With the 2024 election in full swing another divisive decision hangs on the horizon for the Buccaneers. One that could divide the fan base and set the tone for the future of the organization. With the new and blistering offense that shows signs of being able to adapt and improvise even when missing key pieces Liam Coen is already starting to move up the head coaching wish list for other teams. So do the Buccaneers let him leave and keep Todd Bowles at the reigns?
Setting The Stage For A Big Decision
There is still a lot of football left for the team to play. That includes the softest part of their season with opponents that are less than a real threat. With the Panthers twice, Raiders, Giants, Saints and Cowboys the Buccaneers’ only opponent left, after the 49ers, with a winning record is the Chargers. This could propel the team into the playoffs as a wild card team. From an offensive stand point this will allow for Coen to put together more tape of his brilliantly laid out scheme with Baker Mayfield at the center stage. This also means that Todd Bowles can recover from the early season issues and solidify a winning season. The problem is one may mean the retention of the weaker of the two.
The Bowles Issue
Teams are typically do not fire coaches after winning seasons. So, with a weak schedule reaming to prop the Buccaneers up Todd Bowles may find himself safe. That’s not to say his seat wont heat up underneath him but the likelihood of his departure becomes harder to swallow. Butt Bowles has struggled. This season, granted there are a lot of injuries, the defense sits at 29th in points allowed, 30th in yards allowed. The secondary, plagued with issues and a soft coverage scheme that’s not working, sits 30th in yards allowed, 29th in touchdowns allowed, and 30th in first downs allowed. The Buccaneers are 23rd in the league in allowing third down conversions. This also doesn’t even begin to cover Bowles’ time mismanagement, questionable call challenges, his timeout usage, or his unwillingness to take risks such as going for two. If the Buccaneers finish with a winning season and a playoff berth they risk losing Liam Coen to another team. Though there is a twist here. Winning coaches are rarely let go at season end. That is unless you have an ownership group who’s understands the value on coach brings over another. Buccaneers fans know the story very well. Following the 2001 season Tony Dungy was fired because ownership felt he could not get them to the promise land. Oddly enough, that’s how it feels with Bowles at the helm right now.
If Bowles Is Fired
In order to keep the high flying offense together and moving forward Liam Coen would become the head coach and retain play calling ability for the offense. After all, the team is 4th in yards, 2nd in first downs, 4th in points for, and second in third down conversions. All while missing their two best receivers. This will keep a scheme that works here in Tampa for the foreseeable future. On the defensive side of the ball the Buccaneers should target Robert Saleh. After a stout performance for the 49ers as the defensive coordinator he received a shot to revamp the failing Jets. In doing so he moved the team from one of the worst defenses in the league to a top ten unit in 2022 and 2023 all with little offense to offset. He’ll likely be a top candidate throughout the league to reprise a coordinator job.
Final Thought
Something has to change at the higher levels for this team to be truly competitive and I for one am not willing to lose the strength of this team, the offense. It’s time to move on from Bowles, even if he has a winning record at the end of the season he is still holding the team back. “It is a wretched taste to be gratified with mediocrity when the excellent lies before us.” Isaac D’Israeli.
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