Todd Bowles is on the hottest seat in the NFL right now, and after an 0-3 start for the Buccaneers, everyone’s wondering how long he’s got. The calendar is about to flip from September to October, and history tells us one coach is probably getting the axe soon. The first head coach firing last year was Oct. 13, and the year before that it was Oct. 8. That clock is ticking for a few guys, but Bowles might just be leading the unfortunate pack.
It’s All Falling Apart in Tampa Bay
Let’s be real, the heat was on Bowles *before* the season even kicked off. He had the “arguably hottest seat” coming into 2026, and a brutal 0-3 start has just poured gasoline on that fire. Last year, the Bucs went 8-9 and missed the postseason entirely. What did Bowles do? He fired most of his staff, which, let’s be honest, usually feels like a last-ditch effort before the whole operation gets overhauled. Well, those “rearranging the deck chairs” moves haven’t done squat. The team is stumbling.
Every single one of those three losses has come in one-score games, which just adds to the frustration. The whole organization just feels stale. And it’s only going to get worse, especially with Baker Mayfield dinged up with a thumb injury. The offensive line and the entire offensive ecosystem have regressed under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Remember how Bowles hired and then fired Josh Grizzard as offensive coordinator within a year last season? Coaches can usually survive striking out on one coordinator, but two straight years without any postseason success? That’s a brutal look. The defense, to their credit, has been largely good, but it’s not enough to save this ship.
The Clock Is Ticking Towards Dallas
So, when could the hammer drop? Everyone’s got their eyes glued to Week 5. The Buccaneers travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys on “Thursday Night Football.” If they fall to 0-5, especially if that primetime loss is one-sided, that mini-bye after a Thursday night game has historically been a prime spot for changes. It’s a clean break, you know?
While Bowles seems like the most obvious candidate, other coaches are feeling the pressure too. The Chargers and Packers, for example, have a combined one win, despite both opening the year as perceived postseason contenders. That’s a rough start for any coaching staff. Guys like Aaron Glenn (Jets) and Shane Steichen (Arizona) were on scalding seats initially, but they’ve managed a win under their belts and were competitive in their losses, making their chances of being the *first* casualty slimmer for now.
Will Bowles survive beyond Week 5, or will that Dallas game be the final straw? It feels like we’re on the verge of the first big coaching move of the 2026 NFL season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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