I don't think he's viewed the same in NFL circles. It could be the wrong decision and he could walk or another team could need a QB so bad that even at his weakest, he's a better option than what they see they have. That is the reality of the situation but not so long ago, the NFL seemed to be done with him - at least as a starter - until he came to Tampa.Let's see if health on the offense as a whole and a better OC helps him back to the level we have seen him perform.
And, if "he's your guy", you've now put yourself in a position to lose him.
If "he's not your guy", then let him play out the season, and start blowing things up next January.
depends what kind of season Baker has
2023 like - could see teams like Minnesota and Pittsburgh in on his services. I think Bucs are likely to want to work out a deal with Baker. Could use franchise tag at $48M, to eliminate other teams and just have negotiations between baker and Bucs
2024 like- a few more teams may come into the picture - Jets, Houston, Cardinals, Saints. Again, franchise tag to eliminate concerns and work out a deal with Baker.
2025 - Bucs may decide to just move on, likely would be coming off losing season, with new head coach, and top 10 draft pick. Could potentially sign a bridge QB and draft a QB high, clearly we don’t want this but it’s likely if we miss playoffs again
The choice to extend Bowles will go down as maybe the worst move the glazers ever made. I understand both sides not extending baker at this point but I also feel like bowles is part of why he isn't extended yet. On both the part that the team underperformed last year and that trend could continue to happen when it matters most as long as we have bowles here. Why put your body on the line for mediocre football?
We then are headed for the direction of eventually a rebuild with both a hc and very possible that Mayfield goes somewhere else because he's just in a better situation next year. Bucs choose to go another direction because they know they won't go anywhere with bowles and have wasted some decent opportunities with him here. Its low key a reason why Mike Evans left. Let's not be shocked if it goes to baker.
I'm not saying we should extend him now but the team has been put in a crappy position because we chose to prematurally extend Bowles and were not giving baker that same love. Not a good place for this franchise while the rest of the division gets better over time. We're going the other way unless we put it together this year and next.
Agreed with your statement about Bowles and the Glazers. That decision can end up costing them so much more than if they had just cut the cord with him.The choice to extend Bowles will go down as maybe the worst move the glazers ever made. I understand both sides not extending baker at this point but I also feel like bowles is part of why he isn't extended yet. On both the part that the team underperformed last year and that trend could continue to happen when it matters most as long as we have bowles here. Why put your body on the line for mediocre football?
We then are headed for the direction of eventually a rebuild with both a hc and very possible that Mayfield goes somewhere else because he's just in a better situation next year. Bucs choose to go another direction because they know they won't go anywhere with bowles and have wasted some decent opportunities with him here. Its low key a reason why Mike Evans left. Let's not be shocked if it goes to baker.
I'm not saying we should extend him now but the team has been put in a crappy position because we chose to prematurally extend Bowles and were not giving baker that same love. Not a good place for this franchise while the rest of the division gets better over time. We're going the other way unless we put it together this year and next.
The choice to extend Bowles will go down as maybe the worst move the glazers ever made. I understand both sides not extending baker at this point but I also feel like bowles is part of why he isn't extended yet. On both the part that the team underperformed last year and that trend could continue to happen when it matters most as long as we have bowles here. Why put your body on the line for mediocre football?
We then are headed for the direction of eventually a rebuild with both a hc and very possible that Mayfield goes somewhere else because he's just in a better situation next year. Bucs choose to go another direction because they know they won't go anywhere with bowles and have wasted some decent opportunities with him here. Its low key a reason why Mike Evans left. Let's not be shocked if it goes to baker.
I'm not saying we should extend him now but the team has been put in a crappy position because we chose to prematurally extend Bowles and were not giving baker that same love. Not a good place for this franchise while the rest of the division gets better over time. We're going the other way unless we put it together this year and next.
agreed that extending Bowles in the Summer of 2025 was borderline retarded behavior. Had he not been extended, they would have fired him this past year and who knows perhaps have had our choice of - Klint Kubiak, John Harbaugh, Mike McCarthy, Robert Saleh, or Mike LaFleur. Now some might have still gone to big market, #1 overall pick, etc. teams but just saying. Also, Mike McDaniel might have been an interesting risky choice but better than Bowles HC choice.
not many coaches survive a 2-7 collapse. Looks obvious to me he survived because of the extension. Otherwise, they either choose to extend him again which would have been anarchy or they would have let him coach on a 1 year remaining deal. Not likely either.
I dont think you should question Baker's heart. He will put his body on the line whether we have Bowles, thriving, or in the midst of a collapse. So i don't think that plays a factor.
and no doubt, if Bucs miss playoffs with a losing record this year, Bowles is gone; Bucs might have a high draft pick, and management could be wanting to see what the next coach wants to do. Like maybe they blow it up. One would think, minus the homers on this board, that if Bucs had a losing record, Baker likely didnt play to 2024 levels and contributed to the down season.
Disclaimer: I think it's likely Baker is Buc in 2027; dont think he blames Bowles or others whether Bucs continue to win 9 games as long as he is starting and playing well.
Over playing the role of the extension. The Glazers fired Gruden and Allen right after extensions.
The Glazers didn't keep Bowles because they extended him. They kept Bowles because they believe in him OR because they believe the most likely path back to the playoffs was Bowles, new OC and new defensive talent.
The choice to extend Bowles will go down as maybe the worst move the glazers ever made.
Agreed with your statement about Bowles and the Glazers. That decision can end up costing them so much more than if they had just cut the cord with him.
agreed that extending Bowles in the Summer of 2025 was borderline retarded behavior.
Yup.
Over playing the role of the extension. The Glazers fired Gruden and Allen right after extensions.
The Glazers didn't keep Bowles because they extended him. They kept Bowles because they believe in him OR because they believe the most likely path back to the playoffs was Bowles, new OC and new defensive talent.
let's play a hypothetical. So 2025 summer comes and goes, no extension is had
Bucs start the season 6-2 and finish 2-7 to finish 8-9 and miss the playoffs. Bowles is entering 2026 off-season with 2026 being last season.
1 - Do we they extend him after the collapse? (Surely, you would not suggest this)
2 - Do they fire him after the collapse?
3 - Do they just let him coach the final year before deciding what to do with him?
Glazers are test driving their next head coach.
I suspected that as well. Now there can be great debate on was that the right move to make or not, but it would not surprise me in the least.Glazers are test driving their next head coach.
Glazers are test driving their next head coach.
If that is the case then that is worse because Bowles is going to be the cause for everyone to lose their jobs and future potential.
If he keeps his nose out of the offense, the defensive talent is almost exactly what his scheme needs.
Although, still seems thin at ILB & CB, but no team is perfect.
Robinson may not need to score 30 to to win…but it would be nice if he actually could.
Bowles has a problem doing that in every season he has been here including when Coen was here which why there was a mid season slide in every season Bowles has coached.
If he keeps his nose out of the offense, the defensive talent is almost exactly what his scheme needs.
Although, still seems thin at ILB & CB, but no team is perfect.
Robinson may not need to score 30 to to win…but it would be nice if he actually could.
Well said
