Former GM: Highly Likely Todd Bowles Returns
January 6th, 2023
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
For the Bucs to pull the trigger on first-year coach Todd Bowles, that would tell Joe there is a major, major move coming a few hours after news would break.
And in the mind of a former NFL general manager, Bowles should be safe as we are three days from Black Monday, when many NFL coaches are handed pink slips and parting gifts.
Joe Banner, who used to be a shot-caller for the Eagles and who is now a big shot at The33rdTeam.com, has a list of coaches who might want to be renting. He has Bowles as a “longshot” to be replaced.
Ownership is not likely to make a change after one year, but it’s been a disappointing season relative to expectations. The Bucs were supposed to be a Super Bowl contender. Instead, they’re 8-8 with Tom Brady and won a division where nobody has a winning record.
Much of the criticism has been focused on the coaching staff, particularly head coach Todd Bowles, and I understand. Though I actually would’ve been comfortable hiring him, he hasn’t done as well in Year 1 as I would’ve thought. Still, it’s rare that anyone makes a coaching change after reaching the playoffs.
Well, longshot in more ways than one.
Not only is it rare to see a coach get launched after one season, unless he is truly over his head like Nate Hackett, but Bowles won a division and with a win on Sunday would finish his first season with a winning record.
Joe wonders if there has ever been a coach replaced after his first year on the job while also winning a division. So yeah, Joe thinks Bowles will still be leading the Bucs after Black Monday. He’s got a home playoff game to prep for.
Byron Leftwich? Well, we’ll see if he’s still around in a few weeks. That’s a much different story.
January 6th, 2023 at 4:50 am
‘Joe thinks Bowles will still be leading the Bucs after Black Monday. Byron Leftwich? Well, we’ll see if he’s still around in a few weeks. That’s a much different story.’
Agree wholeheartedly Joe. A defensive HC like Todd Bowles can only succeed if he has a strong OC. That’s not Byron; he’s the one who’s in over his head. Bowles inherited Leftwich & just accepting that ‘inheritance’ when he was named HC could’ve easily cost Bowles his job. What’s saved him thus far has been Tom Brady.
And it may well have been Brady who saved Leftwich; we don’t know what went on behind the scenes. If Tommy insisted that Lefty stay, he was gonna stay. But I think that relationship has now run its course.
Excellent chance that TB12 won’t be here next season. I’m betting that BL won’t be here either. We’re about to go through a major ‘reconfiguration’ after this season ends … even if it’s with a Super Bowl championship. Next year’s team will be considerably different than this year’s team.
January 6th, 2023 at 4:51 am
Bowles should come back. I thinks its a miracle Bowles and Brady made it through the season. Think of it this way Bowles respects Tom. Most in the Bucs organization prolly thinks Brady lives this charmed life. Then this off season came and Gisele left Brady. Brady needed 11 days off during training. Just think how Bowles and Jason Licht feel. They know because he came back to play Gisele left him. So Bowles was cool with everything. Then Brady comes back from the Bahamas 27 pounds lighter. He looked like a shell of himself. Everyday tabloids were dragging Brady calling him selfish. Brady made the best of the season. Gisele had every attention to ruin Bradys last season. Bowles kept this team together.
I dont think Brady is coming back to Bucs and I am not even sure they want him 2. Bowles should get another season with a new qb. Brady and Bucs have to have a happy divorce. Tampa Tom was a lot of fun. 2 things I am sure of Brady is not retiring and Brady would join the russian army and side with Putin before he would ever go back to Belichick and patriots
January 6th, 2023 at 5:51 am
I can see bradyvcoming back with a few adjustments to the roster..
Another rb another lg another wr that allows him to play his style more..
Healthy chris..mike..gage jr..I know Julio will be gone..
He needs a Edelman type player and a great catching te..
I’m sure brate gone ..
He needs the run game to become a thing for him to dominate.
No one should be even thinking tom wants to leave.
He’s building the dream house in Miami.
