Has Todd Bowles Hit A “Glass Ceiling” With The Bucs?
January 7th, 2026
Bucs chatter.
Joe is a little shocked, not surprised, but a little shocked how Bucs fandom in near-unison has become so vocal on sports radio and social media demanding Team Glazer move on from Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
You’ve seen the comments here. And Joe’s “For You” TikTok feed the past few weeks is flooded with anti-Bowles Bucs fans, some screaming, some monotone, all demanding Bowles’ removal.
On Joe’s regular visits to Twitter, whew, … fuhgettaboutit.
Oh, Bowles has always had detractors. He’s never been popular with fans. Joe believes Bowles will never be able to wash away the residue left by Cooper Kupp in the 2021 divisional round loss.
The last time Joe saw Bucs fans this unified with one issue, the Bucs won the Super Bowl in February 2021.
Speaking on his podcast “Green Light,” two-time Super Bowl-winning defensive end Chris Long wondered if the Bucs have hit a glass ceiling with Bowles. Long is beginning to think the amount of success the Bucs can have with Bowles in charge has already been maxed out.
“Your OC from two iterations ago is [in the playoffs],” Long began. “Liam Coen, your last OC, is elevating Trevor Lawrence and Jacksonville Jaguars to be in one of the best teams in the AFC.
“You’re sitting there with Todd Bowles, and you’re thinking, ‘Damn, we had two head coaches in our building and Todd Bowles — who has done a lot of good things in his league — we just keep banging our heads on this ceiling, and it feels like a glass ceiling where we just, you know it, it’s right there.'”
Long said the “lack of urgency” the Bucs played with down the stretch was striking.
“I know he doesn’t coach the offense, but the game management, the lack of urgency putting teams away,” Long said. “You look at the [second] Atlanta game like you’re up two scores in the fourth quarter. [Lack of urgency.] That’s the theme over and over.”
It sure struck Joe on Saturday night. Joe was about to lose his mind how the Bucs simply dragged their arses late in the first half after Jacob Parrish picked off midget Stinking Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and returned the ball to midfield.
The Bucs were just letting precious seconds, 25, 25, 30 seconds burn off the clock, running guys back and forth in motion. Man, go to a two-minute offense and score a touchdown and put the game away! Be aggressive!
But Bowles likes his field goals and sadly, we know what playing for field goals usually gets you: It keeps your opponent in the game and sets the table for an ugly loss.
Against Carolina on Saturday, that didn’t come back to bite them. But Atlanta made sure the next day it didn’t matter.
And now the Bucs will be on the couch just like you and Joe watching the playoffs, provided they haven’t already bolted to the DR, Tulum and all points south of Key West.
Meanwhile, we wait for the outcome of Bowles’ papal meeting this week with Team Glazer.
January 7th, 2026 at 3:58 am
Bowles hit his ceiling in 2023 and it’s been downhill ever since. But this is what the Glazers get for rewarding mediocrity. Why extend a HC and QB after losing a WC game at home? On top of that they let a great offensive mind leave to keep the defensive “guru” who’s defense couldn’t force a punt in a playoff game.
Bucs got what they wanted.
January 7th, 2026 at 4:10 am
Cause, everyone already knows that it should have already been DID. Last off-season, as SOON as the season was over. But, they freaking EXTENDED HIM INSTEAD LoL… When, they didn’t even HAVE TO Hahahah. Just exactly like they did with McCollum, too Lmao.
January 7th, 2026 at 4:13 am
At the time the Glazers would have pushed back on matching or offering anything near what the Jags paid Liam, Liam knew that is why he took the job before telling Licht the truth
January 7th, 2026 at 4:22 am
Whatever happen, this will more than likely be Bakers last season in Tampa Bay, regardless. His agent has already stated very publicly, that there will be NO “Discounts.” They are thinking in the 5-YEAR/$300-MILLION+ Range, AT LEAST. But, this was about 2-months ago, before… Well, you know LoL. It’s okay to dream. Might as well, shoot for the stars… Since, it’ll be HIS LAST ‘BIG’ BITE of the apple!!!! No matter what happens, there won’t be a HUGE list of teams lining-up. Most trams already have current plans set ‘in-place’ for their immediate futures, in the next couple of seasons. A NEW GM and HC will most likely, have ‘THEIR OWN’ Plans. So, it’d make ZERO SENSE for the Bucs to EVEN ATTEMPT at getting into any type of “Bidding-War.” You just say “thanks, but no-thanks,” and then move-on. NEXT.
