PFF: Hot Seat For Todd Bowles
June 3rd, 2025
Expect more from Todd Bowles.
Sometimes, Joe thinks Todd Bowles has become a punching bag and the guy still has the sword of Cooper Kupp hanging over his head.
Fair? Maybe, maybe not. Reality? Oh, yes.
Bowles, since taking over as Bucs head coach in the middle of the offseason three years ago, has done nothing but guide his team to a division crown in three straight seasons and has improved the team’s regular season record each year.
Take away Bowles’ name and ask a Bucs fan or NFL fan if a coach wins three straight divisions and improves his win total each season is he doing a good job, and hardly anyone would say no.
But then invoke Bowles’ name and it triggers people.
Take Bradley Locker of the PFF tribe. He seems to think if the Bucs can’t win a playoff game this winter, Bowles easily could be toast.
As is the case with Mike Tomlin, it would be tough to rationally part ways with Bowles, given what the Buccaneers have accomplished over the past few seasons. Still, there’s a case to be made that Tampa Bay could go a different direction.
Since Bowles replaced Bruce Arians, the Buccaneers have posted a 27-24 record, albeit with a 1-3 playoff mark. Baker Mayfield has steadied into an above-average quarterback since 2023, powering Tampa Bay’s offense to sit seventh in EPA per play in that span. But Bowles, a defensive-oriented coach, has benefited from two elite offensive coordinators-turned-head coaches in Dave Canales and Liam Coen.
Speaking of, the Buccaneers’ defense hasn’t been stingy under Bowles of late. Last year, Tampa ranked 18th in EPA per play, 21st in pass-rushing and 18th in coverage. Critics also point to Bowles’ poor game management, not to mention his inability to retain the aforementioned offensive masterminds.
The Buccaneers have quietly become one of the NFL’s more stable and well-run organizations in the past five years, which raises questions about the odds of Bowles no longer being the team’s head coach. If he can’t produce a postseason victory for another year, then ownership could look somewhere else.
Before Joe goes after Locker, comparing Bowles and Tomlin is unfair to Bowles. The long-time Steelers coach has done an awful job the past few years. Sure, they’ve made the playoffs. Barely.
Look how that offense has been a joke for years in Pittsburgh. Tomlin has morphed into Father Dungy thinking you can win in the NFL playing 1960s smashmouth football. His offensive coordinator hires have been turrible.
Bowles, on the other hand, has done a strong job hiring offensive coordinators.
Let’s be real: There aren’t two many coaches who could have gone from Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield and still not missed a playoff season. Bowles has.
And it’s not like the Bucs have been blown out of the playoffs the past two years. Two one-score games doomed the Bucs.
Is it frustrating the Bucs have been bounced out of the postseason in those close games? Yes.
To Locker’s point about offensive coaches leaving, what the hell does he expect? Bowles should hire slugs like Tomlin has to ensure they don’t leave because no one would want their sorry arses? That’s a stupid comment by Locker.
Yeah, both Dave Canales and Liam Coen have been good. Who does Locker think hired them, Lovie Smith?
There is a vocal split decision at JoeBucsFan.com headquarters. One Joe very much thinks Bowles is on thin ice if the Bucs miss the playoffs. The other Joe thinks Bowles has built up enough street cred with the powers that be at One Buc Palace where he wouldn’t be in danger unless the Bucs fully collapse and only win, say, four games
Make no mistake, though, there should be pressure on Bowles to make a playoff run. He has the talent capable of winning some playoff games.
June 3rd, 2025 at 5:05 am
Blaming Bowles for his OCs leaving has to be the dumbest take of the whole piece. I saw an interview with Bowles yesterday, and came away impressed. That said, Todd is on the 4th year of a 5 year deal. The fifth year is a team option that I don’t believe the team as picked up? That would put Todd squarely on the hot seat.
June 3rd, 2025 at 5:12 am
That first year I wanted to drag Bowles behind my motorcycle. This second hear he made a few really bone headed decisions, but he won a playoff game. I kinda warmed up to him. Last year I was not real happy about some game management decisions but he did enough to make me happy to have him. I’m not blind to the fact we’ve had salary cap issues and he’s done well with USFAs and late round picks to coach. I would certainly think we should win our division again. I sure would like to see at least one playoff win.
