Report: It Wasn’t Like The Bucs Didn’t Try To Reel In Mike McDaniel
January 21st, 2026
Questions.
The Bucs, it seems, gave their best sales pitch. And for reasons we may never know, Mike McDaniel wasn’t sold. Or at least, sold enough to become their offensive coordinator.
McDaniel took the Chargers coordinator job instead. And Joe can understand it trying to to see both sides of the coin:
* Job security. Who knows if Bucs coach Todd Bowles will be here in 2027? If, as so many fans have promised, they’re dropping their season tickets in protest because unpopular Bowles was retained, and if Team Glazer feels the pinch financially and the 2026 season goes sideways, then it’s difficult to imagine Bowles being here for 2027. McDaniel apparently wasn’t fully comfortable that he, too, wouldn’t be blown out a year from now.
* Roster security. “This Joe” believes we could be looking at a roster reset a year from now. Just like we don’t know if Bowles will still be with the Bucs in 2027, we don’t know about Baker Mayfield. The Bucs’ quarterback had a horrendous second half of the season after the bye. Blame the injuries, blame the old offensive coordinator, blame Bucky Irving for regressing, blame the injuries to the offensive line. The bottom line is, no matter how you spin it, no matter how badly you wish it never happened, Mayfield had a terrible second half. If he struggles in 2026, it’s a bit of a stretch to see Team Glazer breaking out a bag of loot to pay Mayfield, who enters the 2026 season in a contract year.
There are other factors, Joe is confident. For example, will Mike Evans play for the Bucs again? What about Chris Godwin, who like Mayfield, is entering a contract year?
But, per Jeff Darlington of ESPN, the pride of Seminole High School, the Bucs gave it their best effort to land McDaniel.
And with a plethora of top-shelf quarterbacks who may enter the 2027 draft, if Mayfield struggles and Bowles is waved goodbye, does Team Glazer/Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht decide to hit the reset button and chase the next Bucs franchise quarterback and a rebuild?
There are all sorts of questions candidates for the Bucs’ open offensive coordinator position likely have. Not so many for the same openings in Philadelphia, Los Angeles (now filled) or even Tennessee.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:04 am
The “sales pitch” doesn’t matter if you have a lame duck head coach and a QB who could be on his way out. The Glazers and Licht should’ve seen this coming.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:08 am
Too many great OC jobs available…was a stretch imo to expect him to sign here.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:10 am
It doesn’t take a rocket surgeon to understand why this job and organization is undesirable.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:11 am
Eh, I don’t buy job security. If the offense performs well and Todd is fired, then he’s got his audition without an interview process.
As far as roster security, Baker is gonna be here. This dude has been balling out and is the heart and soul of the team. He hasn’t been the problem and my money says he gives another team discount for an established high caliber quarterback. Yes, other players are getting older and fazing away, but what team doesn’t have that? Reinforcements have mostly been drafted already. We certainly still have some positions to address in draft/FA.
Tbh, he probably just liked the prospect of Justin and the makeup of that team. It’s also in LA and prob more closely matching his style. The West is best.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:12 am
Licht is overrated and the reason this team isn’t very good.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:13 am
Bowles Anchor! Dragging this team down. Golly geez at least they tried. I had thought of Licht being a good GM but he owns this now. He will go down with Bowles!
January 21st, 2026 at 12:14 am
While I would’ve loved for him to be here, I don’t think it was ever realistic. Lame duck HC and other options with just as good of weapons (LAC and Philly). Both are bigger markets too, which helps him for another HC opportunity.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:17 am
It is what it is weather it’s job security or whatever Bucs must and I am pretty sure they will move on. As for the season ticket holders dropping their season tickets in protest, all the Bucs need is to win and it’s not a guaranteed thing but I willing to bet a 50- 50 chance most of those ticket holders will be back
January 21st, 2026 at 12:26 am
He’s a California guy. That explains a lot on so many levels…
January 21st, 2026 at 12:29 am
Wtf are we even doing?!? This team has become a clown show more and more every year. The days of competence with BA and Brady are long gone. Who in the hell would want to come here and coach with this clueless staff? Can’t attract talent or decent coaches any longer. This must be the long game edition of tanking for a top 5 pick next year. What a joke
January 21st, 2026 at 12:30 am
Why would anyone want to work for Bowles if they didn’t have to. Bad coach, bad GM and bad defense. No way would anyone with serious NFL experience want to work here.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:31 am
No one with an IQ over 45 is going to take Baker over Herbert.
