The Bucs are going to have a difficult time attracting top head-coaching candidates if Dirk Koetter is fired, according to one of the most plugged-in NFL reporters.

"Right now, the Tampa Bay job is just south of the Cincinnati job on the watch-out-what-job-you-take coaching line," NBC Sports' Peter King said Tuesday morning on a Pro Football Talk segment. "When you talk to agents of coaches, none of them are excited about the Tampa Bay job."

King, who spent years writing about the NFL for Sports Illustrated before moving to NBC this year, mentioned several candidates when going over other prospective openings in places like Cleveland and New York (Jets). He offered no candidates for the Bucs job, saying it would be attractive to "someone who wanted to be a coach for so long they'll take a job anywhere."

King said uncertainty about quarterback Jameis Winston and the future of general manager Jason Licht are factors.

On Winston, who has a $20.9-million contract option for next season that is guaranteed only if he gets injured, King said, "he certainly hasn't demonstrated that he earned that money."

King closed the segment on the Bucs by saying, "I think it could be a clean sweep in Tampa."

Contact Mike Sherman at msherman@tampabay.com. Follow @mikesherman