Todd Bowles Officially Enters Mike Smith Territory
December 13th, 2025
“Welcome, Todd!”
To Joe, there were no worse Bucs defensive coordinators this century than lousy Lovie Smith and Mike Smith.
At least Mike Smith had one good year with the Bucs and that was his first season in 2016. It was a shambles after that.
On Thursday night, Bucs coach Todd Bowles entered the Mike Smith club, Not so much for being unable to stop Kirk “509” Cousins yet again, or for getting his defense dragged by Kyle Pitts as he set a personal record with 166 receiving yards.
No, Bowles entered Mike Smith territory for allowing a team that did its best to lose to win.
The last time a team playing on the road but still pulled out a win with so many penalties came on October 30, 2016. The Oakland Raiders had 23 penalties that day. In Tampa. Against the Bucs.
The Raiders won in overtime (thanks Hey Jude). That game cost the Bucs a playoff berth. Against Mike Smith’s defense.
Todd, this is Mike.
Joe has had all Friday to think of this: Joe doesn’t know how there isn’t a change of some sort next month, short of the Bucs making a run in the playoffs.
Does anyone really think this team can get off the mat and make the playoffs?
December 13th, 2025 at 8:05 am
Gonna be a grim Christmas around the Bowels family dinner table.
I feel for him on a human level as I think he is a honorable man and a good coach, he is just not cut out to be a NFL head coach.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:06 am
Doesn’t matter if this team makes playoffs. If they do, how can this defense compete with a playoff opponent? Bucs defense isn’t even good enough to win a flag football game.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:10 am
Bowles is a likable guy. But its time. Some players he likes, he sticks with them way too long. He’s got 3 orr 4 good players on Defense. But it’s time to revamp it with new players, fresh ideas, and a new head coach. I know he sees the handwriting on the wall. Good luck Todd.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:10 am
Todd Bowles and Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans really think this team can get off the mat and make the playoffs. Doesn’t much matter what the rest of us think.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:12 am
I appreciate Joe for calling this out.fans are hurting. We’ve been taken for a ride.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:12 am
Even if the Bucs make the playoffs does it mean anything if it’s one and done?
I am a long time fan of the Buccaneers, I’m not a Bowles, Mayfield or any other single person hater. In my perfect, dream world the Bucs win the Super Bowl with such regularity that it almost becomes boring. I just don’t believe Coach Bowles or Baker Mayfield will have the ability (be it coaching/scheming the defense or quarterback play) to get this team over the hump to being “Great”
Truthfully, I don’t care who the coach, quarterback or anyone else is. I just want the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to WIN! If that means offices and lockers get cleaned out for a final time, so be it.
GO BUCS!
December 13th, 2025 at 8:13 am
I don’t blame Bowles, as he is who he is….a very poor coach.
I put the blame squarely on Glazer. Since Glazer created this horrible situation, he deserves the fallout.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:14 am
The DLine is bad. Dennis and Smith were out and the subs were terrible.
When the Free Safety is your leading tackler in a game, that’s bad.
But Mayfield thrives as an underdog and he is in that position now-
They’re not a SB team, but they do have a shot at playoffs if Mayfield gets them there.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:14 am
It’s pointless to pile on and insult Bowles now. He’s not coming back. He’s a good man and he does have a three SB rings and millions in earnings to show for his NFL career, he’ll have very good retirement.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:14 am
If Mike Smith had JPP, Suh, Vea, Shaq, LVD, White, Winfield…..he’d be Todd Bowles. Bowles gets way too much credit considering the talent we had. Everyone seems to forget that even with all that talent, he called an all out blitz that left Kupp wide open and possibly costing us back to back SBs.
Bowles is mediocre at best, he blitzes which every QB in the league has figured out that all you have to do is get the ball out with quick routes/screens.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:17 am
For the most part, we’ve had crap defenses since 2008 when Monte announced he was leaving the team. We were solid during 2020 and in the short time after that, but that’s it. It’s shameful what the fans have had to put with since then
December 13th, 2025 at 8:17 am
Thank you Joe! Yeah, I’m having Deja Vue. No pass rush, communication issues in the defensive backfield, LB’s who can’t cover. A perfect storm!
