The Buccaneers closed the 2025 season at 8–9 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Ownership elected to bring Todd Bowles back for another season, then Bowles reshaped his coaching staff with multiple firings across offense, defense, and special teams.
Tampa Bay running back Rachaad White was discussing the team’s direction and his own future. His comments included pointed thoughts about Bowles’ dual role as head coach and defensive playcaller.
Rachaad White Questions Whether Todd Bowles Can Handle Both Head Coach and Defensive Playcaller Roles
White made the remarks on the Loose Cannons Podcast while discussing Tampa Bay’s offseason uncertainty and his own pending free agency. With the Buccaneers undergoing a wide-ranging staff overhaul, the running back spoke about how difficult it is for one person to manage every aspect of a football operation while also being responsible for calling defensive plays.
“When you get rid of a lot of the staff, you kind of should just go ahead and — and I’m not wishing for nobody’s job to get taken — but you should probably just get new everything, obviously.”
White then zeroed in on Bowles’ specific workload.
“I’m just being real: I do feel like it would be easier on him if he let somebody else call defense and he just be a head coach. I think he’d probably be better off doing that, so he could really focus on the head coach job.”
This is great stuff by @TheSamerAli and @StankBastard on @LooseCannons813.
Rachaad White says that if you’re going to fire most of your staff, might as well start fresh. pic.twitter.com/bPgNxrUQUS
— Matthew Hewitt (@BucsTrackerNFL) January 14, 2026
Tampa Bay fired offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis, cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross, and defensive line coach Charlie Strong after the season.
Bowles said the moves were necessary after what he described as a disappointing finish.
The Buccaneers ranked 21st in PFSN’s OFFi and 19th in DEFi. After starting 5–1, Tampa Bay finished 3–8 the rest of the way and lost a three-team tiebreaker that kept them out of the playoffs. Injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, and Tristan Wirfs further strained the offense.
White’s comments also come with his own future in flux. He acknowledged during the same discussion that he does not know whether Tampa Bay will bring him back and that he is preparing for the possibility of a new team.
Bowles, who is 35–33 across four seasons in Tampa Bay, remains in place after ownership gave him another year. How the next defensive staff is assembled and whether playcalling responsibilities shift will dictate the heat on Bowles’ seat entering next season.
