Did Bill Parcells Call Team Glazer To Lobby For Todd Bowles?
July 20th, 2026
It’s a very safe bet Super Bowl-winning head coach Bucco Bruce Arians sounded an alarm to Team Glazer late last season: “If you fire Todd, you’ll be dumb mother&*%$#@* in my book. And here why.”
Arians is loyal to a fault and Bowles is his guy, though Bowles did launch Arians’ handpicked offensive genius Byron Leftwich.
Arians believes in his coaching tree and did not want to see Bowles get launched after one bad season — one that was filled with serious and significant injuries.
But who else might have lobbied hard for Bowles directly with ownership?
Baker Mayfield? Lavonte David? Mike Evans?
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht already has spoken publicly about retaining Bowles. He says he was all for it.
But what about another mighty voice, Hall of Fame head coach Bill Parcells, a man Team Glazer admitted to hotly pursuing and respecting during the new Raise The Flags documentary?
Keep in mind a hearty handful of key moments in Bucs history did not make the cut into the 10-episode documentary chronicling 50 year of franchise history. Team Glazer had final say on what went into the documentary, so the Bucs’ ownership family decided it wanted to share its interest in Parcells.
Parcells recently shared that he has weekly in-season chats with Todd Bowles, who coached for Parcells with multiple teams. So last week, Joe asked Ira Kaufman, the legendary NFL writer and columnist, if he thinks Parcells lobbied directly to Team Glazer on behalf of Bowles.
Kaufman responded with a resounding, “Yes” and didn’t waffle when asked again about it days later. (Kaufman talked directly to Parcells for a story about Bowles last summer.)
Joe is very intrigued. Did one of the biggest figures in NFL history pick up the phone to back his guy to Team Glazer?
Parcells had to know that phone call would have been taken by Bucs owners, people he’s had serious discussions with in the past.
What a fun concept!
July 20th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Parcells must be getting dementia if he lobbied for Bowles to be retained.
Nothing about that makes any sense whatsoever. Winning the landfill division then going 1-3 in the playoffs doesn’t paper over that reality.
Losing the division should have gotten him fired. 2-7 which could easily have been 0-9 down the stretch.
How many HC\DC’s have survived that type of ending? Bueller, Bueller, anyone, anyone……
July 20th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
What the hell do Bill Parcells and Bruce Arians know about football? The true experts are right here on Joe Buc Fan interwebs site spewing from their lazy boys.
July 20th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Nothing against Parcells but…If I’m Bowles he may be the last one I want calling the Glazers on my behalf. Lets just say they have a history. I think he jilted them once and flat said no the second go round?
Go Bucs!
July 20th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Everybody talks about the McVay tree, when Parcells has a hedge row about quarter mile long.
July 20th, 2026 at 1:30 pm
Vegetable – that was quick, I guess you didn’t like Chester
July 20th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
The Glazers are answering his calls after leaving the Glazers at the altar twice?
That explains a lot about their decision making when it comes to the NFL and football in general.
Please sell the team!
July 20th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Parcells should be hired as a consultant, as Todd has ZERO clue about how to scheme pass defense
July 20th, 2026 at 1:39 pm
Nothing about fans trying to be “back seat” coaches and make coaching decisions makes any sense, but hey, we’re all the Sun of our solar systems – everything/everyone else just orbits around us right?
July 20th, 2026 at 1:50 pm
Yeah, Tuna’s opinion carries no weight here. Or it shouldn’t.
July 20th, 2026 at 2:02 pm
1. Huh? Who cares what Bill Parcel’s thinks?
2. When an old coach has to call to defend a HC from being fired that just screams, “Fire Bowles”.
3. REALITY CHECK. The Glazers would have canned Bowles if not for bad timing. They didn’t have a good candidate and Bowles has two years left on his contract. Better to run the team into the ground for better draft picks, build $143M in cap, and develop your young players. It sets up the perfect scenario for an incoming HC.
My guess is Sean McDermott didn’t take a job because he’s waiting for the Bucs gig.
July 20th, 2026 at 2:03 pm
Who knows? One of the Joes hates the Grover who has a 100 percent accuracy record.
July 20th, 2026 at 2:03 pm
I have no doubt both Arians and Parcels called on Bowles’s behalf. Yes say what you want and yes Bowles’s D has been bad for a few years now. However, he has not had very good players on defense. To that fact yes you can blame Bowles but Licht had a lot to do with that. Facts are Licht’s defensive picks have not panned out for the most part so the D has really struggled.One could argue Bowles did really well with the little talent he had. Here is a clue to this year, the D still lacks personnel on defense to take the steps to being a quality defense. Sorry folks this D will do well to be average this year Again do we blame Bowles entirely?. Yes the offense will have to carry this team this year.
July 20th, 2026 at 2:13 pm
Who’s going to lobby on behalf of Bowles after this season? Hey Glazer boys, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
July 20th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
Simple T Says:
July 20th, 2026 at 1:30 pm
“Vegetable – that was quick, I guess you didn’t like Chester”
That’s Mr Vegetable to you sir. And I don’t know who this Chester fellow is that you speak of.
Frankly, it sounds made up.
July 20th, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Has ANY of the team Bowles coached played above expectations? To me he never seems to get the most out of a team. Never takes a team to or above the basic talent level. We’ve seen him coach his way to losses – see Brady’s only losing seasons – 2 losses easily were coaching related.
July 20th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
@AquaBum
“we’re all the Sun of our solar systems – everything/everyone else just orbits around us right?”
I thought of that ole Tag Team song…”Whomp, There it is!” Well said Aqua.
