You are right! If they already have a line on somebody, there's no reason not to nail it down. I think some of this has to do with the respect they want to show toward Bowles. They don't want to just dump him on the side of the road as happens with many fired HCs. But on the other hand how respectful is it to go behind his Bowles back to find a new HC all the while telling the public you are sticking with the old one? If he doesn't know it from the Bucs then he'll hear from the press, which is not the way you want it to go down. Whenever and whatever the announcement is, I'm pretty sure Bowles will be in the loop throughout the process.I see a number of posts stating that the Bucs will wait until January to make a decision on Bowles.
I looked at the Calander just to make sure.
Just as I thought, we are already in January.
Top Candidates for the "Next" Coach
If the Glazers decide to move on from Bowles, the rumor mill has already identified several top targets, focusing heavily on modernizing the offense.
| Candidate | Current Role | Why They Are a Target |
| Klint Kubiak | Seahawks OC | The Frontrunner. Kubiak is widely considered the top offensive candidate. He is credited with revitalizing Sam Darnold's career in Seattle and running a scheme that maximizes quarterback play—something the Bucs desperately need to pair with their offensive weapons. |
| Chris Shula | Rams DC | A young defensive mind from the Sean McVay tree. Despite being a defensive coach, his connection to the modern Rams system makes him an attractive option to bring a fresh culture to Tampa Bay. |
| Jesse Minter | Chargers DC | Minter has drawn praise for his work with the Chargers' defense, maximizing talent and employing a confusing, modern scheme. He is seen as a "new age" defensive candidate compared to Bowles' more traditional blitz-heavy approach. |
| Jon Gruden | Free Agent | The Wildcard. His name is circulating again as an "intriguing option" (per ESPN's Dan Graziano). While he has baggage and an active lawsuit against the league, his history with the Bucs and offensive pedigree keep him in the conversation among fans and some pundits. |
I have to lean toward the OP as opposed to the coordinator scenario. I think One Buc still believes, rightly or wrongly, that there is the talent on this team to go far in the playoffs. They don't need a greenhorn coordinator making rookie mistakes while learning on the job. I also don't think Gruden is really on a Bucs shortlist.Top Candidates for the "Next" Coach
If the Glazers decide to move on from Bowles, the rumor mill has already identified several top targets, focusing heavily on modernizing the offense.
Candidate Current Role Why They Are a Target Klint Kubiak Seahawks OC The Frontrunner. Kubiak is widely considered the top offensive candidate. He is credited with revitalizing Sam Darnold's career in Seattle and running a scheme that maximizes quarterback play—something the Bucs desperately need to pair with their offensive weapons. Chris Shula Rams DC A young defensive mind from the Sean McVay tree. Despite being a defensive coach, his connection to the modern Rams system makes him an attractive option to bring a fresh culture to Tampa Bay. Jesse Minter Chargers DC Minter has drawn praise for his work with the Chargers' defense, maximizing talent and employing a confusing, modern scheme. He is seen as a "new age" defensive candidate compared to Bowles' more traditional blitz-heavy approach. Jon Gruden Free Agent The Wildcard. His name is circulating again as an "intriguing option" (per ESPN's Dan Graziano). While he has baggage and an active lawsuit against the league, his history with the Bucs and offensive pedigree keep him in the conversation among fans and some pundits.
Both Lincoln Riley and Ryan Day have head coaching experience albeit not in the NFL. If the Bucs are prioritizing the QB position in this hire, you can't do better than Riley who has coached the following QBs, three of them first pick of the draft:
- Baker Mayfield (Browns, 2018)
- Kyler Murray (Cardinals, 2019)
- Caleb Williams (Bears, 2024)
- Jalen Hurts (Eagles)
- Spencer Rattler (Saints)
his history with the Bucs and offensive pedigree keep him in the conversation among fans and some pundits.
LOL!!!!!!!
Ryan Day has had superior talent in college football for years, and has one championship. We don’t need an underachieving HC.
Lolz at Ryan Day
I personally would go Shula, Kubiack, Minter in that order, I would avoid Riley like the plague the man couldn't hire a competent DC in college what makes anyone think he would hire on in the NFL
To me this screams gruden.
Simple solution: Licht hires the DC.I personally would go Shula, Kubiack, Minter in that order, I would avoid Riley like the plague the man couldn't hire a competent DC in college what makes anyone think he would hire on in the NFL
Bowles having his season exit press conference tomorrow.
idk guys, as I’ve said, poorly run franchises, make poor decisions
there’s a reason we have the worst winning percentage all time
I’m already worried Bowles is back, when will you be worried? He’s surviving tomorrow so then what?
It's not going to be Riley or Day....smh.
I really think because of the structure of Toilet Bowles contract extension, he sticks around and I think the Glazers and Licht pick a new OC and DC to run both sides of the ball in spite of Bowles. It is clearly obvious that Bowles cannot lead a football team. He couldn't do it in NY. He can't do it here. I think he is a lame duck for one more season but if one thing was clear this season: he has lost that locker room and the only thing that will save him is that contract extension.
It's not going to be Riley or Day....smh.
I really think because of the structure of Toilet Bowles contract extension, he sticks around and I think the Glazers and Licht pick a new OC and DC to run both sides of the ball in spite of Bowles. It is clearly obvious that Bowles cannot lead a football team. He couldn't do it in NY. He can't do it here. I think he is a lame duck for one more season but if one thing was clear this season: he has lost that locker room and the only thing that will save him is that contract extension.
yeah that contract extension was terrible. 😞
@badabingbucs It really was for a coach that really did not deserve it. This team has been in decline since he took it from Arians.
$9 mil or whatever that's down the drain is a drop in the bucket. But it may be about more than money. If Licht lobbied for the Bowles extension, then it may be the Glazers telling Licht in so many words "You wanted this. You wanted to keep Bowles over Coen. Now own it. Make it work." But I don't think the Glazers will be like that. They want to win and that's more important than proving a point with Licht. Stuff happens in the NFL and you have to react. They didn't react with Coen and it cost them. They can eat the Bowles' money or kick him into the front office. That way if any other team wants to hire him as DC they will have to possibly pay a portion of the salary. In any case Licht has owned his mistakes in the past. He had no choice but to extend Bowles or have him be a lame duck. So now he has to own that decision and go forward in the best way possible from here.It's not going to be Riley or Day....smh.
I really think because of the structure of Toilet Bowles contract extension, he sticks around and I think the Glazers and Licht pick a new OC and DC to run both sides of the ball in spite of Bowles. It is clearly obvious that Bowles cannot lead a football team. He couldn't do it in NY. He can't do it here. I think he is a lame duck for one more season but if one thing was clear this season: he has lost that locker room and the only thing that will save him is that contract extension.
