Last night’s collapse resulted in the Buccaneers losing to the Falcons. As a result, Tampa Bay’s playoff outlook has continued to take a turn for the worse. 
The Bucs were 6-2 and comfortably atop the NFC South when they entered their bye week. Since then, very little has gone according to plan. Tampa Bay has gone 1-5 since the bye, and the team’s defense in particular has regressed. That unit ranks 31st in the NFL in points allowed over the past six weeks (h/t Fox Sports’ Greg Auman).
Especially given head coach Todd Bowles‘ defensive background, criticism of his 2025 performance has steadily increased. In charge of the team since Bruce Arians stepped aside in 2022, Bowles and the Buccaneers have won the division every year in that span. With another NFC South crown seriously in doubt, though, the matter of job security was something Bowles was asked about in the wake of yesterday’s game.
“I don’t think I worry about it at all,” the 62-year-old said when speaking about his status with the Bucs (video link). “It doesn’t creep into the locker room. Players play and coaches coach. I got more years behind me than I do ahead of me. I think we’re in a situation where we’re right back in it and our only focus is on winning a ball game.”
Bowles served as Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator for three years before Arians retired from the sidelines. Since then, the Buccaneers have gone 34-31. Tampa Bay’s three straight playoff appearances have only produced one postseason win, and it remains to be seen if reaching (let alone advancing past) the wild-card round will be possible in 2025.
With that in mind, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times states Bowles can indeed be counted as one of the coaches currently on the hot seat. A firing this late in the season should not be expected, of course, especially considering the fact the Buccaneers are still in contention for top spot in their division. Still, Stroud’s assertion is noteworthy given the investment the team recently made on the sidelines.
In June, Bowles and general manager Jason Licht each received contract extensions. Bowles is on the books through 2028 as a result, so a dismissal in his case would have a financial impact for many years. Nevertheless, it will no doubt be something mentioned throughout the coming weeks if Tampa Bay falls short of a playoff spot in 2025.
Todd Bowles Sucks…his defensive scheme is even worse
Jason Licht same thing ….Goodbye and the Bucs should start over!!
Last night was the final straw
Bucs have probably gone as far as they’re going with Bowles. But that extension probably means he isn’t going anywhere before next season.
Probably. Unless they lose out.
The good news is coaches’ salaries don’t count on the cap. Ditching him may cost the owner less than it would to keep him if the team keeps regressing. He’s average at best.
They tinkled away a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter to the “mighty” Atlanta Falcons. The entire team should be fired.
I got a smile out of your posting name Hubcap. I saw T. Rex play with Mountain at the Fillmore East back in the day.
Ah, jealous! I never saw them in concert except on TV. Bet that was an amazing show!
I imagine Todd will find someone to throw under the bus in the next 24 hours 🙂
He showed his leadership skills by blaming the players. Of course they shoulder some of the responbsibility, but his team looks poorly coached…