Nothing like a little self awareness eh? Then again I get that this is a place where guys come to spout and pontificate. And I’m no different so I don’t wish to be the pot calling the kettle black. I just tend to respect PROFESSIONALS more than we amateurs. But again to drag up an internet cliche..YMMV.
July 20th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
No problem with Bowles as HC or DC. Not both.
July 20th, 2026 at 3:15 pm
My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who overheard Mike Evans tell team Glazer to ditch Bowles or else.
July 20th, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Sad. Truly sad.
Bowles can’t speak for himself. Some of you pom pom Pearl’s actually believe that since bowles worked under these couple of true coaches, that it just rubbs off on bozo through osmosis. Well GUESS WHAT? WRONG!
And how embarrassing for little bozo to have to call your mommy or daddy in to try to save your grocery bagging job at Publix. bowles is so weak and pathetic…
Listen “candy laner’s” No Matter how badly you want the “TRUTH” to be something that it SIMPLY IS NOT, The FACTS ARE that not only did bowles sabotage the offense last year, you know so his job wasn’t challenged again), with a sub standard pick of a guy bowles KNEW Very Well wasn’t qualified and years from Being ready, (buzzard)… and that decision cost us dearly last season..!
I mean, how do you have the skill set to pick “TWO future head coaches in a row” to then picking a kid YOU KNEW EXTREMELY WELL and YOU KNEW buzzard wasn’t ready! Bowles KNEW that buzzard wouldn’t be qualified to challenge him for his job and HE KNEW there were FAR GREATER options but chose (on purpose) a green as grass rookie play caller..
July 20th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
AI Overview – Exactly 12 different defensive coordinators have won a Super Bowl as coordinators in NFL history.
Todd Bowles is one of those 12. Todd also won a SB as a player at safety so that’s two and counting for Todd. He’s obviously sticking around trying for that trifecta…SB as player…as coordinator and HC.
I get the dissatisfaction what I don’t get is the disrespect that gets hyperbolic here.
July 20th, 2026 at 3:47 pm
Is it possible that Lovie Smith called the Glacers in support of Bowles? Hmmmm?
July 20th, 2026 at 4:15 pm
What the heck
WHY would anyone back this guy as a HC
WHY
Losing record most seasons
1 playoff win
Has DONE NOTHING AT A HC
Never has a Coach got this backing with Bowles record
Name Another Coach with this record that was retained by any NFL team this long
Exactly No Other Coach
So Tell Us Joe Why
July 20th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
The Glazers LOVE Todd Bowles…Even more than they do winning football games. 🙄
What’s gonna happen when 1 or 2 of the CB’s get hurt? Bowles will have the backup slugs playing 15 yards off the LOS, so we’ll see another year of a version of a “Prevent Defense”. Maybe the offense can carry the team, and they’ll win 9 games IN SPITE of Todd Bowles.
July 20th, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Bojim Says:
July 20th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
No problem with Bowles as HC or DC. Not both.
^^^^^^^^^
The problem is Bowles isn’t good at either job.
July 20th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
It is sad to see Parcells calling the “principal” to get Bowles out of trouble. SMH
St Pete nice to see you back. Btw don’t you think the GLAZERS disrespect the fans by allowing Bowles to stick around?
Poor season ticket holders. It’s almost as bad as fast food restaurants. The offer very little nutrients for your body in the quality of food they offer. Then you have the Glazers embracing Bowles again after an awful December to end the season. You know what they both say?
You are making the choice to purchase our product. Thank you very much!!!
Are we seen lack of accountability from the owner, head coach, coaches and players? It’s sad when your I AM THAT MAN (David) admits of loafing.
I won’t be surprised if we see another season like last year. May mayfield stay healthy or RINSE AND REPEAT is in order. SMH
I’m hoping for the best but it expecting it. I have gone from positive bandwagon to realistic thanks to the Bowles era.
July 20th, 2026 at 5:42 pm
Not
July 20th, 2026 at 5:44 pm
@Bucsfan
Shanahans is barely better .558
Campbell too .551
Stefanski kept his job and won TWO coach of the year awards @ .446
Zac Taylor is starting year 8 with . 467
Fyi 👍🏼
July 20th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
When Arians quit I knew its was downhill from there. Leftwhich would still be here if it were his choice Brady ran that entire offense.
July 20th, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Shanahan is 9-5 in post with two SuperBowl appearances
Bowles name is as close has he gets to a Bowl
And you use a Browns Coach as an example HAHAHA
July 20th, 2026 at 6:48 pm
So he suggested we get a new LT and hope the Bills miss a FG?
July 20th, 2026 at 6:49 pm
[Can’t you come up with a different analogy for Bill Parcells than someone who will get the comments shut down? It’s the second time you’ve tried this today. — Joe]
July 20th, 2026 at 7:50 pm
@BucsFan
You asked for information, I provided it.
But once again, as your type is prone to do…. you try to move the goal posts.
You asked a question. Too bad you don’t like the answer. It gets worse (for your narrative) if we use retired coaches too. Gruden . 513
It’s okay not to like Todd or the job he’s done but being a .500 ish coach is not the dunk you
think it is… Parity is real in the NFL and many coaches (most) live in the .400-.600 % range.
Try Google bro – NFL coaching records. You might learn something 👍🏼
July 20th, 2026 at 8:19 pm
Bowles is a Super Bowler! Yes he is. No negative commentary, please
July 20th, 2026 at 9:41 pm
Gruden WON A SUPERBOWL
Move the goal post really
Bowles has won A PLAYOFF GAME that’s it
Please show me a Coach 10 years in with less than a.500 Record AND ONE PLAY WIN
But like a True Bowl lover you throw out junk and say You just don’t like him
July 20th, 2026 at 9:44 pm
Joe I’m very confused