Todd Bowles’ 2025 Demise Smells A Lot Like His Final Jets Year
December 30th, 2025
Todd Bowles during his Jets days.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles spent four years coaching the New York Jets (2015-2018). His teams in New York got progressively worse and there were many credible reports that his defense quit on him.
Those 2018 Jets allowed more than 30 points per game over their last 10 games of 2018; the team started 3-3 and finished 4-12.
Does that sound familiar?
It does to Joe.
Currently, the Bucs have lost 7 of 8 games while their defense has allowed 27.3 points per game during that stretch.
A common line after Bowles was hired as Buccaneers head coach was that it was unfair to look at Bowles’ Jets tenure because the Jets are so horrible of an organization, nobody can win there.
Well, that line of thinking doesn’t apply now in Tampa. (And it never applied to you, either, Haason Reddick.)
The Bucs/Bowles defense is worse than it was last season, when it had fallen off significantly from where it was in 2023. Since this year’s bye week, it’s basically turned into the 2018 Jets defense.
When Bowles was fired by the Jets after that 2018 season, The Athletic published a piece on why the Bowles era failed. ‘
A poingnant take from that article sounded sadly familiar to what’s happened to the Bucs since Halloween.
They never had the slightest semblance of a killer instinct, routinely collapsing late in games — a degenerative issue that reached a head toward the end of this year. The Jets held a fourth-quarter lead in every game in Weeks 13-16. They gave them up in each game. They lost three of the four.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:16 pm
Smells like 2011 and the year Raheem Morris got canned. Yay!
December 30th, 2025 at 7:20 pm
Bowles was gifted the job. A proper coaching search would be appreciated this time around.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Sounds like history repeating itself. Bye Bowles
December 30th, 2025 at 7:25 pm
Do other NFL teams use the same defense as Tampa/Bowles? are they more successful or are we the only one using this scheme? (I don’t know enough about football to know this, but am interested in learning the answer if anyone has time.)
December 30th, 2025 at 7:31 pm
bowles did a poor job of assembling a coaching staff, cant complain he has no talent on defense when all 3 phases are not well coached . i remembered when the bucs won the super bowl licht saying he was drafting from a position of luxury. that mindset was the beginning of the bucs downfall. he should be put on notice no more planning for the draft while drinking draft and eating wings
December 30th, 2025 at 7:32 pm
I remember Bruce Arians saying that he wanted to leave Todd a good team
The weirdest part of all
Bruce Arians hired Bowles as HC after he resigned
Jason Licht was sitting smiling, as happy as he could be
I never seen an ex-HC hire his replacement
And l never seen a GM with less personnel power than Licht
December 30th, 2025 at 7:39 pm
Time for BA to move along.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
If you think Licht doesn’t have personnel power, you’re not paying attention. Look at Licht’s draft history. Other than his stupid decision to pick a kicker in the first round, he’s been very good. He could be better “in season,” I agree. But he does not deserve the vitriol he’s getting. You have to separate him from Bowles.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:41 pm
The Bucs owners seem like they did not learn. They should have look carefully at captain Bowlo records when he was the Jets head coach. I remembered when I was watching Patriots with Brady against Jets. Captain Bowlo was standing on the sideline looking confuse and with a blank face which seems he does not know what he is doing with the head coach job. The Bucs team right now is broken and can not be fix. It will take time for a new coach to fix this mess before the Bucs can be a good football team again.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:42 pm
This is part of the Bruce Arians legacy. He forced Bowles and Leftwich on us. How’d that work out. Now he earns a fat paycheck as some sort of senior advisor where his office is a golf cart and how’s that working out for the Bucs…..crickets.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:46 pm
Only loser “fans” are rooting for the Bucs to miss the playoffs. What a sad but to not want to watch your team play in the post season.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:47 pm
Sad bunch*
December 30th, 2025 at 7:48 pm
Told You,
My point is that Bruce Arians had more power than Licht
And that’s the truth, you might not accept it
But it is what it is
December 30th, 2025 at 7:48 pm
Not feelin how Bowles blames everyone else but himself. Not one bit, gotta admit that’s been surprising me
December 30th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
Bowles has said it himself. These guys are blowing coverages on day 1 installs.. someone needs to step up and do something.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
The Bruce Arians coaching tree has no branches.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:51 pm
Bruce Arians def finessed the Glazers. If we shopped for a coach when BA retired we likely dominate the division instead of barely getting by. Who was available that year?
December 30th, 2025 at 7:51 pm
Coaching Search has got to be underway. Expect the Glazers to go all in this 50th year of our franchise
December 30th, 2025 at 7:57 pm
Clean house!
Ronde becomes the next General Manager
Clean House!
