Pete Prisco Seems To Think 2026 Is Do-Or-Die For Todd Bowles
March 20th, 2026
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Joe has documented this several times. So it’s no surprise.
In Joe’s weekly in-season confidence poll, Bucs coach Todd Bowles recorded the least amount of confidence from Bucs fans for any sitting Bucs coach since Joe first began the poll more than a decade ago.
Bowles is still here, which rankles many Bucs fans to no end. Joe understands the frustration.
While prickly Pete Prisco of CBS didn’t exactly type a feature suggesting Bowles’ seat is roasting, he had a throwaway line in his post-free agency/pre-draft power rankings where he has a gut feeling 2026 could be curtains for Bowles.
Prisco has the Bucs as the No. 13 team in the NFL, seventh-best in the NFC and ahead of the other NFC South teams.
They didn’t do a lot in free agency, but they did add nice pieces in linebacker Alex Anzalone and edge Al-Quadin Muhammad. The big key will be staying healthy in what looks like a win-or-else year for coach Todd Bowles.
If Team Glazer does have a pattern — they really don’t when it comes to head coaches — if a coach has two straight losing seasons, the coach is an endangered species.
If the Bucs have a losing season this fall, Bowles would be in such a pickle.
Of course, many Bucs fans the past few months have been screaming that Father Dungy and Chucky were launched for less and had way more success than Bowles. That’s true, which adds to the coaching intrigue with Team Glazer.
March 20th, 2026 at 12:14 am
NOPE – we are stuck with Bowles through 2028 I guarantee it – the excuse will be injuries again this year as Godwin Mayfield and Vea all go down a week after the trade deadline –
March 20th, 2026 at 12:18 am
Unless IBS truly has dirt on the owners, They HAVE TO BE already planning a life cured of IBS….
Sean McDermott on deck would be a glorious surprise!
March 20th, 2026 at 12:41 am
Gee, Pete. Ya think?
March 20th, 2026 at 12:44 am
Fitting that he’s wearing Culverhouse Creamsicle in the photo.
March 20th, 2026 at 1:05 am
So we know that apparently “Team Glazer” loves Bowles and wanted him back as HC this season. Did Licht feel the same way?
March 20th, 2026 at 1:11 am
He’s just not a good head coach. You are what your record says your are.
March 20th, 2026 at 2:55 am
What’s going on with Mike Evans?
March 20th, 2026 at 2:56 am
Joe … ‘In Joe’s weekly in-season confidence poll, Bucs coach Todd Bowles recorded the least amount of confidence from Bucs fans for any sitting Bucs coach since Joe first began the poll years ago.’
Your confidence polls on Todd Bowles have been incredibly predictable. If the Bucs are winning, fans’ confidence in Bowles is up there. If the Bucs lose, fans’ confidence is Bowles plummets. Wow, now that’s a revelation. Ya right.
o JBF did a Confidence Poll on Bowles in Week 4 last season (25 Sep 2025). Bucs were 3-0. Only 24.73% of the respondents had little or no confidence in Bowles. The remaining 75.27% were either confident, very confident or totally confident.
o JBF did another Confidence Poll on Bowles in Week 11 (14 Nov 2025). Bucs were 6-3. Only 32.1% of the respondents had little or no confidence in Bowles. The remaining 67.9% were either confident, very confident or totally confident.
o JBF did yet another Confidence Poll on Bowles in Week 17 (26 Dec 2025). Bucs were 7-8 and had just lost 4 of 5 games. The poll showed 92.1% of the respondents had little or no confidence in Bowles. The remaining 7.9% were either confident, very confident or totally confident.
IOW, you lose as a head coach and fans’ confidence in you plummets. No surprise there. What made the loss of confidence most dramatic IMO is that Todd is BOTH the HC & the DC, and it was the defense that was obviously struggling.
I was surprised when he was retained by the Glazers Joe, BUT … I’m confident that none of us know what went on behind the scenes. I suspect that the Glazers did in fact search the potential HC inventory, but either didn’t like what they found OR were turned down by 1 or more potential candidates. I wouldn’t be the slightest bit surprised to see Mike Tomlin here as Head Coach in 2027 unless Todd Bowles & the Bucs have an exceptionally good year.
