Jason Licht’s Todd Bowles Report Card
January 6th, 2026
“No, I didn’t cc Todd on this.”
So it’s only a matter of hours now before Team Glazer meets with head coach Todd Bowles to discuss the state of the Buccaneers and Bowles’ future.
Joe assumes Team Glazer will enter that meeting with at least one thing.
No, it’s not a guillotine. It’s a thorough Bowles report card/evaluation prepared by Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht.
Joe knows Licht well enough, Joe believes, to say comfortably that Licht won’t sugarcoat his evaluation of Bowles. He’ll lay it all out fairly — the good, the bad and the ugly.
And what does that report card look like?
Joe struggles to imagine a scenario in which Bowles got better than a C- overall grade from Licht. “This Joe” would hand Bowles a “D” for underachieving, including the costly abomination that was Bucs special teams. Perhaps Licht did, as well.
What unit on the Bucs improved from last season? Sadly, that’s a tough question.
Team Glazer has a decision to make on Bowles, who yesterday candidly said he does not know his 2026 coaching fate.
If it were an easy decision for the Bucs owners, it would have been made already.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:22 am
6-2 only had to go 3-6 the last 9 games with 6 of those games vs teams with losing records…He gets a F espec with players questioning the practices.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:22 am
Is Todd fired yet?
January 6th, 2026 at 10:22 am
Injuries to the secondary derailed us 2 seasons ago and to the WR corps and offensive line this season. The O-line was just plain offensive most of the time. We need even more depth than we got this past season- that much is VERY CLEAR. with big pieces of the O-line missing EE no longer could run those awesome slow-developing counter runs that so benefitted Bucky last year. Our backup guards and backup tackles were turnstiles. Just Ok at run blocking, terrible at pass protection.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:23 am
F!!!!
Time management
Alll 3 phases
Development
Proper use of practice
Team grossly underachieved in the worst division in the NFL
January 6th, 2026 at 10:24 am
I don’t know how he wouldn’t get an F after this. I wouldn’t even give him a D.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:24 am
Coaches going 8-9 should get fired. Bowles proved he is a mediocre to poor coach.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:26 am
I like Dan Campbell’s accountability. He said I get an F, we failed to make the playoffs. I guarantee you Todd would give himself a B-.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:26 am
F
January 6th, 2026 at 10:27 am
What’s that Batman meme where everyone is pointing the gun at each other in a circle? That’s OBP rn.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:28 am
He gets an F as in we are f@@$ed if he’s still the coach
January 6th, 2026 at 10:29 am
I don’t know the game well enough to give a grade but, at these salaries, a C- should be a +very+ easy decision to terminate and move on.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:30 am
It’s already a mistake to keep him this long. Other teams are ahead on their coaching search…
January 6th, 2026 at 10:31 am
This should be an easy call.
As the season progressed the team devolved into a conservative, mistake-prone, under motivated mess, playing not to lose. The talent that is there is misused on both offense and defense, and the team surrendered on special teams, conceding touchbacks on kickoff returns.
Worse, there is zero indication that the current coach understands the root causes of these problems.
Football is a game of aggression and dominance. The Bucs need a coaching staff that will posture the team for excellence. Look at the teams in the playoffs: they win 11, 12, 13, even 14 games. They blow bad teams out and battle to the tape against the best.
The Bowles philosophy is “A Commitment to (minimal) Adequacy.” The team is at a severe coaching disadvantage in virtually every game. Fire. Him.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:32 am
The handling of Special Teams alone is damming. A change should have been made early in the season to show accountability matters. It clearly didn’t so everyone just stopped caring. If only it was as easy being a fan 🙁
January 6th, 2026 at 10:32 am
Coach Bowles should have demanded excellence on offense defense and special teams. He had all the power to do that early I the season before things unraveled but chose not to make any changes.
Too many walk through practices.
Not enough hard work
Go Bucs 2026 !!
January 6th, 2026 at 10:34 am
I feel charitable this morning, and will give Toad a D-.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:34 am
The only thing making it not easy is the stupid contract extension. Although that didn’t stop them from firing Gruden, but that also didn’t happen three days after the season ended, either. Apparently what sunk Gruden was his love of overly-aged veteran players and failure to want to develop young talent. His yes man, Bruce Allen, was a liability. Belowszo’s collapse was even more egregious and profound than Gruden’s.
Belowszo has plenty of young talent. He has wonderful regression techniques he uses to coach these players. His defense sucks, it’s a laughing stock. At least his special teams are even worse. And, never underestimate the power of The Great Regressor, he even got Mayfield to look like Brock Ostweiler after the bye. His offense was Leftwichian.