December 13th, 2025 at 8:22 am
And I’m not letting Licht off the hook. He’s the one who said Reddick is that dude, hahahahahahaha! And him not addressing the LB position.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:25 am
The 2025 defense might be as bad as the 1976 defense.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:26 am
Mitch Trubisky and Cousins have had their best games against the Bucs for crying out loud. They might as well be named to the Bucs ring of honor
December 13th, 2025 at 8:33 am
I’m generally a fan of The Glazers. They very likely kept the Bucs in Tampa Bay (not the body of water but the land that surrounds it) However, It cannot be denied that was a low key way of handing Bowles a contract extension. Maybe in future If you are doing a contract extension on the downside maybe it’s best that you not do one.Try not to be influenced by The Sage. And just wait and see how things play out next time.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:33 am
And don’t even get me started on the McCollum contract. Licht should be fired for that alone.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:34 am
The refs should be fined and tossed out of the league no reviews on 2 important turn overs-they should overturn the game results and give the win to the buccs-all the money to win was on the buccs…
I loved seeing Bowles get angry hope he takes it to the next level in the locker room
December 13th, 2025 at 8:37 am
Ukester really? What emotion, even when he was throwing out F bombs, he barely showed emotion. Bad calls happen are unfortunately part of the game, I mean they had 19 penalties for Christ sake! 3rd and 28!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 13th, 2025 at 8:38 am
If the Glazer boys are too weak to fire Todd Bowles then they should at least have enough sack to hire a better defensive coordinator this off-season…
Just let Bowles stand there like a cigar store indian and pretend he is doing something.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:40 am
Dennis Greene showed emotion 20 yrs ago in his classic rant “let em off the hook”. Bowles Mr no accountability. If the players have tuned him out, that’s all on him.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:43 am
Jim Mora also showed emotion in his “playoffs” take. Alls Bowles did was cuss and throw his players under the bus. Again, if players aren’t performing, bench their ass.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:45 am
The vulgar press conference by Bowles was embarrassing. Hell, even Gruden never did anything like that
December 13th, 2025 at 8:45 am
Go get Mike Tomlin, whatever it takes, his time is up in Pittsburgh, he knows how to build a defense and pretty much a perrienial playoff contender, he’s a former buc assistant coach, respected, and has won multiple super bowls, he would bring stability and accountability to the locker room, and imho, would be well received, by our current players, you can keep Licht, he has done a pretty good job, although he shart the bed on this years trade deadline and Reddick, but give Tomlin a say in the draft war room, let him weed out the malcontents, and be done with this current mess!
December 13th, 2025 at 8:47 am
Hell, even Allen Iverson showed more emotion then Bowles in his “practice rants”. Cussing is not an emotion in itself bro.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:48 am
MarineBuc, retaining Bowles as HC and hiring a DC would be the worst thing the Glazers could do besides not changing anything. First, no decent Dc would even consider being DC with Bowles still around as Todd would be on the hot seat from day 1 of season 2026 and secondly, Bowles could take back play calling from said DC if he is still HC. I do believe that Bowles would still think he would be best at calling plays. This has to end. Bowles cost the Bucs a win vs the Rams in Arians last game and to be honest, decent offensive play in 2023 and stellar offense from Coen’s play calling masked his deficiencies these in 2023/2024. The injuries to the offense ensured that they would not be able to bail Bowles out again. In a nutshell, if the Glazers do not launch him they will lose whatever fan base is still left. The Bucs will become the laughing stock of the league as they were when Lovie Smit was running things or even back to the Culverhouse years after McKay retired. Bowles needs to do the honorable thing and resign, he has a ring with the Bucs, the Glazers could keep him on an advisor.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:50 am
Bowels will understand
No different than cutting a player that doesn’t measure up
December 13th, 2025 at 8:50 am
@ James West
No thanks.
The Steelers have not won a single play-off game since 2016…
Is that really a successful head coach?
Seems like a similar version of what we are currently stuck with.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:52 am
@ Marine Buc, bingo! Tomlin is def way better than Bowles, but he just can’t seem to win in playoffs since 2010
December 13th, 2025 at 8:55 am
Sad, our team could have been something.
December 13th, 2025 at 8:55 am
@ Fort Myers Dave
I would prefer it if the Glazer boys would just fire TB.
But I don’t believe they will. (too weak and afraid)
The blame for this flame out of a season will be placed on bad luck and injuries.
I hope I’m wrong.
December 13th, 2025 at 9:03 am
What is more troubling than Bowels
Is the LOCKER ROOM !
December 13th, 2025 at 9:03 am
Injuries?? Dude, we had all 4 of our receivers back. The falcons were without their best. The 49ers and lions both have more of a right to complain about injuries than us, and the 49ers could still win the best division in football. Give 2 1sts for Kyle Shanahan. That dude can overcome, and not use injuries as an excuse. I know I know, 28-3, but he is still a top tier coach. Would be a better value then when we got Chuky in my opinion.
December 13th, 2025 at 9:04 am
Mayfield would flourish in a Shanny offense!
