Most of the one-and-done coaching noise has emerged from the AFC, with Nathaniel Hackett and Lovie Smith potentially up against it to keep their jobs. Prior to last season (Urban Meyer, David Culley), no NFL campaign had seen two one-and-done head coaches since 2007. While Hackett and Smith could make it back-to-back years with multiple NFL one-and-dones, the NFC’s set of first-year HCs appears safe.
Both the Buccaneers and Saints have not lived up to expectations, particularly in Tampa Bay’s case. But neither Todd Bowles nor Dennis Allen are believed to be on unsteady ground regarding a return in 2023, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes.
The circumstances behind Bowles’ promotion were strange at the time, with Bruce Arians well into his offseason routine. Days after Tom Brady agreed to unretire, Arians stepped away. Many connected the dots here and pointed to Brady effectively forcing Arians out, but the Super Bowl-winning HC indicated otherwise. Arians said Brady’s return allowed him to hand the reins to Bowles rather than give his longtime assistant a less stable team. The Bucs have been anything but stable this year, however.
Tampa Bay is 6-7 but needed final-minute drives to win its past two home games. The Bucs have slipped from second in scoring offense to 28th in their initial post-Arians season, and Brady’s QBR figure (51.0) would be the lowest of his career (QBR made its debut in Brady’s seventh season, however). Rumors of friction between Brady and OC Byron Leftwich have surfaced, and the likelihood of the all-time great coming back for a fourth Bucs season appears low right now.
Bowles, 59, failed in his first head-coaching opportunity, going 24-40 with the Jets. He rebuilt his stock during his three-year stay as the Bucs’ DC, and this year’s Bucs defense remains in the top 10 in both points and yards allowed. But his team has failed to gain solid playoff footing despite playing in one of the worst divisions in NFL history. Bowles’ second year — one that could feature major quarterback uncertainty — figures to bring more scrutiny.
The Saints did not make the playoffs last season, going 9-8, but they have also taken a step back under their retread coach. Like Bowles, Allen bombed in his first HC go-round. He went just 8-28 with the Raiders, who fired him during a winless start in 2014. Allen, 50, latched on with the Saints and helped their defense turn around in the late 2010s, leading to four consecutive Saints playoff appearances. Injuries have again limited the Saints this season, and while New Orleans’ statistical decline is not as stark as Tampa Bay’s, the team’s 4-9 record is its worst mark through 13 games since 2005 — its final pre-Sean Payton season.
Staff changes could be in play for both teams, Graziano adds, noting that Brady — should he agree to come back — would stand to have input on how Bowles constructs his staff. Brady being a free agent complicates that process. As for the Saints, they kept longtime OC Pete Carmichael on — after he was initially linked to a lower-profile role in the wake of Payton’s exit — while this is Leftwich’s fourth season calling plays for the Bucs. It will be interesting to gauge the fallout from these two disappointing seasons, even if Allen and Bowles are ticketed to return.
Gross
GM Tom will have say about the coaching staff? Just as bad as GM Rodgers. And looking at both teams records, the should stick to QB’ing.
It’s normal for elite core players to have say in potential moves/hires, and Brady/Rodger’s struggles are because of their team’s actual GM’s. I doubt it was Rodgers choice to move Adams and waste one of his final years with a group of no-name WR’s.
As for Brady, the team was turned over to a retread HC that already flamed out in New York. Bowles may be a solid DC, but he’s a mediocre HC. It’s also the weakest supporting cast Brady has had in TB.
Brady is leaving anyway, especially if Bowles is back for a year 2. He’ll go to another team primed to compete for a SB. Tampa is finished.
Rodgers knew his contract would not allow for Adams to sign. His deal takes up 13.25% of their cap. So the team couldn’t afford cap space for 2 rosters spots out of 53. It’s numbers.
As for Bowles, I agree he was bad w/ the Jets. So why didn’t they promote the OC instead? Tom seemed to like him.
My point is players shouldn’t be dictating coaching hires. No matter what. It’s not their job and it undercuts the coach if a player says ‘I don’t like the new DC/OC’. How can the coaches build credibility w/in the locker room?
I agree with your last point arty but it’s a different league now. Owners only care about revenue and nobody is asking where they can buy coaches merchandise.
yea i mean why would we want to ask the opinion of the qb who he would like to distribute the ball to..
Not sure of your point. I said nothing about rosters/WR’s, I was talking about coaching staff hires. Here’s the line from the article
Staff changes could be in play for both teams, Graziano adds, noting that Brady — should he agree to come back — would stand to have input on how Bowles constructs his staff.
todd is truly an elite coach. not many could have guided the bucs to a 6-7 record while having the 28th best offense in the league. deserves a contract extension for his work.
What exactly makes him elite?
This is insane
Replacing Culley with another one-and-done coach is O’Brian level ineptitude.
At least half the head coaches in the league stink to high heaven. Finding a good one is as hard as finding a franchise QB.
Bowles led the NY Jets to nowhere. In Tampa Bay, Bowles has taken a conference champion team and turned them into an under 500 train wreck. All the while with the NFL’s most winning QB on board.
Worst coaching hire decision since Urban Meyer went to Jacksonville.
Bowles’ best year with the Jets was his first, when they were win-and-in going into Week 17 only to fall apart in Buffalo.
As to the Buccaneers, you can’t totally blame Bowles when they’re somehow alive in the steaming pile of s#!t called the NFC South.