Buccaneers stick with Todd Bowles through a changing of the guard

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter 2026 at a crossroads. After a four-year run atop the NFC South ended in 2025, the franchise chose continuity at the top while undergoing a significant changing of the guard on the roster. It's a pivotal season for a team trying to prove its window is still open — and for the head coach steering it.

Continuity at the top

In an offseason that saw a wave of new head coaches hired around the league, the Buccaneers opted to hold on to Todd Bowles. The team's offensive staff and several position coaches took the fall for a disappointing 8-9 finish — Tampa Bay's first playoff miss since 2019 — as the franchise bet that stability at head coach plus changes underneath was the right path. It makes 2026 a big season for Bowles, with quarterback Baker Mayfield also heading toward free agency after the year.

A changing of the guard

The roster turned over meaningfully. Tampa Bay lost longtime cornerstones, including receiver Mike Evans, linebacker Lavonte David, and cornerback Jamel Dean — a genuine passing of the torch. Receiver Emeka Egbuka now steps into a lead role alongside Chris Godwin, and the Buccaneers used their first-round pick on edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. to revitalize a pass rush that struggled. The additions lean young and fast, a bet on the next generation.

The Mayfield factor

Mayfield remains the steadying force, coming off a strong stretch and playing for his future. His play will determine how well Tampa Bay weathers the roster transition, and a quarterback with something to prove is a dangerous one. If the young pieces develop around him, the Buccaneers can remain competitive.

Season outlook

Tampa Bay enters 2026 in a wide-open NFC South where its four-year reign is over but a return to the top is far from impossible. The changing of the guard introduces real uncertainty — new faces at key spots, a retooled pass rush, and pressure on Bowles and Mayfield alike. But the division is winnable, and a well-coached team with a motivated quarterback can stay in the hunt. This is a transition year with contention still on the table, and how the young additions come together will define it.