As the 2025 NFL season approaches, speculation about Bill Belichick’s future has sparked rumors about a potential landing spot with the Buccaneers.
However, one significant hurdle stands in the way: the Buccaneers already have a head coach in Todd Bowles, who has led the team to consecutive NFC South titles since taking over in 2022. With Bowles on the cusp of a third straight division championship, it’s unlikely that the Buccaneers would be in the market for a new coach, casting doubt on the possibility of Belichick joining the team.
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Speculation about a possible union between Bill Belichick and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been circulating throughout the season. The connection between Belichick and Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht, who previously worked together in New England, has fueled the rumors. The relationship was further highlighted when Belichick publicly praised Licht during a recent appearance on the ManningCast, adding to the intrigue surrounding a potential partnership.
Todd Bowles’ steady performance has taken the heat off his job security in Tampa, making it unlikely that the Buccaneers will be in the market for a new head coach anytime soon. However, a potential exit strategy has emerged, with speculation that Bowles might voluntarily step down after the season. Interestingly, Mike Lombardi, a longtime associate of Bill Belichick, has recently floated the idea that Bowles is considering retirement, adding fuel to the rumors about a possible Belichick-Buccaneers connection.
“Give Todd Bowles credit,” Lombardi said recently, via the guys at JoeBucsFan.com. “Everybody thinks he’s not going to keep his job. A lot of people think he may retire at the end of the year. His team is resilient. They fight through it. You know, I’m not saying they are the best team. But they sure as hell are tougher than Atlanta. This is what Tampa does. They finish the season strong and their toughness shows up.”
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Notably, Mike Lombardi’s suggestion that Todd Bowles might retire after the season appears to be an isolated rumor, with no other credible sources corroborating the claim. Typically, such whispers emerge from within a coach’s inner circle as a way to lay groundwork for a potential succession plan. However, in this instance, it seems that the rumor may be originating from the other direction – potentially from Bowles’ would-be replacement, or someone connected to them, using Lombardi as a mouthpiece to create a narrative that could pave the way for a coaching change.
According to JoeBucsFan.com sources, Bowles states he’s “definitely not retiring.”
A potential twist in the UNC-Belichick negotiations could be a clause that allows Belichick to opt out of his contract and return to the NFL at his discretion. This would give him the flexibility to leave Chapel Hill if a desirable NFL opportunity arises, such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers job, potentially as early as the end of next month. In essence, Belichick could be negotiating a deal that keeps his NFL options open, allowing him to pivot back to the professional ranks if the right situation presents itself.
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