December 13th, 2025 at 9:07 am
Time to hire Lincoln Riley…
Reunited, and it feels so gooood
December 13th, 2025 at 9:10 am
Marine Buc, yeah that is a possibility I fear, that the Glazers will believe that the Bucs could have been contenders if the injuries were not so numerous. Yet San Fran overcome them this year, why could not Bowles. Also, could the way Bowles does his pre-season have anything to do with the injuries. The training camp is pretty lax and someone will have to be held accountable for the injuries if the Glazers deem that the culprit for this years failure. Who falls on the sword? The training and conditioning staff?
The Glazers are not morons, they have to see the same disturbing patterns we all do with how this team simply stats hot and then fades mid-season, before this year Bowles did go from 8 to 9 to 10 wins. Now there is a regression. Yeah injuries were a factor on offense but on defense, the only big injury was really Kancey and to be honest, would he make a difference, the guy is fragile. Special teams are also a joke. Bowles has to be held accountable. The Glazers have canned coaches who did not flame out as epically as Bowles, look at Dungy, even Gruden and he won them a Lombardi. Bowles is lucky he even got the job, whatever transpired concerning Arians and Brady in March 2022 got him the gig and then he had Leftwich as his shield to get another year after 2022 and not being able to bring in his own people. Now his own people, his coaches and his players have failed him. I hope the Glazers do not give him another lifeline. It has to stop.
December 13th, 2025 at 9:11 am
@ NCbucfan
I would prefer the Glazers fire TB and hire an experienced OC as the head coach then hire a solid DC.
I’m sick of losing solid OCs.
TB even said it himself – “you need to score more points to win in the NFL”
However – I wouldn’t want to give up draft capital to hire a head coach.
This team is in dire straits and our roster is not as strong as most Buc fans believe…
December 13th, 2025 at 9:12 am
Still feeling optimistic that they can win the next few games and it all works out with the Falcons and Panthers losing their next game. 🙏🏈❤️ A lot of what-ifs, but you never know.
December 13th, 2025 at 9:15 am
@ Marine Buc, I know, I’m mostly dreaming here. HeyJude, love your optimism, I just don’t see it. I mean, will JPP come in and save the day. Excuse my cynicism
December 13th, 2025 at 9:21 am
@ Fort Myers Dave
I agree.
I’m not saying the injury excuse is valid.
I’m just saying they will probably use it as an excuse to continue this below mediocre 5h!t show that we are forced to endure every season…
December 13th, 2025 at 9:22 am
Bucs lose in Carolina and Miami, but manage to win the final game of the Todd Bowles era to finish 8-9. Same record he had his first year as the Bucs coach in the regular season.
Start looking at the draft.
December 13th, 2025 at 9:23 am
0-3 in final three. Makes it an easy call.
New coach.
Bye bye losers Zyon, Reddick, Diaby, SVD, Hall, Otton, and Braswell.
December 13th, 2025 at 9:23 am
No worries, JPP will save this hoe!
December 13th, 2025 at 9:31 am
The fact JPP and Reddick were both offered as THE pass rushing solutions should be all the evidence needed to fire whoever is putting together the defense. Naively optimistic.
December 13th, 2025 at 9:34 am
I’ve decided to view this Thursday night debacle as a Christmas present from the Atlanta Falcons. They did their best to help us rid ourselves of Todd Bowles. Funny thing is here in Atlanta, the fans are upset with the win because they fear it might save Raheem’s job and they desperately want change here as well.
December 13th, 2025 at 9:35 am
Fire Todd
December 13th, 2025 at 9:46 am
be done with this todd bowles crap please/ he is awful/ period
December 13th, 2025 at 9:48 am
Chicks tried hard to hand the game to our Yucs. But noooo Yucs insisted on the loss.
December 13th, 2025 at 9:54 am
Raheem will always give the other team a shot to win, see the 2011 Bucs. We are just ill equipped to take advantage. Our D and interior of our Oline is awful right now.
December 13th, 2025 at 9:55 am
The Stinking Panthers are equipped to give our interior Oline fits, and Grizz most likely won’t adjust. Damn I miss Cohen
December 13th, 2025 at 9:55 am
As much as I think the defense needs a revamp, I think Bowles will be forced to give up play calling duties for defense and have to bring someone in as DC this offseason, regardless of playoffs or not.
December 13th, 2025 at 9:57 am
Change the defense to a four three or 4 two five. Do something. As Martin Hall on the golf channel said “If you keep on doing what you’ve been doing, you will keep on getting what you’ve been getting.
