Back-To-Normal Consensus For Todd Bowles
June 27th, 2025
Joe has listened to a wide variety of national takes on Team Glazer extending the contract of head coach Todd Bowles yesterday through 2028.
One theme has run through most of the analysis: Bowles’ miserable defense last season was an anomaly and he’s sure to right the defensive pirate ship this year.
“If you go and look at the history of Todd Bowles defenses, it’s probably going to get better. Like [2024 is] one of the worst defenses he’s ever fielded,” ESPN NFL data nerd Ben Solak told the NFL Daily podcast. “He’s a pretty reliably good defensive coach, has a system that’s been working for a long time, they invested a ton in that back-7. So I think that defense is going to take a step back to normalcy.”
Could it be that simple?
With Antoine Winfield healthy and Hassan Reddick added to upgrade the edge rusher, along with a healthy injection of cornerback depth and legitimate inside linebackers, might that be enough to bring the defense back to where it was in 2022?
Back then, with Tom Brady bumbling and stumbling to craft gameplans with offensive non-guru Byron Leftwich, the Bucs averaged 18.4 points per game and won the NFC South. Last year, the Bucs averaged 29.5 points and won the division with little defense.
Pair a “normal” Bowles defense with the Bucs’ loaded offense and special things should happen.
If not, well, Team Glazer seems ready to give Bowles more years to figure it out.
June 27th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
If not, well, Team Glazer seems ready to give Bowles more years to figure it out.
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And therein lies the rub.
June 27th, 2025 at 4:57 pm
Criminal that Arians pushed Byron Leftwich to be the OC for the Bucs.
June 27th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
Same ole Bucs…
Winning is NOT a priority For the Bucs owners!…
June 27th, 2025 at 5:22 pm
Tye, what part of your anatomy did you pull that out of? Winning is definitely a priority for the whole organization, the GM, the Head Coach, the players, and everyone associated with the team. So, in what universe do you think that winning is not a priority for the owners? Winning brings attention to the team, increases attendance at games, results in more merchandise being sole, etc. etc. Winning increases revenue, and if nothing else motivates the owners, it’s increased revenue. However, I think the Glazers also care about this community, Tampa and the Bay area. You don’t think they’d like to relive that experience holding the Lombardi Trophy? Dude, your assessment of the Glazers is just dead wrong.
June 27th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
I still see holes in that defensive roster. A huge hole at MLB and until they prove otherwise I still don’t see an edge rush without smoke and mirrors. Hopefully Dennis can stay out of the hot tube and become the player they think he’s going to be and Reddick will regain form.
June 27th, 2025 at 5:47 pm
Waterboy, it’s virtually impossible in today’s salary cap NFL to have extreme depth at every position. No team can say they do. We do however have solid starters at every position and good backups in most which is more than many teams can say.
June 27th, 2025 at 6:03 pm
Reasonable take by Solack.
June 27th, 2025 at 6:20 pm
You guys sound like Randy Quaid in Major League.
June 27th, 2025 at 6:29 pm
The extension for Coach Bowles *might* have been nothing more than giving the players and coaches the feeling of security. Because, regardless of the contract, the owners can fire anyone/everyone any time they want.
June 27th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
I worry about Dennis in that hot “tube”. Sounds claustrophobic.
Is that their sauna… thought he was in the ice tub normally? LOL
June 27th, 2025 at 8:09 pm
They need to sign Kyzir White at ILB and they would be set on D