Congratulations, Tood. If Dan Campbell gives himself a freaking F, you need a different letter. Tood gets an “L” for Loser.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:34 am
Flush the failure!
January 6th, 2026 at 10:35 am
@Joe have you heard anything from
Your sources regarding if Todd survives or is he going out like Tommy
In goodfellas
January 6th, 2026 at 10:35 am
@Joe:
I agree. I thought Bowles handled the early injuries well. The Bucs beat three playoff teams those first 8 weeks. That half he gets at least an A-. The last 9 games no better than a D-/F.
That grades out to around a C/C-
For the haters: If you’re holding Bowles accountable for the losses, fairness dictates you hold him accountable/credit for the wins.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:35 am
Well, obviously I was wrong yesterday with my Bowles’ retirement. My new theory is the Glazers are giving Bowles a Hail Mary option to present his case during the meeting.
I believe the Hail Mary will fall incomplete. The search has already begun.
The Glazers get to save face by not seeming too reactionary, and they’re not too far behind the 8-Ball with the coaching search. I believe that one extra day puts the Glazers in a better light of fairness because perception is everything… Which is also why Bowles needs to go.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:36 am
I know special teams was bad. The defense struggled abd the offense was not great. All of those things are true. But what bothers me most is when Coach Bowles said something to the affect of “as coaches we’ve done all we can do”.
He knows there are problems on the team but he doesn’t have any idea how to correct those problems. No answers and no idea how to get/be better.
All he does know is “we got to coach it better, (how you going to do that, coach?] and they got to play it better (who’s gonna coach them up, coach?)”.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Injuries don’t explain his .500 record as a head coach, his defense underperforming for several years, his failure to have the team ready to play, or his inexplicable in game decisions (multiple bad clock management, not letting Brady try to sin in regulation against Cleveland, going for two when it makes no sense, etc., etc., etc.)
He’s just not a head coach and he has also not been a good DC.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:41 am
I can’t help wonder if the Glazers wanted to hear Bowles’ public statements because to me, he sounded detached from reality. To say he’s earned the right to continue coaching is a poor answer to say publicly. It’s tone deaf which is what’s the current problem. The dude is tone deaf. I almost see his press conference being what will ultimately decide his fate.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:41 am
Oh, please. Do you realize how much revenue NFL teams get per game? Forget the season, just per game? It blows away a coach’s salary.
Remember, the Glazers extended *both* Chucky and Bruce Almighty and less than a year later they were both gone. And Joe can promise you NFL revenues are SIGNIFICANTLY higher in the NFL than 20 years ago.
Glazer Family has never had an issue paying coaches not to coach. Not an issue whatsoever.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:41 am
The first half of the season when the Bucs were 6-2 I would give Bowles a B-.
The second half of the season when the Bucs were 2-7 I would give Bowles an F.
It was very strange to watch the Bucs play worse as they got more healthy…
Mind boggling really.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:43 am
Only 1 group improved and that would be the receivers. This group was hit as hard as any by injuries and we still had a reliable group.
The Glazers will give TB a chance to argue to keep his job but he has already shown his chips publicly.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:44 am
From my perspective a team that had the Saints, the Falcons, the Dolphins and two games against the Panthers to end the season and could only muster one win….
I am sorry, but we were as healthy as we ever were for those games and we couldn’t manage to beat a single team with a losing record during that stretch until the last game. That falls on the coaches. He did not have his players ready he did not have his players performing at their best when they should have. He has to go. If Jason Licht cannot recognize this, he should go to because clearly he has blinders on as he has for a lot of his draft pics that he has re-signed that clearly do not met the contracts they were given, and those that have been let go such as JTS or Starr did not even make starting lineups or 53 men rosters on other teams….
January 6th, 2026 at 10:44 am
Somebody needs to rate Licht for helping assemble a team with very poor players. .
If Bowles goes, Licht needs to go with him. Bottom of the barrel GM.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:45 am
The coach had Tom Freaking Brady coming off of a superbowl win and still had a losing record. What do the Glazers expect to happen by keeping him around?
January 6th, 2026 at 10:47 am
this season was like one of those classic rollercoaster scenes from the 70s or 80s movies where you feel it, and your stomach drops out in the theater while watching it…
it’s quiet…
all you hear is……..
tick,,,tick,,,tick,,,
as the coaster slowly creeps and escalating to it’s pinnacle up the ratchety old structure…
you question if you might die on this sh!t, but it’s way too late for that…you signed your life away minutes ago to the loser ticket boy who locked your slab of meat body in place…
as you get closer to the topple point the ticks get slower as suspense builds…
then boom………
in one fell swoop, the rollercoaster goes plummeting to the bottom at hyper speed,,,
as your stomach drops out, and you’re spewing out soggy funnel cake muck from your belly, into the air, all over the people behind you in the rollercoaster…
yes you should have never had that funnel cake before the ride…
but todd bowles told you…”yeah son yeah, have another funnel cake my boy!”
