Todd Bowles’ Job Security A Potential Speedbump For Offensive Coordinator Hire
January 20th, 2026
Former NFL GM explains.
On paper, a former NFL general manager agrees: The Bucs open offensive coordinator job is very attractive.
Who wouldn’t want to coach an offense with a Pro Bowl quarterback, maybe a Hall of Fame receiver (if Mike Evans returns), a Pro Bowl receiver (Chris Godwin), a guy who until the offense fell apart was a Rookie of the Year favorite (Emeka Egbuka) and one of the more dynamic running backs in the league (Bucky Irving)?
That would certainly sell Joe on the job.
But former Titans general manager Ran Carthon said there’s more to an offensive coordinator’s job than what you see on the field.
Carthon seems to think Todd Bowles’ job security is a speedbump to the Bucs landing a quality offensive coordinator. So when a potential offensive coordinator candidate interviews with the Bucs, he’s going to also have to interview Bowles to ensure he’s not going to be a one-and-done coac if Team Glazer decides to clean house a year from now.
Carthon let his thoughts be known speaking with Ryan Wilson of CBS.
“In terms of the talent on the team, there is offensive talent, they have a solid offensive line,” Carthon said. “But just in terms of what we would view as the job security of Todd Bowles.
“If you’re an offensive coordinator candidate, not only are you going to interview and tell [the Bucs] why you should be the offehnsive coordinator, but you should flip it and let them know that, like, what’s the long-term security for yourself?”
Carthon noted Bowles’ record is right at .500 with the Bucs. And if the Bucs miss the playoffs again in 2026, how does someone like Mike McDaniel know he won’t get blown out of town along with Bowles?
So the Bucs, Carthon believes, are going to have to sell McDaniel that yes, Bowles is safe if things go sideways in 2026.
The selling point, allegedly, is that McDaniel will have autonomy if he takes the Bucs’ gig. But what good will that be, Carthon wondered, if McDaniel is on the sidewalk panhandling for work in 12 months?
January 20th, 2026 at 1:17 am
The Bucs are quickly becoming the least desired team in the NFCS much less te league!
January 20th, 2026 at 1:20 am
I think the Bowles’ hot seat is a two edged sword. If Bowles flames out, he might take his whole staff down with him BUT if the offense does a good job and Bowles failes because of his defense, anoither mid to late season losing streak, time management and things such as going turtle at the wrong time; then the OC could end up replacing Bowles. Perhaps the Glazers learned a hard lesson when Coen jumped ship for the London Jags and then won 13 games……
January 20th, 2026 at 2:26 am
Todd a disgrace
A basket case
3rd and 28
Let’s pontificate
January 20th, 2026 at 4:28 am
“Carthon noted that Bowles’ record is right at .500 with the Bucs. And if the Bucs miss the playoffs again in 2026, how does someone like Mike McDaniel know he won’t get blown out of town along with Bowles if Team Glazer has had enough?”
This is what I’ve been saying for weeks. Not only is Bowles a speedbump but so is the QB. Who is will willing to bet their career that Baker won’t slump again? If the QB plays bad, the OC will get blame. And every candidate the Bucs interview will see how their see how offense performed in the 2-7 end season slide and who ultimately got fired.
Why would anyone sign up for this? Money isnt enough especially when MVP QBs need OCs. Plus a few teams need a new HC which has better job security, at least for 2 years minimum.
This Bucs are in a weird situation of their own making.
January 20th, 2026 at 5:42 am
The people in the profession know that no job is safe, and coaches get fired sometimes after just one year. Don’t even remember the Pat’s last HC he only lasted one season. Carolina went through 3 coaches in two seasons, paying all of them. When you sign on to the NFL you’re as secure as a rabbit crossing a freeway. Bowles job security is not an issue finding an OC.
January 20th, 2026 at 6:05 am
Bowles told Grizzard to run the ball 30 times vs. Carolina because they did it the year before…Why would anyone want to work for Bowles, if they had other opportunities?
January 20th, 2026 at 6:14 am
Hey Bee, quit being such a tool…….
Not one national media source when talking about the Bucs OC
position have mentioned Mayfield being a liability. That has nothing to do with this opening
It all has to do with the stability and future of Todd Bowles
The NFL world knows Bowles is the problem, buT a few of our local geniuses here
Know it’s all on Mayfield
Gimme a freakin break
January 20th, 2026 at 6:28 am
This is why we will end up with either another first year play caller or an older retread with no other options.
January 20th, 2026 at 6:41 am
This team is a national embarrassment. A lame duck HC who on any other team in the entire leaque gets fired for the historic collapse he oversaw. I can’t stomach the guy. He’s lucky the team is owned by fools.
