BSPN: If Bucs Defense Continues Strong Play, Todd Bowles “Should Be Back In 2027”
October 16th, 2026
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Bucs fans have had a range of emotions to start the 2026 season.
It began with high hopes for Rueben Bain, the No. 15 overall pick. After recording three tackles through five weeks, some (NOT Joe) have muttered the B-word.
Then, the Bucs started 0-4. Bucs fans were howling for the head of wildly unpopular KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles, even though many of the same irate fans were aware that’s just not how Team Glazer rolls.
It wasn’t just the losing that enraged Bucs fans. It was how the Bucs were losing with a really garbage offense that looked confused at best. And the team frankly didn’t look prepared each week.
But something odd happened beneath Joe’s nose. The Bucs began playing solid, if not good, defense, even though Bowles finally admitted this week what Joe has suspected for years: that Bowles doesn’t care for sacks. Since the NFL was formed, sacks have been a critical element of a successful defense.
Even follicly-challenged Billy Barnwell of BSPN says Bowles’ unorthodox philosophy and defensive agenda are illogical.
The Buccaneers are somehow doing that with a formula that doesn’t make sense. Bowles’ defense is blitzing at the fourth-highest rate in the league, but the Bucs rank only 28th in sack rate. Instead, they are winning by stopping the run at the fifth-best rate in the NFL by success rate and getting off the field on third down, where they have the eighth-best defensive stop rate.
Because of this, Barnwell thinks the next few weeks very well may determine not just the season for the Bucs, but the future of the franchise.
Barnwell seems to think if Bowles can keep the Bucs in the race for the NFC South landfill title, it would be reasonable to expect Bowles to return in 2027 as the team’s head coach.
If Bowles can stick in the NFC South race and stay afloat until Mayfield returns, he should be back in 2027. If Tampa goes on another losing streak, though, Bowles might have to walk the plank.
It’s wild to believe that a team that begins a season at 1-4 could only be one game out of first place in the win column. The Stinking Panthers currently lead the division with a 2-2 record.
October 16th, 2026 at 4:26 am
We missed on Mafe.
If we had an elite OLB opposite Yaya, we could have the best defense in the NFL.
We absolutely need to trade for and extend the best OLB money can buy.
Enough is enough.
Bain can be a rotational player for the next 2 years.
He needs to put on 20 pounds and transition to DE/DT. He’s not fast enough to be an OLB.
We need to trade Nelson and à 1st round pick for the best OLB we can find.
October 16th, 2026 at 4:30 am
Nah man, I can’t do it. I can’t. This is the most out of touch situation I’ve experienced as a fan. I get it that the defense is doing very well. Remarkable, even, especially since Todd does NOT value a pass rush in any shape or form, which in and of itself is infuriating. That being said the offense is garbage. Z Rob is awful, the wrs aren’t being used right if at all (Godwin, Egbuka(who may be hurt), Bucky most likely won’t last. Who’s going to want to join the team as an OC unless we get lucky AGAIN?
October 16th, 2026 at 4:49 am
Either Bowles agent is a master of narrative or Bowles has dirt on everyone in the national media. He should be back at 1-4? After the collapse we have seen over the past year? After the OC disaster? Please dude.
October 16th, 2026 at 5:10 am
Todd Bowles is eternal.
October 16th, 2026 at 5:48 am
Dallas is the only serious offense we’ve played, thought for sure we’d be exposed by them. Dunno, not quite convinced yet
October 16th, 2026 at 5:53 am
GTfO
October 16th, 2026 at 6:00 am
What a crock of crap! Barnwell is delusional. Bowles has proven he is a mediocre coach, at best, and is totally undeserving of being a NFL head coach.
October 16th, 2026 at 6:12 am
if they dont win the south bowles is gone. doesnt matter how good the defense plays.
October 16th, 2026 at 6:15 am
That would be unfortunate
October 16th, 2026 at 6:22 am
This will be my last year as a buccaneer fan if he stays just saying time is to valuable to see the same old stuff next year as well 5 years of its enough for me…
October 16th, 2026 at 6:23 am
Well, the Panthers will surely be 3-2 after playing an Eagles team this week that is missing its starting QB, best receiver and premier running back. Both Atlanta and New Orleans have very winnable games, too.
