Dianna Russini: Todd Bowles And Jason Licht “Appear” Safe
January 3rd, 2026
Job secure?
Look, Joe has never met Dianna Russini of The Athletic. She seems to be pretty cool from her various podcast appearances.
Joe has noticed that she likes to lean on covering a handful of teams for some reason, mostly in the northeast. Hhhmmm? In particular, Baltimore and New England. Maybe she can always lean on a contact with those teams to get an interesting angle?
The only time Joe can ever remember Russini doing anything of significance covering the Bucs, she was adamant the Bucs would miss the playoffs in Tom Brady’s first year in Tampa Bay in 2020. Why? Because Bucco Bruce Arians’ offense was so foreign to Brady and the Bucs may not possess the requisite culture Brady needed for success.
Whoops.
The following just screams analysis by watching BSPN.
Today, Russini, senior NFL columnist for The Athletic, published her weekly notebook column. There, she noted the jobs of Bucs coach Todd Bowles and Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht “appear” safe for 2026.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ ownership group has always waited until the end of the season to have conversations about the futures of key decision-makers. Coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht, who both signed multiyear extensions in June, have won division titles each of the last three seasons and appear to be safe even if the Bucs miss the playoffs.
Injuries have decimated both sides of the ball in Tampa this season — particularly on offense — but the Bucs roll into Week 18 with a chance at a division crown and a home playoff game, a great opportunity considering the team has dropped seven of its last eight. The Bucs don’t control their playoff future, though: The Carolina Panthers win the division if they beat or tie the Bucs on Saturday, but even if Tampa Bay wins, an Atlanta Falcons victory or tie with the New Orleans Saints would eliminate the Bucs.
Now “this Joe” is not 100 percent confident Team Glazer will flip the switch on Bowles. Team Glazer has proven to be unpredictable. When you think they zig, they zag.
Given past history and their rare public statements in the Bucs’ fantastic documentary “Raise the Flags,” Bowles appears to be in deep trouble. That does not mean Bowles is a goner.
(“Should” and “will” are two very different words.)
When Russini types Team Glazer “always” waits until the end of the season to discuss high-ranking positions within their organization, that simply is not accurate.
Years ago, Joe was told by someone who had first-hand knowledge that Team Glazer reached out to prospective coaching candidates in October 2013 for the opening that became available when the Bucs let go of former Bucs commander Greg Schiano in January 2014.
And does anyone really believe Licht waited until the night Team Glazer informed Dirk Koetter he was no longer Bucs coach for Licht to reach out and ask Bucco Bruce Arians if he wanted to come out of retirement? And that almost overnight it seemed Arians had his full coaching staff assembled?
Russini and others make a big deal of the contract extension Bowles received last offseason as some insurmountable hurdle to inspire change. Understandable. But Team Glazer has shown contract extensions are trivial. Both Bruce Almighty and Chucky received contract extensions in 2008. Both were shown the door a few months later.
And trust Joe, revenues for NFL teams have skyrocketed since.
Again, “this Joe” has no idea what Team Glazer will do. But Joe will type the following: If Team Glazer is serious about winning in 2026, unless they want to blow everything up and rebuild from scratch, there is no way Bowles can continue as the team’s defensive coordinator.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. This Bucs defense has been way overrated if not bad for too long.
How many more assistant coaches and players will the Bucs run through in an effort to develop an edge rush, something Bowles has never done as a defensive coordinator or head coach? How many more games will we see linebackers get lit up by the pass? How many more games will we see opponents complete easy passes due to too soft zone defenses?
Standing pat and accepting these results will make it one helluva hard sell for Team Glazer’s season ticket sales department, forget suite sales or corporate sales.
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:41 am
The absurdity of the season continues. No accountability from top to bottom.
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:43 am
What the actual F*ck??????
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:43 am
Next year is already over then….enjoy empty seats and lack of support
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:47 am
So glad we have a locker room full of “I am that man” draft pics- they are such nice guys. In Tampa we value nice over win’s
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:47 am
Try making him get a DC will never work. Absolutely no way he will ever keep his hands off defensive play calling. DC would be just a body taking a salary.
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:48 am
I hope they all come back. I will get rich betting against them.
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:50 am
A LOT OF FANS I’ve heard from say they are SO DONE with going to games when you know bowels gives the Bucs far more chance of losing than winning….
