Former Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette believes it is time for Todd Bowles to move on.
The hot seat Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has been sitting on since before the season started is now completely on fire.
The Bucs' 0-2 start has their season on the brink of disaster. The 2-0 Minnesota Vikings come to town in Week 3 armed with defensive coordinator Brian Flores' aggressive, blitz-heavy defense that held the Chicago Bears to three points last Sunday, just one week after dropping 59 in their opener.
That could be a big problem for quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has committed four turnovers over the first two games, and Tampa's offensive line, which has given up seven sacks already.
The Bucs will have to play much better than they have in their first two games to have a shot against the Vikings, who are also getting Kyler Murray back after he exited early in Week 1 with a concussion. If Tampa can't find a way to win, they will be facing the dreaded 0-3 start.
Last season, the Houston Texans made the playoffs after starting 0-3. They were only the seventh team since 1980 to do so.
If the Bucs drop to 0-3, I don't think there will be much optimism that they will be the eighth.
If the Bucs drop to 0-3, Bowles might want to start getting his resume ready.
Not that Bowles would be fired after this week if the Bucs suffer another loss, but the writing will be on the wall that his days as Tampa's head coach are numbered.
Not only are Bucs fans clamoring for Bowles to be replaced as Tampa's coach, but former Bucs running back Leonard Fournette also thinks it may be time for a change.
In an episode of his 4th and South podcast, which he co-hosts with Jarvis Landry, Fournette was asked about whether Bowles' tenure has run its course.
Thinks It Is Time For Bowles To Go
Fournette believes Bowles' history of success has given him a long leash, but that history is only good for so long. Now, Fournette thinks it is time for Bowles to go.
"To me, I just feel like maybe the time is up. Maybe it's time for Coach Bowles to wrap it up."
Fournette won a Super Bowl with the Bucs when Bowles was defensive coordinator. Bowles' defense thoroughly dominated Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in a 31-9 victory in Super Bowl LV.
That win cemented Bowles' reputation as a defensive genius. Now, Fournette believes the goodwill Bowles has earned from that game has run out, and it is time for Bowles to move on.
Final Thoughts
There's really not a lot of positive vibes surrounding the Bucs right now, and much of the negativity is falling on Bowles' shoulders.
With Baker Mayfield struggling, the Vikings' defense is a tough opponent coming in at what looks like a bad time for Tampa.
Brian Flores now has the defensive reputation that Bowles once had. If Flores' defense completely outplays Bowles' defense this week, the calls for Bowles' job will get even louder, and his defensive reputation will take yet another hit.