June 3rd, 2025 at 5:34 am
I think he has to miss the playoffs. When he does that’s when he hires a DC and gets a extra year out of it.
June 3rd, 2025 at 5:46 am
Assuming no massive injuries, what puts him on the hot seat?
1) Not winning the division
2) Not winning at least 10 games
3) Defense not improving significantly over last year
4) Not getting to the NFC championship game or winning at least one playoff game
5) Offense taking a step back
I believe the Glazers will expect the Bucs to go 11-6 or better, win a 1st round home playoff game and get to the NFC championship at
least. The O (top 5 in points scored) and D (top 10 in points given up) need to be at the top of the league. ST also needs to be at least top 50% in the league.
June 3rd, 2025 at 5:51 am
I do got to say the best I ever felt about him was his 1st year when I heard the back to back 2 peat sound bit song. The hype has fizzled out since then.
June 3rd, 2025 at 6:00 am
Joe … ‘comparing Bowles and Tomlin is unfair to Tomlin. The long-time Steelers coach has done an awful job the past few years. Sure, they’ve made the playoffs. Barely.’
Uhhh, I must’ve misread that Joe. ‘Unfair to TOMLIN?’ The very next sentence chastises Tomlin for doing an ‘awful job’ and then notes the similarities … ‘They’ve made the playoffs. Barely’. Sounds to me like comparing their performances over the past 3 years is ‘Unfair to BOWLES’.
NFL football is a multi-billion dollar BUSINESS and the Head Coach is probably akin to the Chief Operating Officer (COO). They get paid millions per year to do their job (and I think that in Todd’s case he’s one of the lower-paid HCs). If the BUSINESS stumbles & doesn’t meet expectations, I’d certainly expect the COO to be on the hot seat. But that goes for all 32 teams, not just the Bucs.
Bucs are putting together something special, and that’s been thanks to Todd Bowles & Jason Licht. The two of them seem to complement each other very nicely. Can’t wait for real football to start; tired of groups like PFF stirring the pot to generate their so-called ‘news’.
June 3rd, 2025 at 6:04 am
That article was interesting and some of the coaches named I could see on the hot seat, but not Bowles, and I doubt Tomlin. Both of their contracts are up in 2027 and at that time they may both retire and/or move on to other positions in or out of the NFL. We could have another SB before that happens too. Bowles is also on the NFL Competition Committee with other coaches, McKay, … And the players fully respect him with no drama. He’s staying. Go Bucs!
June 3rd, 2025 at 6:07 am
Let’s not play with the Stats, won three division titles
In a suck division. This is a coach who took a Superbowl team and went into a losing season but won Division.
Take his name out and Say if a Coach inherited a Superbowl team WITH TOM BRADY ST QB and went under .500 what would you think
YEP good Coach maybe GREAT COACH nah
June 3rd, 2025 at 6:10 am
I’ve watched this team for 2 years now and I think Joe hit the nail on the head about Bowles regarding his last year as DC. This fan base that rails against him is still sore that the Rams made a play that beat us. Coming off a Super Bowl win with a 13-4 season I’m sure it was a tough loss. But it’s high time to let that game go.
June 3rd, 2025 at 6:10 am
This feels like a Tony Dungy situation Except Dungy had his defense Humming. If he can get 11 or more And get At Least 2 games deep into the playoffs, he stays. That’s what I believe will happen.
I’m NOT rooting against him. However I’ve seen a change in Head coaches that get stuck in neutral or worse, in favor of a New Coach with a different point of view, Jump Right Up and WIN us a Super Bowl Quickly!
I “Guarantee” the Glazers are pondering that Very point in fact….
He (Bowles) “Could Change History” with a Dominate Season FULL OF STEADY WINS.. His fate is in his Own Hands, Just the way He Likes it.
And Thank Goodness the season Kicks Off Sort of Soon. Before we know it, it’ll be one of the Best Seasons we’ve Ever had! A LOT of the mysteries are All Ready set in motion. The intrigue is STRONG this year! Exciting Stuff So Close yet So Far Away!
June 3rd, 2025 at 6:12 am
Bowles takes heat for in game decisions and losing very winnable games. Not his overall record. Last year his pass defense was absurdly bad. That is supposed to be his forte I believe. He deserves the heat for that. Jason Licht for all his greatness, has been unable to draft Todd a pass rusher to save his life. To Bowles’ credit he has somehow managed to get QB pressure without one. Fire Todd? No way. Could he manage to find the hot seat? You Bet but there are about 30 other HCs in that boat. He misses the playoffs with this roster? Then we can talk hot seat.