January 6th, 2026 at 10:48 am
I’m trying to envision a scenario where the Glasers decide to keep Bowles and the season ticket fan base is not enraged and revolt by not buying tickets. I was once a season ticket holder and I’ve been a fan since the inception of the team and this coach has to go to make fans happy.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:48 am
Admi – read what I wrote. It’s enough to give them pause. They paused before firing Gruden, but his extension didn’t stop them from doing it. That’s my point. Without the extension, maybe he’s already fired. Maybe we wait another week before the right move is made.
Oh, please! As in, oh please fire Bowles!
January 6th, 2026 at 10:49 am
the moral of the story is:
that coach bowels lives on funnel cakes 🙂
January 6th, 2026 at 10:49 am
Interesting, about all you can say. If they were going to let him go, you would have thought they would have done that yesterday. However maybe they really wanted to do their due dilligence. In all fairness, he is by far not the only issue. The Bucs really need players on the defensive side of the ball. I think they really need to pursue an edge rusher in free agency, yes Mr Crosby comes to mind!!. That defense needs that type of mentality. Licht and staff have proven they are unable to draft one. MLB is a huge priority, 2 in fact. The secondary, well yes problems there too. Dean or his possible replacement Morrison can’t stay healthy. Do you really let Dean go and replace him with someone who is proving to have similar health problems.
McColumn, really do you want to keep him?. Trade Winfield?. Right now sure seems he has all but disappeared. The O Line, yes definately need some depth!!.
Then you have the OC and ST coaches, they definately will be changed.
So reguardless of the Coach the team desperately needs players and yes a scheme change on both Offense and Defense
This team needs a lot period. Be careful in a new Coach, getting the right one is not easy. Be careful of what you wish for
January 6th, 2026 at 10:53 am
Bowles has failed upwards at every turn.
Arians gifted him the chance to win with Brady. Fail.
Canales offered him a better OC choice than Leftwich. Fail.
Coen gave him the most potent offense in Bucs history. Fail.
Grizzard was Bowles next choice at OC. Fail.
The Glazers did not fire him after the loss to Washington and hire Coen as HC. That was an epic failure.
Bringing Bowles back after another 8-9 season and missing the playoffs would represent a turn away from chasing a SB and a move towards being the Browns. Minus the good defense of course.
January 6th, 2026 at 10:54 am
retire save face take less in compensation you did not earn that that was free fall into a cess pool the last 8 games and barely won the games you actually won
you had your ass handed to you by the rams and mcvay would have done the same in the payoff game licht needs golf course time also alot of it retire
still saying chucky with young oc dc that guy is at least motivating and enthused arians brough this on
January 6th, 2026 at 10:55 am
Borrowing from Julius Campbell of REMEMBER the TITIANS, “Attitude Reflects Leadership”, leadership starts at the top and outside looking in, coach Bowels leadership skills a at best lacking but at worst zero! Ownership needs to “bite” the top lip and make changes!
January 6th, 2026 at 10:56 am
F
January 6th, 2026 at 10:57 am
Are they still there…? Ugggh
January 6th, 2026 at 10:58 am
Here’s to hoping that at best he gets a C-.
Also, here’s to hoping that someone is filling out a report card on our training staff and Jason.
I’m a believer in our GM, but someone has to ask him what the issue is with finding pass rushing talent, or not finding in this case.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:00 am
When you lose a team, players are regressing, and you struggle to win against losing teams when you have a very solid roster…that’s all on the HC. I’d give him an F. Just don’t blitz against Carolina on that 4th down and we likely win that game, and we’re in. Or figure out how to keep Atlanta from converting 3rd and 28 into 4th and 14, then 1st down. So many loses that should have been easy to avoid if he was a decent HC with a solid coaching staff. I don’t think his walthroughs helped either, and it seems the players weren’t to thrilled with those either. Tells you all you need to know…he’s lost the team, so he needs to go. You don’t recover as a HC when you’ve lost the team.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:02 am
Could just be his diet clogging all his arteries and not getting oxygen to his brain. Or our season went how injuries went. Our backup O and D linemen were not sufficient to keep Baker clean and other qb dirty. We need the beef to compete. The Bucs are Stuck with Bowells. It’s a Bucs life.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:03 am
Injuries kept the Bucs from improving year over year win percentage. But Todd Bowles has left a trail of 8-9 ot 9-8 seasons over the last 3 years.
