PR Roundtable: Ought to Todd Bowles Return As Bucs’ Head Coach? | Pewter Report

A brand new Pewter Report Roundtable debuts each Tuesday on PewterReport.com. Every week, the Pewter Reporters deal with one other robust query. This week’s immediate: Ought to Todd Bowles return as Bucs’ head coach in 2025?

Scott Reynolds: I’m Not Opposed To Having Todd Bowles Return

Bucs HC Todd Bowles, OC Liam Coen – Picture by: Cliff Welch P/R

I’m a defensive-minded man and I’m a giant fan of Todd Bowles as a human being and as a frontrunner of males. I’m additionally a fan of a number of the defensive masterpieces he’s had as a play-caller in Tampa Bay from the 31-9 Tremendous Bowl LV win versus Kansas Metropolis to final yr’s 32-9 Wild Card win over Philadelphia to this yr’s 20-16 upset at Detroit and a 33-16 victory over Philly within the common season. When his protection is wholesome and buzzing, Bowles can flat out deal.

Within the playoffs it’s been a unique story, and that 1-3 mark isn’t good. The Bucs ought to’ve crushed the Commanders and superior to the NFC Divisional spherical and the very fact they didn’t offers me pause about whether or not he’s the appropriate man for the job of taking this crew all the way in which. I like what Bowles’ been in a position to do down the stretch with the protection and for turning the season round after a pair of 4-6 begins in every of the final two years. So long as offensive coordinator Liam Coen stays on there is part of me that may be okay maintaining Bowles in Tampa Bay – with some modifications.

First, he completely should rent an extremely sensible sport administration/clock administration particular person and hearken to that particular person on sport days with out fail. The poor sport administration and inconsistent timeout utilization should cease. It’s reared its ugly head too many instances in important conditions over the past three years. And second, he should fireplace exterior linebackers coach George Edwards, cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross and safeties coach Nick Rapone and herald some new, youthful coaches with recent concepts. I bear in mind how Mike Tomlin and Joe Barry energized an older Monte Kiffin again in 2001.

I believe Bowles has his cadre of comfy cronies who don’t problem him sufficient or current him with new concepts. A compromise can be permitting him to maintain co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers, who coaches the defensive position. Bowles’ secondary and linebackers should present nearer stickier protection in opposition to the cross and his protection should create extra takeaways. Getting six interceptions from the secondary is simply ridiculous. Hopefully new defensive assistants might assist enhance the crew in that space.

Do these two issues, have Jason Licht add a bunch of extra gifted defenders in free company and the draft, and I might reside with Bowles coming again and teaming up with Coen for an additional season. But when there’s an opportunity that Coen might get signed elsewhere as a head coach, I’d take an opportunity on Coen because the Bucs’ head coach on account of his expertise as an offensive play-caller and possibly transfer on from Bowles.

Matt Matera: Give Todd Bowles One Extra Season – If Liam Coen Is OC

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and OC Liam Coen – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

Sure issues have to alter for the Bucs in the event that they wish to attain their objective of profitable the Tremendous Bowl. I simply don’t know if shifting on from Todd Bowles essentially needs to be what it’s. I perceive the failings with Bowles. His protection regressed they usually couldn’t defend the center of the sphere. Clock administration continues to be a problem. Outdoors linebackers have been dropping again in protection when they need to be speeding the passer.

It’s comprehensible why Bucs followers need Bowles gone, however what about his management aspect? What about seeing if he can right these defensive errors. Hasn’t he a minimum of earned that probability? We’re fast to neglect that Bowles has delivered some masterpiece sport plans  for the Bucs throughout his time in Tampa Bay. Bowles was the one which designed the right sport plan that stored the Chiefs out of the tip zone because the Bucs gained Tremendous Bowl LV, 31-9.

When he turned head coach, it was Bowles’ protection that led the way in which for the crew in actually his first two seasons because the offense figured issues out. Now we get to at least one season with a setback and it’s time to maneuver on? The gamers love enjoying for Todd Bowles. He’s effectively revered and his voice is necessary to the locker room. Sure, Tampa Bay can’t constantly get into four- to five-game dropping streaks. However on the similar time, not many coaches might get them out of that dropping streak to then get on a 5 sport profitable streak and make the postseason.