March 20th, 2026 at 3:01 am
Bowles is signed through 2028. Might as well assume he’ll be here the entire contract length.
At which point we’ll be seven years into another lost decade 2.0.
I fully expect him to be extended a second time around for at least three more years.
If the Glazers have said anything regarding Bowles with their actions, it’s that results do not matter.
March 20th, 2026 at 3:01 am
An 0-5 start to 2026 will end it from the GM, HC and QB! The upside, 5 years to rebuild with a shot at SB in 5 more!
March 20th, 2026 at 3:06 am
I have always voted no confidence in Bowles, even when the Bucs were winning. Why? Because Bowles is a mediocre head coach that will never get this team to the SB. He is lucky to get to .500 and can’t advance this team in the playoffs. Then there are the continual “in game” mistakes. Why the Glazers let this idiot be both the HC and DC is beyond me. Talk about unlimited damage……
March 20th, 2026 at 4:09 am
Outside of an NFC Championship appearance, Licht, Bowles and Baker are gone. This failed experiment has gone on long enough. It doesn’t matter what excuse you like the best for either of these men but facts are they cant get it done. Healthy, injured, good OC, ok OC, it doesn’t matter, the Bucs always lose.
When you’re lead by losers, you lose.
March 20th, 2026 at 5:19 am
HAHAHAHA AMAZING!
I can’t believe this site and fans here don’t see what’s REALLY happening.
Bowles is definitely gone after this year because the Bucs are TANKING.
The Glazers are hoping to land Arch Manning and start a rebuild.
March 20th, 2026 at 5:21 am
My above post is a joke more than anything, but without making any big moves in Free Agency, it sure seems like this team is not going to be better than last season and will most likely be a lot worse.
Who knows… if we start out with enough losses early in the season, we might be in the mix for Arch.
March 20th, 2026 at 6:03 am
Talking diabetes, or munches cold takes?
March 20th, 2026 at 6:16 am
I hold Lichtbrain more responsible than anyone as he could have suggested to the Glazers to fire Bowles after the ‘Debacle” last year , but instead dug his grave.
March 20th, 2026 at 6:37 am
Meh
March 20th, 2026 at 6:40 am
I NEVER liked Bowles as the HC. He’s a lost cause and on borrowed time.
I used to like Licht until he became the King of Gaslighting. He’s made many comments that you’d have to be an idiot to believe, especially the latest bull$hyt line that Mike Evans left the Bucs for family reasons. I’m sick of the guy. He makes claims like Braswell is going to shock the world. Hassan Reddick is going to explode, etc. I hope both he and Bowles get their pink slips soon.
March 20th, 2026 at 6:45 am
Gruden was launched for failing to make the playoffs in a year that Tampa hosted the Super Bowl! He could have been the first to coach a “HOME” Super Bowl but failed and was launched.
March 20th, 2026 at 6:59 am
@Redzone:
big mike is now known as “the frisco kidd” 🙂
March 20th, 2026 at 7:01 am
can we please start calling mike, the frisco kidd…?
it would be spectacular…!
March 20th, 2026 at 7:07 am
The issue likely isn’t what happens if we win 6-7 games. The result should be fairly obvious.
The issue is what if we win 8-9 games again and the participation trophy division. Are the glazers going to be content with the home playoff revenue for one week? My gut tells me yes.
The only thing that should save his job is a playoff run. One and done and you’re out.
March 20th, 2026 at 7:33 am
Too bad these fans are not the owners
Only the owners can fire the Head Coach
Therefore only their confidence poll matters
So much for nothing
March 20th, 2026 at 7:40 am
Team is toast. Done. Finished. Rebuild incoming in 27. I’m not wasting my sundays on this frustrating team anymore. This season was tough
March 20th, 2026 at 7:55 am
If the offense bounces back but we risk losing our OC again, I think it’s over for Bowles unless we go deep in the playoffs AND his defense plays a positive role.
If the offense struggles, I think Bowles and Baker will be let go because I don’t see our defense being dominant enough to carry us to the playoffs, likely time to stockpile picks and make a move for a young QB.
The roster is loaded with contracts of guys that can easily be let go or traded for picks….a rebuild is definitely a possibility depending on Baker and the new OC. I think the Bucs want to extend Baker but it’s got to be to compete in the playoffs.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:28 am
Weebs10 seemed to think 2025 was do or die for Todd Bowles…Weebs10 was wrong.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:39 am
He is a talent waster and the owners are dumb ases for keeping him
March 20th, 2026 at 8:54 am
But…… the culture…….
