Falcons Eye Bucs’ McClendon for Offensive Coordinator Role
In a surprising turn of events, the Atlanta Falcons are reportedly looking within their division for potential offensive leadership. According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the team has scheduled an interview with Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon for their vacant offensive coordinator position. This development comes as the Falcons seek to revitalize an offense that struggled throughout the 2023 season, finishing 24th in scoring with just 20.8 points per game—a performance that ultimately contributed to the dismissal of head coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
McClendon brings deep ties to Georgia football, having started his coaching journey with the Georgia Bulldogs after his playing career as a wide receiver for the program. His progression through the coaching ranks demonstrates a pattern of growth and versatility, beginning as a graduate assistant in 2007 before advancing to running backs coach in 2009. By 2015, he had become assistant head coach, wide receivers coach, and pass-game coordinator under then-head coach Mark Richt. When Richt departed for Miami, McClendon stepped up as interim head coach for the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl, giving him valuable head coaching experience even in a temporary capacity. This Georgia connection could resonate with the Falcons’ fan base and organization, which has always maintained strong ties to the local college football powerhouse.
McClendon’s career continued to evolve with stints at South Carolina and Oregon, though not without challenges. At South Carolina, he rose from co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach to full offensive coordinator in 2018, but was later demoted following a difficult 2019 season where the offense scored just one touchdown in the final 12 quarters. At Oregon, he served as pass-game coordinator and wide receivers coach, and once again had an opportunity as interim head coach for the 2021 Alamo Bowl after Mario Cristobal’s departure. His journey then brought him back to Georgia in 2022, where he contributed to their national championship victory over TCU before finally breaking into the NFL with the Buccaneers in 2023.
His brief tenure with Tampa Bay has already showcased his ability to develop talent and adapt to challenging circumstances. Despite injuries to star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, McClendon helped 2023 first-round pick Emeka Egbuka become a reliable option in the passing game. Perhaps more impressively, he aided in the development of seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson, who produced 322 yards and five touchdowns—remarkable production from such a late-round selection. This ability to maximize receiver talent could be particularly appealing to the Falcons, who struggled significantly with receiver depth in 2023, with Drake London being the only wideout to surpass 500 yards.
The Falcons’ interest in McClendon indicates a recognition of their specific offensive weaknesses from the previous season. When London and Darnell Mooney missed time due to injuries, the team was forced to rely heavily on practice squad receiver David Sills V for significant snaps. The wide receiver coaching position became such a concern that the team fired position coach Ike Hilliard after a loss to the Panthers, though this change failed to produce the desired results. By interviewing McClendon, new head coach Kevin Stefanski appears to be addressing these deficiencies directly, recognizing the importance of receiver development and depth in creating a more balanced and productive offense.
While former Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is reportedly the frontrunner for the position, Stefanski and the Falcons’ leadership seem to be conducting a thorough search process. The interest in McClendon suggests they’re considering different philosophical approaches and backgrounds before making their final decision. Whichever candidate ultimately lands the role will face the substantial challenge of revitalizing an offense that underperformed despite having talented pieces like London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson. The choice could significantly impact the trajectory of the franchise as it looks to become competitive again in the NFC South under Stefanski’s leadership.
