The Glazers may feel that Bowles navigated the cap crunch and lean years and hand him the keys for bigger money free agents. But if he doesn't finish strong he will not have the chance because that is what happened to Morris and to an extent with Schiano.
I dont see the Bucs finishing strong because one thing team often struggle to turn around is the finger pointing. As much as Bowles deserves blame for the defensive collapse, he'd deserve massive credit if they win in Carolina .. right after he called the defense out
if Bucs make playoffs, Bowles odds to stick skyrocket
If they lose in first round and offense doesn’t get it together, I think they replace grizz
think they sort of make Todd a figurehead and add a DC as well; obviously replace ST
all speculation, let’s seee what happens Sunday but anything short of a play off win, not sure how you run it back
We knew going in that the nedge position was suspect & ILB was manned by an aging LVD and the other an oft-injured but largely untested ILb - and two rookies in the secondary.That counters the narrative a bit!Likewise, Bowles inherited the credit card bill for the Brady salary cap expenditures/limitations. That cost Bowles some free-agent flexibility to replace aging defensive starters - not to mention the flubs on premium draft picks.
Allow me to push back on the salary cap limitations. Here the contracts handed out since Todd Bowles arrived and was promoted to HC:
Todd Bowles is hired as DC
2019 - $41.44M (Suh, Perriman, Barrett, Pinion, etc.)
2020 - $75.29M (Brady, Suh, Fournette, Gronk, Brown, etc.)
2021 - $60.55M (Suh, Succop, Fournette, Gronk, Brown, etc.)
Todd Bowles is promoted to HC
2022 - $100.52M (Brady, Gage, Fournette, etc.)
2023 - $91.34M (Dean, Nelson, David, Mayfield, etc.)
2024 - $417.10M (Wirfs, Mayfield, Winfield, Evans, McLaughlin, David, Whitehead, etc.)
2025 - $46.13M (Reddick, Nelson, Gaines, etc.)
They have spent more money and handed out larger contracts while Todd Bowles was the HC than ever before. The salary cap is an excuse the Bowles cannot use.
Yeah, all of the contracts given out in 2024 alone should have ended that narrative. But there are unadulterated leghumpers among us.
not sure how anyone can say the Bucs didn't invest in defense. Now, not saying the players all turned out to be great but some of that has to be on coaching schemes, no? I mean just 2025 alone, the investments made should have seen improvement and we went the wrong direction. There was no excuse for the defense to be as bad as it was this year
Logan Hall, 2022 2nd round pick
Calijah Kancey, 2023 1st round pick
Vita Vea, contract extension in January 2022
Yaya Diaby, 2023 3rd round pick
Lavonte David, continue to bring back
Haason Reddick, signed to 14 million dollar deal in off-season
Chris Braswell, 2024 second round pick
Jamel Dean, signed contract extension in March 2023
AWJ signed contract extension in May 2024
Tykee Smith, 2023 third round pick
Benjamin Morrison, 2025 second round pick
Jacob Parrish, 2025 3rd round pick
Zyon McCollum signed contract extension in September 2025
You could argue the only position they neglected was inside linebacker with having to role with the likes of SirVocea Dennis and a washed up LVD. That being said, to be ranked in the bottom 10 defense is unacceptable with this talent
They knew that Reddick didn’t hit the mark at mid-season, that LVD had continued his decline, and that SVD wasn’t able to do what was needed - the organization decided NOT to go after any trades to address those failing areas of the team. My only conclusion is that conserving drafts picks and the cost of FA’s were beyond what the organization wanted to pay. We did not trade to improve the weaknesses - astonishingly the defense didn’t get better.
Our OC hasn’t been spectacular, but because of the injuries on offensive line & WR - he got the benefit of the doubt. That isn’t the primary cause of losses, but it provided an offense that could no longer overcome our own defensive shortcomings. Maybe the offense & playcalling will improve over these last 3 games - but the defensive failure won’t - and will definitely be exposed should we make the playoffs.
