Pressure Mounts On Todd Bowles
September 8th, 2026
Even one of Todd Bowles’ ardent defenders says he’s on a hot seat.
Did it just get hotter?
Baker Mayfield signed a three-year contract extension today for massive money that will make him a Buccaneer through the 2029 season.
That’s Team Glazer telling the world it has a franchise quarterback. And all teams with true franchise QBs expect to win.
The Bucs also have, per Warren Sharp salary data, a defense that costs more than half the defenses across the NFL. And with spending comes expectations.
Bowles will be running a defense with three first-round picks on the defensive front, an All-Pro-caliber safety, improved inside linebackers, major draft investments and a seasoned Super Bowl coordinator — also known as Todd Bowles himself.
If Mayfield was left to play out his former contract season of 2026, Joe would have seen that as Bucs big shots not having faith in their quarterback. And when you lack faith at the game’s most important position, sometimes that leads to the head coach getting a pass.
That’s no longer up for debate in Tampa. Mayfield is the guy and Bowles has no excuses on the table.
Also, Mayfield’s fat contract sort of gives him immunity from some fans if the Bucs struggle this season. Those fans will know Mayfield’s job is secure, so they’re blame game is much more likely to be directed at the head coach.
September 8th, 2026 at 9:25 pm
If Baker plays so poorly that in back to back years he gets his entire offensive staff fired, followed by getting the entire coaching staff fired, I’m not sure who the Bucs are going to be bringing in. I mean what coach with options would want to be in Tampa if that scenario happens, knowing that they’re stuck with a QB on a huge new deal for years after he keeps getting everyone fired.
If anything, I’d think this deal gives Bowles more slack since the options are going to be very limited if Baker “isn’t healthy.”
If Baker is healthy, however, it’s good to know that his future and Bowles future are tied together.
September 8th, 2026 at 9:28 pm
The pressure been on Todd Bowles
But Todd Bowles knows what it takes to win in the NFL
A solid experienced roster with a combination of veterans and youth
That’s exactly what we have this season
We signed some quality free agent veterans with Championship experience
We drafted some quality rookies with high ceilings
I don’t see any reason why Todd Bowles can’t respond to the pressure
He’s been in the NFL for over 40 years
He’s not a green rookie HC, he know the ropes
I personally think we have a very highly successful season
September 8th, 2026 at 9:29 pm
Give it a rest Rod!
If Baker was responsible for getting the coaching staff fired, the staff is a group of morons for letting him play through injuries which have been well documented this offseason by guys who were in the locker room with him.
Absolute nonsense you are pushing.
There are coaches sitting at home right now with Tampa Bay circled on their calendar for January 10th or whatever day the Bucs bow out. Lose in the WC round, if you get there, and walk the plank Todd!
September 8th, 2026 at 9:33 pm
This off-season has been fantastic, very productive
We have the pieces in place, it’s time to ball
I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t win the division
Then make some loud noise in the playoffs
September 8th, 2026 at 9:34 pm
Get some good offensive mind in here (maybe Lafleur if the Packers crap the bed this fall, maybe just promote Whitmer to OC if he’s as hot as people say) and pair him with a Schwartz or McDermott.
Then the Bucs got something! Instead of me worrying about being out coached in the WC round as a 9 win division winner, I’ll be dreaming about the SB.
September 8th, 2026 at 10:01 pm
It’s a win-win or a lose-win.
We get past the NFC Division round, it’s a massive good year. Even better to win or make SB. Bowles stays, we have stability and a contender for years to come. Baker will manage the new OC. Bowles decides to leave on a high note, we get ZR as HC.
We suck it up or just make a playoff appearance, Bowles will be let go. ZR as HC unless he is Freddie Kitchens bad.
September 8th, 2026 at 10:05 pm
Oh snap! A right cross of common sense from Lakeland! Down goes Frazier Down goes Frazier! ..Well said Lakeland!
September 8th, 2026 at 10:06 pm
Meaningful games in December
September 8th, 2026 at 10:08 pm
Rod give it a rest bud. He didn’t get anyone fired. They got fired because they were not good at there job. The offense was to predictable last year. Jo has shared stories of how we ran the ball in one formation 65% of the time. And another that was up there. Do you think bakers off year was because off the coaches. You seem to forget he got two coordinators head coaching jobs. Or was that just coaching that got them that. You can’t have it both ways. Amazing how he had career year with a great offensive coordinator. So that shows what the problem was. Not baker he has had great years. Show me gizzards great season of being a coach there isn’t one so there is the point bafoon
September 8th, 2026 at 10:11 pm
Why doesn’t this site call Bowles “Super Bowl Champion defensive coordinator and TB Head Coach Bowles” instead of Kit-Kat eating?
Just a random thought… almost every success and failure of a good coach can be measured by the strength of the roster they are coaching. And we lost a ton of good players in the wake of our last championship. Has taken a while to build up sufficient talent again.
September 8th, 2026 at 10:12 pm
The truth is, the fans will win either way this year:
• If the Bucs lose, we get a new coach next year.
• If the Bucs win enough to get 1-2 games into the playoffs, I think Bowles will either be fired or will retire. So we get a new coach next year.