January 7th, 2026 at 4:25 am
If Licht and the Glazers are oblivious to the overall lack of improvement by the team these last 4 seasons, as well as the glaring lack of development of practically all of their players, then the Bucs deserve to return to the NFC South depths where they resided not so long ago. NO, CAR, & ATL are all improving squads, in spite of having lesser QB’s than the Mayfield. Predict the Bucs are in a battle for 4th place next season if Bowles returns.
January 7th, 2026 at 4:31 am
When the fans are almost all supporting one thing, that means they are usually wrong. The ones here foam at the mouth at the mention of Todd Bowles. My gf wants him fired and she doesn’t know the difference between a field goal and a punt. Most of you barely know more about the game than she does.
The Glazers don’t care what you think. Jason Licht doesn’t care what you think. They all laugh at you. Also…people still listen to local sports radio? How 2002 of you.
January 7th, 2026 at 4:31 am
@ RBUC – If 💯 TRUE, then what was the purpose for such the total complete PANIC and FREAK-OUT, while SO DESPERATELY, trying to contact HIM!? I mean, WHY GAF at all then, IF that were the case!? I almost guarantee, they were ‘easily’ going to MATCH-IT+ going above an beyond… The only other question would’ve been JL. HELL, it’s just the current going rate… COLLEGE HC’s are even making $15-MIL PER NOW, with HUGE ‘buyouts’ fully-guaranteed, with EVERY PERK IMAGINABLE, including ‘multi-million dollar’ HOMES being included!!! Even, Belichick is making $10-MILL PER at UNC.
January 7th, 2026 at 4:34 am
To be a fly on the wall in the Glazer headquarters today
January 7th, 2026 at 4:38 am
@ Gman – talk about a ‘real-life’ clueless, shill. A preprogrammed robot ‘bobblehead’ zombie.
January 7th, 2026 at 4:39 am
MelvinJunior Says:
January 7th, 2026 at 4:22 am
Whatever happen, this will more than likely be Bakers last season in Tampa Bay, regardless. His agent has already stated very publicly, that there will be NO “Discounts.” They are thinking in the 5-YEAR/$300-MILLION+ Range, AT LEAST. But, this was about 2-months ago, before… Well, you know LoL. It’s okay to dream. Might as well, shoot for the stars… Since, it’ll be HIS LAST ‘BIG’ BITE of the apple!!!! No matter what happens, there won’t be a HUGE list of teams lining-up. Most trams already have current plans set ‘in-place’ for their immediate futures, in the next couple of seasons. A NEW GM and HC will most likely, have ‘THEIR OWN’ Plans. So, it’d make ZERO SENSE for the Bucs to EVEN ATTEMPT at getting into any type of “Bidding-War.” You just say “thanks, but no-thanks,” and then move-on. NEXT.
You won’t like the NEXT either. The NEXT will be a retread or maybe Teddy Bridgewater will be the NEXT. For Baker there are opportunities with teams that have a good defense, a decent offensive line but just need a playcaller. Just look what Sam Darnold, Bakers’ backup, walked into in Seattle.
January 7th, 2026 at 4:41 am
Todd may be at the ceiling, and so are and were many other coaches too. A lot has to do with the players, their mindset and health too. Since the bye, we have no idea what really happened. But the ceiling did hit hard. Watching their last game was another nail biter. I am glad they won for Gene too. His sign off brought tears in a heartwarming way. He deserved to go out with a Bucs win.
When you need to cheer on a team you don’t like, in order to be in the playoffs, something is seriously wrong. It shouldn’t be that way. I like Todd, good guy, but cheering for a rival to tie or win is not the way to do it any longer. It’s also embarrassing.
