TAMPA — In time, the anger will fade. Today’s insults will feel like tomorrow’s regrets.

Opportunist or Genius?

In another year or two, we’ll have more information and a greater perspective on this messy Liam Coen business. And that’s when we can decide if Coen was an opportunist or a genius for turning his back on Tampa Bay while risking his reputation and career in Jacksonville.

A Calculated Gamble

You’re starting to see that already, right? Now that the hysteria has subsided on social media, the entire episode felt like a series of calculated gambles by all the parties involved.

The Risks Involved

The Bucs desperately wanted Coen to remain in Tampa Bay, and they were willing to sacrifice somewhere between $4 and $5 million annually to make him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL. The Jaguars desperately wanted Coen to take over their offense and rescue quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and they were willing to sacrifice general manager Trent Baalke to make the job more attractive. Coen desperately wanted the biggest paycheck and the best opportunity he could find, and was willing to sacrifice his good name by ghosting the Bucs for nearly 24 hours while covertly negotiating behind his employer’s back. The risk was monumental for all involved.

The Fallout

The Bucs, with the No. 4 offense in the NFL under Coen, were looking like a potential Super Bowl contender next season. And if the Jaguars do not pull themselves out of the AFC South abyss, owner Shad Khan will be ridiculed for letting a guy with a skimpy resume have a huge say in picking the team’s next general manager.

Unprecedented Moves

This is bigger than the Raiders hiring Pete Carroll or the Bears nabbing Ben Johnson. You see those type of moves in every NFL offseason. This felt more like a double-blind scam with Doogie Howser pulling the strings.

Lessons Learned

It’s one thing for a job candidate to change his mind, but it’s quite another to leave your bosses twisting in the wind. Coen had every right to engage with the Jags when they first called. But it was absolutely shady for Coen to reopen talks with the Jaguars without informing the Bucs, and then ignoring their calls when he failed to show up to sign his new contract.

Conclusion

As for the Bucs, this is bad news but it’s not devastating. From the time the season ended, general manager Jason Licht was prepared for the possibility that Coen would be a hot commodity on the head coaching circuit. Compared to where the franchise was two years ago, the Bucs will be operating from a position of strength.

FAQs

Q: Was Coen’s decision unprecedented?
A: Not entirely. Bigger names than Coen have shimmied their way out of handshake deals.

Q: How will Coen be remembered if he fails in Jacksonville?
A: He will be remembered as the guy who torpedoed his own career while playing a shell game.