October 16th, 2026 at 6:32 am
Regardless of the NFCS race, 1-4 is unacceptable.
Bain isn’t a bust. He’s just a rookie. His game will speed up as his first season progresses. Give him time.
I realize the 4-3 stopped working for us years ago…but I sure do miss the Tampa 2. It’s too bad we can’t switch schemes on the fly. Use both as needed. If that were possible, we’d confuse the other teams.
October 16th, 2026 at 6:46 am
Todd Bowles fate will be determined by his win, loss record after all 17 games are played. I don’t care how good the defense may look if Todd has a 5-12 record at seasons end, he’s gone. If Todd isn’t, most fans will be. It’s happening already, Pittsburgh will be the home team Sunday. But what do I know. Look at the Ioser the Glazers are hosting for the game.
October 16th, 2026 at 6:54 am
@Beej try Cincinnati. Minus the special teams blunders and fumbles giving great field position, which was taken advantage every time with a score, Cincinnati’s points scored would have been half. Let’s give credit were it’s due.
October 16th, 2026 at 6:55 am
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
October 16th, 2026 at 7:15 am
HELL TO THE F#CK NO
October 16th, 2026 at 7:24 am
not gonna lie my rage was directed at bowles too, until I started looking at the general rankings and stats. Even with our offense constantly turning the ball over and giving opponent offenses more chances, we still have a top defense so far… that said, the buck stops with the head coach.
October 16th, 2026 at 7:32 am
And just ignore his choice of offensive coordinator the past 2 seasons?
October 16th, 2026 at 7:33 am
Here’s the Problem; if Bowles was just the DC keeping him on isn’t an issue at present as the D is playing decent. He’s the Head Coach and on that front its totally unacceptable to keep him after a disastrous start to this season and based on his current performance of being a sub .500 one at that
October 16th, 2026 at 7:34 am
None of this makes sense.
October 16th, 2026 at 7:48 am
Rayjay won’t have too many pewter and red jerseys if so
October 16th, 2026 at 7:56 am
Lowered expectations. We were going after 2 playoff wins 2 years ago and now they think he keeps his job by ” staying afloat” in the worst division? That is how you buid a losing culture. Raising expectations is for winners. I would consider him back only as a DB coach. Thats the only unit that looks improved. Everything else looks the same of worse.
October 16th, 2026 at 7:58 am
Sure keep Bowles if you are happy with mediocrity. The best his teams have ever been have been average at best. If Bowles doesn’t win 2 playoff games that should be the end of his reign. If he stays it will prove 2 things, the Glazers are happy with just being an average team, and they don’t really care if they alienate the entire fan base.
October 16th, 2026 at 8:00 am
He should be winning…not playing strong
October 16th, 2026 at 8:00 am
Bizzaroworld. Literally nothing else to say at this point.
October 16th, 2026 at 8:08 am
Please no! But the organization does love mediocrity. People are missing that Todd is the HEAD coach, as in when it doesn’t work, his head should roll.
October 16th, 2026 at 8:18 am
As long as Bowles is here the fans will stay away
Franchise is going no where with him
I’ll be at the theme parks on Sundays with my kids instead of torturing myself with this team weekly
October 16th, 2026 at 8:20 am
The only thing that should save Bowles job is a deep run in the playoffs. Not another mediocre season. Not another one and done in the playoffs.
October 16th, 2026 at 8:22 am
Barnwell … ‘If Bowles can stick in the NFC South race and stay afloat until Mayfield returns, he should be back in 2027’.
Can’t figure out where that conclusion came from. Baker got us to 0-3 in his 3 starts, and so after he comes back from an injury, he’s gonna lead us to the promised land?
Why am I skeptical? Bucs (1-4) need to go 9-4 the rest of the way to finish 10-7. And that’s probably what it will take to win the NFC South outright.
October 16th, 2026 at 8:22 am
Some of you people are amazing, and not in a good way. A lot of coaches throughout football history have devised schemes that were unorthodox and heavily criticized at first.
Does anyone else remember the days when running quarterbacks were stupid and they should always stay in the pocket?
Remember when the Tampa 2 and 46 defense was criticized?
Remember when the West Coast offense was criticized for not throwing deep enough?
