Todd Bowles: Bucs “Need” Defensive Changes
January 7th, 2026
“Jamel, you want to help inspire change?”
Let’s look at some gnarly defensive numbers, shall we?
* Since the bye, the Bucs defense allowed opponents to score 23 times in 25 trips to the red zone. Of those 23 scores, 18 went for touchdowns. Galling.
* Overall, the Bucs were the worst team in the NFL in red zone scoring percentage. Dead-last. A hair under 70 percent of the time, opponents got points when they entered the red zone. What in the world!
* For the sixth time in the seven years Todd Bowles has been in Tampa Bay, the Bucs pass defense finished in the 20s in the NFL, this season No. 27 in passing yards allowed per game (238).
And this is with a defensive coach as a head coach.
This week, Bucs coach Todd Bowles, in his season wrap-up, was asked if changes need to be made to the defense. Bowles did not disagree.
“We need to make some changes,” Bowles said. “Whether it’s schematically or whether it’s physically, we probably need to make some changes going forward. We’ll evaluate that in the next coming days, seeing exactly what needs to be changed.”
And yes, Bucs fans, Bowles said he needs to make changes. He seemed to suggest Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht needs to get him the right bodies to make thos changes.
“Schematically, I know I need to make some changes depending on the players that we have coming back,” Bowles said. “Coaching-wise, we need to make some changes as a whole as far as what we’re doing on the field and how we’re teaching guys certain things.
“Certain guys are probably good at certain things that we need to expose more of their good side as opposed to things that they’re struggling with.”
Joe thought this was just common sense. Joe is reminded of a line from Bill Belichick when he was in draft meetings and hearing scouts and personnel suits argue about the drawbacks of specific players. Frustrated, Belichick blurted out, “Don’t tell me what a guy can’t do. Tell me what he can do.”
For example, if a guy can rush the passer, let him rush the passer.
If a guy can’t cover but he can hit, let him hit. If a guy can’t tackle but he can cover a receiver like a stink on s(p)it, don’t put him in positions where he may have to tackle, play him only in passing situations.
Joe sure hopes that Bowles has had an epiphany. Hopefully, Licht can get Bowles defenders that can carry out what Bowles wants to change.
While Joe found Bowles’ reflection refreshing, it still wouldn’t stop Joe fro telling team Team Glazer to bring in a defensive coordinator like Brian Flores or Jim Schwartz.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:08 am
No 💩
January 7th, 2026 at 7:10 am
Welcome to the club, Todd. Great observation. Hopefully the next check will make those changes quickly.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:10 am
Next coach.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:11 am
why haven’t the Glazers fired TODD YET?????
January 7th, 2026 at 7:13 am
We need a HC and OC change. Too much resting days. Too much walk-through practices. Too much soft zone D. Too many times pass rushers dropping back into coverage.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:13 am
Tell us something we dont know Joe.
Give us an article on the offense. With info on time to throw, completion % on 10+ yard throws, etc.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:15 am
“Certain guys are probably good at certain things”
This is a crazy statement from a head coach.
Makes it extremely obvious to me that Bowles was trying (and failing miserably) to adapt players to his scheme regardless of their skillset. I feel like day 1 of Head Coaching 101 would be, “If you have a guy who has an elite talent at something that doesn’t fit your scheme, adapt your scheme to fit his skillset.”
It’s crazy to me that he KNOWS players are capable of performing well, but he is forcing them into a box, trying to have a ‘one-size fits all’ type of defense, maybe Grizz learned from him and had the same philosophy?
The game is always changing, literally week-to-week. If you can’t adapt, you can’t coach. I don’t blame the players for checking out if he was just trying to do the same thing over and over again to no success.
I mean, Writer Joe, what if Boss Joe at JoeBucFan HQ told you everyday, “I see you’re really good at writing in this style, and your posts are very successful analytically, but that’s not the JoeBucFan way. You’re gonna have to write the way I tell you to write.”
January 7th, 2026 at 7:15 am
Open letter to team Glazer:
I get it – I am owed nothing. I’ve been supporting this team since its’ inception in 1976. I have never been more frustrated and finished with this dumpster fire than I am now. I am waiting for sanity to prevail but it doesn’t. Everyday I check multiple websites hoping that Coach Bowles and most, if not all of his staff is let go. The team quit caring and that is a reflection and mirroring of this coaching staff. Here is the daily refrain from your head coach. “I need to self reflect. I need to look at me. We need to be better. We need to coach better. We need to play better. We need to communicate better. We need to tackle better. etc. etc. etc.” Every. D@mn. Day! This team is losing fans. Fix it Glazers. Please!
