Reasons That Todd Bowles Should Be Back For The Buccaneers Next Season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been eliminated from the playoffs and now begin a long offseason that is full of questions. One of those questions is who will be the head coach next season. At this point, most fans believe that Todd Bowles should be fired after losing seven of the final nine games of the season. 

However, that might not be the case. Although I personally would move on from Bowles, there is still a real possibility that he returns next season after winning the NFC South in three of his first four seasons. Don’t be shocked if he is back as the head coach for the 2026 season.

If that is the case, most fans will not be happy. I want to take this moment to talk people down. In reality, Bowles has legitimate strengths and can benefit the team in some ways.

Here are my best reasons that Todd Bowles could be back for the Buccaneers next season.

Player Development

One thing you have to give Bowles credit for is that he has done a nice job of developing talent during his time in Tampa Bay. Since joining the team as defensive coordinator in 2019 he has had a direct hand in the ascension of the likes of Antione Winfield Jr, Vita Vea, Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, Jordan Whitehead, Calijah Kancey, Yaya Diaby and this current group of promising rookies such as Jacob Parrish, Benjamin Morrison and Elijah Roberts. And those are just the defensive players.

Really the only players who haven’t worked out under Bowles leadership were Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Logan Hall. However, it is important to remember that both were drafted as high risk, high reward developmental players. Both were always going to have a fair likelihood that they wouldn’t pan out. 

There is a lot to be said about what Bowles brings as a teacher and thus the coordinators he hires bring as teachers. It also says a lot about the culture where young players can be brought along and develop at their own pace. 

If Bowles is indeed the head coach next year then I expect the team will invest into the defense through the draft. Under this leadership, there is a very good chance that those young players will work out and that’s a direct reflection on Bowles.

Injuries

It’s impossible to overlook how injuries shape this Buccaneers season. And while it’s something that every team has to deal with, this team went through it worse than most. Not just the amount of injuries, but the caliber of players who missed significant time. 

Here’s a list of pro bowl caliber players who missed more than a month’s worth of time this year. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Tristian Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, Cody Mauch, Calijah Kancey, and Bucky Irving (based on what we saw last year and not so much this year). And that doesn’t include lesser tier starters like Zyon McCullom and Ben Bredeson and Ko Kieft who also missed at least a month.

Some might call it an excuse, but it is important context. If they didn’t sustain half these injuries or even if they had different guys miss most of the year (perhaps someone other than their best pass rusher) then this season could have turned out very different.

Locker Room

There has been speculation by some that Todd Bowles had lost the locker room this season. To be frank, that seems like nonsense. Players can feel frustration while they’re losing, both with coaches and each other, but that does not necessarily mean an issue in the locker room.

By all accounts, the players love Bowles and want to play for him. They have defended Bowles both during the losing streak and now after the season. This is a well run and professional organization and the head coach has been a big part of developing that.

Is That Enough?

Honestly, I have no idea. If it were up to me then I would say no, but the reality of the situation is that there is more to consider here then fans think.

We can all point out the shortcomings. Whether that be wanting Bowles to place a specific coverage 5% less than they do or that fact that he is too conservative with his in game decision making. For me, more than anything, it’s the fact that his players keep making stupid preventable mistakes and I fear that the message just isn’t clicking with too many of the players.

However, if you believe that Bowles doesn’t have positive aspects as well then you are choosing to ignore reality. There are reasons to bring him back next season. Whether those reasons outweigh the reasons to let him go is something that only time will tell.

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