Okay, so the Buccaneers just absolutely imploded, blowing a massive 16-3 lead to the Steelers in overtime, and let’s be real, that 1-5 record? Todd Bowles’ seat just got hotter than a summer day in Florida. With Baker Mayfield still sidelined by injury, a loss like that doesn’t just sting, it puts the entire coaching staff under the microscope. If Tampa Bay decides to make a move, the rumor mill is already churning with some big names.
The Young Guns: Offensive Minds on the Rise
First up, there’s Grant Udinski, this 30-year-old phenom from Jacksonville, currently lighting it up as the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator. Remember Liam Coen, who was Bowles’ offensive coordinator back in 2024? Udinski’s his right-hand man, and he’s clearly learned a thing or two. Trevor Lawrence has looked terrific early in the season, which only sends Udinski’s stock soaring. He was already in the mix for head coaching gigs with the Browns and Bills last offseason. The Bucs seem likely to chase an offensive-minded coach, and pairing Udinski with an experienced defensive coordinator could be the spark they need. Then there’s Nate Scheelhaase, the Rams’ offensive coordinator. It’s his first season in that role under Sean McVay, and L.A.’s offense is starting to play well enough to keep his name buzzing. He was another top candidate for the Browns this past season and reportedly impresses teams in interviews. The big question for the Buccaneers after cycling through so many offensive play-callers is, does it make sense to give the head coaching role and play-calling duties to someone not directly calling plays under McVay? If his football mind is truly as impressive as teams believe, it might be worth the gamble.
The Big Fish and the Loyalty Test
Then there’s the absolute whale of a possibility: Mike Tomlin, the former Steelers head coach. Could the Buccaneers actually land him? How in-demand this guy will be is still up in the air, but Tampa Bay, and probably a few other franchises, would be foolish not to gauge his interest. Picture it: good weather, a pretty well-run, low-drama organization, and a perennially weak division. It’s not a bad landing spot for a coach who spent nearly two decades battling it out in Pittsburgh. The catch? Reports suggest Tomlin might not be ready to dive back into coaching this winter, so the timing might be off. And what about Zac Taylor, the Bengals’ head coach? Cincinnati is famously loyal to its coaches, but if they miss the playoffs again, can they honestly run it back with Taylor for a ninth season? The pressure is on in a big way.
This isn’t just about finding a new face on the sideline, it’s about trying to right the ship for a team that just blew a huge lead and sits at 1-5. The heat on Todd Bowles is cranked up, and the next few weeks are gonna tell us everything about the future direction of the Buccaneers.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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