Keep Bowels and the stadium may be more empty next season than it ever has…
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:52 am
Looking at 3rd or last place finish next season if they keep him around. Panthers getting better, Saints look better but still have cap issues. Falcons probably have the best roster and definitely the best defense in division. If they move on from Morris and get an actual head coach watch out. Get an offensive minded head coach that’ll get the most out of this stud WR group. Imagine a Shanahan type player caller with this offensive group. Healthy of course. Sean Payton would have this roster as the number 1 seed in the nfc. Whats there to think about.
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:52 am
If this is true and this staff is kept for next year I’m done with this team…
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:53 am
Gonna be hard to sell tickets if Bowles stays.
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:55 am
I agree injuries on the offense certainly hurt. On the defense side we lost Kancey who isn’t even a every down lineman. I don’t think that we dealt with any other major defensive injuries, yet we let EVERY TEAM carve us up, especially rookie and back up QBs.
We went 2-9 since the bye. A change must happen or there will be mutiny.
I wasn’t even able to give my Club Seats away for today’s game. Very sad
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:57 am
Wondering if buc fans attendance today could factor in decision?
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:04 pm
At this point, with the dichotomy between the local media/fans versus the national media on Bowles, someone’s gonna be left with pretty big egg on their faces. like Joe has said in the past, if Bowles’ fate has been sealed, he’s gonna get the ax pretty quickly after their final game- whether it’s tonight or Monday or sometime within the next couple weeks.. barring them going on a miraculous run. Knowing that, the Glazers, who’ve never been stupid and always do their due diligence. If so, their target has already been identified, if they’re gonna make a move.
I’m 55/45 in favor of Bowles staying with a lot of staff/roster changes, I.e him getting an outside the org DC. But Bowles probably won’t go for that. But if they’re gonna lay another stinker- all bets are off.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:06 pm
Y’all just need to face it. Bowles is going nowhere. They will fire Grizzard and ST coach and continue with Todd. They’ll go after a good OC with HC potential, that can take over when Bowles retires in two years.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:06 pm
What has bowles done positive to retain his job? Barely winning a bottom dwellers division with a 500 record? Be a defensive guru that cant get tonthe qb and gets torched weekly making any qb look.like Marino? Garbage special teams play? Loss of the locker room? Only reason he gets retained is because of money that you had no business paying him an extension. Obligation to the fans my ass glazers, if hes kept around
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:08 pm
DBS – I agree completely!! No way a DC would come here. Bowles wouldn’t leave him alone.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:13 pm
The 49ers managed a ton of injuries and gave a chance at the 1 seed today.
Then again they have a great GM and HC.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:16 pm
When did this whole ” definition of insanity” thing get popular? Obviously that’s not the definition of insanity. It’s stupid certainly, but it’s not the ” definition of insanity”. Pet peeve. As for the op, as Joe astutely stated, we have absolutely no idea what the glazers are thinking of. But we will soon find out.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:17 pm
When a “report” sounds like a opinion it’s not a actual report. It’s malpractice, a report should be based on as close to a fact as possible. The only fact here is The Bucs have collapsed, and we know what the Glazers have done in those situations,, and as Joe says sometimes..SIMPLE as that!
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:18 pm
Regardless, if they keep Todd, there will definitely be huge changes made. Obviously special teams coach, likely the OC, and we’ll see what else. Or…. A whole regime change. Very curious as to what happens as all of us are.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:26 pm
If Bucs management punts on the 2026 season by keeping a “defensive” Head Coach WHO HAS A DEFENSE THAT DOESN’T WORK, that makes no sense.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Wait until after the season. We cant speculaye. Also, I believe it depends on who is available/ interested in the HC position as well. Not strong candidates this year
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:28 pm
If team Glazer like’s having a .500 record…then Bowles will stick!! Can’t imagine that would be the case though!
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Not so sure about the Glazers due diligence. Schiano and Lousy Lovie were horrible decisions.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:32 pm
SC Bucs fan Says:
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:41 am
The absurdity of the season continues. No accountability from top to bottom.
Cybersecurity_intern Says:
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:43 am
What the actual F*ck??????
Slacker Says:
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:43 am
Next year is already over then….enjoy empty seats and lack of support
.
Did any of you actually read the article?
This is the opinion of someone who has been wrong before.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:33 pm
Yusef Says:
“When a “report” sounds like a opinion it’s not a actual report. It’s malpractice, a report should be based on as close to a fact as possible.”
Nailed it.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Razorramone Says
“Not so sure about the Glazers due diligence. Schiano and Lousy Lovie were horrible decisions.”
I would argue that Schiano was a good decision. The team had no discipline before that. Raheem had players who had decided they could do whatever they wanted. One even got in a fight with him at a hotel.