January 7th, 2026 at 4:43 am
Todd Bowles will be fired today is what I’m hearing. Harbaugh will move his whole staff here.
January 7th, 2026 at 4:45 am
seems like it from the yaya’s been talking of late…
#CeilingsAndDealings
January 7th, 2026 at 4:54 am
HAIL NO. NO PAID Beach Retirement/Part-Time, So-Called “Head Coaching” JOB For Old HAIRBALL.
January 7th, 2026 at 5:10 am
Tim Says:
January 7th, 2026 at 4:43 am
Todd Bowles will be fired today is what I’m hearing. Harbaugh will move his whole staff here.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Harbaugh’s teams have won over 60% of the games he’s coached, Bowles teams were under 45%. If it’s true “you are what your record is”, as Bill Parcells would say, Harbaugh has been pretty good.
January 7th, 2026 at 5:24 am
It is truly difficult being a fan for 50 years of the team with the worst winning percentage in the NFL. Barely above .400.
While the two SB have been fantastic why can’t this franchise find consistency.
How can the owners be dragging out a decision on a failed coach who has had every opportunity to improve. Why would they have given extensions to a coach nobody else would hire. Why would they promote Bowles to HC without a serious search for available talent.
When you look around the league at the young dynamic head coaches and GM’S it makes you wonder about the leaders here. It seems like they are always taking the easy way out instead of putting in the work.
We need a leader of out football operations with control and a free hand to turn this ship around. If the owners want to be deep in the background then hire someone to be out front and take charge.
These fans and this city have had enough of wait until next year. The team, fans and supporters deserve more than is being offered. It is an embarrassment and disgrace.
January 7th, 2026 at 5:28 am
This is our Tom Brady coaching moment that gives us national attention, Harbaugh comes here the media will follow, we will dominate our division and have a much better chance to go deep in the playoffs, will it happen I don’t know, but until Harbaugh signs with someone I’m paying attention all day, they announce Bowles is staying and I’m burying my head in draft news and hoping for an asteroid to crash into Earth especially if he goes to the Falcons
January 7th, 2026 at 5:30 am
I know it’s a freaking book and all, BUT “Nighttime Joe” never approves my posts. At least I copied and saved-it! Guess, I’ll have to just break it up for later. There are MUCH BETTER options than OLD HAIRBALL. He’s WASHED. CAN’T Call Plays. NO ONE has done ‘LESS WITH MORE’ over the past several years!!!!
January 7th, 2026 at 5:35 am
They extended him becuase he kept the team out of the crapper transitioning from 2022 to 2023, a lot of you are drastically under-recalling the shape we were in as a team and how we FLIPPED the roster in like 18 months without a massive fall off.
Did everything work? No there were bumps in the road and draft picks along with free agents that didn’t work out, but we still managed to rebuild the OL, win games with Baker Mayfield at QB, and obviously hit a few years on having to play in a weak division. Not saying that makes Bowles great; but when you start brainstorming the “why’s” in terms of The Glazers giving him that extension it’s not hard to see.
It’s a fact, people will feign ignorance just to double down on hate. There’s been ups and downs, but you guys are acting and talking like this is 2013, we squandrered our ENTIRE draft class and won 3 games. It’s been much, much worse in Bucfanland. No, that doesn’t mean lower your expectations, but you might want to take time out to steep them in reality. And stop crying
January 7th, 2026 at 5:38 am
john harbaugh is such a solid nfler, that if you said you could reverse the entire coen thing, and coen would be our HC…
i think i still go with harbaugh…dude is that solid
January 7th, 2026 at 5:40 am
“Harbaugh’s teams have won over 60% of the games he’s coached, Bowles teams were under 45%. If it’s true “you are what your record is”, as Bill Parcells would say, Harbaugh has been pretty good“
That man inherited a team with Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Chris McAlister, Samari Rolle, Terrell Suggs, Bart Scott, Haloti Ngata and had fricking Ozzie Newsome picking his talent lol
This HC worship like the NFL doesn’t have the biggest staffs in pro sports is weird
January 7th, 2026 at 5:53 am
Do you see a problem? If you’re head coach. Was released. Which of those seven teams? Would be banging on his door.
