Todd Bowles Potential Replacements: 5 Coaches the Buccaneers Should Target if They Move On

The pressure surrounding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ sideline has reached a boiling point. 

This Bucs season began with tons of promise but has quickly unraveled.

As Pro Football Network noted, frustration has turned into full-blown calls for change, with head coach Todd Bowles firmly in the spotlight. 

Tampa Bay’s late-season collapse has been marked by costly close losses, blown games and missed opportunities in the NFC South race.

This has fueled the belief that the organization may be nearing the end of the Bowles era if the playoffs slip away. 

As that noise grows louder, attention is already shifting toward who could realistically be the next coach if the Buccaneers decide to move in a new direction. 

With the roster still viewed league-wide as talented enough to contend, the next hire would be less about rebuilding and more about maximizing their competitive window. 

That reality has sparked early buzz around a mix of proven veterans and rising coordinators and even a college coach. 

Potential Head Coach Replacements 

Among the most recognizable options is Mike McCarthy. 

He is a Super Bowl-winning coach with a long track record of quarterback development. 

While not the flashiest name, McCarthy’s has the experience.

He’s ability to manage high expectations and stabilizing offenses could appeal to a Buccaneers team facing major decisions at quarterback. 

On the offensive side, Klint Kubiak continues to gain momentum. 

His recent success and high-powered offenses has made him a popular breakout candidate. 

In his first season as the Seahawks offensive coordinator, the team has the third highest scoring offense in the NFL.

Their offense is top 10 in six of the eight main statistical offensive categories. 

Pairing his system with Tampa Bay’s skill-position talent could be a match made in heaven. 

Another offensive riser is Joe Brady.

He is great at developing elite quarterbacks and his modern passing attacks has kept him on the head-coaching radar.  

Brady stands out for his ability to adapt his offense to the players he has and push the tempo. 

This is an approach many feel the Buccaneers have been missing in key situations. 

From the defensive side, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter stands out.

Under him, LA has allowed the third fewest yards per game this season and are also top 10 in six of the eight main statistical defensive categories. 

Minter has drawn praise for maximizing talent despite injuries, a trait that would resonate with a Buccaneers defense that has struggled for consistency and staying healthy. 

Lastly, we have a shot in the dark. 

College standout Marcus Freeman represents a bold, culture-driven option even without NFL head-coaching experience.

Freeman’s leadership, recruiting prowess, and ability to connect with players have made him one of the most admired figures in football.

He has already been linked to the Giants, but Tampa Bay should target him as well. 

How Tampa Bay Reached This Point

The frustration with Bowles isn’t all about losing, it’s about how those losses have unfolded.

Tampa Bay has repeatedly found itself in winnable games only to falter late. 

Despite past success and respect within the building, patience has worn thin as fans and analysts have been blunt.

Calls for Bowles to be gone if the Bucs miss the playoffs have grown louder across media and social platforms. 

Many have pointed to the team’s lack of urgency down the stretch as a sign his message isn’t getting through anymore. 

Whether ownership ultimately pulls the trigger on firing him remains to be seen. 

But Bowles has completely lost the locker room. 

If Tampa Bay does move on, there are a lot of great head coaching options available.

That potential next HC decision could define the Bucs future for years to come. 

Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Todd Bowles Potential Replacements: 5 Coaches the Buccaneers Should Target if They Move On appeared first on Heavy Sports.