December 13th, 2025 at 10:12 am
NCbucfan – Yeah, unsure if JPP can save the day. Hoping for some saving though!
December 13th, 2025 at 10:13 am
I don’t want to win another game until Bowles has been replaced as any game we win will put us in danger of keeping him.
December 13th, 2025 at 10:13 am
The best line Mike Smith gave us is “we couldn’t stop a marching band”.
I use that line for any terrible defense.
December 13th, 2025 at 10:13 am
todd has always been average with an average record. this isnt surprising at all.
the management of this team is asleep, the writing was on the wall last year yet they gave todd an extension and no dedicated DC hired.
they were lazy in their search for an OC.
they have been really lazy with trades.
they wont buy weights unless publicly shamed.
lazy lazy lazy. and cheap.
the product on the field is a reflection of the culture at one buc place.
December 13th, 2025 at 10:21 am
the one to fire is Grizzard and yes say what you will at this time to fire Bowles but why not wait and see what this remaining 3 games will bring. Yep being at the games rain or shine is tough but did see some offense that looked like it could score a lot of points -my take is keep 2 tight ends in give Baker some time and dump it off to any of the tight ends that are open if any wide outs are covered.
December 13th, 2025 at 10:22 am
And yes if we would have gotten the fumble like most here believe we would NOT be having any of these conversations about firing Bowles-REFS SUCK period
December 13th, 2025 at 10:47 am
Todd Bowles makes Mike Smith seem like he’s Buddy Ryan by comparison.
December 13th, 2025 at 11:05 am
I forget the game but there was one earlier this year where Winfield deliberately let the opponent score so the offense would have time to mount a comeback. That’s how bad we are on defense, we purposely fold in hopes the offense will take the responsibility. Bowles has consistently done everything in his power to dodge responsibility of the results. The burden is conveniently placed on anything and everything but him. Mayfield gets up there and owns it….he threw the INT and missed Ebuka on a game sealing 1st down. In 4 yrs, when have you ever heard Bowles own anything? It’s always players execution, mental errors, missed assignments, etc. Players have egos too and when your coach is getting out schemed by the Saints and Falcons, they get tired of taking the blame. Bowles is in the position he’s in because he failed to take responsibility and hold his unit accountable. It’s been obvious we needed pass rush help before the trade deadline and we did nothing. Bowles should have pounded the front office to get him help but instead he’s so arrogant he was convinced his wizardry of blitzing could get the job done, so he stood silent and now barks about accountability within the locker room. It’s a joke….i hope we win but if losing gets rid of this fraud, then good riddance.
December 13th, 2025 at 11:28 am
It is not just the defense with problems, our offense is equipped to be really good, why do we have to settle for an inexperienced play caller? How about a proven professional? How about a coordinator that is the coach with years of experience and connections? How about a nononsense mofo? It is about time the cheap Glazers fire Bowles and Gizzard and pay for a quality driven head coach. I nominate Todd Monken, I have yet to hear why not.
December 13th, 2025 at 11:58 am
Bowles is undoubtedly a great guy who did some good things for this ball club, and for that we appreciate him.
He was here too long though, has not produced a decent D in 3 years and no one should feel bad about showing him the door. This season is a disaster and he’s mostly in charge of it.
He needs to be next to fall on his sword or he’s getting forced to the guillotine. He had a long career, has a good family and is a rich man. This is a business and he has gotten a longer leash than any of us would have at our jobs.
I am sure most of us remember how badly we wanted Lovie and Smith run outta town, Bowles being mentioned in the same breath is the most obvious death knell.
December 13th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Mike McCarthy is Andy Reid in waiting. This team doesn’t need an inexperienced head coach.
December 13th, 2025 at 12:02 pm
Bowles is considered an honorary Smith Brother…Not the cough drop guys either, the guys who coughed up leads.
December 13th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
I knew this would happen. We let our future head coach walk out the door only to have to find other head coach the following season. Liam offense bailed Bowles out last year. The same old defensive coaches who can’t develop players. Smdh
December 13th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
There is only one reason most of us root for a team – and that’s to win the whole enchilada. Most of us on this here site were pissed off when Toad became the coach, because we saw what happened with the Jets and knew there is no way on God’s green earth that Toad could lead this team, or any team, to the promised land.
December 13th, 2025 at 1:19 pm
7-10 is coming. SMH
December 13th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
“Does anyone really think this team can get off the mat and make the playoffs?”
No.
December 13th, 2025 at 9:22 pm
Two words . . Jon Gruden
December 13th, 2025 at 11:39 pm
Joe
Please ban the next poster who suggests Gruden for coach.
Jeez Louise.