Todd Bowles may very well be on the hot seat if the Bucs don’t make the playoffs this year. Tampa Bay fans and pundits don’t always have the best things to say about him as a head coach. However, he has always been respected as having a sound defensive mind.
Even before he came to Tampa Bay, he was notably fired by the New York Jets after a few miserable seasons full of losses. But let’s remember that in the 2015 NFL season, he went 10-6 with the Jets, and just missed the playoffs. He won there with far less talent than he has had at Tampa, and he should be respected for that achievement.
While in Tampa Bay, he excelled as the defensive coordinator and then as head coach, bringing division titles and a winning culture. The team and the city expects them to win on Sundays and he has done that with both Brady at the end of his career, and Baker Mayfield when he was not highly regarded.
Mayfield’s development into a solid starting quarterback has to partly be given to Bowles. Though he has received excellent guidance from the offensive coordinator position, especially Liam Coen, Bowles is the man who has added and compiled such great coaches to his staff. Bowles also deserves recognition for creating a stable environment and backing Mayfield after taking over as the starter.
Bowles has the support of the players
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Lastly, one of the strongest arguments in Bowles' favor is how often players praise his demeanor and leadership. Teams are known in this league to quit on coaches they don’t like, but Tampa Bay hasn't.
Bowles isn't above criticism. Fans and commentators have questioned some late-game decisions, and the defense has at times struggled to generate consistent pressure. Those concerns are legitimate. But they shouldn't overshadow what he has accomplished since taking over a franchise that many expected to decline after both Bruce Arians' departure and Tom Brady’s retirement.
Todd Bowles may never receive the same national attention as some of the league's offensive-minded head coaches such as Sean McVay or even Sean Payton. But if the Buccaneers continue winning division titles and competing for playoff berths, it will become increasingly difficult to argue that he isn't one of the NFL's more effective head coaches.