January 7th, 2026 at 5:54 am
Harbaugh’s daughter goes to USF, she’s on the lacross team.
January 7th, 2026 at 5:58 am
ok so 14 teams have made the playoffs and 7 HCs have been fired, including Harbaugh – of the remaining 11 teams, 5 (DAL, MIA, WAS, DET, NYJ) have removed at least a GM, OC, or DC according to NFL.com – 4 of the other 6 (MIN, NO, IND, CIN) had 2 or more QBs start a significant number of games and had great turmoil at the position – the final 2 are KC and TB – Reid and Mahomes had some problems this year – that leaves Bowles and the Glazers not budging on a change – apparently they think that Bowles has accomplished more than Reid and Harbaugh, and that Brady was a greenhorn that needed some coaching up during his 3 years in TB, 2 of which were wrecked by Bowles (Kupp and 8-9) – then Bowles has the cojones to say in public that he has “earned” another year as HC – what hubris – the Glazers, like most powerful people, are driven by greed, fear, and ego – ok fair enough – but they also have vulnerable pain points that when pressure is applied, can cause them to act – Bucs fans should aggressively attack those areas until Bowles is gone
January 7th, 2026 at 6:04 am
Warren Brooks Lynch: Bowles would’ve had Suggs in coverage part of the time. His defense seemed to have been figured out, from what I saw from Cousins and a couple rookie QB’s who beat the Bucs.
The flip side is maybe a good coach could’ve developed some of these guys, or at least put them in the best position to succeed (Anthony Nelson trying to cover James Cook isn’t doing that).
January 7th, 2026 at 6:06 am
I’d take Coen right now 1000 times over Harbaugh. McVay would be my fave coach to get. I guess LaFluer is okay. Really don’t wanna change. Injuries derailed this team second season in a row. It’s really hard to find near starter quality backups.its hard enough to find starters, lol.
January 7th, 2026 at 6:20 am
“Warren Brooks Lynch: Bowles would’ve had Suggs in coverage part of the time.”
Suggs was an outside LBer in a traditional 3-4, meaning he had coverage responsibilities lol not that slight you think it is or are we forgetting how defensive position works before the creation of “edge rusher” as a term?
Fwiw, Suggs ended his career with 63 PBUs and 7 picks. 2 pick 6s the same year Harbaugh took over and also played Strong & Weak side LB in his career. So, very likely Harbaugh or rather Rex Ryan, Dean Pees & Wink Martindale were onto something lol
Furthermore, Anthony Nelson is my guy, but he damn sure ain’t Terrell Suggs
January 7th, 2026 at 6:22 am
Chargers OL was even more decimated than the Bucs, yet they still finished 11-6. Coaching, preparation, and scheme matter much more than many seem to realize. There’s not a team out there that has starter quality backups across the board, but they do have solid coaches who can adjust the scheme to take advantage of their players strengths & get the next man up ready to perform. That’s not happening currently in Tampa.
January 7th, 2026 at 6:33 am
What about Toad’s tenure in New York and Tampa Bay could possibly give anyone confidence that he has the ability to coach a Super Bowl winning team?
That is a rhetorical question by the way.
January 7th, 2026 at 6:39 am
The Glazers are cowards. This organization has turned into a good ole boys club.
Everybody is friends. Glazers don’t want to fire a friend. Fine. You want us to believe Bowles delusions instead of our lying eyes. Watch what happens if they retain this awful awful coach. We the fans will make sure they know they made a horrible decision. AGAIN.