That, to me, indicates he’s coaching capacity has maxed out. So what are the odds of him getting to 10 or 11 wins in 2026. I’m not a betting man but I’m pretty sure they’re not good.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:06 am
I can’t even have a bad couple weeks at work & keep my job & just imagine that this guy could keep his job after orchestrating the worst collapse in franchise history
January 6th, 2026 at 11:06 am
Cowboys just fired there Defensive Coordinator. Yet Bowles still has a job. Make it make sense!!!!
January 6th, 2026 at 11:08 am
Firing Lovie Bowels is the only logical answer. We’re only missing a few parts to make us competitive again and head coach, DC and OC are three of those parts.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:09 am
And special teams coach.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:09 am
Let’s go, Glazers, your move!
If you’re going to run it back and expect any different, then own it!
The silence invites speculation.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:10 am
The Bucs Cheerleaders?
January 6th, 2026 at 11:11 am
Funny how the Rams mid season fired their special teams coach when he was under performing. Yet Bowles kept his even know kicks were getting blocked on a weekly basis. If the owners want to keep Bowles good luck with that. Cause fans are going to boo him out the stadium and players are not going to play for Bowles. Most of them didn’t buy in this year. You think that will change next year. Only grade Bowles get is an F for Fired!!!!
January 6th, 2026 at 11:15 am
Underachiever? I believe the consensus preseason over/under was about 8 games. The first half/second half split was stark, but the end result was pretty much on target. Expectations of a dozen wins turned out to be wildy optimistic.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:17 am
Ask yourself if you saw ANY other team routinely kick into the end zone every kickoff. Bowles did that the latter part of the season. He demonstrated in spades that he can’t correct a fault once the season starts. Time after time the opponents started at midfield or closer due to our inability to stop their kickoff returners. So about 10 games in he started to kick into the end zone. Once in that game the Bucs tried a normal (this season) kick and the other team returned the kick close to the 50 yard line! Since then every kickoff we did it was in the end zone = start at the 35. Baker rarely started at the 35.
Simple! Bowels could not get his players to play normal coverage on the kickoffs so he just gives up 10-15 yards to the opponents every kickoff.
This long-winded screed is simple reason alone to can Bowles.
Can someone rebut this?
January 6th, 2026 at 11:17 am
D- and not an F because of injuries
January 6th, 2026 at 11:19 am
Trying this again – Joe – read what I wrote. The extension, like with Gruden, is enough to give them pause. They still fired Gruden after the meeting with him, hopefully that also happens this time.
Maybe without the contract extension, it would already be done. Oh please, fire Bowles.
“Other Joe” here. Of course money matters. To what degree it matters is completely unknown, though it’s wacky to think it’s a major factor. But it’s unfair on one hand to say it’s a business and then say tens of millions in coaches salaries are irrelevant. It’s also unfair to pretend to have a read on what’s happening. So many variables. –Joe
January 6th, 2026 at 11:21 am
D
January 6th, 2026 at 11:28 am
I’ll say just this, I understand that the Bucs was in cap hell after Brady left, but for the last 2 seasons after several decent draft picks who are still with the team, Bowles team ESPECIALLY the defense, haven’t improved any.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:30 am
Set aside Bowles’ shortcomings and failures.
He alone has impacted the careers of the players.
Each player will have to be reevaluated for performance.
Granted these players are professional and highly paid.
Good coaching may have prevented a negative evaluation that some players may receive and possibly deserve. Some careers may be permanently impacted as a direct result of poor coaching. The lack of good coaching does not absolve players from their bad attitudes but it may have been a contributor.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:32 am
Bowlo -F
Litch F
Bowlo needs to be fire soon.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:32 am
Aqualung:
The extension is not an obstacle in any way. It’s not even worth mentioning. It’s like saying an oil change is preventing Joel Glazer from buying a new car.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:34 am
One of he biggest signs of failure, to me, was the fact that we completely gave up on one important facet of the game. We quit covering kick offs. Just gave up and gave our opponents the ball on the 35 yard line. Every kick off for the last three games. I don’t know how you clearly just quit one part of the game and keep the players bought in on everything else you are trying to do. This season was an abject failure and our kick off coverage was a great indicator.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:35 am
If the owners truly cared about their players they wouldn’t let poor coaching at all levels affect the careers of these young men.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:35 am
It is not and it won’t.
There was no “pause” with Chucky. They had their postseason meeting as previously scheduled. It went sideways. Three or four hours later Chucky was canned.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:38 am
I m just tired of seeing the same things, hearing the same things and then seeing the same things again. Nothing is changing and if Coach Bowles stays as the HC we will see the same things again. We have been seing it for 4 years now I dont know how anyone will expect something different.
In his 4 years as a HC what improvement we saw? Only the Offense last year under Coen. I mean he is a defensive coach and the defense has been bottom 10 all the time. And nothing changes.
