Tampa Bay Buccaneers in talks with Chip Kelly

ESPN is reporting that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making a serious run for Oregon Ducks coach Chip Kelly, and they have identified him as their main target in their search for a new coach. Kelly is deemed as NFL ready, but one concern many have is that he has worked with a spread offense in college and may not know enough about coaching a defense.

Despite those concerns, the Bucs are aiming to iron out a deal within the next 48 hours, and Kelly is extremely close to getting a deal done. However, Kelly’s buyout is $3.75 million and the Bucs will have to get that out of the way. If the Ducks want to keep Chip in Eugene, they will likely have to increase his salary from $2 million and give raises to his assistants.

This is one of the more surprising developments of the week, because most Ducks fans that Chip would stay with the Ducks and not coach in the NFL. He isn’t gone yet, but it’s surprising that things have come this far; with the Bucs.

A source close to Kelly stated that the Ducks coach has always wanted to coach in the NFL, and it is naive of fans- like me- to think that Chip wouldn’t want to reach for his dream job. He is getting that chance.  He also reportedly hates having to deal with parents and the rest of the recruiting noise that can lead to sanctions in college football. His association with Willie Lyles will ultimately lead to a sanction, even if he goes to the NFL, but it is expected to be a minor one.

With the Bucs and Chip about to finalize the deal within the next two days, it becomes time to reflect on a future without Darron Thomas, LaMichael James, and the man who coached them. I will save my full reaction and discuss how he fits into the NFL after- if- he is hired.

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