Bruce Arians Thinks Todd Bowles Survives As Bucs Coach
December 30th, 2025
Has good vibes for old friend.
Make that two Bucs insiders/employees that don’t seem to believe Todd Bowles will be the ex-Bucs head coach next month.
Former Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians said today on the “Pat McAfee Show” that he thinks Bowles is save. Arians is an analyst for McAfee this football season and appears live from McAfee’s Indianapolis studio, seen on BSPN.
Pat McAfee: What happened in Tampa you think?
Bucco Bruce Arians: Your guess is as good as mine. All of a sudden, we can’t make a play to win a game. And we got veterans busting coverage and giving up 80-yard touchdowns in critical moments. Baker [Mayfield], I don’t think is totally healthy. And all of a sudden, the interceptions are back. So, those things lead to really bad play. But I don’t think they’ll make a change.
Last week, Bucs insider and a member of AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht’s kitchen cabinet, Hall of Fame corner Rondé Barber, got on his WFLA.com streaming show and boldly said that Bowles was not on the hot seat.
Arians still collects a check from Team Glazer as he is Licht’s senior advisor. Notice he said he thinks Bowles survives. Would Team Glazer let middle-level staffers know what their plans are regarding Bowles before the season is over? Joe has doubts.
Joe does know that this century, when the Bucs have collapsed after a strong start, the head coach never survived the carnage.
"I don't think the Buccaneers or Falcons are gonna make a coaching change..
I hope that the Colts don't make a change because I think they're close" ~ @BruceArians #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/SSaEUKHYUJ
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 30, 2025
December 30th, 2025 at 9:31 pm
I want every mention of Arians removed from Bucs history. This man is a saboteur.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:34 pm
I think Ronde Barber gets information from Bruce Arians
Bruce and Ronde father was teammates and roommates at Virginia Tech in 1974
December 30th, 2025 at 9:35 pm
Arians is more concerned about his legacy than the future of the Bucs.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:37 pm
Based on the Doc. The Glazers will clean house.
Their franchise is going the wrong way fast.
Injuries don’t excuse the sheer apathy on this team. When the players quit on the coach and no longer respect leadership, time for a change
December 30th, 2025 at 9:42 pm
I don’t believe the players have quit
They are always in every game until Baker screws it up
It’s not like they are getting blown out every game
There’s a few Loafers on the team, missing their assignments
But overall, they haven’t quit on the HC
December 30th, 2025 at 9:44 pm
The other major factor is $$$$$
An empty stadium does not look good on TV, nor on the bottom line.
They do not want a return of the Yucs. Todd is a guaranteed skidmark on the franchise.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:45 pm
Ask the Man U faithful how they feel about the ownership under the Glazer reign, no real surprises here.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:45 pm
If Glazers don’t fire Bowles then they don’t a sh!t about their fans or this franchise. Recent history or not, if they choose to keep this god awful coaching staff then we deserve another lost decade.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:46 pm
Baker is not the reason. Proof is in his first two and a half years here. He was phenomenal.
Bowles + Grizzard = a terribly predictable team.
Give Baker a quality HC and OC and he will be fine.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:46 pm
I’d pay money to hear speak BA candidly about Grizzard and our offense this season. Probably spills his whiskey watching the horizontal pass game and lack of productivity
December 30th, 2025 at 9:47 pm
Of course Arian’s is going to say that. If Bowles gets fired it makes Arian’s look like an idiot for forcing him down the Glazer’s throats as his replacement. This whole damn thing is Bruce’s fault. We all knew this would happen. Todd is a losing head coach and always has been. He survived as long as he did because of talented players and 2 good OCs (Canales and Cohen) and playing in the worst division in the NFL.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:48 pm
Arians is on the way out with Bowles. He just likes to hear himself talk.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:48 pm
GET OUT!!!!
December 30th, 2025 at 9:50 pm
Must be nice collecting a fat check and having no idea what’s going on in said place of employment.
This front office is loyal and generous to a fault to all its coaches, players and staff. Everyone except the actual fans.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:51 pm
Baker knows he must get 40 a game to have a shot at the win. That is unsustainable in the NFL. He is trying to be the hero instead of being a leader.
Lamar Jackson is an equivalent.
I am not 100% in Baker’s corner, he has deserved some blame, but he has done so much good and single handily won this games earlier in the season.
Let’s see what he can do with another HC/OC before making him walk the plank.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:51 pm
How can Bowles be safe? more than half the team has quit on him and this franchise.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:52 pm
If the Glazers hire a Consulting firm
Then there will be a huge shakeup at One Buc Place
Including Bruce Almighty
December 30th, 2025 at 9:55 pm
Well this just proves that, like Bowles, Arians tunes out the outside noise.
