Todd Bowles is under mounting pressure as Tampa Bay enters its game at Carolina with a 1-5 record. Injuries, including Baker Mayfield’s absence, have hurt the team, but recurring problems in pass defense, close-game execution and conservative decision-making have intensified questions about Bowles’ leadership.

By the Numbers
  • Tampa Bay is 1-5 this season.
  • The Buccaneers are 19-24 in one-score games since Bowles became head coach in 2022.
  • The defense ranks fifth in total yards allowed and second against the run, but 20th against the pass.
  • Tampa Bay allows 224 passing yards per game and a 66.5% completion rate.
Yes, But

Bowles is not solely responsible: injuries have disrupted the lineup, and turnovers have involved multiple players and quarterbacks. Tampa Bay’s strong run defense and overall yardage ranking also show that the defense has not failed across the board. Still, those factors do not erase recurring pass-defense and late-game issues.

What’s Next

Sunday’s matchup with Carolina is an immediate chance for Bowles and his staff to show they can address those problems. If Tampa Bay’s struggles continue, scrutiny of Bowles’ future is likely to intensify.

Bottom Line

Injuries help explain the 1-5 start, but Tampa Bay’s repeated failures in pivotal moments make the pressure on Bowles about more than this season’s bad luck.