Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans hoping for a change at the head coach spot will likely be disappointed by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN's recent report. While discussing possible head coaching changes this offseason, Todd Bowles' name was brought up but Fowler stated that the Bucs head coach's contract is what is probably going to keep him in Tampa.
"On the Bucs, Todd Bowles' buyout would be hefty after the team extended his contract through 2028, and the team doesn't seem overly eager to pay that. Bailing on Bowles would be the Bucs' way of embracing a rebuild. But someone will have to pay if they lose to Carolina. Staff changes are not off the table either way."
As Fowler touched on, for the Buccaneers to move on from Bowles, they'd owe him a lot of money on the buyout. Doing so would also probably jumpstart a rebuild and with the division as weak as it is, this doesn't feel like the time to do that.
Fowler did say that a loss to Carolina would lead to someone's job being on the line though and perhaps that could be Bowles. It would be a massive failure to lose the division to the Panthers after it felt like a sure thing that Tampa would win its fifth straight NFC South title. But maybe it needs to happen for changes to be made.
Bucs season frustration grows as Todd Bowles appears safe for now
Bowles was hired as Bruce Arians' successor in the 2022 offseason and the decision was met with some uncertainty considering his stint as the Jets head coach from 2015 to 2018. Bowles went just 24-40 during his four years in New York but the Bucs clearly thought he was the right guy in the post-Arians era.
For what it's worth, the Buccaneers have been the top of the crop in the NFC South during Bowles' time in charge but is that really saying much given the state of the division? His best record was 10-7, which he accomplished a year ago, but this year has been a monumental disappointment, especially considering how dominant this squad looked early in the season. They were 6-2 and looked to be cruising to another division title but... As we know, nothing is guaranteed in this league.
From what Fowler is reporting, it sure sounds as though Bucs fans shouldn't get their hopes up that Bowles will be relieved of his coaching duties at season's end. Crazier things have happened though.