The grass isn’t all the time greener on the opposite aspect. Liam Coen is a superb play caller, however how will he deal with adversity? Is he a frontrunner or only a nice play designer? That’s to not say he isn’t, however Coen has loads of time to be a head coach. It’s not the worst factor to get a little bit extra expertise after which make a transfer. Plus, with all of the accidents Tampa Bay had on protection, let’s see what the protection can seem like with an entire offseason centered on that aspect of the ball. If the Bucs herald a succesful cross rusher, inside linebacker and beginning nook, that’s greater than what Bowles had this yr. And presumably Antoine Winfield Jr. performs a majority of the season.

Bowles needs to be again however it additionally needs to be on a brief leash. Regardless of profitable three division titles, Bowles’ file isn’t stellar. Give him a fair enjoying subject with a revamped protection and learn the way he can enhance. It’s additionally a should that he makes modifications to his defensive teaching employees to get the most effective out of his gamers. The Bucs can in poor health afford to have one other season with a giant dropping streak combined in. If that occurs, then you possibly can transfer on from Bowles in the course of the season and promote Coen to move coach. Bowles and Coen is usually a nice duo in yr two collectively if the appropriate personnel is discovered subsequent season.

Bailey Adams: I’d Lean Towards Retaining Todd Bowles – With Caveats

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

I do know, I do know. The favored sentiment among the many Buccaneers fan base proper now’s to offer Todd Bowles his strolling papers and promote offensive coordinator Liam Coen to move coach. And I get it. Coen is particular. That’s why one in every of my caveats to retaining Bowles is ensuring that Coen is sticking round and never taking a head teaching job elsewhere.

I imagine the younger offensive coordinator is somebody Tampa Bay can’t afford to lose. There’s no manner this crew can let him stroll away in favor of maintaining Bowles. So, as unorthodox because it sounds, if there’s a way that Coen is leaning towards being a one-and-done because the crew’s OC and taking a head teaching job elsewhere like Dave Canales did final yr, the crew wants to drag the set off on firing Bowles and maintaining Coen on the town.

It’s harsh on a head coach who has gained the division in all three years of his tenure and improved by one win every season, however I’m not selecting him over Coen if I’m the Bucs. So, that’s caveat one.

If Coen is sticking round (and the Glazers ought to entice him to take action with a hefty increase), I believe there’s greater than a adequate case for Bowles to return. His gamers love him and regardless of what detractors say concerning the power of the NFC South, the Bucs have remained on high in yearly beneath Bowles – they usually did so once more this yr by profitable 10 video games regardless of dealing with a first-place schedule and combating by way of accidents and poor play on protection.

That’s the place the opposite caveat is available in. Whether or not Bowles is again or not, this protection will probably be rebuilt by Jason Licht and his employees this offseason. I believe that alone would assist Bowles and the Bucs enhance and contend at a excessive degree subsequent yr. However the second fundamental caveat is that Bowles must make some modifications to his defensive teaching employees. He could also be hesitant to take action, however it’s vital.

With Bowles and Coen again – and with a rebuilt protection and defensive teaching employees – Tampa Bay will probably be set as much as make a run subsequent yr. If issues don’t pan out in 2025, make the change then. However save for Coen probably bolting, I’d lean towards backing Bowles for an additional yr.

Josh Queipo: In A Vacuum – One Extra Yr Ought to Be Afforded

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and ILB Lavonte David – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

There are such a lot of under-discussed features of who Todd Bowles is as a head coach. Greatest I can inform, there are two frequent themes among the many greatest head coaches within the sport. One is the power to construct a tradition. Two is the power to adapt. The NFL is continually evolving organism. It’s essential to adapt or die.

Of these two qualities I believe Bowles’ resume so far as the primary trait goes is a stellar passing grade. Two years in a row he was in a position to maintain his crew collectively, not panic and overcome a number of sport deficits to rally and win the NFC South. You by no means hear from contained in the locker room any grumblings of discontent. Workforce chief Lavonte David simply come out and gave a vote of confidence for Bowles. It’s clear his gamers play laborious for him, and he’s genuinely beloved by his crew. That’s necessary. Far more necessary than different features which are being bandied about.