Has his kids situated.
Loves the weather.
Idk if he darts fir another team.
Mostly bad trams in need of a qb need more then a qb.
January 6th, 2023 at 5:53 am
Anything less than a double digit victory is completely unacceptable
January 6th, 2023 at 6:03 am
“So yeah, Joe thinks Bowles will still be leading the Bucs after Black Monday. He’s got a home playoff game to prep for.”
@Joes
Great line guys! Have you guys thought about getting into to football related comedy. LOL.
I think he stays too, unless he has told the Glazers he wants to keep Leftwich, then I would revoke his access card right on the spot after that comment.
January 6th, 2023 at 6:10 am
@Joe, Do you think that Todd Bowles is a good head coach? I am curious to hear your thoughts.
January 6th, 2023 at 6:24 am
That’s too bad Bowles is a bad head coach. Unless Brady comes back, this team will be competing for a top 10 pick next season.
Worst case scenario- Brady bolts for NO and joins up with Payton. Carolina hires Harbaugh. Could barely beat these teams when they had mediocre coaching and/or no talent under center. Bucs are stuck with clueless Todd and a schlub under center (Trask or Gabbert) in that scenario. He’ll just get canned after 2023 instead.
Todd backing into a joke of a ‘division championship’ should be meaningless. Especially if he gets run on wild card weekend for the same stupid over-conservative game management that’s cost this team at least 4 wins this year. In that case, the Glazer family should still consider launching him.
January 6th, 2023 at 6:33 am
*Brady left Gisele… put some respect on the man’s name bucsbrady
January 6th, 2023 at 6:49 am
I just kicked my dog!
January 6th, 2023 at 6:50 am
…to the Jets? To the unemployment line? All for it!
January 6th, 2023 at 6:51 am
Run FA’s
Run 🏃♀️ 🏃♀️🏃🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃🏃♂️ FA’s
January 6th, 2023 at 7:06 am
This can’t be the Glazer’s, we it could
But more likely
Jason & CYA
I have always had the Glazer’s back but after all these years of blunders with 2 Super Bowl rentals rather than building a dynasty approach I am ready for a
2023 NFL owner
Three Blind Mice
January 6th, 2023 at 7:06 am
WOW!!! I’m almost at a lost for words. I had to read a few sentences 2-3 times. Joe you would hire Bowles with a resume that reads 29-45 at the Jets??? There are thousands of illegals crossing our border everyday. We know NOTHING about them. Heck, some may be from Ca, (insert laugh here). SO here is what Joe would do to stop it; Hire more agents so they can process them faster and increase healthcare for them. They will be put on “parole” NOW all this makes just as much sense as hiring Bowles. Remember he was 29-45, screwed the Bucs out of the NFC Championship game last year and struggled to get to 8-8 with the GOAT and 2 HOF receivers. Tell Dr. Jill Alton says ^&$%$##@^*(*^%%
January 6th, 2023 at 7:10 am
I’m in agreement with Bowles returning only if he do the following:
1. bring in a new OC who knows how to call plays to open up the offense
2. Bowles quit micro managing the offense n just focus on the defense
3. Bowles quit playing conservative, take more chances
4. Bowles bring in a new special teams coach
5. Bring Brady back n allow him to call his own plays
If he can’t do those things, then he need to go.
January 6th, 2023 at 7:15 am
dmatt
Bowles is not going to change anymore than anyone else walking the face of the earth, people simply don’t change
January 6th, 2023 at 7:18 am
“fired after winning Division “
Bhwawawa
Most years winning 9 games doesn’t make the Wild Card pre playoffs weekend
January 6th, 2023 at 7:24 am
LOL
Let’s put this into perspective Joe……..having a losing record pretty much all season long and winning in a BAD DIVISION doesn’t exactly inspire confidence at all.
Now imagine if the Bucs were in the NFC East???? Does the optics still look the same???? I don’t think so.
