Tampa Bay Buccaneers

BUCCANEERS ADD TO COACHING STAFF

Mar 20, 2024 at 02:56 PM

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers today announced the addition of Justin Peelle (peel) as tight ends coach. Former tight ends coach John Van Dam has transitioned into a new role as pass game assistant.

Peelle comes to Tampa Bay with 11 years of prior NFL coaching experience. He most recently served as tight ends coach for the Atlanta Falcons (2021-23), where he coached Kyle Pitts to a Falcons single-season rookie receiving yards record (1,026 yards) and a Pro Bowl selection in his first season. Pitts' 2021 season paired him with Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka (1,067 in 1961) as the only rookie tight ends to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in NFL history.

Last season, Peelle's unit collectively led the league in receiving yards by a tight ends group (1,380), while ranking fifth in receptions (114) and tying for ninth as a group in touchdown receptions (seven).

Prior to his time in Atlanta, Peelle spent the previous six seasons as tight ends coach for the Philadelphia Eagles (2015-20) after beginning his NFL coaching career as an assistant tight ends coach with the Eagles from 2013-14. In Philadelphia, Peelle played a vital role in the development of three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz. Peelle guided Ertz through his first eight NFL seasons, highlighted by a Super Bowl LII championship, in which Ertz hauled in the game-winning touchdown. In 2018, Ertz claimed the NFL record for single-season receptions by a tight end (116), a record that still stands to this day.

Coaching one of the NFL's best tight end duos from 2018-20 – Ertz and Dallas Goedert – Peele's unit in Philadelphia led the league in both receptions (417) and receiving yards (4,388) during that span, in addition to ranking third in touchdown receptions (31).

Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Peelle enjoyed a 10-year NFL career of his own, appearing in 151 career games. He entered the league as a fourth-round selection (No. 103 overall) by the San Diego Chargers in the 2002 NFL Draft, where he played for four seasons (2002-05) before going on to play for the Miami Dolphins (2006-07), Falcons (2008-10) and San Francisco 49ers (2011). Peelle played collegiately at Oregon (1998-2001), earning first-team All-Pac-10 honors as a senior.

-BUCCANEERS-

Latest Headlines

2024 State of the Bucs: Post-Draft Edition, Offense

Following the 2024 NFL Draft, a look at how the roster shakes out on the offensive side of the ball

Inaugural Buccaneers National Coaching Academy Kicks Off

The Buccaneers inaugural National Coaching Academy, an intensive seven-day learning experience, kicks off on May 6

More Options in the Huddle Could Spark Run Game

Rookie RB Bucky Irving an Option in Return Game | Updates

Keep informed with our daily updates: News, notes and more throughout the month of May

Liam Coen on Baker Mayfield: 'This is His Team' | Press Conference

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen spoke to the media Monday during offseason coach availability. Coordinator Coen discussed the Bucs rookie offensive weapons, the effort being put into the run game and QB Baker Mayfield taking control of the team.

Kevin Carberry: Graham Barton Plays the Game the Right Way | Press Conference

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Line Coach Kevin Carberry spoke to the media Monday during offseason coach availability. Coach Carberry discussed first-round pick Graham Barton's love for the game and the competition at left guard.

Josh Grizzard on Liam Coen's Creativity | Press Conference

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pass Game Coordinator Josh Grizzard spoke to the media Monday during offseason coach availability. Coordinator Grizzard discussed the progress the offense has made early in the offseason and Liam Coen's vision.

Skip Peete on Bucky Irving's Ability to Produce Big Plays | Press Conference

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Running Backs Coach Skip Peete spoke to the media Monday during offseason coach availability. Coach Peete discussed the emphasis on running with violence and looking forward to competition in training camp.

Bryan McClendon on Chris Godwin Playing in the Slot | Press Conference

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon spoke to the media Monday during offseason coach availability. Coach McClendon discussed adding Jalen McMillan to the wide receiver room and the luxury of having veterans Mike Evans & Chris Godwin.

Justin Peelle on Cade Otton's Rise, Potential in 2024 | Press Conference

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tight Ends Coach Justin Peelle spoke to the media Monday during offseason coach availability. Coach Peelle discussed Cade Otton entering his third year and how tight ends Ko Kieft, Payne Durham & Devin Culp look to contribute.

Thad Lewis Says 'Sky's The Limit' for Bucs Offense | Press Conference

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterbacks Coach Thad Lewis spoke to the media Monday during offseason coach availability. Coach Lewis discussed adding motions & shifts into the offense and how QB Baker Mayfield is working on perfecting his footwork.

Thomas McGaughey on Evolving with New Kickoff Rule | Press Conference

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey spoke to the media Monday during offseason coach availability. Coordinator McGaughey discussed the opportunities the new kickoff rule presents and some options to perform at kick returner.

Photos: Best of USA Football's Talent ID Camp

View photos from USA Football's Talent ID Camp at AdventHealth Training Center on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

Draft Aftermath | S.S. Mailbag

This week, Buccaneers fans have questions about some of the positions the Bucs' didn't address in last weekend's draft, a hypothetical league-wide redraft, and more

Bucs Anticipate Fierce Competition at Cornerback in Camp

With multiple legitimate starting options both outside and in the slot and several young players looking to step into bigger roles, the Buccaneers expect a battle for playing time in the secondary this season

2024 State of the Bucs: Post-Draft Edition, Defense

Following the 2024 NFL Draft, a look at how the roster shakes out on the defensive side of the ball

Reacting to the Bucs 2024 Draft Class: 'A++' | Bucs Insider

Team Reporter Casey Phillips and Senior Writer & Editor Scott Smith talk about all the latest Bucs news in this week's edition of Bucs Insider. The duo discussed their thoughts of the Bucs 2024 draft class, how each player can make an impact in their rookie year and what to expect going forward.

Graham Barton's First 24 Hours in the NFL

Go behind the scenes with Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round draft pick Graham Barton during his first 24 hours in the league. Watch as he gets the phone call, tours the Bucs facility and meets his teammates.