The current state of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is a big question mark and the future of the franchise will quickly look the same if Todd Bowles and Co. can’t pull off a win in Miami on Sunday. Or even in Carolina in Week 18.

The Bucs are on track to finish with a second losing record in four seasons under Bowles if they lose one, or both, of their remaining games. For a roster this loaded with talent (and it was still pretty talented back in 2022 with Tom Brady at the helm), that’s simply unforgivable. Especially when Tampa Bay plays in the downtrodden NFC South that produces middling football, at best.

Bowles received a three-year extension back in June, which was clearly premature at this point and one can easily argue it was too soon, then. That is the only factor keeping his name off the Hot Seat Big Board, but it could be rendered moot if Bowles doesn’t get it done over these next two weeks.

Mike McDaniel’s name was floated around as one that could be an in-season firing earlier in the year, and it doesn’t seem like things have cooled off with the Miami Dolphins’ playoff elimination.

So, let’s dive in and discuss the future of both coaches along with some of their respective staff.

Just how much danger are both coaches in?

Evan: I’m looking at this from an ownership standpoint and in doing so, I don’t think Bowles is in serious trouble, right now. The Glazers typically don’t make rash moves, especially after handing out an extension, but there’s one key aspect of the 2025 season that falls in line with the firings of former Bucs coaches in the past.

Losing streaks – and bad ones, at that.

Jon Gruden was fired after 2008 after the Bucs failed to win one of their final four games. Just one of those wins would’ve been enough to get into the playoffs after a 9-3 start, but that never happened. Raheem Morris, Gruden’s predecessor, lost 10 straight after a 4-2 start in 2012 and was promptly let go after.

Greg Schiano started off 0-8 in his final year. Lovie Smith went 1-5 after starting 5-5 in 2015 and then finally, Dirk Koetter’s 2018 campaign saw the Bucs finish 5-11 after an incredible 2-0 start that included a 2-8 record over the final 10 games of the year.

The Bucs would end up with a 1-8 record over their last nine if they were to lose these last two. I do think that’s enough for the Glazers to drop Bowles, but it’d have to be worst-case scenario.

Kyle: Mike McDaniel is firmly in the proverbial crosshairs in Miami. The Dolphins have already made the commitment to change the executive at the top of their football operation; that decision came at the end of October. Since, Miami has gone on a four-game win streak, only to drop the last two in largely uncompetitive fashion. The loss to Pittsburgh was the latest affirmation of Miami’s struggles outside of the 1PM EST time slot and against playoff teams.

The loss to Cincinnati? That moved the proverbial doomsday clock another minute closer to midnight. 45 points allowed. Another catastrophic third quarter. And, worst of all, an apathetic sideline. The rules of engagement for this coaching assessment always started with McDaniel keeping the team competitive. They looked lifeless and unplugged on the sideline against Cincinnati in the second half.

What must they avoid in Week 17 when it comes to their respective weaknesses?

Evan: Bowles has to make sure his in-game management is on point. The Bucs brought in Zach Beistline during the offseason to help with those situations, but Bowles continues to make questionable decisions despite the addition.

Another poor showing, especially in a crunch-time situation, would pour gas on the fire and increase the temperature two-fold heading into the season finale.

Kyle: The Dolphins have to showcase any iota of an ability to play as well in the second half of football games as they do in the first. Miami’s been the worst team in the third quarter of any franchise in the league this season — they’re getting outscored by nearly 100 points coming out of the break. There’s a feel of inevitability to it right now. You can play well for 30 minutes, but what do you do with the rest of the game?

Miami’s home finale is a chance to buck that trend and leave a positive impression with the fan base. If the Dolphins simply stumble through another turnover filled affair and beat themselves yet again, the outlook for Mike McDaniel becomes more unstable than it already is.

Final word

Both teams have plenty of motivation in this game: The Bucs have to win in order to make the playoffs and the Dolphins can totally ruin that with an upset win.

However, when considering how these teams have played throughout the year, nothing is guaranteed, and that’s why this is such a big game for not only Bowles, but McDaniel, as well.

We’ll see which roster can put it together long enough for a win in the penultimate game of the season.

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Evan Winter