Yea, not buying that.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:54 am
The Glazers love Bowles for some strange reason. Probably because he’s one of the lowest paid coaches in the league and that’s lining their pocketbooks. Nothing these owners do would surprise me but I think Todd will need to be under 7 wins for them to consider replacing him. I also feel that Licht’s job is secure no matter what. I don’t agree with any of this, but it’s their team.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:55 am
Duh. Biggest understatement of all time. Of course he’s under the microscope this year.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:57 am
Guys, the Glaziers dont want to extend Baker. If they did, they would’ve done it. Baker is terrible and will help lead this team to a top 10 pick. Buckle up and enjoy the tank!
March 20th, 2026 at 8:58 am
I’ve been nicer to Bowles than many who post here, but dang. Is there anyone that doesn’t think he needs to walk the plank if he fails again this year? Not the hottest of takes for an “insider” at CBS.
I do believe Bowles having the lowest confidence numbers since the poll began does need to be taken with a grain of salt. Imagine the numbers of a Lovie Smith year 5. Oh lord.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:03 am
Coaches have contract years too. The G Bros treat coaches differently. Some get multiple chances. Others like Chucky get dumped on the first sign of trouble. For whatever reason this dood has to kill somebody to get fired.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:03 am
I gathered from the Bucs documentary that Dungy was fired belatedly for the Les Steckel move he made after the 2000 season, apparently going rogue in doing so. The numbers and the Glazers’ wishes both indicated Steckel should have been retained. Confidence lost.
Gruden was fired apparently because he “lost the locker room,” and players were tuning him out. Gruden also had a poor track record for talent evaluation. Confidence lost.
Common denominator for each is there to be seen, in my view.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:06 am
Agreed Bee. Lets draft the kid who was complaining about being asked to switch to wide receiver from QB. He will save us..
March 20th, 2026 at 10:43 am
The Bucs had an inordinate amount of injuries 😕 last year. To blame Todd Bowles for everything is stupid. The Glazer family was fair by not firing Todd Bowles and it’s also reasonable to expect them to fire Todd Bowles if he has a repeat 2025 performance.
The season is just a few months away. Everyone take a deep breath and enjoy the upcoming season. Sports writers will always be writing their what ifs stories, but the real story is played on the field.
March 20th, 2026 at 10:43 am
I think Team Glazer is giving Todd the equivalent of one of Licht’s 1-year “prove it!” deals in 2026. They had already made the mistake of extending him, so they likely have no desire to eat a few million dollars (akin to the way most of us working class stiffs would feel about losing a few thousand dollars) when they realize the team wasn’t going to be a hot destination for the top tier 2026 HC candidates. Jason has been signing veterans in positions of need on short term contacts as a patch to give Bowles enough talent to at least have a shot of succeeding, but make no mistake…the team is holding on to draft capital like it’s gold and setting itself up to have more potential cap space in 2027. IMO these are moves that scream “we hope we win in 2026, but if not we’ve set things up nicely to make the 2027 Buccaneers an attractive HC opening for top tier candidates”
March 20th, 2026 at 11:37 am
Substandard coaches have substandard staffs. Management and the head coach fired most of the staff since season’s end; the head coach was retained.
Should have released the HC and all or most of the staff last year, found a well respected, winning coach who makes players and staff accountable. They also attract good subordinates that can coach the position players.
March 20th, 2026 at 11:40 am
Uhhhhhh Water is Wet and the sky is Blue…… thanks for Zero info dude OF COURSE it is do or die this year for Todd!
March 20th, 2026 at 11:45 am
YA THINK?!
March 20th, 2026 at 11:55 am
Firing Bowels at end of “26 season is 3 years too late.