January 7th, 2026 at 6:45 am
If you were a free agent who wants to DOMINATE the NFL next season and win the last game of the season…
and the awesome Jason Licht from the Bucs calls you up matching the same offer you’ve gotten from other teams…you quickly do the intangible pro/con list:
CONS:
– HOF WR, LB considering retirement
– Gene Deckerhoff retiring
– RayJay Stadium/playing half the games/outdoors practice in the heat/rain
– threats of tropical storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods
– Depressing area around training facility/stadium means depressing, uninspired 15-30 minute commute to work
PROS:
– GM that usually fields teams that look like they have sufficient talent to play in the Super Bowl
– Playing with plenty of Pro Bowl Talent (2023 6 Pro Bowlers, tied for 3rd most in the NFL & 4 in 2024 tied for 10th)
– Playing with 5 players that know what it takes to win a Super Bowl together
– Modern Training Facility
– Weakest Division in NFL means easiest path to post-season
– Easily one of the current Elite Head Coaches (Andy Reid, Mike Tomlin,
Sean Payton, Matt LaFleur, DeMeco Ryans, Sean McVay)
– HC TB is easily more desirable to play for than available options like Kliff Kingsbury, Vance Joseph, Joe Brady, Jim Harbaugh, Jesse Minter
– One of only 6 current NFL HC with a Super Bowl Win as HC
– Head Coach that has won the hearts of the fans – radio stations are full of fans enthusiastically cheering that we have no doubt he’ll win the Super Bowl next year! It’s inevitable and everyone knows it!
Oh wait, except for those last 4 about HC TB.. turns out his regular season record, playoff record, play calling, and practice strategy, sideline interviews, locker room speeches, and press conferences are all utterly uninspiring.
An uninspiring HC with a bottom of the barrel playoff record? Despite undeniable talent?
Where do I sign!
Seriously – can we just get one of the best available coaches please? TB had his chance and honestly does not deserve to waste any more player years. LD and ME will never get this year’s chance back.
If you want to know what’s really fair – just take a straw poll:
Mike Evans
Emeka Egbuka
Tristan Wirfs
Graham Barton
Vita Vea
Lavonte David
Baker Mayfield
Cade Otton
Bucky Irving
Calijah Kancey
Yaya Diaby
11 votes – if TB gets more keep than fire, he gets to stay.
The player list can change, that’s fine, but keep it an odd number!
January 7th, 2026 at 6:45 am
Ceiling?
He is stuck in reverse!
January 7th, 2026 at 6:48 am
Yes! Is there even a question here. Has he done absolutely anything, seriously anything, to give us confidence there’s better days ahead?
January 7th, 2026 at 6:49 am
A current NFL team with a coach has reached out to John Harbaugh. Wondering if it might be the Buccaneers?
January 7th, 2026 at 6:56 am
again i say look around at the teams that are in the play offs/ what do they all have in common? a good coach/ and what do all the teams not in the play offs have/ a bad coach period/ can the bum
January 7th, 2026 at 6:58 am
Of course Bowels has hit his ceiling, he has baker as a QB! What else do You expect?? Please bring in Stefanski, so he can cut baker again!!!! Let’s Go Bucs!!
January 7th, 2026 at 6:59 am
I thank Bruce Ariens for the Superbowl, but blame him for Lewftwich & Bowles. These 2 never should be coaches probably cost us a 3rd Superbowl and Bowles specifically has stunted the growth of our draft picks. Hire Harbaugh, end of story!
January 7th, 2026 at 7:00 am
So I guess Reid, Stefanski and Harbaugh, are bad coaches? there not in the playoffs????
January 7th, 2026 at 7:02 am
Cooper Kupp was the reason he should have been fired immediately after the catch for touchdown. The Glazers are clueless.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:06 am
If we’re thinking offensive guys, I’ve seen Kubiak and LaFleur thrown around, both of which I’d be happy with.
What about these 2:
Jim Bob Cooter (Colts OC) – What a friggen name.
Had a Grizzard type fall-off after the Danny Dimes injury but that offense was awesome to start the season, maybe a lateral move from Grizzard offense, but with more experience. Also, again, what a name.