So far as his capability to adapt. It isn’t as one-sided as you would possibly suppose. Regardless of criticism lobbed his manner for not going for it on fourth-and-3 within the Bucs’ Wild Card loss to the Commanders, Bowles has develop into a extra aggressive coach on fourth downs. In keeping with RBSDM.com, Bowles’ “Go rate” decision-making was twenty second within the NFL in 2022. This yr he was twelfth. That’s progress and flexibility.

And Bowles tried to alter his protection as he handled an extremely dangerous string of accidents to his again seven. You noticed him attempt man protection extra. Each time he did the protection would quit an explosive play down subject. He discovered some success by blitzing extra, which was the one factor his protection did greatest. Learn that once more. He leaned into the factor his protection did greatest.

And he has tailored his scheme through the years. In 2022 he leaned into Cowl 2 extra. Final yr it was Quarters. He has all the time been a heavy Cowl 3 man. However so is the league. It’s the No. 1 protection run by each crew.

The Bucs completed 2024 second within the NFL in quarterback pressures and tied for seventh in sacks. I’m not making the declare the protection was good. However I’m declaring he was capable of finding some success. Change continues to be wanted. Bowles has to replace a number of the defensive teaching employees which have did not develop gamers. He might want to proceed to adapt his scheme. Discovering gamers who can run man protection at the next charge and truly deploying them in that method will probably be vital. However with a more healthy protection with a greater linebacker room this crew may be a lot better.

So, what do I imply in a vacuum? All of that’s predicated on maintaining Liam Coen. Coen’s adaptability has been on full show all yr. He’s in uncommon air in what he has proven so far as changes, each on a micro and macro degree. That may be a particular trait. Don’t let that go away the constructing. If Coen doesn’t get the pinnacle teaching run many count on and he’s set to return as offensive coordinator, then give Bowles one other shot. But when the Bucs are set to lose Coen, then I’d take an opportunity on a particular trait.

Adam Slivon: Todd Bowles Ought to Return – Except Liam Coen Is Prepared To Bolt

Bucs OC Liam Coen, QB Baker Mayfield and HC Todd Bowles – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

This isn’t so simple as a sure or no when assessing whether or not Todd Bowles ought to return to be the pinnacle coach of the Bucs for a fourth season. Tampa Bay has skilled fairly a little bit of success with Bowles main the troops, and the gamers love enjoying laborious for him. That has been on show every of the previous two years as his groups have proven resiliency in overcoming mid-season slumps. It’s laborious to let a coach go coming off a double-digit win season, regardless of what number of calls there are to fireplace him. Whereas I imagine he ought to in the end return, I don’t wish to rule out letting him go to maintain Liam Coen round if it comes right down to it, which the group ought to make a high precedence.

To maintain his job, Bowles would want to let others go on his defensive employees at positions the place they simply not have gotten it carried out. Outdoors linebackers coach George Edwards, cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross, and safeties coach Nick Rapone come to thoughts, and it could assist that aspect of the soccer to get new – and youthful – views after it labored wonders for the offense final offseason. The very fact this crew received 10 wins within the common season with the defensive participant personnel it needed to work with is a formidable feat, however they need to not count on that to occur once more. Adjustments must be made, and it begins with recognizing and addressing what has not been working.

If he sticks round, there ought to nonetheless be optimism going into 2025. They’d stay the favorites to win the NFC South, they usually confirmed a capability to remain in almost each sport. All of this comes with a caveat, although. Liam Coen must get a big pay improve, and the Glazers would possibly have to make him the NFL’s highest-paid offensive coordinator to persuade him to remain. It’s laborious to say whether or not Coen is able to be a head coach, however the Bucs might hedge their bets to maintain him round for the following season or two whereas he continues gaining expertise.

If he have been to get one other supply although and was about to depart, I’d strongly think about shifting on from Todd Bowles to maintain the gifted offensive thoughts round. In any other case, Bowles has carried out sufficient in my thoughts to not be fired, and if some modifications are made, I imagine he can be taught from his errors to construct from a making an attempt season.