December 30th, 2025 at 7:59 pm
He will be fired by monday Fyi this is not worse than 2011. 2011 was terrible with rah. That team completely quit.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:59 pm
The Glazers should be very very angry and embarrassed for how they put their faith in everyone on the management side of OBP !
December 30th, 2025 at 8:04 pm
My question for Joe is, will Bowles move to the front office, retire or get rid of some players and coaches and get one more year? As for the coaches, CBs, ST, DL coaches have been horrific. I keep hearing Bowles is well respected and like around One Bucs Place
December 30th, 2025 at 8:06 pm
No one with a brain didn’t see this coming. Bad coaching can be overcome by great players. When those players leave/age? Forget it.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:06 pm
I get the sense Joe (Lee) and I were on the same page when it comes to Bowles, for me, I was willing to give him a pass due to injuries, some vets cashing their checks and not performing, plus a first year OC, where Bowles was due to strike out on, plus Licht handing him a bunch of choir boys and not enough dawgs on defense.
But seeing so many branches off the McVay tree (and McVay himself) doing well with their offenses and hiring younger, solid dudes as DC, and getting results while we are just spinning our wheels and trending downward.. I’d love to give Todd a chance to fix his staff and have Licht get him some impact players on D… but I cant.. this collapse feels personal, like these dudes are tryna send a message…like their SB window was 2024 and 2025, and like the Lions, it comes quick and we failed to capitalize…
I sense that Bowles wont be fired, but will get booted upstairs and/or he will retire and the Glazers send him a golden parachute as a thank you for his years of service. But it give me pause that dudes like Arians and Ronde are publicly thinking Bowles is safe, so idk what to think. but the bucs should get a new coach in 2026, if for some miracle Bowles stays, Licht NEEDS to overhaul the entire defense and Bowles must be on the hottest of seats.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:09 pm
Joe, exhuming my Jets corpse like a zombie defense coordinator? 2018 was a dumpster fire—30 burgers a game, players bailing faster than rats from a sinking yacht—but Bucs at 27.3 over 8 Ls? That’s not apocalypse, that’s me masterminding the greatest division clinch disguised as a demolition derby.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:09 pm
the panthers will put this awful team and head coach out of its misery
December 30th, 2025 at 8:11 pm
In the Vietnam war
Bowels is a 1st Lt and has been “fragged” by his troops
December 30th, 2025 at 8:11 pm
2020 was awesome we got a super bowl but Its time for a change. I will always be grateful for todd bowles for his gameplan against maholmes
December 30th, 2025 at 8:16 pm
Gruden
December 30th, 2025 at 8:23 pm
Well according to BA on Pat Mac, Todd wont get canned. SMH
December 30th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
Hell of an article. Very eye opening and hopefully the premise is seen at OBP. Todd can retire ASAP and hopefully his personaliy chosen successor is ignored. Or fire him too The chaos in me would enjoy the fanbase outrage if he come back with no new DC, OC, STC
Im ok with licht being next. His drafts are top heavy with misses. Its why this team plays like a mid round team. We need those top 20 picks to hit as hard as the 5th round small school picks. It hasn’t happened
December 30th, 2025 at 8:32 pm
SB~LV Says:
December 30th, 2025 at 8:11 pm
In the Vietnam war
Bowels is a 1st Lt and has been “fragged” by his troops
I’m crying lol
December 30th, 2025 at 8:32 pm
Well…. Bye!
December 30th, 2025 at 8:35 pm
Fire bowels Saturday night around 9pm.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:36 pm
Bowles has done very well in life. Football has given him a good life and he earned it but 7 years as a HC is long enough to produce a good product for the fans to enjoy rooting for their teams. The Bucs have been literally unwatchable because they have been disfunctional in all phases except kicking field goals.
7 years as an HC with an under .500 record is a pretty good gig. Plus he will get paid for years once he is let go. Good luck in life Todd, it’s time for your next phase after football.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:36 pm
Honestly, I feel for the man. It’s gonna be hard to root for some of these players if the quitters are ever revealed by name.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
Ok “Told you so” here’s every Licht pick through 2021
You tell us how great Licht is.