If you want to see a 8 or 9 win season again then so be it. Go ahead.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:40 am
Look on the bright side. Even if the Glazers retain Bowles, he won’t make any mistakes in the playoffs.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:43 am
!It’s time for Todd to go. He keeps repeating the same things with no results, and I’m tired of the same old frustrations. There’s a lot of talk but no action. Fire him now! A lot of fans are done with the Buccaneers. If he returns next year, I’ll support another Florida team instead!
January 6th, 2026 at 11:43 am
He’s gotta go. They will never win a Super Bowl with Todd Bowles, or maybe even Baker Mayfield for that matter.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:46 am
Jason Licht is 93-104 – a career loser with some Brady luck sprinkled in.
Anyone think Brady is coming back? No?
Then we need to ditch this crappy GM and HC ASAP.
Combined – 155-181 – overall record
46% winning
These guys suck and suck compared to the rest of the league.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:47 am
Every aspect of this team regressed, putting edge players in coverage, seeing how blitz worked on Cousins then last 2 plays no blitz and Cousins picked up the 1st down–egregious error on Bowles plate. how many overall sacks from edge? Throwing his players under the bus, coverage busts. It just goes on and on so painful.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:47 am
Joe, what grade are you giving the meandering docile GM. Ira publicly states, “they don’t have the horses.” Lee claims that the G issue should have been resolved by the trade deadline. I think it would be unconscionable to assume Licht could not force Bowles’s hand to fire the ST coach. Why are you giving Licht a pass? For his 3+ yrs with BA and Brady. Or are you overvaluing the likes of McC, AWJ, Hall, JTS, Kief, OL/ILB depth, ILB evaluation, QB backup/evaluation, faith in a coach whose defense has been on the decline for 5 yrs…. seriously, what is it? Does Licht stock the buffet with your favorite skiddles or what?
The short answer is the mere fact that Bucs fans are in full riot mode for the head coach’s head after an 8-9 season that included a huge late collapse speaks to how much the team underachieved with the talent it has. Licht’s job is to assemble that talent. Licht doesn’t get an A grade for the season but Joe is not putting a high percentage of blame his way. –Joe
January 6th, 2026 at 11:48 am
I know…you are still in shock over Braswell.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:54 am
Wake me up when we trade for
Maxx Crosby or a PROVEN edge rusher.
January 6th, 2026 at 11:54 am
Someone please give me an honest answer on how many games special teams lost us?!?! At least 2?? The Buc stops with the coach!
January 6th, 2026 at 11:54 am
will the Glazers with Bowles this week?
January 6th, 2026 at 11:55 am
@Joe, do you know of a scheduled day/time which Bowels is auto meet with the Glazers? Is that today or just sometime this week? -Thanks
January 6th, 2026 at 11:55 am
Is supposed to*
January 6th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Whats the report card on Licht though. Was it Lichts big bet this offseason to think Reddick and Braswell were going to the big difference makers on the Dline? Because that was pushing all the chips on a hand that lost. what 2025 proved was Braswell isnt good, Reddick is no longer a star player, Yaya is solid, Nelson is nothing. they were expecting big years for all of them and for that be retained in 2026 – they hit on one 1 out of 4.. meaning we are now pidgin holed into going big on passrush either via first round draft pick or trade (likely involving our first round draft pick).
January 6th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Have they at least fired the not so special teams coach
January 6th, 2026 at 12:01 pm
Joe, what does it take to give him an “F” then?
January 6th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
“buc4evr Says:
January 6th, 2026 at 10:44 am
Somebody needs to rate Licht for helping assemble a team with very poor players. .
If Bowles goes, Licht needs to go with him. Bottom of the barrel GM.”
I don’t agree –
1) who’s responsibility is it to develop those players? Bowles and his staff.
2) i guarantee Bowles has a major say in who gets drafted and signed- especially on defense where the majority of the failures are.
January 6th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
I just don’t know how Bowles wants to mention those past division wins I mean come dude get a grip. If he was in any other division he wouldn’t stand a chance.
January 6th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
Tired of the BS, “Ring of Honor GM” garbage. Look at that defense and tell me who Jason drafted that’s a game changer – Vita, now 30 years old. NOBODY ELSE.
Take your time, I’ll wait.
January 6th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
This is madness! Fire Bowels!
January 6th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
If the Glasers are that concerned about money and Todd Bowles buy out they might want to think about the backlash season ticket holder reaction and what kind of negative revenue situation that might bring about. This fan revolt is real. They need to get a clue.
January 6th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Funny that both offensive coordinators in the last 2 years turned around 2 bad teams and are in the playoffs. Young guns are rising to the top and we let 2 get away. Hate to say it but the Bucs will be last next year. I’m a Baker fan no matter what team he’s on. Hate to see wasted talent become martyrs.