Baker hit his absolute peak under Coen, and is almost certainly never going to be that good again. So if you’re McDaniel – what is the appeal? Also, for the record, Coen is better than McDaniel, and it’s not like he’d achieve what Coen did here.
But Herbert has been stuck in a 1970s offense, and still performed really well. Place him in a modern NFL offense, and his ceiling is the being the best QB in the game. There’s pretty much nowhere for him to go but up.
With Baker, meanwhile, he went 2-7 over the second half of the season, over the last 7 games average 18.2 points per game, and played so poorly he got his OC fired. You really thought McDaniel was going to put his future in those hands? Uh, no.
However, I’m not worried about it. Bowles deserves the benefit of the doubt – and I said all along he’s probably going to hire someone we’ve never heard of and all the idiots will yell and scream about it, just like they did with Canales and Coen.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:44 am
I like everyone wanted Mike McDaniel but after thinking about it idk if his offense is suited for Baker the best Mike love to throw deep an Baker is better at short to intermediate Herbert is a great deep ball thrower an Mike wanted to get back to Cali so y’all can have him I want someone who wants to be here not settle for us I have confidence that everything will work out an everything happens for a reason Bucs will be fine an get the right guy Let’s see if they can get Nate but he might get HC job Udinski can only take HC jobs unless Coen lets him interview for a OC job that calls plays but We will see it could be Zac but.i feel like they will start doing in person interviews I think Dan Pitcher is.in person today but only been 3 in person So far or 2 with one today
January 21st, 2026 at 12:44 am
Why would he choose this dumpster fire of a team when there are way better opportunities elsewhere? Work with Todd or work with Harbaugh? That’s a tough choice lol
I think the Bucs are going to have a rough time finding a quality OC with Todd as head coach. Blame Licht and the Glazers for this situation.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:04 am
Say what you will about Bowles but, the Glazers saw something in him to give him a 3 extension. Owners don’t just issue out money like that because they like a guy I think some of the major issues with Bowles is, he wait to long to replace his assistants. Just look at Jim Harbaugh and HC down in Detroit, one and done with their OC
January 21st, 2026 at 1:09 am
Look at the Tweet Darlington made. Baker is great and I don’t want him to go anywhere. But Herbert has that MVP level of talent. He chose them for the QB and I can’t blame him
January 21st, 2026 at 1:16 am
Gee I wonder why McDaniels wouldn’t come here. It’s not like there’s a lame duck HC around, who sucks at his job whom McDaniels beat with a third stringer…..
January 21st, 2026 at 1:17 am
4 wins in 2026, shoulda woulda and coulda fired Bowles but now you get whatcha pay for. Moving on.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:17 am
‘Baker Mayfield commented that the atmosphere with Tom Brady in the building was “high-strung” and “stressed,” contrasting it with his goal to bring “joy back to football’’ .
This statement is aging well isn’t it? And this from someone with ZERO rings comparing him to the Man with 7. Only a moron even mentions the Goat’s name when it comes to the Attitude it takes to win in this league.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:17 am
What would you do in his shoes? Harbaugh or Bowles? I mean look at the win loss records. Its not rocket science.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:35 am
The bucs recruit the same way they play football we need a real quarterback
January 21st, 2026 at 2:23 am
When they punt on the 2026 season, who would they expect to get? Probably the equivalent of a Todd Bowles of the offense.
