The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading toward a pivotal offseason, and questions about leadership stability are growing louder as the regular season winds down.
After a year that failed to meet expectations, speculation has naturally shifted toward the futures of head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht, two figures who have shaped the franchise’s recent run of success.
And NFL insider, Dianna Russini, shared a latest report on what’s really happening behind the curtains in the Buccaneers front office.
NFL Insider Reveals What Might Happen to Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles and GM in 2026 Offseason
In the NFL, disappointing seasons often trigger swift changes, especially on what is widely known as Black Monday. But according to league insiders, Tampa Bay is not operating with the same sense of urgency or panic that surrounds many struggling teams across the league.
NFL insider Dianna Russini addressed the situation in her latest report for The Athletic, writing, “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.”
Russini noted that the Buccaneers’ ownership group traditionally waits until the season concludes before engaging in serious discussions about the futures of key decision-makers, rather than reacting emotionally during the final weeks.
Bowles became head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022. From 2022–2025, he posted a 34–33 regular-season record and a 1–3 playoff mark. Bowles led Tampa Bay to three straight NFC South titles (2022–2024) despite major offensive turnover after Tom Brady’s exit. His teams have consistently leaned on defense, remaining competitive while hovering around .500 overall.
But while the organization wants the head coach and general manager, fans don’t want that to happen. In the latest SB Nation survey, the publishers asked Bucs fans if head coach Bowles should be fired at the conclusion of the season. And according to the results, 88% of Bucs fans say yes. Now, that’s a deadlock.
But let’s think about a scenario where Bowles is fired. In that case, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon shared his opinion on who might be the Bucs HC. The analyst thinks the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, the son of former NFL quarterback and former Super Bowl-winning head coach Gary Kubiak, can be a great fit at Tampa Bay.
However, unless something unexpected develops after the season, Tampa Bay is widely expected to stay the course, prioritizing continuity over reactionary decisions as the franchise evaluates its next steps.