January 6th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
the results speak for themselves. todds’ diatribe that:
““I’ve earned the chance,” Bowles said. ”I’ve won three straight division titles, so that says a lot as far as I’m concerned.”
if that is all you have on the plus side of why they should keep you, you should be gone.
he wouldnt do anything about McGaughey terrible performance, even though it was an all year thing and that says a lot about bowles.
he just keeps talking and not taking appropriate action while a season that started out with so much promise slipped away. lots of talk. too much talk.
January 6th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Stpetematt Says:
January 6th, 2026 at 10:22 am
Injuries to the secondary derailed us 2 seasons ago and to the WR corps and offensive line this season. The O-line was just plain offensive most of the time. We need even more depth than we got this past season- that much is VERY CLEAR. with big pieces of the O-line missing EE no longer could run those awesome slow-developing counter runs that so benefitted Bucky last year. Our backup guards and backup tackles were turnstiles. Just Ok at run blocking, terrible at pass protection.
====================================
Your last line says it all and it is the simple truth. Too bad you didn’t run your thesis by the galactically stupid RodMunch who has told us for 2 months what a wonderful job the Oline did protecting Baker Mayfield.
January 6th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Gruden
January 6th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
player improvement- no
Do NFC opponents want Bowles fired – NO !!
QB – improvement- no
defense understanding scheme – no
defense carrying out scheme improvement- no
run game better or worse – far far worse
T E – development other than Cades last game – no
Roster stronger and in better physical shape- no better
better player confidence in staff – no
better challenge flag awareness- no
Worst special teams in the NFL – YES
Season Ticket Sales Outlook – Dismal
January 6th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
Who grades Bud Licht ? BA?
January 6th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
@SteveK
You wanna wake up seeing Todd having him drop back in coverage 70% of the time?
January 6th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
the special team play this season might be some of the worst i’ve seen since forever…and i’m a die hard since 79…
i often wondered if josh hayes…the so called specialist and gunner type was even still on the team mid way thru the season…
i checked, and he was…
mcgoophy needed to be dismissed during the bye week. while the boys took that big yellow bus down to tijuana…only problem was, he was driving the bus and had a h00ker on his lap the entire way 🙂
January 6th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
@Joebucsfan, are they meeting today? Or has “Later in the week” been determined yet?
January 6th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Fail. Worst team in worst division. No playoffs. Fan depression. Hopeless future. Not a passing grade at all. Fire Lovie Bowles!
January 6th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
You don’t let a talented team lose that many games. He had the worst defense I’ve ever seen. He made rookie QB’s look like pro bowlers. This is unacceptable. It’s an embarrassment to to have that kind of talent on the offensive side of the ball and only average 21 points a game. That kind of talent should have put up 35 points a game.
January 6th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
If you do a comparative evaluation of Bowels against other Head Coaches , start with the quality of the personnel,(players), empirically we had more talent than most of the teams we played, which leads to the management and development of our assets, there was definitely a bias, if you were a favorite of Bowles you would play and if you had a lack of production it would be overlooked, look at the players Bowles brought in who had produced in the past but did not produce here but were still allowed to play and the players that Bowles let go with no attempt at all to let them play , with no attempt at all to let them develop and who had demonstrated talent elsewhere but Bowles failed in his duty to develop or utilize their skills , which brings us to game management, Bowels failed again managing the Offense,Defense and Special Teams horrendously, with no attempt to improve other than continuously saying “We have to coach better and play better”when in fact the team had regressed statistically every year Bowels has been in charge, big time fail , and finally compared to other Head Coaches , close to home , We have had two coaches under Bowels who left, became Head Coaches of other teams with less talent than the players We have and They led those teams to NFC South and AFC South Championships, so the question must be asked, after such a comprehensive evaluation, of the last three years of Bowels being in charge, why is there even a discussion as to whether he should be let go or not.
January 6th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Licht has had enough wins in the draft to stick around but how is Bowles still not gone? He’s right, changes are needed on the Bucs D, starting with him. If they love the man so much, do what they did with BA and move him to the front office and let him play a role there. being 33 and 35 post TB12 is not earning the right to stay.
January 6th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
I would blame it all on Bowles. But licht has a lot to do with it. Just consider the backup QB. Baker was hurt. After plugging teddy and seeing his play there’s was choice with the banged up qb all year. That situation is on its own.
January 6th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Joe – Gruden was fired on January 15. That was my memory but I looked it up to be sure. I’d link the proof but I know there are restrictions on linkages. But it’s there.