January 21st, 2026 at 2:43 am
Whoever it is they need play action movement in backfield to keep defense on their toes. Todays defenses have figured out the standard OC vanilla play calls have to be very creative as was Coen with his slight of hand plays makes a big difference look he took the Jags to playoffs out the gate….. Who will and be that guy?!?!?!?!
January 21st, 2026 at 2:44 am
Can you imagine if the Bucs hire Atlanta’s old OC? He’d basically get the job because Todd Bowles defenses were so bad against Atlanta the last 2 years. Ironic.
January 21st, 2026 at 2:49 am
Munch. Funny but I believe my IQ is over 45. Herbert is so great he hung 3 points in his playoff performance last week. I’m thinking that’s better than the 4 interceptions he threw in his playoff appearance last year. But in his only playoff appearance the year before that he choked away the second half 24-3 to the mighty Jags. Many say the worst opening 3 performance of any QB in NFL playoff history. And when Baker went to San Diego last year and absolutely dominated Herbert as the decided underdog? Herbert has twice as many picks as tds in playoff football, 4 picks and 2 tds in 3 games. Mayfield has 4 times as many tds to picks in playoff football, 3 picks to 12 tds. 5 games. Munch on that Munch boy.
January 21st, 2026 at 2:59 am
Bowles wasn’t Held Accountable: It would be interesting to see what Zac Robinson’s numbers looked like in 2024 and 2025 when you deduct the 4 games against the Bucs. Obviously his numbers would fall off a great deal.
January 21st, 2026 at 3:10 am
Vancouver Buc. I’m with Baker on Brady. And Baker would say the same again.
January 21st, 2026 at 3:41 am
Rod Munch should go root for the Browns. They love losers. You can go root for Deshaun Watson.
January 21st, 2026 at 3:58 am
Munch is too busy cheering on McDaniel. 4 years with the Dolphins, wild card playoff losses first 2 years. Missed playoffs after his last 2 years. 0-2 career playoff record. Still a better playoff record than choking Bobby Herbert. San Diego is close to being a flop. They are alot closer to being a flop with McDaniel. I’m thinking he’ll push them right into flop city.
January 21st, 2026 at 4:08 am
221 qbs have thrown at least 30 postseason passes. Justin Herbert is 145 out of 221. And yep. Baker Mayfield is 1 out of 221. According to passer ratings and QBR and such. By any measure Mayfield is playing a different game than Herbert when it comes to playoff football.
January 21st, 2026 at 4:12 am
But a newly hired OC that just got fired for being inept is going to fix a choker. Right Munch. Sir Munchalot? Explain again. I’m not sure if you know your a$$ from a hole in the ground Rod. But I’m positive that I know that you don’t know.
January 21st, 2026 at 4:29 am
Godwin isn’t entering a contract year. Signed a three year deal last March.
January 21st, 2026 at 4:49 am
I believe the Glazers tried their best. It’s probably everything written in Joe’s post and a family decision too. And if their families are closer to their new location, that is another win-win for them. Plus, they are close to so many beautiful mountains and so much more there too. It’s a great place to live too.
Although, I am really disheartened we didn’t get MM as our OC, I wish them luck in their new environment and can’t blame them for the choice.
I also hope we are not stuck with another OC that isn’t experienced and proven.
January 21st, 2026 at 5:04 am
heyjude, our OC was the scapegoat for 10 of 11 starters not suiting up for games last year. When we’re healthy our OCs get head coaching jobs.
January 21st, 2026 at 5:08 am
Ya know…it’s ALMOST like maybe we should have moved on from Bowles or something. If only some people had suggested that earlier…
January 21st, 2026 at 5:10 am
Bottom line…. The job becomes infinitely more diserable if Todd Bowles is no longer the coach of this team.
January 21st, 2026 at 5:11 am
@Rod Munch is correct. TB has made all of the right decisions as HC of the Bucs. Don’t pay attention to what you see during the games….the soft defense, his love for kicking FG’s instead of aggressively trying to score points and put opponents away and his losing record as a Head Coach. It’s all Bakers fault, Bowles is an innocent victim of a bad QB forced upon him by the evil Glazer Family.
