Feb. 2, 2026, 5:17 p.m. ET
The saying goes, “Hindsight is 20/20,” which makes looking back on things in the NFL something everyone does. Whether it’s free agency, the draft, or contract values, it’s all reviewed by those within and outside the league when they cover it.
The latest example is from ESPN, as they decided to look back on and rank the coaching hires of the last five years. Within that time frame, the Bucs’ hiring of Todd Bowles gets graded. In total, there are 37 coaching hires for them to look over. For what it is worth, the bottom of the list is Urban Meyer from his incomplete season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As for Todd Bowles, he was ranked 12th by ESPN.
They explain his rankings, writing, “Taking over for the retired Bruce Arians after winning a Super Bowl as Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator, Bowles has kept the Bucs atop the NFC South for most of his tenure. He was able to transition the Buccaneers from the end of the Tom Brady era to the start of Baker Mayfield’s tenure at QB smoothly, and Tampa has been solid in the postseason, blowing out the Eagles and playing the Lions and Commanders tough in competitive losses. . .I still think Bowles is a good coach, and he has improved his late-game decision-making after being too conservative earlier in his tenure, but 2026 seems like a make-or-break year for his future in Tampa.”
As they mention, Bowles is facing a make-or-break season in 2026. If he falls short, he is likely to be done in Tampa Bay, which would make his placement drop if they revisit the list. Luckily for him and the Bucs, he has hired some promising coaches, such as Zac Robinson as offensive coordinator and Danny Smith as special teams coordinator.
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If those hires hit, his job should be more than safe as the Bucs hopefully turn a corner for his benefit and the teams.