Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles will return for a fifth season in 2026, following an 8-9 record that ended in the team's first playoff miss under his leadership. Bowles cited three straight division titles as justification for his retention, though changes to his coaching staff are expected. The decision was confirmed after meetings with ownership and staff evaluations.
Todd Bowles addressed reporters on Monday, asserting that he had earned the right to remain as the Buccaneers' head coach in 2026. He pointed to the team's three consecutive NFC South division titles as key evidence of his success. Two days later, on Wednesday, CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported that Bowles would indeed return for his fifth season with Tampa Bay.
The retention came after Bowles met with the Glazer family on Tuesday and conducted interviews with his coaching staff on Wednesday. In comments to the Tampa Bay Times, Bowles indicated that some changes would be made to his staff. He has previously signed a three-year extension running through 2028 and holds an overall record of 35-33 in four seasons, including a 1-3 playoff mark.
The 2025 season represented a downturn for the Buccaneers, who started strong at 6-2 with quarterback Baker Mayfield emerging as an MVP frontrunner. However, following their Week 9 bye, they lost seven of their final nine games, missing the playoffs for the first time in the Bowles era. A critical four-game losing streak from Weeks 14 to 17 doomed their chances: defeats to the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Miami Dolphins.
Key moments included Week 15, when Bowles' defense allowed Kirk Cousins to convert a fourth-and-14 late against the Falcons, setting up a game-winning field goal. In Week 16, Mayfield's interception halted a potential game-winning drive versus the Panthers. Week 17 saw an upset 20-17 loss to the Dolphins, where rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers secured his first career win. A Week 18 victory over the Panthers was not enough, as the Falcons' win over the Saints handed the NFC South tiebreaker to Carolina, who will host the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.
'I understand their frustrations, and I understand our own frustrations, as well,' Bowles said on Monday. 'It's well warranted and well warranted within the building, as well.'