I don’t see Suh, JPP, or Barrett on that defense. Perhaps Bowles is developing a scheme that fits the players he has right now.
October 16th, 2026 at 8:24 am
Oops, make that 9-3. Much more better.
October 16th, 2026 at 8:33 am
D-Rome … You make a good point, because there’s a lot of ways to look at productivity. I expect HCs & coordinators to be more concerned with TEAM productivity vs INDIVIDUAL productivity, and I believe that that’s what drives Todd Bowles. Right now our defense ranks #14 in Points Allowed (112 pts) but we’d rank #8 if you take away either the punt return or fumble return TDs scored while our defense sat on the bench. I’ll settle for a Top 10 any day
October 16th, 2026 at 8:36 am
Lol delusional post defense is garbage offense is garbage coach needs to go now
October 16th, 2026 at 9:11 am
Sure. That’s exciting. A full decade of “hope to win a division title with 7 to 9 wins” is real inspiring.
October 16th, 2026 at 9:15 am
He gone.
October 16th, 2026 at 9:19 am
If our current head coach can rally this team, win the NFC South and win at least one play-off game – I would welcome him back for another season…
You have to admit – this defense is pretty solid and TB is all about the D.
However – that is a lot of IFs… LOL.
October 16th, 2026 at 9:27 am
The vaunted Bowels defense is also 1-4 and 4-12 in the last 16 games.
Those four wins were against the Saints, Cardinals, Panthers, and a putrid Cowboys team.
If the Glazers bring Todd back after the 2025 collapse and whatever 2026 is, then they need collective CT scans.
To even write the article is a joke. This is why mediocrity has taken root.
October 16th, 2026 at 9:52 am
Todd Bowles will be coaching this team for the next 10 years and there’s nothing any of you all can do about it.
October 16th, 2026 at 9:57 am
One lucky win Todd went out of his way to try to lose and now he is the savior? Please stay in your lane Barnwell. The season is young and Todd is still Todd. The miraculous comeback is pretty low on the list of possible outcomes for the season. There are just as many reasons to be pessimistic t
October 16th, 2026 at 10:01 am
DONCHA JUST LOVE THAT WORD “IF”??????
October 16th, 2026 at 10:02 am
than there are to be hopeful. A good defense can take you a long way, but the offense has given few indications it will perform consistently at a championship or even middle of the pack level. Bold predictions of retaining a barely 500 coach should be avoided. His chances of even getting back to 50/50 are slim.
October 16th, 2026 at 10:04 am
Teflon Todd. Somehow he is smart enough to keep his job while being way over his head. If only he could convince the fans how great he is. Go Bucs!
October 16th, 2026 at 10:18 am
Tried telling y’all all during the offseason, that it was THE OFFENSE to be worried about. That, the Defense would be fine. The Bucs should win this game at home. If they don’t, then the all-out TANK MODE should be ON. Sell-Sell-Sell.
October 16th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Bucs fans are going to wake up in the dark and hear the lambs screaming 🤣😭
October 16th, 2026 at 10:42 am
no effing way
October 16th, 2026 at 10:46 am
The filters need some work.
October 16th, 2026 at 10:49 am
F00k that shizzel.
October 16th, 2026 at 11:35 am
Are you kidding me?????? Worst coach we’ve had in years!!!
October 16th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Bowles should only be DC, not HC…
October 16th, 2026 at 11:51 am
How much $ is Bowles costing Bucs if fired? I know he was extended last year . What is his buy out number ?
October 16th, 2026 at 11:56 am
Faspro Says:
October 16th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Bowles should only be DC, not HC…
F no! neither….ever!
October 16th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Nooooo!
October 16th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
October 16th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Anything short of a Superbowl appearance Bowles needs to go.
October 16th, 2026 at 1:07 pm
I knew this article would bring out all the lovers for Bowles. I’ll say this if the Bucs defense gets better as the season goes on and we not only win the division but a playoff game or 2 then yes you keep Bowles. If the offense gets better and can get up to the potential they have Robison should be back too. If the defense and offense suck it up then fire both. Pretty simple. Doesn’t matter how you start and if you don’t beleive that last year is a slap in your face. Started off 6-2 then garbage.