2014 – Mike Evans R1, Austin Seferin Jenkins R2, Charles Sims R3, Kadeem Edwards R5, Kevin Pamphile R5, Robert Herron R6
2015 – Jamies Winston R1, Donavon Smith R2, Ali Marpet R2, Kwon Alexander R4 ^Injury, Kenny Bell R5, Kaelin Clay R6, Joey Iosefa R7
2016 – VH3 R1, Noah Spence R2, Robert Aguayo R2, Ryan Smith R4, Caleb Benenoch R5, Devonte Bond R6, Danny Vitale R6
2017 – OJ Howard R1 ^Injury, Justin Evans R2^Injury, Chris Godwin R3, Kendell Beckwith R3^Injury, Jermey McNichols R5, Stevie Tu’ikolovatu R7
2018 – Vita Vea R1, Ronald Jones R2, MJ Stewart R2, Carlton Davis R2, Apex Cappa R3, Jordan Whitehead R4, Justin Watson R5, Jack Chichy R6 ^Injury
2019 – Devin White R1, SMB R2, James Dean R3, Mike Edwards R3, Anthony Nelson R4, Matt Gay R5, Scotty Miller R6, Terry Beckner R7
2020 – Tristan Wirfs R1, Antoine Winfield Jr R2, Keshawn Vaughn R3, Tyler Johnson R5, Kahil Davis R6, Chappelle Russell R7, Raymond Calais R7
2021 – Joe Tryon-Shoyinka R1, Kyle Trask R2, Robert Hainsey R3, Jalen Darden R4, KJ Britt R5, Chris Wilcox R7, Grant Stuard
December 30th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
He really can’t say anything now because pretty much everyone is back now. He’s got more talent here than he did with the Jets & he’s still not doing much. I never really cared for him even with the Jets.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:38 pm
I watched Bruce Arians on the Pat McAfee show today
He said some interesting things
I’m going to wait and see how this play out
December 30th, 2025 at 8:44 pm
If one more person says John Gruden or Rhonde Barber my head may explode.
Old dudes doing it the old way ain’t gonna get it done in today’s NFL. Cliff Kingsberry or Todd Monken with these receivers makes sense. Defense coordinators are a dime a dozen and my 8 year old grandson could do better than Bowels. If it’s so complicated it takes years to “grasp” it’s a bad concept. KISS and let players play…Adios TB.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:45 pm
I think with all the injuries this year, if the Bucs make the playoffs it wouldn’t surprise me that Bowles comes back. I’m not saying it’s optimal but probable.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:46 pm
For most of you who don’t know what KISS is it means “ Keep it simple stupid”
December 30th, 2025 at 9:00 pm
If you watch Raise the Flags, I don’t see how he comes back. The Glazers have fired for much worse.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:05 pm
Lakeland
Spill..
December 30th, 2025 at 9:07 pm
He’s throwing everyone but himself under the bus. No wonder the players have turned on him. His latest victim on NFL.COM is Mayfield.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:07 pm
The Drama
Licht and Arians duped the Glazers into promoting Bowles. The fall from TB12 and the Super Bowl will lead to another dark decade.
Coen was the answer, it was right in Tampa. Again Licht and his little ego couldn’t do what’s best for the Bucs and this town. Now he gets to own the skidmark he has left in Tampa.
Without Brady. Licht is a below 400 GM. There it is folks. The Licht’s Losers.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:11 pm
Why on earth would Bowles get kicked upstairs? He’s a twice failed HC.
People here have listened to their damn minds.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:15 pm
Jmarkbic,
Just Google……Bruce Arians Pat McAfee show today….
December 30th, 2025 at 9:17 pm
The jets suck. Todd sucks. And we now suck again. Shame we couldn’t ride the wave. Gonna be a rough few years as we look old and dumb on D and special teams.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:21 pm
Lakeland
I Just read the recap. My take? The Glazers are about to fire Arians too, he just doesn’t know it yet.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:26 pm
We ALL know the solution, the coaches got coach it better, and the players got to play it better…..
December 30th, 2025 at 9:26 pm
For a moment it appeared he had grown as a HC but then it just came crashing back down to bad in game decisions and then he lost the locker room…once that happens it is OVER
He is exactly who he was in NY – a bad HC that was over promoted
High time to move on and hopefully 7-10 will get us a top ten pick to start rebuilding this horrendous front 7
December 30th, 2025 at 9:28 pm
Jason Licht has a career losing record.
Dude sucks. Get him and Arians outta here. No more garbage.
Move on
December 30th, 2025 at 10:55 pm
Told You Says:
December 30th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
If you think Licht doesn’t have personnel power, you’re not paying attention. Look at Licht’s draft history. Other than his stupid decision to pick a kicker in the first round, he’s been very good. He could be better “in season,” I agree. But he does not deserve the vitriol he’s getting. You have to separate him from Bowles.
——–
BS, Licht hasnt hit on a draft pick in years
December 30th, 2025 at 11:40 pm
Saints/Falcons play before Bucs/Kitties, so we will know what is at stake.
Applied to both teams.
I think the Falcons win to save Radio. Then the Bucs will pack their U-Hails and tuck tail.
What a disappointing season. Pathetic.
If Bowles stays I will not be any interested fan. I just won’t much care about the Bucs as I have in the past. Like the Schiano years.