Todd Bowles
Without coaching a game, Todd Bowles apparently has flipped one of the loud voices in intelligent NFL media into his corner.
So two-time Super Bowl winner defensive end Chris Long hosts his popular Green Light podcast and is an analyst on Inside The NFL.
Long is known for in-depth takes and explanations, including this one in January after the Bucs lost to the Commanders in the playoffs. Long danced near the line of calling for Todd Bowles to be replaced.
“I’m not saying fire the guy, but I’m saying you got to put him under the magnifying glass a little bit because of the way this team played down the stretch,” Long said, after noting Bowles’ one-game-over .500 record as a Bucs head coach.
“They were undisciplined down the stretch. There were games they were not ready to play. That Dallas game, they were not ready to play. That New Orleans game, they were not ready to play. They let Washington do exactly what Washington wanted to do. I know what Washington wanted to do; Washington wanted to possess the football and go on long drives and tire [the Bucs] out. And they did it. That shouldn’t be a team that can outphysical you.
“On top of that, when you consider the fact that the record is just above .500 in the worst division in football, and the fact they could lose their offensive coordinator. I just think eventually a conversation has to be had about the future. And maybe it’s one more year but they got to [progress next season].”
Well, Team Glazer clearly thought Long was moronic and this summer gave Todd Bowles a shiny new contract (and presumably a raise) good through the 2028 season.
Last week, Long broke down the Bucs for a season preview and seemingly changed his view of Bowles without explaining why.
“Todd Bowles has won in cap hell, two and three years ago,” Long said. “He won with injuries last year, got’em in the playoffs. Really knocking on the door of elite this year and I think they walk through the door this year.”
Joe loves the predicition and all the love Long heaped on the Buccaneers’ front office. Still, Joe was stunned Long flipped so fully on Bowles without really explaining. What changed his mind?
Long went on to say the Bucs last year got in their own way too often, but he praised Bowles for having “a programmatic team” that has its own way of doing things and it works. Joe’s not a big fan of analysts shifting a position without making sure everyone knows why.
Finally, Long said h personnel upgrades and injury recoveries should clean up the Bucs’ messes. “This is a complete football team,” he said.