Thad

Lewis

The Bucs could be looking to retain Lewis, who has gotten offensive coordinator interest from the Titans, Raiders, Bills, and Bengals over the past week. A fast riser after helping to resurrect Baker Mayfield’s fledgling NFL career, Lewis — a former Bills quarterback and one-time Tampa receivers coach — could replace former Bucs OC Dave Canales, who last week landed Carolina’s head coaching job.

Lewis, a former Buffalo quarterback, has gotten attention in coaching circles after helping to resurrect Baker Mayfield’s career in Tampa this season. Lewis had served as Tampa’s receivers coach from 2020 to 2022, working with productive wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Josh Allen recently said he would like to have interim OC Joe Brady back in 2024. Brady took the job after the team fired Ken Dorsey in November.

Lewis, who played for the Browns and Bills -- starting five games for Buffalo in 2013 -- will replace Antwaan Randle El as Tampa’s wide receivers coach. Randle El signed as receivers coach with the Lions. In Tampa, Lewis will work with one of the NFL’s premiere wideout duos in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, assuming Godwin re-signs with the Bucs in the coming months. Tom Brady’s return and head coach Bruce Arians’ stated desire to keep Godwin in the fold make him unlikely to leave Tampa in free agency.

If the team does, in fact, decide to keep Lewis, it’s a lock that one of Colt McCoy or Seneca Wallace won’t be on the Week 1 roster. “There’s something to Thad that I think is worth developing,” said Shurmur, who also coached Lewis while the offensive coordinator in St. Louis in 2010.

The Browns needed the roster spot with CB Joe Haden returning from suspension. A favorite of head coach Pat Shurmur, Lewis has been inactive all five games in the developmental role. He was 9-of-17 for 146 yards and an interception in preseason action.

Perhaps the Pat Shurmur favorite will resurface with Shurmur in Philly, where they are collecting QBs. The Browns don’t believe Lewis’ arm is strong enough for Rob Chudzinski’s vertical passing attack, even to function as a backup. Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell, and Brian Hoyer are ahead of him on the depth chart.

The writing was on the wall after the Browns signed Brian Hoyer. Lewis is a favorite of former Browns coach and current Eagles OC Pat Shurmur, but Philly has a logjam at quarterback. Lewis started for the Browns in Week 17 last season, completing 22-of-32 passes for 204 yards, one touchdown and a pick. He should latch on elsewhere and compete for No. 3 duties.

Lewis joins the QB group of Shaun Hill, Kellen Moore and rookie Alex Carder behind Mathew Stafford in Detroit. Lewis’ arrival could spell the end for Moore, who lacks an NFL skill set.

The Browns are preparing Thaddeus Lewis to start and newly signed Josh Johnson to be the backup. Weeden has a sprain in his throwing shoulder and won’t be risked in a meaningless season finale at less than 100 percent. The Steelers’ D/ST is a strong play for any owners still grinding in Week 17.

McCoy emerged from last week’s loss to the Broncos with some soreness in his shoulder. He’s missing a golden opportunity to get first-team reps and draw a start with Brandon Weeden sidelined by a shoulder injury of his own. If neither Weeden nor McCoy can go, practice squad callup Thaddeus Lewis will draw the start.