January 7th, 2026 at 7:17 am
Bowles would have put Deion Sanders in the box and told him to stop the run.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:18 am
He said that crap last year, about changing his defensive schemes because well, teams start to figure out what you’re trying to do. It all looked the same to me. No real pass rush, wide receivers running unchecked and unchallenged through our secondary, poor clock and game management, players confused, lack of communication, came out flat games, getting our a$$es haded to us by rookies, 2nd & 3rd string QB’s and losing at home. The biggest change I saw was the disaster that was our special team units. All of this is unacceptable when you consider it’s year after year after year. Time to move on!
January 7th, 2026 at 7:18 am
For a coach at his level, that last statement good not be more damning.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:19 am
Yea the Head Coach. Fire this man!!!!!
January 7th, 2026 at 7:25 am
@Lt. Dan
I keep saying it’s as if they really don’t care. All of them. You’ve had a bunch of teams just make a bunch of changes & they’re still dragging this along. If they Glazers really don’t care then sell the team to somebody that does & that’s more than happy to help the team get better. I know many would disagree & I hope it doesn’t happen but watch them try & move the team to London. Between Manchester United & the NFL is trying to make it an INTERNATIONAL SPORT. Until the Glazers go I doubt much will change because the coaching staff & front office are the problem, too! I’ve always said that, too!
January 7th, 2026 at 7:25 am
After watching Raise the Flags, the current Buc regime does not come close to reflecting the quality of organization that the Glazers portrayed in their documentary.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:26 am
Todd’s tape loop again. 🙄
January 7th, 2026 at 7:26 am
“We need to make some changes,” Bowles said. “Whether it’s schematically or whether it’s physically, we probably need to make some changes going forward. We’ll evaluate that in the next coming days, seeing exactly what needs to be changed.” WHY were the changes not made DURING THE SEASON and evidently only discovered at the end of the season when it is too late? How does this guy still have the head coaching job and is NOT fired already?
January 7th, 2026 at 7:27 am
,”Hopefully, Licht can get Bowles defenders that can carry out what Bowles wants to change”
Joe the vast majority of the fan base want Todd gone. Posting articles that seem to indicate a willingness to give him another shot are pure rubbish.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:28 am
Don’t fire him. The choices of replacement are wholly uninspiring and he helped us win a Super Bowl together. We/ve been plagued by injuries. David Walker and the O-line and wide receivers were killers. Not a good season to measure performance. Our linebackers were slow and teams clearly knew it. Speedy RB’s killed us as a result. We will draft large chunks of a front 7 and have a bunch more success. And a backup guard unless we can get one in free agency.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:29 am
Perfect time for an ultra-strong linebacker draft by the way!
January 7th, 2026 at 7:30 am
Really Todd? Yes, and you need to Go because your Defense has shown that it cannot stop the pass in a Passing League. Buh Bye Todd!!
January 7th, 2026 at 7:31 am
This is garbage 💯💯 based on recent statements by Diaby about certain unknown players having not bought into Toilet Bowels garbage defense says ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING and even his own statements about knowing things need to be changed WHAT seriously that should’ve been done during the teams absolute disgusting collapse this defense produced 40 year fan and im done if they don’t FIRE HIS SORRY ASS
January 7th, 2026 at 7:31 am
Joe we all know that the Bucs DB coaches should be locked out of One Bucs Place, they have been bad for a while. Also I am starting to hear that several veteran players have complained about Bowles team practices habits and pitted that on missed assignments and bad play. Don’t know if that accurate or just hear say but it sure sounds like something that was happening. Sure seems like Bowles may be done. Please Glazer family NOT Harbaugh, too much like Bowles
January 7th, 2026 at 7:32 am
Bucs need
Complete Front Office change including coaching
January 7th, 2026 at 7:33 am
Bowlzo stinks out loud
January 7th, 2026 at 7:34 am
Hey, Licht. Keeping that bozo of a coach makes us all think that you need to go too.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:37 am
😂😂😂wow what a concept do what the players are good at not force my way scheme. God this guy suck!!!!