January 20th, 2026 at 6:51 am
Are the Glazers paying attention? Or just counting Benjamins?
January 20th, 2026 at 6:54 am
The Curse of Bowzo
January 20th, 2026 at 7:01 am
The Glazers caused this mess by giving the 3 year deal to a coach that is a hair above 500. The justification is that he won the division 3 years. My opinion is that they lost perspective that it was the weakest division in football since Matt Ryan and Drew Brees retired.
They should have offered him a 2 year buyout and ask him to pack his office. There’s no job security for any of his current or incoming coaches. We won’t even rank for a retread as it has a higher likelihood to further diminish their personal resume. We will fill the coaches position with people that are going to be promoted up from other teams. Some will work out, others won’t. The Glazers have set us up for a terrible 2026.
The good news is we will be front runners for Tomlinson or McDermott for 2027. That’s how I see things playing out.
January 20th, 2026 at 7:17 am
Hire McDaniels as HC. Problem solved.
January 20th, 2026 at 7:23 am
Hey look another reason why they should have got rid of Bowles.
January 20th, 2026 at 7:28 am
Wayne Kerr
Believe what you wish. But do you think the Bucs would have a hard time finding a new OC if they had Jackson, Hurts or Allen? Lol…the media won’t say anything negative about Baker just like they won’t say anything negative about Allen.
It doesn’t matter what the media says, it matters who the Bucs actually interview for the OC position. How many OC interviews have they done with the best OCs available? One? Lol….
The quality of the OC hire shows you what the league thinks of Bowles AND Baker. They’re a package deal. We’ll see what happens.
January 20th, 2026 at 7:51 am
Not that attractive of an option:
Both starting wr over the age of 30
Your star rb averaged well below 4 yards a carry
One of weakest te rooms in league
Paper thin depth on offensive line
Qb on last year of contract
Total bafoon at hc
January 20th, 2026 at 8:06 am
On the sidewalk panhandling for work in 12 months. REALLY?
You mean like he’s doing now, only if all that happens we know nobody will blame him and the offense if things go south and the list of people after him for his services grows?
And who doesn’t think if he takes an OC job he is only planning on staying one year before getting a HC gig?
January 20th, 2026 at 8:07 am
dah
January 20th, 2026 at 8:34 am
Said it before, the Bucs have no buying power with Bowles still running the show. The Glazers either dont want to spend the money or they seriously miscalculated the NFL landscape this offseason.
10 open head coaching jobs where an assistant coach is probably going to get at minimum three years to spend at one spot, versus a Tampa Bay job where the coach is on the hottest seat going into the season.
This team will be hiring from the scrap heap for assistants when the dust clears.
January 20th, 2026 at 8:51 am
I seriously don’t understand why these people so stubbornly insist on keeping Todd Bowles. Sean McDermott is out there after having been let go by the Bills. Imagine pairing him as head coach with an effective offensive coordinator, I don’t know if Mike McDaniels is it, but any decent offensive coordinator, to take this team to new heights with a fresh outlook and different mindset. The vibes are stagnant in the halls of One Buc Place. Todd is a cancer at this point, and ownership is afraid to excise him. They truly are horrible owners for this. They’re the ones holding the team’s head underwater and pretending like they care
January 20th, 2026 at 9:04 am
Easy…the NFL is year-to-year anyways… but the offensive coordinator does his job, the team makes the playoffs… if the offensive coordinator does his job and the team manages to NOT make the playoffs, there’s a good chance it will be HIS team. McDaniels and Monken may like those odds. Dirk Koetter was given the chance due to these exact circumstances.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:19 am
They sign longer than 1 year contracts for the most part so if they’re fired they are still paid, that’s why the NFL is trying to push for as much money as it can by making it a 365/24/7 product. It’s becoming stale. It’s no longer about pride and championships, it’s dollars.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:05 am
The Glazers have put themselves in this unenviable position. The 2026 season will be a waste.Hooefully, Licht will also be gone after next year.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:10 am
Duh
Love Todd the person and appreciate the guy, but since masterful SB game plan and taking over as HC, our D has been anything, but special. That shouldn’t be the case when your head coach is a defensive minded guy and calls the plays to boot.
Todd is the root cause of this seemingly inescapable mess heading into 2026 season. Only an OC like Coen can save the day it sure seems at this point, but the kicker is the title of this article.
Todd should’ve been gone after the season and we aren’t here. Gruden would’ve been in exact same scenario. I pray I’m wrong about the 2026 season outlook, but it’s just smelling funny and foul and doesn’t invoke any confidence.