Key Points:

The Buccaneers expressed interest in John Harbaugh, which means Todd Bowles is likely on the hot seat.
Mike Tomlin has a legit connection to the Buccaneers.
Bowles being 33-33 as a head coach is not enticing at all.

Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are rolling with head coach Todd Bowles for the 2026 NFL season, but that does not mean he is the firmly entrenched head coach for the next 5+ seasons.

Bowles is signed through the 2028 season, but after a disappointing 8-9 season, the wheels could be churning on a potential out for their current head coach. Thus, we enter the name Mike Tomlin.

Tomlin is confirmed to be sitting out the 2026 season, and while there is legit noise about the former Steelers head coach joining the broadcasting booth, there is also a likelihood that he returns to the NFL Sidelines in 2027.

The Buccaneers would be the perfect fit for a number of reasons, and stay tuned for the most important one at the bottom of the article.

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It was reported by NFL Insider Benjamin Allbright that the owners of the Buccaneers, the Glazer Family, had a meeting with John Harbaugh before he ended up taking the New York Giants head coaching position.

Now ask yourself this: why would the Buccaneers have a conversation with Harbaugh if they were super confident in Bowles as their head coach?

There is an understanding amongst Tampa Bay fans that Bowles has won the NFC South in four of five seasons as the head coach, but let’s peel that back. In his four seasons as head coach, the team is 8-9, 9-8, 10-7, and 8-9. When you tally that up, that is 33-33, not inspiring at all.

Despite having a relatively healthy roster and offensive talent, Tampa Bay collapsed late in the season, losing six of its final eight games. Baker Mayfield and the offense struggled with consistency, even with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, and Tristan Wirfs.

This conversation obviously is dependent on how the 2026 season goes, but so far in his Buccaneers coaching career, Bowles has been good, not great. With the NFL ownership circles getting much more impatient with their head coaches (10 new coaches in 2026), it’s fair to say Bowles is on the hot seat.

Reports about Mike Tomlin in Tampa Bay?

NFL Draft Analyst Trevor Sikkema of PFF, who has covered Tampa Bay, publicly floated on X the idea of Tomlin becoming the Buccaneers’ head coach at some point. 

In addition to this, NFL Reporter Josina Anderson mentioned that Tomlin has been clear behind the scenes about what he wants in his next head coaching gig. “Mike Tomlin has told people that he would prefer to coach in a warm-weather environment, if it fits.”

Just a reminder that neither of these are not reports connecting Tomlin as the surefire next Tampa Bay head coach, but rather tea leaves that could be matched up with Tomlin and the Buccaneers crossing paths once again.

Buccaneers Connection to Mike Tomlin

Tomlin’s connection to Tampa Bay only strengthens the possibility. He began his NFL coaching career with the Buccaneers from 2001 to 2005, working under Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden, two Super Bowl-winning coaches.

At the end of the day, the Buccaneers have a big offseason ahead, but if the 2026 results in another mediocre season, the Tomlin rumors will grow loud, and the Glazer family undoubtedly should make a call to their good ol’ friend Mike Tomlin.

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