BTW Lets not forget some of the past inept HCs we thought might be able to take us to the promised land. Smith, Schiano, Morris, Williamson, Perkins, Bennett. Playoffs…Playoffs?!?
Go Bucs!
June 3rd, 2025 at 6:27 am
Dave Canales elite? And just like that this writer loses all credibility. Canales was way over his head for the first 10-12 weeks of 2023. Baker Mayfield and the rest of the talent saved him and got him that job in Carolina where he proved again that he is not a good offensive coordinator and in way over his head.
June 3rd, 2025 at 6:40 am
Bowles has put the fix for his entire defensive backfield on his shoulders for this year…. what’s it going to say if the back end doesn’t improve barring every single starter going down for the season with injuries?
June 3rd, 2025 at 6:54 am
O btw Joe, I’d say your analysis is pretty Spot On. Funny how some are So Desperate to try and change history. Yet it’s SO HARD to forget All of those polls that were taken concerning what EVERYONE Saw with their OWN EYES and voted accordingly.
Huh. SO MANY are aware of how our season ended in Each Year for the past say 6 years. From 2019 with a record breaking Winston fiasco to 2024 and not even capable of forcing a single punt and going out in front of me and the Entire Home Crowd with a whimper……
For me I felt SICK as I walked out of the stadium. FEED UP with shoddiness! FEED UP! I spend A LOT of money and invest HIGH HOPES only to be embarrassed once again by the defense. And even though our Offense kept it closish, It felt like we were SEAL CLUBBED AND HAD NO BUSINESS BEING THERE THE WHOLE GAME! We barely, and I Mean Barely made it there the very game before that. PATHETIC! EMBARRASSING! WEAK! DEFENSIVE GARBAGE!
Do any of you “Pollyanna’s” think I’ve got some kind of sorry’s to You for the way I FEEL about the coaching? Then You maybe of a Very Advanced Age and Your Mind is FOGGY. If that’s not your case and you Still don’t understand WHY I feel like I DO about the defensive coaching, then IT’S LIKELY THAT YOU ATE THE WRONG MUSHROOMS AND YOU’RE TRIPPING OUT!
The Trolls should ponder what I said Deeply. My kind feelings are written above. It wasn’t until the BS started pouring on that I thought it important that certain people need to stop peeing on legs and telling us it’s raining! Where I’m from, That’s met In Kind x 10! I’ll speak The Truth from the Expensive Seats whether You like it or NOT!
Have a nice day
June 3rd, 2025 at 7:15 am
All that ‘talent’ is on offense. The D has a few pieces but is nowhere near a playoff caliber group. Writers throw around, “ Bucs have all that talent”, but it’s one sided. Bowles crushed Andy Reid and Chiefs is SB when he had legit talent on D. Not the case at this point.
June 3rd, 2025 at 7:47 am
Mushrooms? That’s funny! The one thing we’ve had in common with the Steelers is being able to win while rebuilding after the SB. To me as a fan that’s huge because of all the 2-14 seasons. I know it’s not cool with the younger fans that don’t go that far back though. Recent success in the draft has sped up the process and I believe the Bucs are ready to make another run. If Bowles can continue to grow along with the team he’ll have no problem staying off the hot seat.
June 3rd, 2025 at 7:54 am
The fact that he has hired 2 offensive coordinators that are now head coaches is a feather in his cap. I trust he will get the defense figured out this year.
June 3rd, 2025 at 8:09 am
I have to say for a Todd Bowles story the comments section is refreshingly troll free for the moment.
This does not mean free of criticism. I think TB is a good, not great coach. That’s what makes his job security a tough call. Not that he’s above being replaced, but you better make dang sure you are making the right call. Outside looking in, the entire building is Team Todd. A change wouldn’t be to turn the team around, it would be to improve what is already here. Any replacement would have to come from inside the team. Otherwise, an outsider is going to want to blow things up.
And for the record, I think Tomlin is overrated. At some point not being able to have a team without a head case WR isn’t a player problem.
June 3rd, 2025 at 8:20 am
The window of opportunity only stays open so long and if you are not improving-then what are you doing? Bucs have more talent on the field this year and I would agree that Bucs need to win at least one playoff game to guarantee Bowles job security.
