Bucs general manager Jason Licht, left, and head coach Todd Bowles watch players work on drills during training last July.
Bucs general manager Jason Licht, left, and head coach Todd Bowles watch players work on drills during training last July.
For the first time since dismissing five assistant coaches and seeing two others retire and replaced, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles will have an opportunity to explain his decisions when he meets the media Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.
The availability comes after a disappointing finish in which the Bucs stumbled from a promising 6-2 start to lose seven of their final nine games, missing the playoffs for the first time in five years.
The day after the season, Bowles said he had “earned” the right to return but did not extend the same courtesy to several members of his staff.
Bucs general manager Jason Licht also will address reporters publicly for the first time since the 2025 season ended. He arrives with significant questions to answer, starting with star receiver Mike Evans planning to test free agency, according to his agent.
Even as the NFL gathers to evaluate players for the late-April draft, free agency is the next order of business on the calendar.
The legal tampering period begins March 9 with the first day of the new league year and free-agent signing period beginning by 4 p.m. March 11.
We’ll get to the looming free-agency decisions, but let’s begin with the bigger questions facing Bowles and the Bucs heading into the 2026 season.
Will Bowles continue to be the defensive play-caller?
Bucs linebacker Lavonte David (54) and cornerback Jamel Dean (35) flank head coach Todd Bowles. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
Each year Bowles flirts with the idea of being a walkaround head coach, and each year he decides he is the best to serve as the defensive play-caller. For whatever injuries and inconsistent play the Bucs had on offense, the defense was far worse.
Since taking over the defense in 2019, the Bucs averaged 46.8 sacks per season. But last season, that figure plummeted to 37. Outside linebacker Yaya Diaby led the Bucs with seven sacks.
Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Ronde Barber has said Bowles’ defense is predicated on pressure but asks too much of players and requires elite talent and/or coaching.
“It’s almost as if (Todd Bowles) expects every player to be able to do every position’s jobs, which in my opinion is ridiculous,” Barber said.
As for coaching, Bowles decided to replace three defensive assistants. Two of them were already on staff. Tim Atkins was elevated to safeties coach, and Rashad Johnson was promoted to cornerbacks coach. Atkins replaces Nick Rapone, who retired at age 69. Johnson takes over for Kevin Ross, who was fired.
Larry Foote, the Bucs’ run game coordinator and outside linebackers coach, and defensive pass game coordinator George Edwards remain the best candidates to replace Bowles as the play-caller if he goes that route.
Where will Mike Evans land?
Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans has some decisions to make about his future. [ LUIS SANTANA | Times (2025) ]
It’s hard to part with an iconic player such as Evans or even Lavonte David, who is contemplating retirement.
Evans will be 33 in August and played in only eight games last season due to a hamstring injury and broken clavicle. He caught 30 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns.
Two years ago, the Bucs signed Evans to a new contract a few days before the start of free agency. But his agent, Deryk Gilmore, has said the receiver plans to explore his options.
Tampa Bay is well-stocked at receiver, with Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson all returning. Evans is likely to attract an offer that exceeds the $20.5 million per year he earned the past two seasons.
So which teams have the best chance to sign Evans?
5. Patriots: Drake Maye led a turnaround last season, from 4-13 to AFC champions. But he needs more reliable weapons. Stefon Diggs is 32 and had 1,032 yards receiving, but he has a $21 million salary and no guaranteed money due in 2026. Evans would be an upgrade.
4. Houston: The Texans play less than an hour from Evans’ hometown of Galveston and have a Super Bowl-caliber defense. But quarterback C.J. Stroud has struggled the past two seasons and was awful in the playoffs. Evans isn’t looking for a lesser quarterback than Baker Mayfield.
3. Bills: One of the best teams in the AFC with an NFL MVP at quarterback in Josh Allen may be very appealing. The Bills haven’t had a receiver with more than five TDs in a season since 2023. But the cold climate may not agree with Evans’ barking hamstrings.
2. Chiefs: Kansas City was in the mix a year ago, and Evans won’t find a better quarterback in the game today than Patrick Mahomes. But Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL. The Chiefs created more than $43.5 million of salary cap space by restructuring his contract.
1. Bucs: Home-field advantage counts, especially if the Bucs are willing to match his market value. But it will limit what the Bucs can do to improve their defense through free agency. Sentimentality has ruled the day.
Other free agents: David (could retire), CB Jamel Dean (led Bucs in interceptions with three and will command a good salary), OLB Haason Reddick (had only 2.5 sacks in 2025), RB Rachaad White (wants to move on), TE Cade Otton (smart, steady player who could get more on the open market), Logan Hall (turned into a reliable starter and could be back for the right price).
Which draft prospects could be available at No. 15?
The Bucs select 15th overall. That’s a difficult position to accurately predict which great players will fall to them.
The biggest needs are at edge rusher and inside linebacker. To that end, many mock drafts have focused on two players.
Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell led the SEC with 12 sacks last year.
Georgia team captain C.J. Allen could be a nice fit with potential play-calling duties, especially with David’s status unknown and SirVocea Dennis seemingly not the answer.
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