Schiano was brought in because of his strictness. In the end we had to move on, but he accomplished what he was meant to…outside of, you know, winning.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:37 pm
As to the belief that there are not strong candidates this year…that’s a line the media has spun but it is simple not true. Every Coordinator is a candidate…and there are some great ones.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:37 pm
If Bowles is retained and continues to be the coordinator then there’s no need to watch the Bucs or the draft, it’s literally a waste of time if you know what the outcome will be so you can look at the final score. His expletive filled rant was the most boring press conference one I’ve ever seen, he can’t even get that right.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:38 pm
there is no way… NO WAY Bowles comes back next year. We did better with Dungy and he was fired. Gruden finished back to back 9-7 and was canned.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Pewter Power Says:
“His expletive filled rant was the most boring press conference one I’ve ever seen, he can’t even get that right.”
I believe that is what cost him his job. Immediately after that, the players stopped trying. He threw them under the bus and they returned the favor by no longer giving 100%.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:41 pm
darengibo Says
“there is no way… NO WAY Bowles comes back next year. We did better with Dungy and he was fired. Gruden finished back to back 9-7 and was canned.”
It’s a fair comparison with Dungy. Gruden? Maybe.
Different times though. Both of those were fired by Daddy Glazer.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Launch Licht. Overrated and the root of all problems this team is facing
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:51 pm
I don’t understand why firing Bowles is fixing the Bucs. Bowles defense won the Super Bowl. Has won division a couple times. What Bowles needs is to fire a couple coaches. Like special teams. Secondary. Give grizz another year. And licht has to get better in adding pass rusher. Cb. Lb. On offense. Backup Qb. Depth in guard. And better TE.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Unbelievable. Yet totally believable.
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:57 pm
When I learned the Glazers extended Bowles contract my reaction was WHY????!!!
They didn’t have to do that. There was zero chance Bowles would have been lured away from the Bucs. Now pundits are beginning to say this new contract is a reason for the Glazers to stick with Bowles for another season. In other words, attempt to correct a mistake (the new contract) with another mistake (continuation of an under achieving team).
Joe correctly states that the Glazers are unpredictable. Why? Because stupid people are always doing things that make non sense
January 3rd, 2026 at 12:58 pm
What the hell does Russini know? She clearly hasn’t watched this awful team week in and week out. I can’t imagine any scenario that Toad doesn’t get launched, and launched quickly when the Bucs season is over, which is very likely this weekend.
January 3rd, 2026 at 1:00 pm
No sense. The only conclusion I can arrive at is the Glazers’ stupidity is behind their unpredictability.
January 3rd, 2026 at 1:04 pm
I would like Bowles out, not sure what the Glazers will do with him. But I can tell you one thing, the special teams coach better be cleaning out his office tonight after the pathetic season ending loss we’re about to have to sit through…..trying not to vomit.
January 3rd, 2026 at 1:06 pm
Given all the chatter about how he’s safe, which is insane to me, I do wonder if the goal is to pin everything on the other coaches, bring in two new coordinators, to show that they did something and then tie mayfield and Bowles together for ‘26.
If that’s the case, and the team is awful again next year, you can reset completely before ‘27 with a loaded draft class and new leadership.
January 3rd, 2026 at 1:27 pm
@Hammerhead
That’s why I said fans should consider boycotting the team for awhile & maybe they’ll consider making some coaching moves.
January 3rd, 2026 at 1:29 pm
They should stick him in the pirate ship after the game & FIRE THOSE CANNONS but instead of firing off cannons put him in there & SHOOT HIM OUT OF THE PIRATE SHIP.
January 3rd, 2026 at 1:38 pm
The OTHER problem is this is a head-coach-thin off-season coming
January 3rd, 2026 at 1:45 pm
👏👏👏👏👏
January 3rd, 2026 at 1:49 pm
Todd and Jason will be happy in their empty stadium next year
January 3rd, 2026 at 1:50 pm
I think Jason is ok but Todd, not so much.
January 3rd, 2026 at 1:58 pm
Todd deserves some of the blame no doubt…but the talent on this team is highly over rated…and if you dont upgrade
the talent and bring a new coach…things are going get worse not better …
January 3rd, 2026 at 2:04 pm
Jason yes, todd, nope!
January 3rd, 2026 at 2:09 pm
Both need to go. Bowles for poor coaching, Jason for drafting over rated talent. Actually, over hyped may be a better word. Jason drafted guys that are pathetic football players and he overhyped their abilities. Both need to go for promoting Grizzard. Stupid arrogant mistake for so many reasons.
