Editing Tampa Bay Buccaneers (section)

====Dirk Koetter====
On January 15, 2016, Dirk Koetter was promoted from offensive coordinator to become the new head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hanzus|first=Dan|title=Buccaneers promote OC Dirk Koetter to head coach|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/buccaneers-promote-oc-dirk-koetter-to-head-coach-0ap3000000622328|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=January 14, 2016|access-date=October 4, 2016|archive-date=January 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116102233/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000622328/article/buccaneers-promote-oc-dirk-koetter-to-head-coach|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Scott|title=Dirk Koetter Named Buccaneers Head Coach|url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Dirk-Koetter-Named-Buccaneers-Head-Coach/7247fcc8-e86e-468a-9c52-a3dc832f121d|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=Buccaneers.com|date=January 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117165520/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Dirk-Koetter-Named-Buccaneers-Head-Coach/7247fcc8-e86e-468a-9c52-a3dc832f121d|archive-date=January 17, 2016|access-date=September 23, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> In [[2016 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|2016]], Koetter won his first game as head coach, but the team's record slipped to 3–5 by week 9 following a 43–28 loss to Atlanta on ''Thursday Night Football''. The Buccaneers rattled off five straight victories, their longest winning streak since 2002. They earned upset victories over the heavily favored Chiefs and Seahawks, but snapped the streak with late-season losses to both Dallas and New Orleans. The Buccaneers ended with a 9–7 record, but lost the NFC's sixth seed to the Lions due to tiebreakers.<ref name="b506">{{cite web | last=Laine | first=Jenna | title=Buccaneers miss playoffs, but winning record marks reason for optimism | website=ESPN.com | date=2017-01-01 | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/tampa-bay-buccaneers/post/_/id/15849/buccaneers-miss-playoffs-but-winning-mark-reason-for-optimism | access-date=2024-08-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/2016.htm |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

On March 9, 2017, the Buccaneers signed former Washington Redskins wide receiver [[DeSean Jackson]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keim |first=John |date=March 9, 2017 |title=DeSean Jackson signs with Buccaneers |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18861630 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204123953/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18861630 |archive-date=February 4, 2019 |access-date=February 4, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> defensive tackle [[Chris Baker (defensive lineman)|Chris Baker]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=February 20, 2018 |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers release DT Chris Baker |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/tampa-bay-buccaneers-release-dt-chris-baker-0ap3000000916820 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209064402/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000916820/article/tampa-bay-buccaneers-release-dt-chris-baker |archive-date=February 9, 2019 |access-date=February 4, 2019 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> former Cowboys safety [[J. J. Wilcox]] (traded to Pittsburgh Steelers),<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2017 |title=Steelers trade for Wilcox |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-trade-for-wilcox-19310860?campaign=sf:fanshare:facebook |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204122515/https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-trade-for-wilcox-19310860?campaign=sf:fanshare:facebook |archive-date=February 4, 2019 |access-date=February 4, 2019 |website=Steelers.com}}</ref> former New York Jets kicker [[Nick Folk]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laine |first=Jenna |date=March 18, 2017 |title=Longtime kicker Nick Folk signs with Buccaneers |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18939111 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204123949/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18939111 |archive-date=February 4, 2019 |access-date=February 4, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> and veteran quarterback [[Ryan Fitzpatrick]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/sports/football/ryan-fitzpatrick-tampa-bay-buccaneers.html|title=Ryan Fitzpatrick Signs With Tampa Bay Buccaneers|first=Victor|last=Mather|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 19, 2017|access-date=February 4, 2019|archive-date=November 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113171419/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/sports/football/ryan-fitzpatrick-tampa-bay-buccaneers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The season got off to a 2–6 start with poor performance, especially in the kicking game. After a loss to the Lions in week 14, they were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Tampa Bay finished [[2017 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|the season]] 5–11.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/2017.htm |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> This was their tenth consecutive season without a playoff appearance.<ref name="k067">{{cite web | title=Decade of disappointment: Bucs, Jags to end playoff drought? | website=USA TODAY | date=2017-08-16 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/08/16/decade-of-disappointment-bucs-jags-to-end-playoff-drought/104669804/ | access-date=2024-08-16}}</ref> Also, the Bucs finished last in the NFC South for the seventh time in nine seasons.

The Buccaneers began the [[2018 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|2018 season]] 2–0, their first 2–0 start since 2010. Journeyman quarterback [[Ryan Fitzpatrick]] started the first two games while [[Jameis Winston]] was serving a three-game suspension.<ref name="z019">{{cite web|last=Laine|first=Jenna|title=Bucs QB Winston suspended 3 games by NFL|website=ESPN.com|date=2018-06-28|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23936785/tampa-bay-buccaneers-quarterback-jameis-winston-suspended|access-date=2024-08-16}}</ref> Fitzpatrick threw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns in both games, against the Saints (the eventual NFC South winner) and the Eagles (the defending [[Super Bowl LII|Super Bowl champions]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ryan Fitzpatrick 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FitzRy00/gamelog/2018/|access-date=2024-08-16|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|language=en}}</ref> On Monday night in Week 3 against the Steelers, Fitzpatrick became the first player in NFL history to throw for 400+ yards in three consecutive games.<ref name="j294">{{cite web|last=Zucker|first=Joseph | title=Ryan Fitzpatrick 1st in NFL History to Throw for 400 Yards in 3 Straight Games | website=Bleacher Report|date=2018-09-24|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2797475-ryan-fitzpatrick-1st-in-nfl-history-to-throw-for-400-yards-in-3-straight-games|access-date=2024-08-13}}</ref> However, he also threw three interceptions, and Tampa Bay lost the game 30–27. Fitzpatrick remained the starter for Week 4 against the Bears. He struggled and was benched after halftime in favor of Winston.<ref name="c684">{{cite magazine|last=Rollins|first=Khadrice|title=Winston replaces Fitzpatrick for second half vs. Bears|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=2018-09-30|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/09/30/jameis-winston-ryan-fitzpatrick-buccaneers-bears-second-half-quarterback|access-date=2024-08-16}}</ref> Winston was named the starter for Week 6,<ref name="c307">{{cite web|last=Weaver|first=Tim|title=Buccaneers: Jameis Winston will start Week 6 vs. Falcons|website=Falcons Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=2018-10-01|url=https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2018/10/01/buccaneers-jameis-winston-will-start-week-6-vs-falcons/|access-date=2024-08-16}}</ref> but was averaging at least two interceptions per game. After week 6's loss to the Falcons, defensive coordinator [[Mike Smith (American football coach)|Mike Smith]] was fired and linebackers coach [[Mark Duffner]] was named interim defensive coordinator.<ref name="n273">{{cite web|last=Laine|first=Jenna|title=Buccaneers fire defensive coordinator Smith|website=ESPN.com|date=2018-10-15 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24990373/buccaneers-fire-defensive-coordinator-mike-smith|access-date=2024-08-16}}</ref> Both Winston and Fitzpatrick took snaps under center as the season wore on, and at 5–7 they were still mathematically alive for the postseason. However, they dropped their last four games to finish 5–11. After a second consecutive last-place season, Koetter was fired.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25649986/dirk-koetter-tampa-bay-buccaneers-head-coach|title=Dirk Koetter out as Bucs coach after going 5–11 in 3rd season|last=Laine|first=Jenna |date=December 30, 2018|website=[[ESPN]]|access-date=December 30, 2018 |archive-date=December 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231092648/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25649986/dirk-koetter-tampa-bay-buccaneers-head-coach|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2018 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/2018.htm |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|language=en}}</ref>