January 21st, 2026 at 5:27 am
It’s hard working for someone you know you’re better than. He just beat Bowles with a rookie QB getting his second start. He’s not working under a coach who’s not as good as him.
January 21st, 2026 at 5:30 am
Kenton – True that.
However, if we get the same as Grizz, we should have just kept him another year.
January 21st, 2026 at 5:35 am
While money, location, job security and roster uncertainty likely all played a part in his decision I suspect learning how a winning organization is run had just as big a part in that decision. If you aspire to be a HC again, ask yourself which organization would better prepare you for that…Bowles’ or Harbaugh’s.
January 21st, 2026 at 5:45 am
It all comes back to the Glazers and falls on their shoulders. They’ve created and complacent and losing culture by not making though decisions, but instead sticking with the status quo.
January 21st, 2026 at 5:48 am
FortMyersDave Says:
January 21st, 2026 at 2:59 am
Bowles wasn’t Held Accountable: It would be interesting to see what Zac Robinson’s numbers looked like in 2024 and 2025 when you deduct the 4 games against the Bucs. Obviously his numbers would fall off a great deal.
^^^^^^^
Maybe the “Joe” that looks this kind of stuff up can get an answer for us…Please and thank you!
January 21st, 2026 at 5:54 am
Losers. We can’t even hire and fire right. No one will want to play here. Way to go Glazers. Cheap Phucks kept fat boy and now he will bring the entire org down. Complete idiots. Mediocrity reigns at One who give a Phuc place.
January 21st, 2026 at 6:01 am
The Rod Muncher can’t get over his hatred of Baker…He/she thinks all of the games the Bucs DID win in 2025 was ALL Todd Bowles and his wonderful bend and break defense. 🙄
January 21st, 2026 at 6:04 am
da glazers be cheap
January 21st, 2026 at 6:04 am
There’s absolutely no motivation for any coach a player to want to come to this team and play for such a failed loser like Todd. Way to go Blazers. Glad we keep losers around while the rest of the league laps us.
January 21st, 2026 at 6:06 am
It’s an undesirable job because of a weak ignorant fan base who actively roots for their team to lose.
I keep reading that Bowles was not held accountable because he wasn’t fired. That is just a flat out stupid take. I have yet to see a single article that describes in detail the conversations that went on with Bowles, Licht and the Glazers. I’ve not seen or heard any quotes from any of the parties that layout any conditions other than Bowles and Licht are to remain. Unless the @Joes can elaborate we can only deduce that the coaches that were let go were seen as part of the problem, and Bowles and Licht were told to fix it, but everything else is just conjecture.
If someone thinks that firing a HC or manager is the only way to hold someone “accountable” then it’s obvious they have never managed anyone at any level above french fry cook.
January 21st, 2026 at 6:08 am
Bowles is such a liability in so many ways. Even if Glazers come to the realization they need fo fire him in the coming days, damage has already been done by not doing it the day after the season ended.
January 21st, 2026 at 6:16 am
“general manager Jason Licht decide to hit the reset button and chase the next Bucs franchise quarterback and a rebuild?”
Now, WHY in the hell would HE continue to get a freaking PASS!? Why would it be just a given that HE gets to choose the next HC and QB, and ANOTHER (failed) attempt at rebuilding this roster AGAIN!? It would be COMPLETE INSANITY, and absurdity. 💯
January 21st, 2026 at 6:17 am
If this thing goes sideways, then it is ALL entirely on JL. 💯 NO ONE ELSE. Period.
January 21st, 2026 at 6:21 am
Not sure why people think that Tennessee is a safer choice for job security. They ditched Vrabel, who actually had a winning record with them and now is poised to likely win this week and head to the Superbowl with the Patriots. They then went through two more head coaches in two years. Is any offensive coordinator truly safer there under Saleh, the third head coach in three years there?
