It appears that Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles' seat is not as warm as some may have anticipated.
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reported that Bowles appears in line to at least finish the season and that the team is not likely to follow the lead of the Carolina Panthers and fire its coach midseason.
"According to Bucs' officials, Bowles' job appears safe for at least the remaining six games, including four against the underwhelming NFC South," Stroud wrote. "Despite their 4-7 record, the Bucs remain only one game behind the Falcons (5-6) and Saints (5-6)."
Bowles also expressed confidence in his short-term future, citing his experience as something that helps him read his job security.
"Not at all. Not at all," Bowles said when asked if he was coaching for his job this week, per Stroud. "I've been coaching way too long. You coach for your job every time you're in this business. Good or bad. As a coach, you understand that. You're never going to be at the top of your game. You coach, you get better and that's all you do."
Tampa Bay is in third place in the NFC South and fading from the competition. The Buccaneers started the season 3-1 and looked poised to contend for the division title once again. Since then, Tampa Bay has lost six of seven games, including a 16-13 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 22.
With the struggles faced by the Falcons and New Orleans Saints, the Buccaneers remain alive for the division title. Still, the team will need to flip momentum and Bowles' ability to do that could certainly be a deciding factor that determines his future with the club.