January 3rd, 2026 at 2:16 pm
Bucs luck has seemed to finally run out. bowels is gone 100% glazers just trying to keep the team from giving up saying bowels is under contract. We all know that means nothing
January 3rd, 2026 at 2:31 pm
I think it’s necessary to point out that BOWLES HAS LOST THE TEAM!
With that said, why again would the Glazers bring him back? Are they going to replace the majority of the players? I’m not sure how that works but umm it doesn’t “seem like” a bright idea to keep him around.
Another year of Even MORE futility…. huh. How long are we supposed to be interested in the team under these continuing circumstances? And the players who ALREADY refuse to play for him? Another year of THIS and possibly WORSE?? O yeah, SURE.. It’ll be a great idea to keep him around for more Record Breaking possibilities for Every rookie qb.
January 3rd, 2026 at 2:32 pm
If Bowles is retained, fans and season ticket holders should boycott home games in protest. Just to teach ownership a lesson in accountability.
January 3rd, 2026 at 2:33 pm
Bowles’ Defense has been bottom-tier for years and he is clueless on how to fix it. 💯
January 3rd, 2026 at 2:34 pm
Fubar
January 3rd, 2026 at 2:53 pm
Me Thinks Jason is missing John Spytec, who came up through the scouting dept.
January 3rd, 2026 at 3:04 pm
@Steven007
The definition of insanity trend became big with the Far Cry 3 video game, Vaas quote. You should search and watch it.
January 3rd, 2026 at 3:17 pm
All the stuff I have ever heard or that’s been printed about the Glazers is how they keep stuff in house and don’t let people know what’s going on behind closed doors. Saying that, how is she getting this info? My guess is her report is nowhere close to inside the group. The only way Bowles stay put is if he agrees to change a good amount of staff and become that figure head. I don’t see that happening at all. Or maybe Arians role changes and he’s more involved. No way they keep unless big changes. If they do keep him as is, he’ll be the first coach they ever fire during the regular season because he won’t make it past next years bye week
January 3rd, 2026 at 3:20 pm
Bowles defense is the problem and his pick of Gizzard was bad as well. This team need a proven offensive coordinator and a new defensive coordinator. Bowles can stay as the head coach as long he is prevented from interfering. So best option is just to fire him and get offensive head coach. #firetoddbowles
January 3rd, 2026 at 3:21 pm
Bucs fans talking about not buying tickets, when most home games are like a 60/40 split between the home team and visitor.
Said on another post, for all we know the Glazers could’ve reassured Bowles already that he’ll be back. We’re only fans, so of course we’re not as privy to those things that happen within network at 1Buc until way after the fact.
Idk how did feel about keeping Bowles and this staff as is, like I like the idea of getting a DC, but I’m more concerned about our OC as the NFL of 2025-26 is an offense driven league. Much more likely to outscore a team than you are to pitch a shutout, which is what’d you’d need if your offense can’t generate TDs.
Also, this is the same family that still has had ManU still chanting “Glazers Out” for the last 20 or so years. For every fan that’s willing to threaten to cancel/boycott their fandoms for Bowles being retained(wimps), there’ll be at least another dying for the opportunity to see a Bucs game live no matter who the coach is and they’ll probably come with friends.
January 3rd, 2026 at 3:31 pm
It everyone’s privilege to support whom ever they like. It Doesn’t mean that they make good decisions in their own lives.. Especially when it’s a Dead Albatross hanging around their own necks. (aka “Lame Duck”) But good luck with that…
January 3rd, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Obvious Says:
January 3rd, 2026 at 1:06 pm
“Given all the chatter about how he’s safe, which is insane to me, I do wonder if the goal is to pin everything on the other coaches”
All of those claims are by out of market media…and most people f them are simply copying the first ones to say it.
Barring a playoff win I think he’s toast.
January 3rd, 2026 at 4:16 pm
There’s a Diana Ross, here we have a Diana Wrong!!!
January 3rd, 2026 at 10:15 pm
Lost 2 d lineman this year and reddick was a bust. Vossey is not a strong starter like we thought. Considering our playing roster Bowles has done pretty damn good. Parrish, B. mo, and Tykee will hopefully improve and become franchise players but we need to spend draft picks and free agency money on the front 7.
January 4th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
C’mon man. It’s not pretty, especially the last few weeks, but Bowles hasn’t lost the team. He’s here next year even if some want him gone to chase some elusive guru.
Now does that mean the the special team, linebackers, and secondary coaches shouldn’t hit the bricks – absolutely!
On the offensive side of the ball the Bucs just need less O-Line injuries and they’ll be fine, tough Grizzard does need an off season to tweak his playcalling.