Look I hope and pray he’s fired after my post-lunch constitutional this afternoon. But using Gruden as a precedent, we may need to wait another week or two.
January 6th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
“He’ll lay it all out fairly — the good, the bad and the ugly.” – Joe
That’s fair. After all, not everything was bad.
January 6th, 2026 at 1:20 pm
Giving Todd a C, Grizz a D, and the special team coach an F.
January 6th, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Walk through Todd gets a D-
January 6th, 2026 at 1:43 pm
Overall, a D for Todd, but that heavily factors in early season successes to bring up his average.
Start fresh with all new coaches for ’26 Season.
GM has not been as successful in past couple years as was initially the case. Certainly not as bad as Todd though.
January 6th, 2026 at 1:57 pm
Forget about a report card here. Under Bowles we were lucky to win a weak division 3 times in a row. We made a big mistake in letting Liam Coen walk. Our running game went from near the top of the league to back near the bottom. Say what you want about injuries but I believe that scheme & coaching make a big difference also. I refuse to sugar coat the obvious that the BUCS need new leadership, a different direction, a different voice, anything that the FANS can feel good & get excited about. Time for Bowles to walk the plank 🦜🏴☠️🏈
January 6th, 2026 at 2:03 pm
Licht sits around every year and hypes his draft picks who never seem to pan out. Some of it may be coaching but a lot of it is just players that cannot and will never be able to compete at a high level. I find it ironic the Licht is even allowed to grade Bowles. In reality, both should be gone.
January 6th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
@Nick2. “This fan revolt is real”. Nah, the revolt is only the 100 “fans” on this fan blog. I promise if you don’t sit in your seat ( if you even possess a season ticket that is) somebody else will. I promise.
January 6th, 2026 at 2:32 pm
It all boils down to this: after the Saints’ win heroics, then the Atlanta Falcons’ 3rd-and-28 blunder, the “players have to take a look in the mirror” talk. Bowles losing his cool showed us he lost the team right then and there—to come back and allow a backup rookie quarterback from the Dolphins to beat you. Now we’ve lost four in a row. It’s Week 18 with a three-way tie for first at 8-9 records, no playoff appearance, and you’d think this decision would have been made already. Whoever’s idea it was to extend Bowles’ contract is scratching their head right now. Deal with it and let’s move on. Stop punishing the fans when we ultimately know we have no chance at a Super Bowl with him at the helm. Atlanta is interviewing Kubiak right now. The madness has to end. Fans must step up and make their voices heard until we demand excellence. Without the fans, the organization doesn’t profit. Rip off the band-aid already, Glazers and Licht—please. I can’t watch another year of this circus.
January 6th, 2026 at 2:32 pm
@Joe, I appreciate what you are saying here. Truly. In fact, those were my exact sentiments during this teams 1st two swoons under Bowles. Licht did nothing, changed nothing, except maybe, MAYBE, encouraged Rogers to take a lateral position on another team. Meanwhile, by your words “Licht’s job is to assemble that talent,” the assembly is flawed. Let’s assume the team is stocked with pro bowlers (not) and they were chosen at the behest of Todd. Then we must, at the very least, assume that Jason and his guys interview potential players for a feel on their character. I mean, this is not really an assumption, because Licht himself constantly crows about the character of this team, “I am that man.” Then how does it speak about Licht’s players who quit on HIS coach, His football team, and HIS community. So the 1 (ONE) stamp Licht can show any accountability for, character, quits annually. Swoons. Dips in standings. Forget about FA, trade deadlines, draft picks…. he chooses quitters over ballers. He even had a FA edge quit on him before training camp. Sorry, but Licht is the architect of this house of cards
January 6th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Grades? Failure is failure. All expectations were for a deep playoff run. This team did not even make the playoffs. FAILURE. F
January 6th, 2026 at 2:38 pm
Joe’s still defending a 12 year career liser in Jasin Licht.
45% career loser
Why do the Joe’s haye the bucs that they would keep a lifetime loser?
January 6th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
How can we speak of any of their honesty in evaluating themselves or others? These guys can’t even provide an honest injury report. People are usually overcompensating when they continue to highlight something that is a weakness of theirs….”I am that man.” Cleary i do not trust the character of this team
January 6th, 2026 at 3:04 pm
He gets an F!!!
It’s not just the record, but the Bucs were picked by a few talking heads at the beginning of the season to be in Super Bowl contention. Injuries or not, the lack of preparation and execution week after week, year after year are enough to say it’s time to move on. Can give Licht a “D” at best. Picking Bowles as a head coach after Ariens resigned should be enough to get any GM fired. Bowles inability to coach a defense was evident throughout most of his tenure here let alone be a head coach has to fall on Licht as well.