The fans have overwhelmingly spoken. If the Glazers try to call the fan bases bluff and bring back Todd… everyone promise me you won’t visit the websites or turn on the Bucs on tv or buy tickets.
The fans don’t always know what is best of course… but in this case it’s obvious. Defensive HC presiding over a bottom 5 pass D in a passing league for the 4th straight year! What are we doing here?
December 30th, 2025 at 9:56 pm
Arians has muddied up his own legacy by appointing Bowles the head coach. Now he is trying to influence the Glazers through his commentary here. Not that any one here gives a ff, I am no longer a Bucs fan if Bowles remains in 2026. I would be thinking quite a few of us feel this way. Nothing to look forward too and nothing to hope for with this team with this coach.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:07 pm
Bowles signed a 3yr extension I think some of you forget that part we are stuck with him until something better comes along 3 peat the division has a bad year due to aging players and mistakes on the field and health oh yeah a rookie play caller formula for disaster…
December 30th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Can’t wait to get Cody mauch back dude can really block didn’t appreciate him much before the injury but he is a piece of our line that makes sense his back ups are trash like bagged up and tied trash
December 30th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Malcolm Glazer fired Dungy and Gruden
Now it’s a family affair, not one ruler, we don’t know how they think
December 30th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
“The fans have overwhelmingly spoken. If the Glazers try to call the fan bases bluff and bring back Todd… everyone promise me you won’t visit the websites or turn on the Bucs on tv or buy tickets.“
Cancel the Bucs? Nah, I lived through Trent Dilfer, The Bert Emanuel rule game, the back-end of the Gruden era(big Chris Hovan fan at the time) and the lost decade. This is a popcorn fart in comparison. All our problems are correctable, the rub is how does ownership, football ops, coaches, and players collectively go about bouncing back.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:11 pm
I know what baker can do with a guy who knows offense. Coen had this offense in the top 3 last year & now he’s got the jags beating top teams in dec. I don’t see any heart or fight in this team on top of them being badly coached . Just look at how bad this special teams unit has been other than our kicker . They get worse . Just look how bad this defense is . Been getting worse for 3 years in a row . This rookie OC is a joke and is in way over his head . The players themselves can’t be a unit and work well together. Mostly on defense. Toilet todd has got to go !
December 30th, 2025 at 10:12 pm
Wrong again Bruce
December 30th, 2025 at 10:12 pm
Our o-line health overall cost us the season point fingers there before you start anywhere people it ruined our run game and our pass game be blessed we didn’t get blown out a ton because without semi decent coaching it should have happened several times over
December 30th, 2025 at 10:16 pm
the glazers have enough they can wipe their butt with that extension
December 30th, 2025 at 10:18 pm
@warrenbrookslynch people are way too spoil at the moment they act like we didn’t go thru the lost decade and dungy great defense with a putrid offense outside of Dunn and alstott…let’s not forget the jameis years where we was in every game and the defense crumbled worst under defensive mind coaches Ala lovie Smith so change doesn’t always bring results people begging for belichick or Matt Patricia lol I like my football exciting those 2 are boring personalities and Patricia lost his job to Dan Campbell lol
December 30th, 2025 at 10:23 pm
It’s not as bad as it seems
We lost 4 straight games by a total of 11 points
I sure have seen a whole, whole lot worse
December 30th, 2025 at 10:24 pm
That’s his dude, of course he going to politic this thing.
I like how the fans are on what Bruce said on the show and all the sudden Joe’s right about it.🤣🤣🤣 watching the SC game Lincoln dies have he qb get under center.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
People forgot when we use to Trott out Vincent Jackson with tiquan underwood and Preston Parker lol
December 30th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
They are friends for life and Arians would be on the outs with the team if he said otherwise. They should both be gone ASAP.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:30 pm
Whatever happened to Elijah Klein? You can’t tell me he’s any worse than Michael Jordan or Feeney.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:30 pm
This is click bait. Bowles is gone. Arians wants to by the “successful coach” we remember as long as he can. He was the same guy that was livid when we got rid of leftwhich when he wanted him. He has not say nor knowledge. Glazers keep it close to the best. He’s gone.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:31 pm
If you guys would ever see Klein in the locker room, you’d know why.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:33 pm
Well, i guess I’ll take a year off because i cant stand watching him anymore or his scheme…ive done it before with my college team….about 4 years before they got rid of that idiot.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:35 pm
So your saying Joe that Klein was another “bust” pick by Licht
December 30th, 2025 at 10:38 pm
We as fans can not see what’s going on internally. I am sure the Glazers have a plan in place especially after the Bucs have lost 6 out of 7. If Bowles stay I am sure most of the defensive staff will be let go and definitely ST and CB coaches. Maybe DL also. Ever since Bowles has been DC or HC his defensive back field has been mediocre and now I am hearing it was the same thing in New York.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:39 pm
Typing to fast on the last text. Proof read Mr Green 🤣🤣🤣👏🏾👏🏾🤙🏾
I like Kliff for the gig, college head coach,Pro head coach. we have the
Offensive personnel. I do like how in shotgun Riley has a two backs backfield.