January 6th, 2023 at 7:30 am
How many games were won due to Bowles coaching? How many were LOST due to his leadership? I rest my case.
January 6th, 2023 at 7:40 am
Back to coordinator? Ok I’m good with that.
January 6th, 2023 at 7:41 am
Bucfan,
LOST due to his lack of leadership🤔
January 6th, 2023 at 7:46 am
I understand Bowles wanting to have more balance on offense, but this team is NOT built that way…What pisses me off is that he’s not willing to do whatever it takes to win…who cares if you run or throw it 50x…just win.
I remember watching a Pats game way back and they were playing the Jets. The Jets had the #1 run D – the Pats were an avg running team at best…So the Pats went no-huddle/ sugar huddle…and threw the ball 18x or something in a row. Mostly behind the line of scrimmage, but they played away from the Jets strengths. Plus, they wanted to wear down the Jets D-line so they could run it later in the game. Bowles / BL just don’t do that… Going to be an interesting off-season.
Go Bucs!
January 6th, 2023 at 7:49 am
I would not imagine Bowles’ job would be on the line with the playoffs looming, but I would not give him much or any credit for the team’s modest success. What would make the Glazers think that things will get any better next year without Brady? Bowles is not the guy to lead a rebuild. It scares the living daylights out of me thinking about entrusting this team to a man who has a head coaching track record of failure. Bowles does not inspire any confidence and that will be reflected in season ticket sales. Maybe not next year, but the cliff is not far away.
January 6th, 2023 at 8:20 am
The Bucs’ coaching boobery manifests itself any time you go back and watch any of the games. Randomly, you will pick a stinker. Cowboys, Falcons1 for two and a half quarters, Seattle for three quarters, Cincinnati for one half and Panthers2 for one quarter and change — those are your only hope of finding something to watch that won’t make you set your balls on fire. That’s it. The rest will make anyone watching reach for the quaalude/thorazine cocktail and consume until comatose.
January 6th, 2023 at 8:27 am
This smells eerily like his Jets tenure
Made the playoffs first year with the crew he mostly inherited
Then, 3 straight losing seasons once he got “his guys” in place
Roulette wheel at QB, no ground game to speak of
Does any of this sound familiar to what appears to be our immediate future?
Is no one paying attention to history? Funny how it tends to repeat itself
January 6th, 2023 at 8:27 am
Bucs have great receivers, good RB’s and when healthy, a quality OLine. Gronk may be back for 1 more season, and he probably will if Brady returns ,
If Bucs upgrade the Oline Guard and depth and Jensen is healthy, there’s no better situation for Brady to be and Leftwich is really not much of a factor in Brady’s decision since they have a good relationship.
January 6th, 2023 at 8:29 am
10-6, 5-11,5-11, 4-12 – Bowles Jets records as HC
This is what we are looking at by keeping him
January 6th, 2023 at 8:40 am
Thought I’d of heard some Brees to Bucs chatter by now. Co-head coach ? Ya know the saints fans would thoroughly luv it. chuckle
January 6th, 2023 at 8:50 am
Bucs made the playoffs. They took a terrible road to get there and got lucky but they’re in. I have no confidence in Bowles at this point but firing Bowles after making it to the playoffs is as foolish as firing Gruden for going 9-7 and the Lions firing Caldwell for going 9-7 and having a winning tenure. It’s stupid and besides, what reputable coach is going to come here and put his career on the line if the Bucs become a turn and burn organization with coaches?
This Bucs defense is built for this coach. A new coach is going to want his guys.
January 6th, 2023 at 8:57 am
I watched him on the sidelines calling defensive plays. I am not sure who posted this maybe DR, Bowles is so focused and bias toward running the D it has skewed his real responsibilities of being a HC. I still can’t believe BA hustled these guys in and prevented Glazers & Licht from interviewing a proven winning candidate like Doug Peterson. Bucs fans should replace BA’s golf cart tires with wooden ones.