January 6th, 2026 at 3:10 pm
bowles- F-=…LOST THE LOCKER ROOM AND NEVER CANNED THE SPECIAL TEAMS COACH
Licht-F= saying braswell was going to shock the world and not doing whats best for the team
hire klint kubiak
GO BUCS!!!!
January 6th, 2026 at 3:19 pm
Both Jason Licht and Todd Bowles F- grade. For starters they stated at the start of training camp that the LB group was the deepest room. Yeah look how that turned out. I think on a positive note you found a good CB in Parrish. I think he should play on the outside instead of the slot. Move Tykee back to slot and I say put Zyon back at Safety.
January 6th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
A “D” grade gets u by in school just 2 barely move forward. But as the leader of a business organization id say it’s time for him to step. If we stick with a 3-4 I would not be disappointed. If we move back back to a 4-3 I wouldn’t mind that either. But as far as head coach and special teams go we need new leadership. We had safety and CB depth but still they couldn’t be coached on the importanace of gap containment. Whether ur pressuring the returner to one side or another, the middle they really blew it n honestly the special teams r responsible for majority of our losses. Baker was trying his damndest to get us Ws. But combined with the special teams McCollum n SVD he’d have had to play perfect games for us to win. Let’s not forget Lavonte is considering retirement cuz we have an uphill battle. My favorite LB of all time and that’s saying a lot. I appreciate quarles and derrick brooks n they were hard to surpass but yeah it’s time. If licht is easy on his evaluation of Bowles then he can kick rocks too. A college coach should get a look as a GM knowing
January 6th, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Coincidence that season ticket holders were prompted to renew via auto pay for 2026 at the beginning of the 2025 season?? Unprecedented!! Hmmmm
January 6th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
The thing is- the team never really got more healthy. Losing both guards and sometimes the LT is enough to destroy every offensive play. Defense played well down the stretch. Baker had no time- his guards were pushed into his lap on every single pass play! Keep Bowles, Arians, and Licht.
January 6th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
knowing the players coming up in the next 4 years will set us up 4 success. Only speculation but I think Arians gave the Glazers his opinion and I doubt it was good. He had criticizes of Bowles this year n he’s a no ish taking person. Whatever we do fellow Buc fans RAISE UP THE FLAG n LETS SEIGE the South with dominance. #ITSABUCSLIFETILLTHEDAYIDYE!!
January 6th, 2026 at 3:45 pm
None. The answer is none.
Every single aspect of this team regressed from last season.
Yup. Softest most pathetic practice / training schedule in the entire league. But hey, at least it prevented all those injuries! Oh wait.
January 6th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
CHRIS SHULA FIOR BUCS HC!
January 6th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
Grade is an “M”
MALPRACTICE
January 6th, 2026 at 7:07 pm
Bowles C minus, Licht C minus. Yes the GM needs a grade. The OC has to go as does the special teams coach. I knew when Bowles gave the team the complete bye week off we were in for a slide, just cant do that! Even pros need to stay sharp. I’m place most of this dismal collapse on Licht. His past two drafts have been less impressive in my book especially in the first round. Ebuka had a great first 8 games then went dark. there has been very little invested in the trenches.
I’m not saying Ebuka is a bust but we really could have used a pass rusher badly. Then in the second and third round we drafted two CB’s which we needed but we drafted two guys that had serious injuries and I don’t believe either one started the season. Licht did very little in free agency. Reddick was a swing and a miss! With injuries piling up at the 6-2 mark he did nothing to help this team out at the trade deadline. I believe it was a big mistake when Cohen left we did not go out and find an experianced play caller. Not many of us are in one Buc Place and maybe the Glazers were holding Licht back and didn’t want to spend the money. I’m iffy on Bowles, If we keep him there has to be changes!! I think it’s pretty sad that our kickoff coverage is so bad that we have to kick the ball into the endzone and give the opponent the ball at the 35. He needs to go. A lot of this falls on Bowles shoulders and he didn’t make a change. This season was a horrible disappointment.
I am iffy on Bowles if he stays changes need to be made.
January 6th, 2026 at 7:48 pm
Why haven’t both of these clowns been fired yet?
January 6th, 2026 at 7:58 pm
John harbough just became available
January 6th, 2026 at 10:41 pm
On a graded curve, Todd Bowles still get an F!
January 7th, 2026 at 1:57 am
BigBoiBuc Says:
January 6th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
@Nick2. “This fan revolt is real”. Nah, the revolt is only the 100 “fans” on this fan blog. I promise if you don’t sit in your seat ( if you even possess a season ticket that is) somebody else will. I promise.
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lol is that why there were so many seats empty (or filled with opposing team fans) this season? you do realize that they show the stands during the games, right? or are you only listening to it on the radio?