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 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 6:28 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 7:51 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.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:26 am
It should have been the head coaching job for the bucs is a attractive job . How is it that everyone got fired & the one guy that should have been sent to walk the plank is still here ? We dropped the ball big time . Cut the snake off at the head right Joe’s? This guy has kept us mediocre in a weak division . He says he earned the right to still be the head coach ? Are you kidding me toilet todd ! This guy is going to set us back another year . Look around the league , there are so many coaches on good teams that can get their team in the right position and can call plays and adjust with in game , game planning . Is anyone on here confident bowls can do that ??? Didn’t frigging think so ! This guy continues to say our players didn’t play the call right and we’re out of position , that’s on you todd !
January 20th, 2026 at 10:47 am
A lot of you fans are so ungrateful for the job Bowles has done. Yes his defense has bin garbage since the SB win. Which I’m thankful for him laying the hammer to the chiefs. Whennyall comment it would like most of yall weren’t here for the lost decade. Bowles isn’t as bad as the days of the likes of lovie koetter shiano. Just remember the grass is never greener on the other side. We’ve won a SB off his defense and have gone to playoffs and won divisions. The division is crap but a win is still a win. Seems like most of yall came in with Brady and have bin fans since. Yall prob couldn’t handle the lost decade shoot most of yall jumped ship cause Bowles wasn’t fired. This is why this fans base is the biggest clown fest ever. Tru fans support their team and don’t jump ship cause the don’t get their way.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:54 am
It was Bowles idea to run the ball 30+ times vs Carolina because it worked the year prior.
Again, he’s willing to lose his way over winning any other way.
This is why he blames everyone else and takes zero accountability.
And he obviously has no consequences to his actions.
Kind of like a spoiled child falling down and screaming when they don’t get the toy they wanted.
January 20th, 2026 at 11:54 am
@#1bucfan I get what you are saying, but I have been a fan since the 80s, so I have seen and lived through some things with this team over the years. My view is Bowles is not a bad DC, he is a bad HC. We thank him for the SB win as a DC. However, he was born on 3rd base as a HC after taking over the team from Arians and the team is trending in the wrong direction. You can’t have a post break meltdown like what we saw and think he is doing great. If the NFCS had been better the last few years, we would not have won several of those NFCS titles. Lets be honest. Sliding into the playoffs as a weaker playoff team is not a recipe for success and the goal is SBs, not participation trophies.
January 20th, 2026 at 11:54 am
It’s not just missing playoffs. I think if Bucs don’t make the Super Bowl, or at least NFC Championship…we’ll never get over the hump with Bowles. 5 year window theory. If head coach doesn’t win Super Bowl within 5 years…odds are that same coach won’t win with that team. Need a new voice. Bill Cowher is one of the exceptions to stay on a team for so long and win a SB.
January 20th, 2026 at 11:58 am
Just common sense and been saying it ever since they axed everyone but Todd. It goes for every single assistant job. You’re working under a lame duck. Be stuck with unproven guys looking to get a shot. Should have just finished the job
January 20th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
If McDaniel puts together a great offensive year in Tampa, he’ll be one and done anyway (I.e. Canales, Coen). The issue won’t be his job security here, but opportunity elsewhere.
January 20th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
The Glazers might be smarter than many think, If they had fired Bowles at the end of this season They would have had to pay him for next year and pay another HC to take his place and still have to find another OC and DC, but, let’s say they bring in Mc Daniels, as the OC, (being paid an OC’s wage but with HC experience), then, McDaniels can select and bring in his own Offensive staff, which will give the Glazers a chance to see how he is doing , (kick the tires if you will), and if he does well, when Bowles destructs ,( as history has shown he will inevitably do) , McDaniels , then having his own hand selected staff and having a chance to see the Defensive staff in action and find out who could replace Bowles and who is competent and who is not, He could step right in and replace Bowels , again at an assistants wage when Bowles is jettisoned ,saving money . If it works out , the season could be saved and you have the coaching staff for the future in place , if not , you have saved money and you have the whole off season next year to make the necessary adjustments.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:51 am
Yup! Been saying this from the start. May have been lots easier to find a new HC… Much as I hate to say that.
Go Bucs!
January 21st, 2026 at 8:53 am
Bowles tanking for top 5 pick, or does it come naturally to him to be such a horrible coach