Imagine👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 White should go to the Chiefs if they don’t draft the Notre Dame Rb.
It’s going to be a fun off season after Black Monday. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾
December 30th, 2025 at 10:39 pm
Bucco Bruce dropping truth bombs on McAfee—vintage Arians, calling out vet busts and Baker’s battle scars like only the Super Bowl whisperer caN. Cute stat, but I’m no sacrificial lamb—three South titles deep, extension-locked, and one Panthers W from playoffs. BA brought the pirate ship; I’m steering it home. Haters, enjoy the show—Bowles survives, thrives, and toasts with Bucco. No vacancy here till ‘28.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:42 pm
“Whatever happened to Elijah Klein?”
“If you guys would ever see Klein in the locker room, you’d know why.”
What in the bleep bleep is that. Well 🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️ amazing
December 30th, 2025 at 10:45 pm
I have a bad feeling that they are going to fire the OC and ST coaches hire new ones along with a DC and and leave this pathetic coach in charge to manage this sinking team. When they suck again next year they finally fire him and we once again get to start from scratch.
Why for the love God won’t they just look at his history as a very bad head coach and can him now
December 30th, 2025 at 10:49 pm
LOL Given how much Arians likes his Crown, he’d be awfully triggered.
Not sure Joe has ever heard or read the word “bust” used for a sixth-round pick. LOL
What Joe is saying is Klein looks more like a bouncer at Ferg’s than an NFL guard. Clearwater Central Catholic likely has a guard or two just as big as Klein.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:51 pm
Get rid of the D-E-I hire. I’d take Bruce back as head coach but bowles must go
December 30th, 2025 at 10:52 pm
A candidate I wouldn’t mind would be Brian Flores from Minnesota I like his defensive scheme or Jim Schwartz would love to pry Steve spagnolo from the chiefs
December 30th, 2025 at 10:54 pm
And you know he’ll be the one pushing for it. In most other organizations, this conversation wouldn’t even being had. Could you imagine Jeffrey Laurie, or Howie Roseman letting this pathetic display go on? Yeah, me either.
December 30th, 2025 at 11:05 pm
Super convincing take by Bruce.
December 30th, 2025 at 11:08 pm
Bruce Almighty has pull at One Buc Place
I always listen to what he has to say
December 30th, 2025 at 11:13 pm
Glazer Family wouldn’t be able to sell Season Passes if this coaching staff returns next year. Hell, no one in 2012 would’ve purchased season tickets if the party man Raheem Morris and friends stuck around due to the 10 game losing streak in 2011.
December 30th, 2025 at 11:16 pm
Klein was a sixth round reach from Utep. In his few snaps this year, he was dumptrucked. Baker was tasting his shampoo …
December 30th, 2025 at 11:17 pm
They let Liam Coen steal Robert Hainsey from them
After they spent a 3rd on him, and cross- trained him
December 30th, 2025 at 11:19 pm
Lakeland
All due respect, but you’re back and forth more than a pickle ball.
December 30th, 2025 at 11:20 pm
won’t count against the cap and he’s paid less than 1/2 the team !! Your Fired !!
December 30th, 2025 at 11:30 pm
Jmarkbic,
Yeah l know 😂😂
December 30th, 2025 at 11:31 pm
Just waiting til next week to see what direction the team is going. The Glazers always have something up their sleeve. The Bucs have won 2 Super Bowls under the Glazers One way or another the Glazers WILL make some significant changes this offseason
December 30th, 2025 at 11:35 pm
We need some Bucs fans to wear paper bags over their heads at the game this Sunday. Just like in the Creamsicle days… It will be a full circle moment for our 50th Anniversary
December 30th, 2025 at 11:37 pm
Well then your eyes don’t work very well, because the defense hasn’t shown up in about 8 weeks.
Or maybe you’re part of the Jameis homer crew that still wants him and his 30 INTs back?
December 30th, 2025 at 11:42 pm
He should help his old buddy out by riding around on his golf cart and actually get on people’s asses and Start calling players out when they blow assignments… accountability
December 30th, 2025 at 11:46 pm
I never seen a team quit that lost 4 straight games by 11 points
Like l said, a few Loafers are not getting it done
But they haven’t quit