January 21st, 2026 at 6:22 am
I swear to GOD if this thing goes completely off the rails AGAIN under JL’s leadership, AND they continue to insist on keeping HIM as GM… Then, I will be 💯 DONE with this franchise FOREVER. I mean, HOW could anyone have ANY amount of RESPECT for an organization like that!? Well, you couldn’t. And, the Glazers would HAVE TO know that, no matter HOW MUCH they “like him.” I mean, come on!!!!
January 21st, 2026 at 6:33 am
so what if Todd Bowles gets canned after this upcoming season, and McDaniel’s is successful with the Chargers, what if Daniels is thinking, there could just be a opening down in Tampa, and yes, while there might be a roster reset, there will still be loads of talent on the offensive side of the ball. I’m just pointing this out. I only say this because it would line up with him wanting to be a head coach again, which is why he didn’t take the Tampa job, idk just sayin.
January 21st, 2026 at 6:38 am
The nightmare continues. What is the game plan by extending this problem into next season. We know the problem , TB – why are we giving him another season I don’t get it
January 21st, 2026 at 6:40 am
Word gets around and everyone knows that Bowels is a unmitigated disaster.
January 21st, 2026 at 6:44 am
Or you could just say he wanted to go back to the West Coast. Which is being reported by most. Herbert hasn’t done much. Not saying he is better or worse than Mayfield, but he’s not lived up to the hype.
January 21st, 2026 at 6:47 am
It’s OK, he may be a little too Metro Sexual for Tampa, our Fans can’t handle that.
January 21st, 2026 at 6:52 am
Joe, you are guessing at the reasons, but don’t actually know them. None of us do.
Personally, I wasn’t sure he was a good fit, and though I didn’t say it here, I had a hard time thinking he could be our next head coach.
Your assumptions for the reasons mirror some fans here, which explains a lot…but I maintain that a smart OC who is confident in himself would see this team as a big opportunity to become a head coach next year whether Bowles succeeds or not.
And unless Baker Mayfield has a permanent injury, he’ll be fine next year. He played like an mvp for a reason. His play got bad for a reason as well.
As I said last year, the Bucs need to draft a QB in waiting who can be the backup and potential heir to Mayfield, but as long as Bowles is here, he will never get playing time.
January 21st, 2026 at 6:53 am
BA”s the reason TB is still the HC. I don’t blame MM, I think it is a wise decision on his part! Back to the Yucs once again! Heavy sigh
January 21st, 2026 at 6:55 am
It’s OK Tampa Fans can’t handle a Metro Sexual for an offensive coordinator anyway.
January 21st, 2026 at 6:56 am
This tells me everything I needed to know… with todd at helm nobody respects this team. Not the league, nor the fans…
January 21st, 2026 at 6:58 am
“” Bowles deserves the benefit of the doubt – and I said all along he’s probably going to hire someone we’ve never heard of and all the idiots will yell and scream about it, just like they did with Canales and Coen.””
Excuse me? Bowles DESERVES the benefit of doubt on nothing! And yes we idiots would prefer an established coordinator to be hired. Guilty as charged bub.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:00 am
Seems like a lot of the league has higher expectations than us. We must be well ahead of our time LOL. Savants you might say. Rudderless and leaderless. And soon to be a dumpster fire of epic proportions. The only thing that wil grow this year is Todd’s waist.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:01 am
2026 is going to be painful to watch. This was the one move that may have helped us. Now what? And dont say robinson or pitcher, these guys arent legit.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:04 am
You said it in an earlier article Joe:
……. From earlier article
But what does Bowles really want in an offensive coordinator? Bowles last year at the combine told Jenna Laine of ESPN what he’s looking for.
“Obviously, any offensive coordinator has leeway coming in, but you understand what we have to do,” Bowles said last year. “He has to read the game when we’re playing well defensively, when he might have to outscore someone, and it’s never just run, run, pass, he has leeway to call his plays. I’ll have the say-so on whether to go for it on fourth down, things to do on two-minute, and so forth — as well as red zone — but he has a lot of leeway.”