March 20th, 2026 at 12:03 pm
Jon Gruden offenses with the Bucs
2002 21.6 ppg 18th ranked- Defense 12 3 ppg 1st
2003 18.8 ppg 18th ranked -Defense 16.5 ppg 4th
2004 18.8 ppg 23rd ranked -Defense 19 0 ppg 9th
2005 18.8 ppg 20th ranked -Defense 17.1 ppg 8th
2006 13.2 ppg. 31st ranked -Defense 22.1 ppg 21st
2007 20.9 ppg. 18th ranked -Defense 16.9 ppg 3rd
2008 22.6 ppg. 19th ranked- Defense 20.2 ppg 10th
This is the reason why Gruden was fired
The (Offensive Genius) was never ranked higher than 18th in points scored
While the defense was only ranked below top 10 once
My question is:
Why did it take so long to can him
March 20th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Unfortunately, bowles knows if he wins 9 games he’s safe….
joe hit the nail on the head….avoid back to back losing seasoning and he’ll be retrained as HC
GO BUCS!!!!
March 20th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Mediocrity is the goal in Tampa as long they can check the correct boxes.
March 20th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Toes on the line
Where is the plan for ’27 you speak of? There is no stockpile of extra picks or traded veterans for cap relief or more picks. The cap has no extra money. I guess you think Baker is being replaced with a rookie.
March 20th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
Of course it’s do or die for Bowles.
Same with Baker.
Their fates are tied together.
March 20th, 2026 at 2:09 pm
Lakeland – Gruden, as I’m sure you know, got fired because of the success of Tomlin, and the Bucs thinking Morris could be the next Tomlin, and with Monte leaving, there really wasn’t much reason to stick with Gruden at that point.
What I never understand are people who think Gruden was a good coach. All he did was win with Dungy’s team, then took what should have been a dynasty and destroyed it so he could sign old, washed up ex-Raiders like Charlie Garner and Tim Brown (who is a HOF’er, but was done well before the Bucs got him).
March 20th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Bowleszo is the “Teflon” coach……..
March 20th, 2026 at 3:25 pm
This is shocking news
March 20th, 2026 at 5:46 pm
Prisco sure went out on a ledge with that insight…
March 20th, 2026 at 6:05 pm
I mean… duh?
Only someone in complete denial would think otherwise.
Lame duck head coach.
March 20th, 2026 at 6:13 pm
@ Badbucs
I was going by information from a couple different cap tracking apps. Both had the Bucs in the low-mid 20’s (out of 32 teams) in terms of available cap space for 2026, but 2027 improves (one app has the Bucs in the low 20ish area while the other shows just outside the top 10 for cap space), and both apps show top 10ish cap space in 2028. Are they accurate, who knows?
March 20th, 2026 at 6:54 pm
Haha @ Greg. No kiddin.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:20 pm
Either way he should be fired because if they do well it will be because of offense. So if Robinson leaves, I bet Baker leaves as well. Cant have a new OC every year and keep Todd for mediocrity.
March 20th, 2026 at 10:14 pm
WOW! You don’t say…… This guy has it all figured out. That Prisco guy is as sharp as a dull, bent, tack!
March 21st, 2026 at 4:51 am
I wanted Bowles gone 30 seconds after he was hired. Did the Glazers and Licht study the decisions he made in New Jersey? Did they watch him manage games? My (Lucky Me) wife and I were diving in Bonaire during the 2016 draft. Luckily, we were able to catch the draft on TV down there. When we were up at 16, Round 1, I stood in front of the TV and began screaming, over and over, “Anybody but Vernon Hargreaves—ANYBODY BUT HARGREAVES!” And then they picked him, “NOOOOOOOOO!” and I was told if I didn’t quiet down I’d be asked to leave.
Did anybody from the Bucs ever watch him play?
The moves this team makes at times, reek of bafflement and ineptitude.
Like everybody here, I have never been employed by an NFL team. Consequently, none of us knows what goes on behind the scenes. But some decisions, especially the bad ones this team makes with near yearly redundancy, are so obviously wrong you sometimes wonder if the front office can even spell the word, F O O T B A L L!
The decision to keep Todd Bowles as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was one of them and nothing short of mind boggling!
“NOOOOOOOOOO!”
March 21st, 2026 at 11:58 am
Now the Rams system is back Baker will thrive like the Coen year and Robinson will hit pay dirt.
March 21st, 2026 at 4:08 pm
Gee Pete we’ve been thinking the same thing mediocre season after mediocre season yet here we are. At this point saying this is a make or break season for Bowles is a hot take, it’s clear he’s trash but if ownership is behind him then the teams is all his.
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:42 pm
Duh.