I think the two Carolina and Miami games that remain are going to be hard, if not impossible, for this team to overcome.
I am willing to be surprised, but I don’t have any confidence that this team can win-out.
It’s not just Bowles. It appears as if there were trades available - expensive, but available - for the 2 positions most needed to make Bowles (or any) scheme work this season.
Our defense has not been good any of the years he's been here. Such a liability. Worst part is he still does it even if he doesn't have the players. Good old repetitive smashing your head against the wall. The usual evidence that someone doesn't have it.
I’m not saying that a change isn’t warranted, I’m only saying that history shows it’s fools gold to think a coaching change will quick-fix the Bucs into a contender.
This is a 12-win team with Coen as head coach.
I get the hesitancy with going through a "real" coaching regime search. It brings back bad memories.
But, this team is going nowhere with Todd at the helm.
We've simply been lucky to be in such a dogshit division for the past several years.
I’m not saying that a change isn’t warranted, I’m only saying that history shows it’s fools gold to think a coaching change will quick-fix the Bucs into a contender.
This is a 12-win team with Coen as head coach.
I get the hesitancy with going through a "real" coaching regime search. It brings back bad memories.
But, this team is going nowhere with Todd at the helm.
We've simply been lucky to be in such a dogshit division for the past several years.
yeah Todd Bowles isn’t even a top 20 head coach. Bucs need to use this opportunity to move on
that said, they somehow win a playoff game, I’m afraid he isn’t going anywhere
they get blown out, like Dallas style back in 2022, then yeah probably good chance he’s out but not forgone conclusion
they miss playoffs somehow, they’d have to probably lose out, not sure how you keep him with a 2-9 finish after 5-1 start.
Coen doesn't coach defense. It depends on who the DC is.I’m not saying that a change isn’t warranted, I’m only saying that history shows it’s fools gold to think a coaching change will quick-fix the Bucs into a contender.
This is a 12-win team with Coen as head coach.
Its not just bad memories, there's a lot of data that, more often than not with this franchise, coaching changes bring a lot of losses.I’m not saying that a change isn’t warranted, I’m only saying that history shows it’s fools gold to think a coaching change will quick-fix the Bucs into a contender.
This is a 12-win team with Coen as head coach.
I get the hesitancy with going through a "real" coaching regime search. It brings back bad memories.
But, this team is going nowhere with Todd at the helm.
We've simply been lucky to be in such a dogshit division for the past several years.
Like I said, I’m not saying a change isn’t warranted, but if we’re at that point, you can’t always get what you want…
The Glazers may feel that Bowles navigated the cap crunch and lean years and hand him the keys for bigger money free agents. But if he doesn't finish strong he will not have the chance because that is what happened to Morris and to an extent with Schiano.
I dont see the Bucs finishing strong because one thing team often struggle to turn around is the finger pointing. As much as Bowles deserves blame for the defensive collapse, he'd deserve massive credit if they win in Carolina .. right after he called the defense out
if Bucs make playoffs, Bowles odds to stick skyrocket
If they lose in first round and offense doesn’t get it together, I think they replace grizz
think they sort of make Todd a figurehead and add a DC as well; obviously replace ST
all speculation, let’s seee what happens Sunday but anything short of a play off win, not sure how you run it back
yep exciting game on Sunday for sure
even if the Bucs win out the Bucs still probably move on from Bowles and that seems like the right move because it's the defense collapsing. And, frankly, the way it's collapsing.
like I've said before. Right coach for these circumstances. Bucs have seemed to agree. Circumstances have changed a bit though.
According to Barber this team has average talent and their record reflects this. Maybe it isn't a forgone conclusion that Bowles is on the way out. Fundamentally though a lot of draft pick resources have been thrown toward the defensive backfield and it still is a work in progress four years later. Doesn't make sense logically as Dean is playing at a high level and you have Winfield/Smith as your safeties which are two of the best safeties in the NFL.