IMO it’s Bowles double speak for ‘you do it my way’ and no OC with experience is gonna want the job that way.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:10 am
Rod Munch is like a bad case of jock itch…he keeps coming back
January 21st, 2026 at 7:14 am
I don’t understand why people are blaming Bowles for assistants not coming to Tampa. Take McDaniel, the media and most thought McDaniel was going to hook up with Saleh who he had some relationship with, he went in a total different direction and I see his point, Jim Harbaugh has won at both college and NFL levels. What usually get assistants top job is when they come from a winning program that’s both college and pros
January 21st, 2026 at 7:14 am
For reason we may never know😂😂😂 Dude everyone knows!
Thank you Tom Brady for taking down the circus tent for a short period but the show is back in town. The sucaneers have returned. Thanks Glaziers. Keep enjoying that free ride Todd.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:19 am
If Sean McDermott was coach I bet we could hire a top tier OC. It’s not to late.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:21 am
We could be entering Liam Coen’s
2nd year
NO ONE in their right mind would come to this Lame Duck front office and coaching staff.
Forget about any quality FA’s coming for anything other than the Big Money!
January 21st, 2026 at 7:24 am
I’m not going to pretend that I’m not watching any Bucs games this year. Been a fan since 1976 and have seen far worse times. But I have absolutely no expectations of a winning season or a playoff game this year. For whatever reason, I believe the Glazers chose to sacrifice next season by keeping Lovie Bowels. I’m not even looking forward to the draft because if bowels has any input, it’ll be a wasted pick.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:29 am
Imagine team Glazer Firing Bowles right when the season ended. Imagine the coaches that would love to have a job in Tampa, the coordinators that would’ve jumped at the chance to coach this offense.i am pretty sure the amount of DC’s that would’ve followed and came here too.
No coach in his right mind would want to come here because of Bowles. The Glazers are setting this franchise back 5 years because they decided to listen to Arians and Licht and keep their dear friend Bowles. Meanwhile the Glazers dearest friends “the fans” clearly see Bowles is not the guy.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:34 am
There will be no reset. That’s completely silly.
Yes, we have some guys who will be retiring, and the trolls will say those guys are running from a dumpster fire, but there is no dumpster fire here.
🏈 You have a QB who got injured halfway through the season, and no competent backup to step in for him. Healing up will fix the QB. Getting a better backup will solve the other.
🏈 You have a top offensive line when healthy. This year was not the norm. We had third stringers having to play on the OL for much of the time.
🏈 We have a great running back stable. A year ago, most here were dumping on Rashad White and saying he should be cut. So don’t go pretending it matters that he left now. Bucky suffered his first major injury. He’ll be fine going forward. He just got nervous.
🏈 Mike Evans may retire, sure. That’s why they drafted Emeka Egbuka. Godwin isn’t going anywhere. He’ll get an extension before the season starts. The Bucs could have given up on him when he was injured, but they didn’t. He won’t forget that. The younger WR got a lot of experience and a couple of them stepped up. Sterling Shepard may leave the team…but who is going to miss his 370 yards and 1 TD?
Tez Johnson had nearly as many yards and scored 5 times in his rookie year this year.
Jalen McMillan was injured most of this season, but he had 8 TDs in his rookie year.
Our WR stable is great, even if Evans retires.
🏈 Jason Licht spent years building the offense so we can compete. He did a great job. That required neglecting the defense for a while, but now it has his full attention. If he hadn’t drafted Emeka Egbuka (which was the right move), we would have gotten a LB in the first round. We will this year. It will be all about defense.
🏈 Our defensive rookies were thrown into the fire because of injuries, but the experience will make them better. After the rookie year, players evaluate areas of need and start the road to improvement. Our secondary will be fine.
🏈 The DL is next.
So, I don’t come here for doom and gloom. Bad things happened this year, and it was frustrating, but the future is what matters now.
And, outside of fan outrage, there is NOTHING to indicate Bowles is a lame duck coach. If he turns things around, he’s going nowhere…and that’s what really worries the “fans”…the possibility that he can succeed.
