Buccaneers insider discusses job security of HC Todd Bowles

Todd Bowles led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a playoff victory in 2023 despite the challenge of moving from Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield at quarterback. Could he be in danger of losing his job despite that success?

For a piece updated over this past weekend, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports named Bowles among NFL head coaches possibly on the hot seat heading into the 2024 season.

Buccaneers insider Ira Kaufman of the JoeBucsFan website touched upon the subject on Tuesday.

"While veterans like (wide receiver) Mike Evans, (linebacker) Lavonte David and (offensive tackle) Tristan Wirfs are established cornerstones, more than a few people in this organization have plenty to prove in the fall, starting with the head coach," Kaufman wrote. "Despite two NFC South titles and a lopsided playoff victory, Bowles has yet to win over the bulk of Buc Nation. Skeptics point out that Tampa Bay is 18-19 on his watch (playoffs included), and a once-prolific attack has turned pedestrian. If (new offensive coordinator) Liam Coen can get this offense back on track, Bowles' detractors won’t have much to carp about."

Under Bowles, the 2022 Buccaneers claimed the NFC South division title with a lackluster 8-9 record before they suffered a 31-14 home wild-card playoff loss to the Dallas Cowboys before Brady retired. Many expected that Tampa Bay would become an afterthought with Mayfield serving as Brady's replacement last September, but the club once again finished atop the division standings with a 9-8 record. Mayfield then guided the Buccaneers to an impressive 32-9 wild-card win over the Philadelphia Eagles in January.

It's hardly a secret that the Buccaneers replaced former offensive coordinator Dave Canales with Coen this offseason due to Coen's relationship with Mayfield. Coen first was Mayfield's coordinator when both were with the Los Angeles Rams late in the 2022 season, and the signal-caller signed a new three-year contract with the Buccaneers in March.

"Handpicked by Bowles to replace Dave Canales, Coen is determined to restore some semblance of balance to an anemic attack," Kaufman added. "With two new starters (center, left guard) expected in the trenches, the 2024 Bucs crave more physicality and better red-zone efficiency. Let’s see if Coen can surpass the low bar set by this offense in the past two seasons."

As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Buccaneers at +145 betting odds to make the playoffs for the upcoming season. It remains to be seen if Bowles has a "postseason or bust" mandate hovering over his status regarding his future with the organization.