Change often feels like the most immediate solution when a season unravels, and in Tampa Bay, that focus has landed squarely on head coach Todd Bowles. After a 6-2 start that put the Buccaneers atop the NFC South, the team has stumbled, losing six of its last seven games to land 7-8 and outside the playoff picture. Four of those came by a single possession, spotlighting a coaching staff that has struggled in close, high-stakes moments.
In his fourth season, Bowles holds a 34-32 regular-season record with Tampa Bay and is 1-3 in the playoffs, with his only postseason win arriving in 2023. Despite guiding the team to three straight NFC South titles, growing frustration among fans has made calls for change impossible to ignore.
With the 2026 coaching cycle on the horizon, the more pressing question becomes: who could step in if Bowles is replaced? These five candidates, already gaining traction around the league, stand out if Tampa Bay decides to move on.
Robert Saleh
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator
Saleh, 46, remains one of the most compelling former head coaches poised for a second opportunity. Frankly, his 20–36 record in New York doesn’t fully capture his impact. Despite constant instability, his Jets defenses consistently ranked among the league’s best. That ability to maintain competitiveness under tough conditions and a seemingly irrecoverable franchise speaks to his defensive expertise and leadership.
The Jets’ decline following his midseason departure in 2024 further underscores his influence. Since returning to San Francisco as defensive coordinator, Saleh has reinvigorated a struggling unit, demonstrating adaptability with a zone-heavy 4-3 scheme that performs effectively even while missing stars like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner.
With a combination of experience, defensive mastery, and a personality that players respond to seamlessly, Saleh is a top candidate for franchises seeking a proven leader to restore stability and competitiveness.
Joe Brady
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator
Brady, 36, continues to rise as one of the NFL’s brightest offensive minds. His work at LSU in 2019, where he helped lead Joe Burrow to a national title, launched him into the NFL, and his success in Buffalo has only strengthened his reputation.
Over two seasons as the Bills’ offensive coordinator, Brady has been instrumental in developing Josh Allen into an MVP quarterback while orchestrating one of the league’s most productive offenses.
Though his prior stint in Carolina as offensive coordinator was much less impressive, Brady’s ability to craft versatile, high-powered offensive schemes is clear. He interviewed for head-coaching roles with the Bears, Jaguars, and Saints after his first full season calling plays in Buffalo and has previously been in talks with the Falcons, Eagles, Chargers, Texans, and Jets.
While his offensive expertise is unquestioned, the head-coach role demands more than play-calling. Tampa Bay would need to evaluate whether Brady has the leadership and temperament to oversee all facets of a team.
Jesse Minter
Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator
Minter, 42, has quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s most coveted defensive minds. After gaining experience under John Harbaugh with the Ravens, he took over as defensive coordinator at Michigan in 2022, succeeding Mike Macdonald and helping lead the Wolverines to a national title in 2023.
He then joined Jim Harbaugh’s staff with the Los Angeles Chargers, turning a team impacted by injuries and roster turnover into one of the league’s most respected defensive units.
Known for his level-headed presence and keen evaluation skills, Minter consistently develops younger players and maximizes mid- and late-round talent, creating disciplined, opportunistic defenses. With extensive experience in both college and the NFL, and endorsements from high-profile mentors like the Harbaughs, Minter is widely regarded as a top-tier candidate for a head-coaching opportunity this cycle.
Klint Kubiak
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator
Kubiak, 38, has methodically built a name as one of the NFL’s most discussed offensive architects, following in the footsteps of his father, Super Bowl-winning coach Gary Kubiak. Between his first and second stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Kubiak briefly held a role as wide receivers coach at Kansas and two seasons as an offensive assistant with the Denver Broncos.
He returned to Minnesota in 2019 as quarterbacks coach and worked his way up to offensive coordinator, landing the promotion in 2021. He has since coached in Denver, San Francisco, and now Seattle, where his offense has thrived.
Kubiak somehow solidified Sam Darnold as an MVP contender while helping the Seahawks rank among the league’s best in both scoring and yards per play. His work with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been pivotal as well, even as the run game occasionally lagged.
Mentored by both Mike Shanahan and Kyle Shanahan, Kubiak has developed a deep understanding of offensive systems and the adaptability required to succeed in the NFL. With a calm demeanor under pressure and a clear focus on team cohesion, Kubiak could be an ideal candidate for teams looking to hire a methodical leader who can instill consistency and spearhead a sustainable offense.
Todd Monken
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator
Monken, 59, has quietly built a reputation as one of the NFL’s most reliable offensive coordinators, blending creativity with decades of experience across college and professional football. Before his rise in the NFL, Monken spent time shaping offenses at Southern Miss, Oklahoma State, and LSU, earning recognition for his ability to craft balanced schemes that highlight personnel strengths.
He first ran the Buccaneers’ offense from 2016 to 2018, giving him an important and direct connection to Tampa Bay. Monken guided the young roster and helped develop the raw talent of Jameis Winston, but when Bruce Arians was later hired as head coach, he opted for his own offensive staff, ending Monken’s tenure.
Monken worked at Georgia from 2020 to 2022 and joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, where he tailored an attack to fit Lamar Jackson’s unique skill set and built the Heisman winner into an NFL MVP.
Monken is known for a fiery, unfiltered personality, unafraid to mix humor and passion (sometimes in the form of blunt language) on the practice field, a trait fans saw firsthand on “Hard Knocks” years ago, in a showcase of his intensity.
His attention to detail and ability to mentor players and younger coaches make him a candidate ready to step into a head-coaching role. Combined with his prior Buccaneers connection, Monken could be highlighted as a steady, experienced option in Tampa Bay’s 2026 coaching cycle.