June 3rd, 2025 at 8:25 am
Fire Todd
June 3rd, 2025 at 8:29 am
ATRAIN
A reality check for you.
“won three division titles In a suck division.”
The first is a FACT! The second is YOUR OPINION. Which do you believe is more important?
Do you devalue Brady’s 7th SB because he couldn’t even win the “suck division”?
Was that SB win simply luck? Again couldn’t even win a SUCK DIVISION.
June 3rd, 2025 at 8:31 am
9-8 this year should get him fired.
He’s a mediocre HC that won the 3 straight titles by default. Its not a great accomplishment.
Any other division he would have already been unemployed
June 3rd, 2025 at 8:32 am
Like Drunk Bucs fan I’m pleasantly surprised this thread was largely clear of the trolls and their sock puppets.
Two things are critical. First and foremost is health, especially that of Baker. If he goes down and misses a large number of games that’s an instant get out of jail free card.
If massive injuries derail the D once again it COULD be another escape clause.
However IF the Bucs are healthy then the pressure shifts to WINNING. First ten games and the Division and then advance in the playoffs. Just like the Josephs said…. “Make no mistake, though, there should be pressure on Bowles to make a playoff run. He has the talent capable of winning some playoff games.”
June 3rd, 2025 at 8:55 am
Fact: Todd Bowles totally blew one of the greatest comebacks in NFL playoff history and the 2nd greatest comeback of Brady’s career in that Rams playoff game.
There’s no forgiving that for Brady, guaranteed. We could’ve won a 2nd Superbowl that year.
And Bowles’ defenses have been getting progressively worse year after year since our Superbowl victory.
So, yeah Bowles should definitely be on the the hot seat. Regardless how far we go this season, if Bowles’ defense holds us back from winning a Championship, he should be given an ultimatum for next season: Improve your defense or take a hike.
June 3rd, 2025 at 9:08 am
I still dont understand how you can watch the last few seasons and think Bowles should NOT be on the hot seat. He is NOT a good coach. I would bet all the money I have that if it werent for the terrible division Bowles would of been fired already. LMAO. I just dont understand how anyone can watch this guys teams defenses and game mismanagements on a regular basis and think “He’s a keeper.”
June 3rd, 2025 at 9:15 am
And I see the same fan boys are already getting “injury” excuses ready for Super Todd. Because once again nobody else has to deal with injuries. Once again, Todd is responsible for the depth of the team but I guess that doesnt matter either. Nah lets just keep giving him excuse after excuse. LMAO
June 3rd, 2025 at 9:28 am
Erik the Pilot and Driver … ‘And Bowles’ defenses have been getting progressively worse year after year since our Superbowl victory.’
Most people rate defenses in a macro-perspective based on Points Allowed. Here’s what Todd Bowles-led Bucs defenses have accomplished using that critieria starting with our 2020 Super Bowl year:
o 2020: 355 Points Allowed … Rank: #8 defense
o 2021: 353 Points Allowed … Rank: #5 defense
o 2022: 358 Points Allowed … Rank: #13 defense
o 2023: 325 Points Allowed … Rank: #7 defense
o 2024: 385 Points Allowed … Rank: #16 defense
Is that what you’d call ‘getting progressively worse’ since 2020? Especially considering that the Bucs roster has undergone a MAJOR transformation starting in 2022, and especially on defense. Of the 25 defensive players who were on the 2021 end-of-season roster, Bucs now have only 5 remaining (Vea, LVD, Winfield, Dean, Nelson). That’s an 80% turnover of our defensive roster in just 3 years.
Disregarding the amount of player development that was required to stay ‘competitive’, there’s a certain irony in there. For 2020 & 2021 when Todd was DC under BA (with players like Vea, Suh, JPP, LVD, Winfield, etc), our defense gave up an average of 354 Points per season. For 2022-2024 when Todd was dual-hatted as HC and DC, our defense gave up an average of 356 Points per season.
Of course, 2020 only had 16 games in the regular season. The Bucs’ defense thus gave up 21.45 PPG average for 2020 & 2021. Their average for 2022-2024 when each season had 17 games? A lower 20.94 PPG. Isn’t that ironic?
