{"id":674252,"date":"2026-01-13T15:12:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T15:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/674252\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T15:12:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T15:12:24","slug":"heavier-hand-in-defense-expected-for-todd-bowles-joebucsfan-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/674252\/","title":{"rendered":"Heavier Hand In Defense Expected For Todd Bowles – JoeBucsFan.com"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\tHeavier Hand In Defense Expected For Todd Bowles
\nJanuary 11th, 2026 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Joe typing here thinks it would be moronic to keep Todd Bowles as head coach and strip him of defensive playcalling duties at the same time.<\/p>\n

The logic is simple.<\/p>\n

Bowles is known for being very hands-off with his offense, and this year he proved he\u2019s no taskmaster or problem-solver on special teams. So if Bowles is stripped of primary defensive responsibilities, then what would be the point of keeping him as head coach?<\/p>\n

Actually, this Joe is confident Bowles will take a heavier hand in the Bucs defense in 2026. Why? Because Bowles said in July that he planned to give assistants more influence and power in the defense.<\/p>\n

His comments came on the world-renowned Ira Kaufman Podcast<\/a>. (Poor Ira; some fans are clobbering and insulting him relentlessly for not calling for Bowles\u2019 scalp.)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the July exchange with Bowles.<\/p>\n

JoeBucsFan.com: After all the offseason studying and all the steps you take, what\u2019s the difference, however subtle, in Todd Bowles this year?<\/p>\n

Todd Bowles: Probably turning more over to our defensive coaches as far as what we want to do. We\u2019ve been heavy run-conscious on a lot of things and we get easily 2-to-1 pass to run. Obviously, we want to stop the run but we want to get more aggressive in the passing game.<\/p>\n

So maybe Bowles gave assistants too much power this season and they proved incapable?<\/p>\n

Three defensive assistants left the building last week: cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross, safties coach Nick Rapone and defensive line coach Charlie Strong.<\/p>\n

Ira Kaufman Talks Fan Backlash, Inside The Coaching Decisions, Playcaller Thoughts, And Much More<\/p>\n

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