🏈
January 21st, 2026 at 7:35 am
Remember when they said the Glazers made a call to Harbaugh but he wanted his own GM so they passed. That looks like BS now. Did the Giants fire their sorry ass GM to get Harbaugh? The answer is no. What the hell is going on here!!! Also, why the hell aren’t we interviewing Joe Brady for the OC job?? The second McDermott was fired they should have been on the horn with Brady. This franchise is a complete clown show and it’s the Glazers fault.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:40 am
Outrigger Says
“Remember when they said the Glazers made a call to Harbaugh but he wanted his own GM so they passed. That looks like BS now. Did the Giants fire their sorry ass GM to get Harbaugh? The answer is no.”
You discount the possibilty that Harbaugh could have changed his mind BECAUSE teams were resistant to the idea.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:42 am
And just like that, my main post disappeared after it showed for a few minutes. Figures.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:47 am
If teams were resistant to the idea of firing their GMs, then we should have made a legitimate run for Harbaugh like the Giants did. The bottom line is the Glazers are cheap and would never pony up $20 million a year for an elite coach. Instead they keep their bargain basement coach Turd Bowles.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:52 am
I still believe the Glazers did what they could. There were other key elements in play.
Next time, if they really want someone as their new HC, OC, DC, …, they need to pull out all the stops. Find out about them, their likes, hobbies, favorite foods, places they visit, family, etc. And when they come in for the face to face interview, pull out all the stops to make them and their family want to be part of the team.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:54 am
Rinse and repeat. The headline is the kind of spin this organization has been pushing for years. The “It’s not us, it’s him” nonsense that came with Liam’s exit too. This organization needs to grow up- a lot. Start by looking in the mirror, objectively. Warts and all. Own it.
The HC on his best day is a treadmill to nowhere. The GM spends more time talking about his hits than actually hitting on talent. The Owners, even after 30 years, still haven’t figured out a way to set the highest bar, authentically embrace this community and create a game day experience that’s special. There’s just no accountability on any level.
That’s what makes us a persistent joke year in and out. Look, everyone involved with this organization blew a multi game lead to lose the worst division in football. Facts. There are better, more accomplished coaches on the street looking for jobs. Facts. It’s time for a fresh start.
Nope. Gonna lipstick this pig, instead.
January 21st, 2026 at 7:59 am
It may be just as simple as he (or his wife) prefers living in California to living in Florida. Different lifestyles, different politics, earthquakes and fires not hurricanes.
January 21st, 2026 at 8:10 am
Tampa is NOT a destination unless you are coming for the beaches or Mickey Mouse… at least under this current regime.
January 21st, 2026 at 8:32 am
Oops, he did it again, let another talented OC slip through his hands. I guess Licht’s not that innocent (or good)
January 21st, 2026 at 8:35 am
The lure of Harbaugh or Bowels hmmmmm
January 21st, 2026 at 8:38 am
I’m sure Licht put his best pitch on him but he was kneecapped by his bosses.
This is the second year that the owners didn’t do what was necessary. I’d imagine they’re kicking themselves about the decision last January. Had they gone the other way resetting the roster would not be a probability a year from now.
But maybe we get a young qb in ‘27 with more potential than BM.
January 21st, 2026 at 8:49 am
I know we like to point our fingers at the boys playing fireman (Glazers). Meanwhile, our true career fireman (Licht) doesn’t seem capable of gett8ng up wind from the smoke, unless pushed by a more competent fireman (BA).
Licht should seen this coming and started lining up his ducks 2 weeks after ther bye…
Step 1. Fire ST coach
Step 2. Warn Bowles that he will be fired or hire a DC
Step 3. Walk into that locker room and start writing receipts for the loafers….
At the end of season….