June 3rd, 2025 at 9:34 am
The expectations for Bowles over his tenure as HC should be based on what he started with. He was handed a super bowl winning team. He has done an average job during the rebuild, but his time is up. The bucs need to get deep in to the playoffs this year, or bowles needs to go so the culture can change to something with higher expectations.
June 3rd, 2025 at 9:56 am
Other than improvement towards the end of the season and squeaking into the playoffs because of wins against bad teams, someone please explain why they think Canales was “an elite offensive coordinator?”
It is a myth.
Liam was very good and hopefully they have another very good.
Heck, with this WR crew, the RBs, Baker, Otton and the O-line, he only needs to be above average.
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:00 am
The part where he says it Todd’s fault to retain Liam and Dave. How so??? We put money in Liam’s face. and he still left. What else was he supposed to do
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:04 am
Criticizing the double part time coach makes you a hater and a troll in the opinions of the thin skinned and the cerebrally challenged. How boring if everyone just grabbed the Pom poms and shook them vigorously, applauding an incompetent pass defense that can’t close out a game and makes Kirk’s Cousin look like Dan Marino when the rest of the league makes him look like Brock Osweiler. Say yay for decisions to put said incompetent defense back on the field instead of betting on your explosive offense to win the game.
Whatever. Todd is on a warm seat, I wouldn’t call it hot until the mistakes of the last two seasons are repeated.
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:04 am
Drunk Bucs Fan, before your post this thread was surprisingly troll free. Then Bucsfan, Vegasbuc, Davenport and Eric and Couch Fan weakly defended their indefensible positions. Couch Fan, betting everything you have would surely be inconsequential. Vegasbuc, really good dude. Great job! Erik,it’s a game. Put that one behind you. Davenport, certainly debatable whether he would have been unemployed in any other division. The last 2 years he totally punked the black and blue division 3-1. Beat Vikings, Bears and Packers and lost to Lions year before last. Last year took apart the East beating the Redskins, Giants and Eagles and losing to the Cowboys. So Davenport, try watching the games. And Bucsfan, since you started the trolling if you don’t see the improvement in this team I’m not even gonna scold you. That would be a waste of time. Defense Rules has more football knowledge in his morning turd than the 5 of you trolls combined.
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:17 am
Defensive stats don’t show the critical mistakes made in key games by Bowles. I hope the defense is much improved this year, but I don’t think the Bucs have the horsepower or the coaching to overcome the gaps that still exist in the defense. I think the offense will be even better, but if the defense can’t get off the field on third and even fourth downs it won’t matter.
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:23 am
Bowles was handed a team that was in salary cap hell. No doubt, the Glazers have considered that when evaluating him. Some of the commenters on joebucsfan clearly have not considered that. 😉
Also, the players LOVE playing for Bowles. Firing him will cause some problems in the locker room unless a replacement is chosen who is clearly superior. For those of you who would fire him, who will you hire to replace him?
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:24 am
weird how bowles is either really good at something or really bad at it
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:24 am
He’s just like Baker. Win a title or he’s forgotten in the middle of the pack as a good man, good D mind, but no better than top 30% of all coaches.
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:28 am
@Aqua
Dont take it personal man, its just a bunch of low IQ fan boys who cant stand that someone doesnt agree with their opinion. Anyone with any football sense will see Bowles as the over rated HC and DC that he is.
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:34 am
testing
June 3rd, 2025 at 11:04 am
Maybe it’s just a PA thing.
Philly won 4 playing that exact same 1960’s Smash mouth football.
Play good defense, run the ball to control the clock / keep possession, and don’t turn the ball over.
Matter of fact it worked pretty well for the Commanders too in Wild Card game.
Teams bounced in NFC Playoffs and their Season Pass Rankings were 2,3,6,10,and 12.
Commanders were 17 and Eagles were 29 in Passing and both in the NFC Championship.
Winning by 3 scores during the season and losing by one score when it matters the most. Welcome to the 21st Century.
June 3rd, 2025 at 11:05 am
The Polly positive lot on these boards has to jump down the throat of any opposite opinion of their own.
It truly is a sign of low IQ and low emotional maturity.
Some of us choose to use our brains based on what our eyes witness.
Not blind faith and mindless optimism.
Todd’s seat should be hot as the parking lot in July.
