Buccaneers Secure Organizational Cornerstones

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have officially announced multiyear contract extensions for both head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht, solidifying their commitment to the leadership duo as the franchise looks to build on recent successes. While the team chose not to disclose the financial terms of the deals, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Bowles’ new contract is a three-year extension, keeping him at the helm through the 2028 season.

At 61 years old, Bowles enters his fourth year as the Buccaneers’ head coach with a respectable 27–24 regular-season record. Notably, he has guided the team to three straight NFC South division titles, from 2022 through 2024, demonstrating consistent competitiveness in a dynamic division. His 27 regular-season wins rank as the second-highest total in franchise history for a coach’s first three seasons, trailing only Bruce Arians, who preceded him. Before his promotion to head coach, Bowles served as the Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator, where he established a reputation for orchestrating one of the league’s stingiest defenses.

Since 2019, Tampa Bay’s defense under Bowles has consistently ranked among the NFL’s elite, leading the league in critical categories including rushing defense—allowing just 93.8 yards per game—and opponent yards per carry at 4.0, a testament to the dominance of the defensive line and linebacking corps. The team also leads the league in fumble recoveries with 68, underscoring their ability to create turnovers and shift momentum. Additionally, the Buccaneers have excelled in pass rushing, ranking second in sacks with 281, and have been efficient in the red zone on defense, holding opponents to scores on just 53.8% of their trips inside the 20.

Overall, Bowles’ head coaching career spans 118 games across multiple teams, with a combined record of 53–65. His early experience includes a brief stint as the interim head coach for the Miami Dolphins in 2011 for three games. He later served four full seasons as head coach of the New York Jets from 2015 to 2018, compiling a 24–40 record. Despite some challenges during his time with the Jets, Bowles has developed a reputation as a disciplined, defense-oriented coach whose impact in Tampa Bay has been evident both in the locker room and on the stat sheet.

With these contract extensions, the Buccaneers are signaling their belief in Bowles and Licht’s vision as they look to maintain and build upon their status as a perennial contender in the NFL.