Insider suggests Bucs HC Todd Bowles is 'safe' regardless of Week 18

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans will not like the update that The Athletic's Diana Russini offered up on Saturday.

The veteran insider shared some bits of news as it relates to what she is hearing heading into Week 18. She discussed a variety of head coaching situations, Maxx Crosby, and other topics. She specifically talked about the Bucs situation regarding both general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles. While no one is calling for Jason Licht to be fired, the flames have been heating up for Bowles among the fan base.

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But as Russini points out, that doesn't matter.

She wrote about the situation, saying, "The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ ownership group has always waited until the end of the season to have conversations about the futures of key decision-makers. Coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht, who both signed multiyear extensions in June, have won division titles each of the last three seasons and appear to be safe even if the Bucs miss the playoffs. Injuries have decimated both sides of the ball in Tampa this season — particularly on offense — but the Bucs roll into Week 18 with a chance at a division crown and a home playoff game, a great opportunity considering the team has dropped seven of its last eight. The Bucs don’t control their playoff future, though: The Carolina Panthers win the division if they beat or tie the Bucs on Saturday, but even if Tampa Bay wins, an Atlanta Falcons victory or tie with the New Orleans Saints would eliminate the Bucs."

The extension and injury talk has always been the crutch this season has leaned on in terms of protecting Bowles, but the talk of moving on stems from more than that.

The botched hiring of Josh Grizzard as offensive coordinator and the refusal to fire Thomas McGaughey, who runs the special teams, have left a sour taste in everyone's mouth. Beyond that, there is also the conservative approach on the field, and the defense failing to execute is enough to make folks want a fresh start.

However, it does not seem like that is coming anytime soon.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Insider suggests Bucs' Todd Bowles is 'safe' regardless of Week 18