How can the 15 people that want to keep him even think it’s a good idea.
What’s he good at please give us one thing he’s good at.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:37 am
Glazers are going keep this bum n no coaches are going want to join this staff knowing D well it’s only a one year gig
January 7th, 2026 at 7:38 am
His self evaluation is reason number one for his removal as HC. Why haven’t you already done the things you say you need to do going forward? Changes should have been made long ago. Exasperating!
January 7th, 2026 at 7:38 am
Three years later, he’s just now figuring this out?
January 7th, 2026 at 7:42 am
So says the defensive guru, who’s gifts are not unlimited or universal.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:43 am
“seeing exactly what needs to be changed” “”we probably need to make some changes going forward.”
What the hell goes on during the season!? Changes need made for certain. Primarily to the coaching staff.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:48 am
Fly Harbaugh in today. Do not let him leave the building without a signed contract. Get rid of Bowles asap. We have to right this ship!
January 7th, 2026 at 7:50 am
Can we please get a coach that can have these epiphanies every Monday and make changes, not just at the end of a miserable season?
January 7th, 2026 at 7:51 am
Glazers need to rip the bandaid off already. This defense stinks..
January 7th, 2026 at 7:52 am
I’ve always believed that it’s a weak coach that tries to force players into his “system”. Conversely, a good coach will tailor his “system” to whatever his current team does best.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:56 am
Lt. Dan – Fantastic open letter!
I really feel as though the Glazers do care about what the fans feel. Hey, without a majority of fans behind your team, it makes them look really bad too.
If they don’t replace Todd, they should at least get better OC and ST coaches as well as a solid defense coordinator too. However, if they have to hire a defense coordinator they don’t really need Todd as the HC.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:58 am
This is why players checked out on him. Not being able to use their talents. Forced to play a scheme that hasn’t ever worked. Not even with the Jets!!
January 7th, 2026 at 7:59 am
Appears the Glazers are keeping Bowzo. They are as bad as he is.
January 7th, 2026 at 7:59 am
Apathy is setting in.
Never been happier for a season to be over and in no rush for the next one.
#Bucslife
January 7th, 2026 at 8:01 am
Never understood why Todd has had Vea, Reddick and Diaby drop into pass coverage when there’s no pass rush…
January 7th, 2026 at 8:06 am
Last off-season Todd said he had figured it out and we got what we got cya Todd at this point is take a ham sandwich as the hc probably get more wins out of it.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:08 am
He said the exact same S H I T last yr.!
January 7th, 2026 at 8:15 am
Why are we still talking like Bowles is going to be the coach? Hopefully he is fired today!!!
January 7th, 2026 at 8:17 am
Let’s wait till all the prime coaches are taken
Then say no one available got to stay with Bowles
Back to Cheap Tixs and more visitors than Bucs fans
January 7th, 2026 at 8:17 am
“While Joe found Bowles’ reflection refreshing, it still wouldn’t stop Joe if he was Team Glazer from bringing in a defensive coordinator like Brian Flores or Jim Schwartz.”
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I would love to have Flores as a DC, Joe. But how does that work if Bowles retains his HC authority? He admitted taking control of offense late in the season and ran the ball 30+ times and passed very little to the best WR group in the NFL.
And would a DC that is of the caliber of Flores be weary of coaching under Bowles for that exact reason? That just does not work.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:18 am
BS!!!! change in personnel isn’t going to work any better than Darelle Revis worked out for Lovie Smith because guys like Bowles and lovie force even the best players in the nfl to fit into their scheme instead of doing what they do best. I bet you can mesh all his end of the season quotes into a cut up of these exact same comments after every season since he became head coach
January 7th, 2026 at 8:19 am
Appears Glazers are going to slow play keeping Bowzo. Let it slide slowly in to the New Year and hope the fans calm down.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:19 am
For those saying they’d be fine with keeping Bowles as long as he gets a new OC/DC, RIDDLE ME THIS….What good coordinator would want to come here knowing darn well the HC is entering the season on the hot seat. What good coordinator would willingly leave their fate in the hands of a stubborn old fat dinosaur knowing in the back of their head they may have to look for a new job before the season even ends?