June 3rd, 2025 at 11:06 am
I disagree with a few truisms here. One, that Bowles inherited a Super Bowl team. I think it was a Super Bowl Rental team, a group of short-term players playing well together for a very brief time thanks to a very big mortgage. Two, Coen and Canales were not “elite” offensive coordinators until they got to work with B&B (Bowles and Baker). Three, in another thread it was opined that comparing Mayfield and Purdy had a racial current. What about Bowles and Tomlin
June 3rd, 2025 at 11:07 am
I disagree with a few truisms here. One, that Bowles inherited a Super Bowl team. I think it was a Super Bowl Rental team, a group of short-term players playing well together for a very brief time thanks to a very big mortgage. Two, Coen and Canales were not “elite” offensive coordinators until they got to work with B&B (Bowles and Baker). Three, in another thread it was opined that comparing Mayfield and Purdy had a racial current. What about Bowles and Tomlin
June 3rd, 2025 at 11:14 am
Any head coach that doesn’t win the Super Bowl and isn’t considered “Elite” is at risk of losing their job.
I’ll say this, there’s been an awful lot of drafted players thrown at that defensive unit for it to still look like hot garbage on the field many times. At a certain point, the scheme and utilization of those players needs to questioned and Bowles has made the choice to be a dual responsibility coach as HC and DC.
The defense that won the Super Bowl is long gone, and even then, the stars absolutely aligned for that unit in the playoffs.
June 3rd, 2025 at 11:46 am
Given all the praise being lavished on our talent, another 10-7 or 9-8 season with a short playoff run HAS to point the finger at the coaching.
June 3rd, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Aqualung Says:
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:04 am
Doesn’t matter whether it’s called hater or troll… but the constant harping on Bowles just gets old. Some might say that it’s “cerebrally challenged” to not, at least occasionally, recognize some of the positives as well as granting that future predictions based on perceived weaknesses of the past are not facts. This team is still on an upward trajectory. We get it, you don’t like Bowles as a HC or a DC.
June 3rd, 2025 at 12:19 pm
Sure, they’ve made the playoffs. Barely.
Let’s be real: There aren’t two many coaches who could have gone from Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield and still not missed a playoff season.
Those are pretty contradictory quotes outta you Joe. Bowles has barely made the playoffs. Made the playoffs with a losing record! Isn’t Baker good? We love Baker and he was an upgrade with Canales over the last Brady Leftwich year… that was helpful in improving not a detriment.
That take above from Locker is pretty measured and not unreasonable. We talk about Licht and staff great drafting. The team has arguably gotten better each year and Bowles squeezes one extra win outta that better roster. He better win a playoff game or 2 !
June 3rd, 2025 at 12:22 pm
Criticism of the coach (the double half timer) who is responsible for performance and results is hurtful! It’s because of injuries! Salary cap hell! The NFC South is really a tough division! (sniff, sniff, where are my tissues)
A bag of excuses is cheap and comforting to the blindly hopeful.
Some of us are hopeful but skeptical based on performance and results.
Go Bucs.
June 3rd, 2025 at 12:29 pm
I’d be really disappointed if Bowles was gotten rid of. Too many people forget the fact our secondary was decimated by injuries and so were our wire receivers. We should have won a lot more games, and that’s the primary reason why. This year we should kick ass and chew bubble gum.
But we’re all out of bubble gum.
June 3rd, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Thanks for those stats DR. 👍🏼
June 3rd, 2025 at 1:04 pm
Very few reasons to keep Todd around if the defense doesn’t improve especially the pass defense.
Bucs are smart to not give him an extension
June 3rd, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Couch..be careful criticizing Bowles….you’ll be called a troll.
June 3rd, 2025 at 1:20 pm
My mama hates Bowles.
June 3rd, 2025 at 1:50 pm
Bowles took over in 2022 when Marpet retired, Jensen was essentially lost for the season, Jason Pierre-Paul departed, and Shaq Barrett missed the last half of the season with an Achilles tendon tear and was not his old self when he came back in 2023 for another season. On top of that, in 2022, Brady retired, unretired, divorced and had a significant drop in production.
As the start of a coaching tenure, Bowles began his stint in Tampa with several kicks to the teeth.
