Mike Tomlin Talks Bucs Coaching, Baker Mayfield
November 2nd, 2026
Joe would say a healthy percentage of Bucs fans would love to replace Todd Bowles with former Steelers legendary head coach Mike Tomlin.
Heck, a healthy percentage of Bucs fans are eager to replace Bowles with any viable candidate.
Now an analyst for NBC Sports, Tomlin isn’t ready to throw dirt on Bowles’ coaching career. In fact, last night Tomlin handed Bowles his “game ball” for Week 8 play in the NFL. But Bowles will have to share the honor.
“I give [my game ball] to a combination of Todd Bowles and Zac Robinson,” Tomlin said. “Zac Robinson going against his former [Falcons] team; it’s one thing to have a good plan, it’s another thing to be adaptable enough to pivot when necessary. The weather conditions dictated that they do that today. They did it. They sold it to their guys.
“They just did a contract extension with Baker Mayfield, and somebody had to go tell Baker that we’re not going throw the ball today. And I’m sure Baker was like lukewarm at best with the idea. But it was the right decision. They played behind their running game in the conditions and they won the game.”
The Falcons had no answers for the Bucs in any phase of yesterday’s game. Oddly, the Panthers had no answers for Tampa Bay.
Bucs coaching has been eating a buffet of Ws the past two weeks.
November 2nd, 2026 at 4:40 am
Sorry Mike, I slightly disagree, and it could be why you’re out of a job.
The Bucs had 6 punts yesterday.
There were times, especially in the second half when the rain subsided, when Baker was instructed to hand off on a 3rd and 7 when a short, safe pass was the call.
Proof being … we were sweating a bit in the 4th until Penix, who played awful, threw his last pick. Never should have come to that. Six punts defines a lack of creativity, no matter the weather.
Robinson went into prevent offense throughout the second half. Yes, it worked, but you have to wonder if he wasn’t counting on the defense too much.
There is the famous “Monsoon Bowl” played in 1979 in a downpour that never let up for a second. Bucs won 3-0 against KC for their first playoff appearance. Point being, even Doug Williams threw for 51 yards in that mini hurricane. I sought out the stats after watching yesterday.