Bucs Interview Former Browns OC Alex Van Pelt for Same Post

Despite starting five different quarterbacks, Alex Van Pelt helped Cleveland to the playoffs in 2023. He’s among the initial contenders to surface in the Bucs’ pursuit of replacing former offensive coordinator Dave Canales.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are searching for a new offensive coordinator for the second consecutive season. Alex Van Pelt, who worked for the Cleveland Browns for the previous four seasons, is among the first applicants to interview for the position in 2024.

Van Pelt paid a visit to Buccaneers headquarters on Monday as part of the team’s efforts to replace head coach Dave Canales, who was hired last Thursday by the Carolina Panthers. Canales, who was the quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks, was brought on by the Bucs last February to serve as their offensive coordinator. Having served as Raheem Morris’s assistant coach for the Bucs’ quarterbacks in 2010 and 2011, Van Pelt was acquainted with the structure.

With an average of 23.3 points per game, the Browns ranked as the 10th highest scoring team in the NFL in 2023. Despite having five different quarterbacks start at least one game during the regular season, Cleveland managed to win 11 games and qualify for the playoffs. Deshaun Watson, the starting pitcher for the first game, suffered shoulder issues that caused him to miss 11 games before he was placed on injured reserve.

In 2023, Cleveland had the top time of possession average in the league (32:19) and finished 16th in terms of total yards per game (335.9). Even though they lost standout running back Nick Chubb to a season-ending injury just two weeks into the season, the Browns finished 12th in rushing yards per game (118.6).

Van Pelt ended his NFL career in 2003 after nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills. After two years, he started coaching in NFL Europe with the Frankfurt Galaxy. In 2006, he rejoined the Bills as a quality control coach. Before moving to Tampa in 2010, he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2009 and quarterbacks coach the following year. He coached quarterbacks and running backs for six seasons in Green Bay before