Todd Bowles is back, but changes are coming

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers downward trend despite beating the Carolina Panthers on Saturday. They got to watch the team they beat represent the NFC South in the NFL playoffs this weekend. Todd Bowles will return in 2026 – but house cleaning is inevitable.

Bowles ensured his return with the Tampa Bay Times after speaking with the Glazer family. But Bucs insider Rick Stroud dropped this nugget.

“Bowles also confirmed there will be some changes to his coaching staff,” Stroud wrote.

On Tuesday, Bowles made his case to stay on board. Extensive changes could include the entry of new coordinators or position coaches. Especially after TB goes from a 6-2 start to still missing the postseason.

The Atlanta Falcons’ Week 18 victory over the New Orleans Saints clinched the division for Carolina – based on tiebreaker rules.

Who could Todd Bowles target for the Buccaneers in 2026?

The Super Bowl winner has not identified who will stick with him or who will leave.

Defense, however, is increasing as an area to address.

The Bucs fell to 20th in scoring defense last season — surrendering 24.2 points per game. That means co-coordinators Larry Foote (run defense) and George Edwards (pass defense) could be replaced. Bowles’ area of ​​expertise is defense, which eventually became a weakness.

The biggest mistake came against Atlanta on Dec. 11 — with the Bucs allowing first downs on third-and-28 and then fourth-and-14. Bowles vented by dropping multiple F-bombs after the loss.

The Bucs offense hasn’t been consistently great either; dropped to 21st in total yards and 18th in scoring. Quarterback Baker Mayfield delivered 3,693 yards, but his passing touchdowns dropped to 26 after throwing for 41 the previous season. His completion percentage (63.2%) also dropped compared to the 71.4% he posted in ’24.

That decline could mean Josh Grizzard is on his way to being the offensive coordinator. Grizzard took over after Liam Cohen accepted the job as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars (who now have the Jags in the postseason).

Coordinators emerge as the first area of ​​observation for coaches planning to make changes. Said assistants are on turbulent ground this week because of Bowles’ decision to clean house.