The 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers had Super Bowl potential. They starting 6-2, but their season took a nosedive, ending 8-9 and missing the playoffs.
The performances of head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht have been under scrutiny. Their inability to put together a team that can consistently contend in the league has sparked debate about their roles
Bruce Arians, the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl-winning head coach and current Senior Advisor to the General Manager, is standing by his colleagues, Todd Bowles and Jason Licht, despite speculation about their jobs. Arians defended them on the “Talking Belt Buckle Show”, ( The Pat McAfee Show), citing injuries and tough breaks as factors in the team’s struggles.
“Yeah, I think so. A lot of injuries this year, and some things didn’t go right in a couple different spots. Todd’s going to right the ship, and Jason Licht’s going to get another great draft. They’ll reload, they won’t have to rebuild.”
Arians has shifted into a front office role, offering insight into the team’s inner workings. While his views might not always align with the final decisions – which ultimately come from the Glazer family – his perspective carries weight, given his experience and influence with the team.
Glazed And Confused
The Glazer family is expected to make a decision on the Buccaneers’ coaching staff this week, and it looks like Todd Bowles and Jason Licht will be back at the helm in 2026. Bruce Arians, the team’s Senior Advisor, has been vocal about supporting Bowles and Licht, citing injuries and tough breaks as factors in the team’s struggles.
Bowles is in the first year of his new contract, and Licht’s track record keeps him in the hot seat, but not quite hot enough to get fired. The contracts and a willingness to give them another shot likely factor into the Glazers’ decision, making it likely they’ll stick with the duo for now.
Looks like it’s business as usual in Tampa, with Bowles staying put while other coaching staff changes are likely. The roster’s also in for some changes. If 2026 goes sideways, all bets are off for a potential overhaul.
The BR RubÂ
Look, it’s not odd that the guy who handed the job to Bowles is supporting him to keep the job he handed to him. What it does tell us is, Arians cares more about his people than he does about what’s best for this organization. The one that employs him.
And as for Licht’s status? Not sure why Arians brought up Licht. Not sure why anybody is. Licht is the one that built the roster that won a ring. The Metallica loving GM is the one that hired you Bruce. He’s also the one that landed Tom FREAKING Brady. So let’s focus on Bowles champ.
My question to Arians would’ve been, exactly what will Bowles change if given another year? Will he acquiesce to different in-game decisions? Would he consider giving up play calling duties? Will Bowles finally understand that the buck stops with him? I mean, Bowles said himself that he and the coaches have done everything they could. So what’s the plan? Where will change come or be implemented?
If the Glazers decide to stick with Bowles, then it’s by default a commitment to mediocrity.
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