021 following a report from the New York Times and an NFL investigation that discovered he sent emails that contained racist, misogynistic, and homophobic slurs to former Washington General Manager Bruce Allen.

While he compiled a 22-31 record and never made the postseason while coaching the Raiders, Gruden is one of the most successful coaches in Tampa Bay franchise history. He guided the Bucs from 2002-08, winning a team-best 57 games and delivering a championship in Super Bowl XXXVII.

It doesn't feel right to see him assisting a division rival.

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