Answer is NOBODY! We will just end up with another Grizzard/Leftwhich.
Rip the bandaid off the festering wound before the infection spreads.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:19 am
Joe … ‘While Joe found Bowles’ reflection refreshing, it still wouldn’t stop Joe from telling team Team Glazer to bring in a defensive coordinator like Brian Flores or Jim Schwartz.’
Oh heavens NO. If you think that Todd Bowles wouldn’t still have a heavy hand in operating that defense you’re more naive than I am Joe. Todd IS THE PROBLEM. Retaining him simply ensures another year of mediocrity.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:20 am
@Tucker
I thought about that yesterday.
Before the season started Bowles said they had “found something” with the defense during film study.
Whatever they “found” needs to be lost again. The defense got worse this year than it was last year.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:20 am
Thankfully we have a genius defensive coach on staff!
January 7th, 2026 at 8:25 am
Get ahead of the curve Bucs! When Todd leaves does anybody see him getting another defensive coordinator job? No. He will probably be out of the league.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:26 am
Reality is that this Bucs’ defense needs a MAJOR MAKEOVER. No bandaids; MAJOR MAKEOVER. You don’t end up with the #20 defense allowing 411 points to be scored against you on the season because you had 1 or 2 guys who didn’t perform. We had defensive players starting who should’ve been backups, and backups who should’ve been watching from their couches.
The MAJOR MAKEOVER though needs to start with replacing this coaching staff. When a coach admits that he has no answers, it’s time to get a new coach.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:27 am
cute girl in pic oh wait the arian and rooney rule effect nfl is entertainment and betting and sundays on a couch and commercials its not real but the $ is
ronde barber GM and maybe gruden hc at least they like this team that was one of the worst downhill slides i have ever seen of c[ourse he should retire
January 7th, 2026 at 8:33 am
I actually appreciate Todd’s calmness on the sideline. You can’t do his job and not be competitive, so it must make him NUTS when players don’t execute.
At 60+ years old, I appreciate his willingness to recognize some faults and make changes, such as hiring an analytical person to help guide. Its hard for anyone to change, let alone one of us older folks.
Where I have a problem with Todd is he will NEVER let go of his conservative side that influences all 3 phases of the game. He can’t. Its in his DNA. He MUST CONTROL the game (in his mind). That is why he took the ball out of Brady’s hands, and trusted his D. Same with running the ball 30+ times, etc.
Same thing will happen next year if he stays. He will have either Yaya, Yea, Kancy, etc dropping into coverage because “no one would ever suspect Todd would do that” – Todd is smarter than the opponent (in his mind).
January 7th, 2026 at 8:40 am
DR
All 3 phases need a major makeover. The offense under performs down the stretch and in the playoffs for the past 3 seasons. Defense has gotten worse during that span and the special teams is terrible. This isnt a reload. The whole team needs help.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:41 am
All 3 phases need a major makeover.
The offense under performs down the stretch and in the playoffs for the past 3 seasons. Defense has gotten worse during that span and the special teams is terrible. This isnt a reload. The whole team needs help.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:44 am
Don’t you think he’s saying that as a means to keep his job?
Thought he made similar comments during the combine last spring.
I know he’s a nice man. But seems we have hit the wall when it’s come to his coaching and willingness to change.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:52 am
BuxfaninTX – Mostly agree. Unfortunately, Reddick got the money and ran now. He was one season. I was rooting for him, but he ended up not being a good fit for our team at all. I think he got around $14 m for nothing. Must be nice.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:59 am
Here’s my plan:
Hire a young DC who wants to be a head coach – put in his contract that he will be when Todd retires. I think I would give Grizzard one more year – hard to tell if the first half of the season was a fluke or not – I’m gonna believe his offense suffered from all the injuries.
Re-sign Mike Evans for one more year. Lavonte likely retires – hire him as a coach.
Then sign David Njoku, and Nakobe Dean and maybe Wyatt Teller (F/A). Probably have to trade for Dean.
R White, L Hall, C Otten and J Dean are likely gone. I think we can ride with Bucky and Sean and Josh for at least a year.
In the draft target Sonny Styles and an Edge in the 2nd round. Then target another LB, a backup QB and probably another CB, and a DT. Pick up a developmental guard in the late rounds.
