Last Friday, the Buccaneers that Defensive Coordinator Mike Smith would remain with the team for the next couple of years. Smith had been considered a top candidate for several head coaching vacancies, and his move would have resulted in a third defensive system for the Bucs in as many seasons.
The impact that Smith had in his first year in Tampa was significant. Based on DVOA, ESPN determined that the Buccaneers were the NFL’s sixth-best pass defense in 2016. After finishing No. 26 a year ago, Tampa Bay was the most improved team in the league defending the pass.