1. Fire Bowles
2. Apologize to fans
3. Get rid of the puppet master (BA) in your ear
4. Hire a legitimate personnel consultant with long-term team ties for a new perspective (eg Shaun King, Rhonde,-but he’s too close, shoot I’d even consider Gerald)
5. Get one of the legit proven HCs…Harbaugh, Tomlin, McDermott
6. Help them build their vision (because you got none) through FA, trade, and draft
Instead, the big luggage just numbers along missing out on prime opportunities unless they force their way in (BA, Brady)
January 21st, 2026 at 8:50 am
Bowles is appearing to be a turnoff to getting and keeping the best coaches and perhaps the best players too. Man! Carlton Davis looked GREAT on the Patriots team last Sunday! We will miss Rachaad White too! Best all-round RB we’ve had in a long time.
January 21st, 2026 at 8:50 am
It’s Corn Says: “It may be just as simple as he (or his wife) prefers living in California to living in Florida. Different lifestyles, different politics, earthquakes and fires not hurricanes.”
Could be that too, understandably.
January 21st, 2026 at 9:04 am
I get a lot of you losers are sitting alone at home with no family, but don’t discredit how much his wife had to say with this decision. She’s a licensed cosmetologist in California, it’s her business. Perhaps she wanted to live in a place where she could work on her business (LA a good place for the kind of work). How about add that she’s from
California, the in laws live there which sure is a big help for two busy professionals.
Yall so butt hurt it’s funny.
January 21st, 2026 at 9:32 am
Deeboooo – I commented early on it would be a family decision for them, as it always should be. And I am happy for them. Mike is from Colorado and I thought his wife was too, but maybe they met in college there. Either way, they will be closer. A win-win for their young family ❤️
January 21st, 2026 at 11:09 am
Here come the chicken littles again….thank you for the posters who have football IQ and are not just being emotional. Jeff Darlington even tweeted the McDaniels wife is from California, McDaniels is from Cali maybe just maybe he looked at both jobs equally but the lure of getting back to Cali was too much to pass up. Some people actually prefer living in Cali versus Florida. It could be the politics, it could be the weather, it could be they just wanted to be close to home. Bottom line is I don’t think Todd was a detriment because why even interview if he was….
January 21st, 2026 at 11:48 am
Love the comments about family here but no need to condescend to different opinions. Both can be true. What’s best for family is not simply just about location. Made plenty of choices in my time that were “best for family” and the job was awful. Trust me, you don’t need to be carrying home a heavier work burden to the family just because the geography of the job was better. I’ve personally made that mistake and some young families are better off being as far away from the extended family as possible.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:26 pm
This is a blessing in disguise, I mean think about it he just got canned from being a HC. He’s going to a team that has a winning record 2nd in their division. We need an OC with some balls to put us over the top and that wasn’t nerdy McDaniel. The fins cut him loose because he lost the room in Miami. McDaniels would have been another one and done in Tampa anyway. We need an OC that wants to be in Tampa for 3 years. Whether or not Bowles is here or not
January 21st, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Jason Licht is garbage without Brady.
Fire everyone.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:56 pm
FormerBucFan Says:
January 21st, 2026 at 7:10 am
Rod Munch is like a bad case of jock itch…he keeps coming back
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Most on this site prefer jock itch to Munch and his clown clones.
Seriously, Munch would be fine if he had anything original to say. He is in a make believe NFL GM/coaching world where the more he writes, the dumber he seems.
January 21st, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Of course he wants any job other than the Bucs Oc. It’s a one and done opportunity, since Bowles will be fired next year. And, if he isn’t, he will blame and fire the other coaches for carrying out his offensive vision and not take the blame.
January 21st, 2026 at 5:18 pm
Kenton Smith Says:
January 21st, 2026 at 2:49 am
Munch. Funny but I believe my IQ is over 45. Herbert is so great he hung 3 points in his playoff performance last week.
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So what you’re saying in Herbert was in a playoff game, while Baker single handedly lost 4 games in a row with the playoffs on the line, removing the Bucs from the postseason.
Also, the worst game of that stretch, in Miami where he got vast outplayed by a 3rd string rookie QB making his first start, was in front of McDaniel – who literally just choose Herbert over Baker.
January 21st, 2026 at 8:11 pm
Of course, injuries had nothing to do with it, lol.