The problem is the play calling just like last season is starting to become a problem. Where are the shallow middle zone robbers that used to be called? No point having Smith and Winfield Jr sit in a cover 2 shell over the top constantly if you don't have the MLB to drop deep in the middle to defend the middle. LVD is no Derrick Brooks or Shelton Quarles (maybe in his prime).
Its not just bad memories, there's a lot of data that, more often than not with this franchise, coaching changes bring a lot of losses.I’m not saying that a change isn’t warranted, I’m only saying that history shows it’s fools gold to think a coaching change will quick-fix the Bucs into a contender.
This is a 12-win team with Coen as head coach.
I get the hesitancy with going through a "real" coaching regime search. It brings back bad memories.
But, this team is going nowhere with Todd at the helm.
We've simply been lucky to be in such a dogshit division for the past several years.
Like I said, I’m not saying a change isn’t warranted, but if we’re at that point, you can’t always get what you want…
...but if you try sometimes, well, you just might find, you get what you need, ohhhhh yeah
Coen doesn't coach defense. It depends on who the DC is.I’m not saying that a change isn’t warranted, I’m only saying that history shows it’s fools gold to think a coaching change will quick-fix the Bucs into a contender.
This is a 12-win team with Coen as head coach.
What makes you think it would be a different DC than who he has in Jacksonville where they are 10-4? Coaches hire the people they know, or who people they know give their approval.
I suppose it's possible he would have kept somebody on this staff, but I'm guessing he saw this defensive staff isn't all that great.
Coen doesn't coach defense. It depends on who the DC is.I’m not saying that a change isn’t warranted, I’m only saying that history shows it’s fools gold to think a coaching change will quick-fix the Bucs into a contender.
This is a 12-win team with Coen as head coach.
What makes you think it would be a different DC than who he has in Jacksonville where they are 10-4? Coaches hire the people they know, or who people they know give their approval.
I suppose it's possible he would have kept somebody on this staff, but I'm guessing he saw this defensive staff isn't all that great.
But theres always "optics," Dave
Hey, does $80 million matter?
Coen doesn't coach defense. It depends on who the DC is.I’m not saying that a change isn’t warranted, I’m only saying that history shows it’s fools gold to think a coaching change will quick-fix the Bucs into a contender.
This is a 12-win team with Coen as head coach.
What makes you think it would be a different DC than who he has in Jacksonville where they are 10-4? Coaches hire the people they know, or who people they know give their approval.
I suppose it's possible he would have kept somebody on this staff, but I'm guessing he saw this defensive staff isn't all that great.
Agreed on both.
Coen brought it Campanile as DC.
Here's the turnaround:
2024
Offense Points Per Game - 26th
Defense Poits Per Game - 27th
2025
Offense Points Per Game - 8th
Defense Points Per Game - 10th
There's a reason why Liam is currently sitting 2nd in the COY odds.
Its not just bad memories, there's a lot of data that, more often than not with this franchise, coaching changes bring a lot of losses.I’m not saying that a change isn’t warranted, I’m only saying that history shows it’s fools gold to think a coaching change will quick-fix the Bucs into a contender.
This is a 12-win team with Coen as head coach.
I get the hesitancy with going through a "real" coaching regime search. It brings back bad memories.
But, this team is going nowhere with Todd at the helm.
We've simply been lucky to be in such a dogshit division for the past several years.
Like I said, I’m not saying a change isn’t warranted, but if we’re at that point, you can’t always get what you want…
...but if you try sometimes, well, you just might find, you get what you need, ohhhhh yeah
Gotta swing for the fences if you want the ultimate prize.
Scared money don't make money.
Three of the top 7 teams have first year coaches.
Vrabel
Coen
Johnson
With the right QB, things can turn around quickly.
and he’ll, Caleb is completing 58% of his passes and they are still fine.
ww have a QB. We need a good coach