ALL of this is do-able… not a fantasy.
January 7th, 2026 at 9:11 am
“We need to make some changes,” Bowles said. “Whether it’s schematically or whether it’s physically, we probably need to make some changes going forward.
shouldve made this comment after the Jets wins!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 7th, 2026 at 9:31 am
There’s absolutely nothing refreshing about Bowles. He’s a massive detriment every time we take the field against ANY opposition.
January 7th, 2026 at 9:33 am
Lt. Dan, nicely done! I too have been a fan since the team’s inception. What hurt so much this year is that expectations were so high. During the early years you were expecting the team to lose and were elated when they won. Now, we expect them to win, yet week after week when everything was on the line, they lost. Just very depressing.
January 7th, 2026 at 9:46 am
@PSL…you are 100% correct about early expectations and current expectations. I can not recall a team being as disinterested as the 2025 version. Ever. Just pathetic and an absolute reflection of the head coach.
January 7th, 2026 at 9:50 am
Ya think? Atta coach.
January 7th, 2026 at 9:52 am
He’s has several year to make changes and adjust and he just hasn’t. He keep trying to fit a square peg in a circle
January 7th, 2026 at 10:22 am
Those red zone numbers don’t mean a thing. We have it on good, RodMunch authority that the Bucs defense and Buc Oline played great in 2025. Munch goes on that the Bucs problem is Baker Mayfield.
January 7th, 2026 at 10:36 am
Griz I expected to struggle and that was before the injuries. I dont like what I saw from Griz but I had lower expectations than most. But what we saw out of Bowles’ unit is completely and totally unacceptable. Shannahan the coach of the 49ers has injuries galore up and down but his units know the system and it seems anyone can be plug and play. It goes for both is offenses and defenses.
Maybe you can’t win a Super Bowl with our injuries and you will lose games but we lost to teams we shouldn’t of lost to. The Panthers won the division at 8-9. We are at least a 10 win football team even with injuries but it seems like we are a mess.
It’s the systems, it’s the schemes it’s the coaching. Bowles just can’t get it done, and he never has. He was bad with the jets, and he was at best average with us not sure what else people need to see. He is not suddenly going to win us 12 games.
January 7th, 2026 at 11:00 am
This is the worst head coach/GM duo in the league so yea you need some changes. Basic change for Licht and Bowles would have been to upgrade Greg Gaines in the last three years damn I ain’t that hard he’s never been more than a rotation player. That’s basic common sense, Bowles has to go because Licht knows if he stays they’ll both get fired for stupidity
January 7th, 2026 at 11:21 am
This is the most basic-b!tch, say-nothing, clueless coach speak there is.
FIRE TODD BOWLES – HE DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.
January 7th, 2026 at 11:24 am
It’s statements like these that point to a disconnect. Like, no duh! So why didn’t you change things in real time?
The change, unfortunately, needs to occur at the top.
January 7th, 2026 at 11:47 am
We’ve had Todd Bowles for several seasons. That’s sufficient time to know what to expect.If there is a DC available with a winning track record than there should be no hesitation in hiring him.
If we have a Super Bowl potential team, the Glazers should pull out their check book. Just do it.
January 7th, 2026 at 2:17 pm
JOE you and I both know that doesn’t matter who is in the secondary if you don’t get pressure on a QB and he has all day to throw that QB will pick apart any defense not just Bowles. We’ve witnessed with many different DC. Get the coach some legit pass rushers and beef up the trenches.
January 7th, 2026 at 3:48 pm
You mean pass rushers should rush the passer? Not play in coverage? Ya think? Good grief.
January 7th, 2026 at 6:51 pm
The Glazers just use the Bucs to help pay the hills that their soccer team runs up. They could care less about the Bucfans or weather the Bucs win or lose if Buc Fans don’t buy the tickets the I grew up a lion or eagle or rams fan will plus they can fill RJS with other teams fans by offering tickets as part of a vacation package. The don’t need or care a bout Bucnation.
January 7th, 2026 at 8:42 pm
Everyone else saw this four months ago (if not earlier). Why are we talking about this as if it’s a revelation?!?!?!
January 8th, 2026 at 10:21 pm
Yeah he has said before he tweets his defense every 2 ton3nyears. So it will suck again next year. Hopefully will hire decent coordinators who will take his job