January 6th, 2023 at 9:00 am
Clearly Bowles isn’t a head coach but he has some exceptional skills at defensive scheming and without a couple of bad games vs Cinn, Balt and KC, the Bucs defense is holding teams under 20 points every week.
The lack of the offense finishing off drives in the red zone is a killer and that where you see Bowles or maybe Leftwich showing their inability to scheme open guys for touchdowns. Unless you have a great offensive line and a great running game, most defenses can stop the run when you are within 5 yards of the goaline.
That failure to come away with 7 instead of 3 has been the difference between the Bucs winning 2 or 3 close games that they lost this year.
If the season ended right now I would say Bowles should not be back. He has one playoff game to show he can pull off an upset vs Cowboys or Eagles and get a full game out of his squad. Seeing the team every week play like they don’t know what they are doing in the first half is an indictment of poor preparation. That is all on the HC and how much of a motivator they are.
January 6th, 2023 at 9:15 am
Not going to fire someone after winning division and making playoffs, unfortunately.
January 6th, 2023 at 9:39 am
I swear…..Bucs fans has to be one of the DUMBEST fan bases in all of the NFL……if fans thinks that Bruce Arians “got one past the Glazers” by fooling them about keeping Bowles and Leftwich…..you all are dumber than a bag of hammers……SERIOUSLY!!!!
The Glazers don’t do anything without a plan…..I can 100% Garantee you that!!!!!!
January 6th, 2023 at 9:41 am
Why is no one talking about Brady to Miami next year? Tua is done. He can take a full season to recover while Brady wins a SN for him. There are two great WRs. Gronk will play there. It’s why he didn’t sign here. No chance to win so why get hit and beat up? The Mimi Coach is a dream for Brady. The team is poised to win.
And it’s near his home.
It’s a no F’ing brainer.
January 6th, 2023 at 9:41 am
A head coach is responsible for the performance of his coordinators. If one sees his offense under-performing and does nothing about it, then they are guilty of indifference. These are not qualities we want in a head coach. Let alone he let Cooper Kupp in one-on-one coverage when the game was on the line. (Sorry…I can not let that be.)
Both Bowles and Leftwich need to go!
January 6th, 2023 at 10:00 am
Bucs rarely IF EVER have shown concern for WINNING!
Bowles has years of proving he is NOT a winner…
Hopefully the owners are smarter than these so called experts!
January 6th, 2023 at 10:31 am
I didn’t realize his return was ever in doubt.
January 6th, 2023 at 10:40 am
Dude is a lousy coach. My opinion will never change. He can get still get exposed in these playoffs.
January 6th, 2023 at 11:13 am
If Bowles comes back I think he will be on a short leash. Good DC but not HC. A new OC will certainly help.
January 6th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Bowles will be back next year, but Brady will be gone, and Leftwich may be the scapegoat.
Miami makes a lot of sense for Brady, and he may very well wind up there.
But one thing is for sure, if Brady does not retire, I do not think he will play here next year.
January 6th, 2023 at 12:54 pm
Ed, Balt 27, Pitt 20, KC 41, Cincy 34, SF 35, Carolina 21 & 24, Cleveland 23. Let Atlanta, Balt, Cincy, Seattle, Carllina back into games they should have closed out. Other than the Dallas game, where’s the upside? Rams, GB, AZ, Saints, Atl?
January 6th, 2023 at 2:22 pm
1999 Packers under Ray Rhodes is very close comparison. Rhodes was canned, on/done (Pack went 8-8 and missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker).
January 6th, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Frank. Beat me to it. Also, Rhodes had previous head coaching experience as he had coached the Eagles.
January 6th, 2023 at 10:13 pm
Bowles, Left, and others should go, but thanks to Brady heroics, the record isn’t as horrendous as it should be.
I’m sure the entire Bowles gang is puffing out their chests with confidence that they are untouchable. “We good, we a playoff team”. Even if they lose from here, the long litany of excuses. Blame players. Blame not having his own coordinators. etc. “Sure, Todd. We love you.”