• If a miracle happens and the Bucs make it the the NFC Championship game or better, Bowles won’t get fired but I think there’s a good chance Bowles retires on a high note.
It’s a no-lose season for us fans.
Personally, I firmly believe the team kept Bowles one more year because they are planning on going after a specifice coach who won’t be available until after the season (Tomlin).
September 8th, 2026 at 10:18 pm
Jeffbuc Says:
September 8th, 2026 at 10:08 pm
Rod give it a rest bud. He didn’t get anyone fired.
———–
If Baker can make a simple 7 yard pass to a wide open WR, one that I could make, the Bucs beat the Falcons, make the playoffs, and the entire offensive staff is not fired.
So yes, he did in fact get them all fired.
With that said, the article is about Bowles being on the hot seat, so I’m saying “IF” this happens, then blah blah blah. I’m not saying it will happen, and in fact, as I said, I think – if anything – this extension actually gives Bowles more rope, because no high profile coaches are going to want to come here if this team performs so poorly that Bowles is fired. I can’t see that happening unless Baker has another bad year.
Well, one exception, would be if Baker got hurt early in the year, then I guess that would be on the one case where the team underperforms, and Bowles is fired, and another coach still might bet their career on Baker – but I still think you’d be stuck with 2nd tier candidates (if Baker plays poorly, I’m thinking more like 3rd or 4th tier).
September 8th, 2026 at 10:21 pm
NFL.com has the Bucs @ #18 in the power rankings. Not exactly an endorsement of confidence in Bowles. Time will tell, but he is definitely on the hot seat as of right now.
September 8th, 2026 at 10:22 pm
Rod, some would say Baker got people high paying head coaching positions! As the offense did so well they dipped after one year…but you enjoy your pity party tonight…Bake isn’t going anywhere….and he shouldn’t
September 8th, 2026 at 10:22 pm
Rod Munch Says
“If Baker can make a simple 7 yard pass to a wide open WR, one that I could make…”
Um…I like you, so please don’t take offense, but I doubt you could make that throw with to bum shoulders, cracked ribs, and an OL that allow too many jits.
September 8th, 2026 at 10:27 pm
Ron, some would say Baker got people promoted to high paying head coaching gigs, because the offense did so well they dipped after only one year! But u enjoy your pity party tonight, cause Bake isn’t going anywhere, nor should he
September 8th, 2026 at 10:38 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
September 8th, 2026 at 10:22 pm
Rod Munch Says
“If Baker can make a simple 7 yard pass to a wide open WR, one that I could make…”
Um…I like you, so please don’t take offense, but I doubt you could make that throw with to bum shoulders, cracked ribs, and an OL that allow too many jits.
————–
If that was true, how did he complete any other pass in the game?
September 8th, 2026 at 10:39 pm
Kidfloflo Says:
September 8th, 2026 at 10:27 pm
Ron, some would say Baker got people promoted to high paying head coaching gigs, because the offense did so well they dipped after only one year!
———–
He did. This story, however, is about being on the hot seat. Did you read the article before going straight to the comments?
September 8th, 2026 at 10:56 pm
The blame game is rather tasteless. Everybody knows the team loves Bowles and some fans hate him Rookie coaches normally get a pass. Most other coaches are on a short leash. Bowles has the best personnel of any of the is teams since 2020.
September 8th, 2026 at 10:57 pm
@rod
With that said, the article is about Bowles being on the hot seat, so I’m saying “IF” this happens, then blah blah blah.”
You don’t have to add the, blah , blah, blah
Thats how most of us read your nonsense takes anyway. Two offensive NFl coaches back to back got head coach gigs – most coveted NFL coaching position on Baker’s arms – but he’s a coach killer according to one resident nit
Keep typing to try and earn back relevance. we are seeing less and less of your head as you dig your hole deeper
September 8th, 2026 at 11:06 pm
What lead up to mayfield having to make that one 7 yard play ?? not just that game, but the season?? Had to win that game had to make that one play ??? Why did loop have to make that kick…I love football
September 8th, 2026 at 11:18 pm
Too bad the glazers can’t forbid Bowles from having Ruben Bain play corner back instead of rushing the passer.
If he just did that I’d give the bucs a chance to win more than six games
September 8th, 2026 at 11:46 pm
MikeBuc…lol!
September 8th, 2026 at 11:54 pm
2026 Buccaneers:
11–6 NFC South Champions
LFG! 🏴☠️💥🔥
September 8th, 2026 at 11:58 pm
Only Floormatt would make such an asinine statement about TB zero.
I think the Joes need to provide some Pom Poms for him to waive.
Or maybe it’s Bowles himself spewing lemming speak about his accomplishments.
Really provides a ton of comic fodder while watching the team go down in flames.
I bet that I know what cheese he prefers on his burger, Swiss. 🤣🤣🤣🤡🤡🤡
September 9th, 2026 at 12:07 am
Todd has been ok the hot seat his whole coaching staff was fired… Baker got 2 out 3vo coordinator head coaching jobs…I’m still say I’m not sold on baker