Todd Bowles says he'll be the Buccaneers head coach next season after meeting with ownership

Despite winning three straight division titles prior to the 2025 NFL season, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles found himself on the hot seat once the year ended. Following an excellent start, in which the Bucs went 6-2 to open the season, Tampa Bay collapsed down the stretch, winning just two of their last nine games and missing out on the playoffs.

While Bowles' status was initially unclear, the head coach confirmed Wednesday he will be back coaching the Buccaneers in 2026, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Advertisement

Bowles, 62, said he met with the Buccaneers' owners — the Glazer family — Tuesday, and was planning to hold interviews with coaches Wednesday. Bowles also told that Tampa Bay Times that while he'll return in 2026, there will be changes to his coaching staff. Bowles did not elaborate on those changes.

Despite Bowles' success from 2022 through 2024, the coach was a surprising addition to the list of coaches who could lose their job this offseason following the Buccaneers' collapse. Though the team lost control of the NFC South by the end of the season, it still had a shot to make the playoffs in Week 18.

With a win over the Carolina Panthers, there was a scenario in which the Buccaneers would earn a playoff berth. The Buccaneers got the job done, winning 16-14 over the Panthers. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17 and the New Orleans Saints in Week 18, setting up a tie at the top of the division.

With the Bucs, Panthers and Falcons all sitting at 8-9, the Panthers were crowned the NFC South championships after sweeping the Falcons in the regular season.

Advertisement

Though the Buccaneers have won three NFC South titles under Bowles, the team hasn't secured those titles in dominant fashion. In Bowles' four seasons on the job, the Bucs have a 35-33 record.

While things ended terribly for the Bucs this season, there's reason to believe the team will be better in 2026. Injuries wrecked the team's offensive line, and some of the team's biggest playermakers, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving all missed multiple games due to injuries.

Given the rumors and uncertainty surrounding Bowles this time around, the coach will need a more successful year in 2026 if he wants to keep his job. His stint with the Bucs has mostly been successful, but it's clear ownership has higher expectations for the team.