June 3rd, 2025 at 1:50 pm
As a fan that’s been sick of Bowles inability to adjust his D a little bit to adapt to injuries, I also understand that it limits you as a coach to call certain plays or do certain things on Defense too. If this D is healthy and with adding Parrish and Morrison in the Draft adding Reddick to complement Diaby , Bowles will make this Defense Shine !! Could be first time in Franchise History we have 3 guys with 10+ sacks Reddick,Diaby,Kancey.
June 3rd, 2025 at 5:22 pm
Ho hum. Same “people” saying the same thing.
Again, let me point out what’s obvious to most people…. You don’t get labeled as a troll (@least by me) because you think Todd has done an ineffective job. People are trolls because they fit the definition. Google it.
Todd is in a hot seat, or at least warm.
I’m sure he knows that. I don’t think that changes his systematic approach to building the team or the defense. He’s done, at the very least, a good job under the circumstances. For those who label circumstances or reasons as excuses – you seem like you just fail to understand teams, teamwork, leadership, and in some cases reality itself.
Bottom line….Todd is the HC and DC regardless of how much that eats at some people.
And the poo slingers will not be swayed no matter what, and will continue to state opinions as facts and repeat the exact same complaints for weeks, months, and years regardless of the “topic” at hand and name call those of us that point it out.
AND they scurry along (or change names) when you try to engage them in actual football discussions.
Time for me to wash my pom poms and have a cupcake 👍🏼
Bless you all 🙏🏼
June 3rd, 2025 at 7:22 pm
Bowles isn’t going anywhere. No matter what the fan base thinks. Bowles has the respect of his players. They locker room loves him. The team is on an upward trajectory and getting better every year. What is it 4 division titles?
June 3rd, 2025 at 7:27 pm
This team spent years building up thos offensive line and the offense as a whole. They have neglected the defense. Bowles is doing his best with what he has on Defense. I find it weird Bowles gets no credit for the offense. And all the blame for the defense.
June 3rd, 2025 at 8:08 pm
His defense would improve if he had a pass rush. Everyone likes to praise our rockstar GM but he has missed on almost every D-End he has gone after/drafted. That position is so important in a passing league and we have drafted scrubs to pair with our super talented DTs.
If we get rid of Bowles that would be completely idiotic. He isn’t hindering/limiting our Offense which most DCs tend to do. Most of the time our secondary is also injured and sitting on the sidelines. So doing what he has done is impressive.
Fans and media needs to figure out that only one team wins the superbowl every year. It usually takes drafting well, but also patiently waiting for the right moment and having enough cap space to pull the trigger on the right Free Agents and get you over the top. Lastly you need good fortune and keep everyone healthy throughout the playoffs.
June 3rd, 2025 at 8:12 pm
If Todd suddenly fields a dominant defense I will shake my Pom Pom’s vigorously and drink some beverages in copious quantities. If the 2020 SB team didn’t average 30ppg, btw…..no SB. The defense did show up in the playoffs, otherwise was mediocre. Mediocre defense is a compliment to Bowles historically.
June 3rd, 2025 at 9:19 pm
Aqualung, I think by playoff time this year the defense is going to be peaking. You best be getting those PomPoms ready and stocking the bar!
June 3rd, 2025 at 10:08 pm
Kenton, nothing would make me happier! And you’re a good dude, I appreciate your takes. As far as the views many of us repeat –
I am an original Bucs fan. Even the 0-26 expansion Bucs were mostly competitive on defense, and then it improved from there. It is insulting to long time Bucs fans to see such horrible pass defense. That is the kidney stone in the otherwise healthy fan digestive system.
Pom on, brother!
June 4th, 2025 at 7:55 am
Bowles needs to go. Tfhe Bucs continue to make it to the playoffs despite Bowles limitations. It’s time for One Buc Place to move on and find an offensive oriented coach before we waste Baker Mayfield’s career. Go Bucs.
June 4th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
If the Bucs get swept again by any of the NFCS teams he need FIRED on the spot!
Barely winning one of the worst divisions consecutively is NOT something to brag about… Especially when you were swept by the Falcons…
June 4th, 2025 at 2:08 pm
since bowls has been head coach; panthers have been awful last 3 yrs ,, the saints have been awful the last 2 yrs and the Falcons have been mediocre the last 3 yrs… So , it didn’t take much to win a very weal division..
Bowles will never be a super bowl winner coach-Never
June 4th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
@vadertime
Surprised joes let you link to a fire Todd site soliciting donations 😳
What do you/they need donations for – more cheap whiskey?