Joe Brady (Bills OC)
Spread the ball out very well. Established a passing offense with a much less talented receiving core. Lets Josh Allen be Josh Allen, similarly to how Baker needs to be allowed to be Baker. Playoff experience, though he hasn’t got it done, however, coached Trey Palmer and those other guys on that 2019 greatest college football team of all time LSU team that won the Natty.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:13 am
Todd Bowles won 2 football games in the last 2 months and we are having a discussion about his ceiling. Give me a break.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:28 am
Today better be the day when Bowles is shown the exit
January 7th, 2026 at 7:31 am
HeavyE
🤣🤣🤣
January 7th, 2026 at 7:31 am
This sure feels like the end of the Dungy era. Another really good guy, supported by the players, built solid and loyal personnel, but just couldn’t get us over the hump. I think we are there again.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:47 am
He hit the ceiling a couple years ago and has been parachuting slowly downward,
his Final Descent only slowed by the owner’s cash machine that is to oddly pointed upwards.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:54 am
New England, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, KC, NY Giants.
6 franchises have won multiple Super Bowls since 2002. Might have missed one, don’t think so.
That’s it. That’s the list. Such whiners in here.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:19 am
Like many other coaches and players live in Tampa once he’s out, I can’t see him getting a significant job again. Not even defensive coordinator.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:24 am
Dungy was conservative, but when we played the Saints he knew he had to
match scores with the potent new orleans offense. 3points < 7 points and I am not convinced Todd can change even though his philosophy has failed the team
fans and owners the majority of the time. WE should have started a Go Fund Me
for huge signs on Dale Mabry, I 75 ,I4,60 and 92 to let the fans go public with their demands.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:33 am
Todd’s glass ceiling is a .500 record and crowning himself the division champ in the worst division in football. In any other division with a roster not built by Jason Licht he is a 3-14 coach all day long.
January 7th, 2026 at 9:01 am
Agressive in that game?
How did that work the last 4 games? Or 7 at that.
That was the right call in that game. Baker had ahowb us in the previous games us that his “aggressive” 2 minute drill led to him getting happy feet and throwing an interception. I for one didn’t trust him not to make that mistake again. And look at the end result, a W
January 7th, 2026 at 9:15 am
we’ve reached our ceiling and sh!t has hit the fan!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 7th, 2026 at 9:50 am
The problem is with both coaching and the lack of talent. The bucs have some talented players but they also have players in starting positions that should not be starters, especially on defense. What makes the situation worse is the total lack of depth in key positions. Both Bowles and Licht are to blame. Both have hit the glass ceiling and need to go.
January 7th, 2026 at 9:55 am
A more appropriate reference would be the “glass cliff”. That is used to describe people appointed to leadership roles in companies that are failing (Jets, Bucs in salary cap hole). Think about the Bucs last few years – clawing out of salary cap hole, mid to low draft picks, playing a first place schedule- then run the numbers on Todd Bowles performance.
January 7th, 2026 at 10:13 am
Not only did he hit it, he bounced off it with a DONK only heard when the game winning field goal hits the upright and bounces back onto the field.
January 7th, 2026 at 10:38 am
@Bee, some guys, just don’t make sense, but the same coaches, you want here, are not in the playoffs…..🤣🤣🤣
January 7th, 2026 at 10:49 am
Yes they have taking the team backwards. Coen was the answer. How did retaining Bowles and letting him leave the organization work out. When Bowles is let go 100% probability no NFL team hires him as a HC. Maybe someone will want him as a DC but even that is improbable.
January 7th, 2026 at 11:34 am
If Todd Bowles is retained by the Glazers, then we know what the outcome will be. Potentionally another year wasted before the writing on the wall hits home like a sledge hammer.
They own the team and the final decision rests on their shoulders. We’ve seen this scenario played out previously. A decision will be made imminently. For many fans it can’t come soon enough. It’s the againy of waiting.
January 7th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
So if that’s the case that Mr. Bowles continues……….i know any many fans who will give up their season tickets. It’s disgusting to watch a group of professionals not play to their best. It’s like they just give up at a point. It was very frustrating to see the Bucs loose to the Saints and Carolina. Bowles should look in the mirror and f bomb himself instead of everyone else. It starts with him, his lack of coaching and great staff are making the Bucs a poor decision to continue buying tickets to watch this stupidity.