Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Todd Bowles

Discover the career path of Todd Bowles, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Todd Bowles is an American football coach and former NFL player, currently the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Temple before joining the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1986. Bowles played for the Washington Redskins, where he won Super Bowl XXII, and later for the San Francisco 49ers. His career transitioned from player to coaching, culminating in his head coaching role with Tampa Bay.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

May 7, 1986: Signed with the Washington Redskins

On May 7, 1986, Todd Bowles was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent after choosing the Redskins over six other NFL teams.

1986: Signed with the Washington Redskins

In 1986, Todd Bowles signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent and was a member of the team that won Super Bowl XXII.

September 8, 1987: Beat out Curtis Jordan for Starting job

On September 8, 1987, Bowles beat out Curtis Jordan for the starting free safety job when Jordan was released during final roster cuts. Bowles intercepted a career high four passes and recovered a fumble during the season and was the starting free safety in Super Bowl XXII, which the Redskins won 42–10 over the Denver Broncos.

February 1, 1989: Left unprotected by Redskins

On February 1, 1989, after his contract expired, Todd Bowles was left unprotected by the Redskins during "Plan B" free agency, despite being a regular starter at free safety the previous two seasons, reportedly due to his poor catching abilities in 1988, as well as his lack of playmaking ability. Bowles re-signed with the Redskins.

1990: Salary and Starts

In 1990, Todd Bowles received a salary of $300,000, and started 18 games including playoffs.

1991: Signed with the San Francisco 49ers

In 1991, Todd Bowles signed with the San Francisco 49ers to start for the team. He played in all 16 games and started in 14 of them.

September 1, 1992: Waived by the San Francisco 49ers

On September 1, 1992, Todd Bowles was waived by the San Francisco 49ers during final roster cuts and claimed off waivers by the Redskins the next day.

August 31, 1993: Waived by the Redskins

On August 31, 1993, Todd Bowles was waived by the Redskins during final roster cuts.

1995: Member of Green Bay Packers Player Personnel

In 1995, Todd Bowles was a member of the Green Bay Packers' player personnel staff under Ron Wolf.

1996: Member of Green Bay Packers Player Personnel

In 1996, Todd Bowles was a member of the Green Bay Packers' player personnel staff under Ron Wolf.

1997: Defensive Coordinator and Secondary Coach at Morehouse College

In 1997, Todd Bowles was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Morehouse College.

1998: Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach at Grambling State

From 1998, Todd Bowles served as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Grambling State.

1999: Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach at Grambling State

Until 1999, Todd Bowles served as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Grambling State.

2000: Defensive Backs Coach for the New York Jets

In 2000, Todd Bowles served as the defensive backs coach for the New York Jets.

2001: Browns' Defensive Nickel Package Coach

From 2001, Todd Bowles was the Browns' defensive nickel package coach.

2003: Browns' Defensive Nickel Package Coach

Until 2003, Todd Bowles was the Browns' defensive nickel package coach.

2004: Defensive Backs Coach for Cleveland Browns

In 2004, Todd Bowles was the defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns.

2005: Defensive Backs Coach for Dallas Cowboys

From 2005, Todd Bowles served as the defensive backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys.

2007: Defensive Backs Coach for Dallas Cowboys

Until 2007, Todd Bowles served as the defensive backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys.

January 23, 2008: Hired by the Miami Dolphins

On January 23, 2008, Todd Bowles was hired by the Miami Dolphins as the team's secondary coach and assistant head coach.

December 12, 2011: Named Interim Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins

On December 12, 2011, Todd Bowles was named the interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins, following the firing of head coach Tony Sparano. His first game as interim head coach was in Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills, which the Dolphins won 30–23. The Dolphins finished with a 2–1 record under Bowles in 2011.

January 30, 2012: Hired as Secondary Coach for the Philadelphia Eagles

On January 30, 2012, Todd Bowles was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as the team's secondary coach. On October 16, he was named their new defensive coordinator, and the Eagles finished the season ninth in pass defense and 23rd in rushing defense.

January 18, 2013: Hired as Defensive Coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals

On January 18, 2013, Todd Bowles was hired as defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals.

January 14, 2015: Named Head Coach of the New York Jets

On January 14, 2015, Todd Bowles was named the new head coach of the New York Jets and signed a four-year deal.

December 29, 2017: Retained and Extended by the Jets

On December 29, 2017, the New York Jets announced that Todd Bowles had been retained for the 2018 season and that he signed an extension through 2020.

2018: Fired by the Jets

In 2018, Todd Bowles was fired at the end of the season after the New York Jets finished the year with a 4–12 record.

January 8, 2019: Hired as Defensive Coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On January 8, 2019, Todd Bowles was hired as the defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rejoining Bruce Arians as a member of his staff after Arians was hired as the team's head coach.

2020: Won Super Bowl LV

In 2020, Todd Bowles' defense was key in the Buccaneers' playoff performance, culminating in a Super Bowl LV victory over the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9. Bowles won his third Super Bowl (his first as a coach), credited with a game plan that pressured Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes without blitzing.

2020: Contract Extension

Todd Bowles had signed an extension through 2020 with the New York Jets.

August 4, 2021: Agreed to a Three-Year Contract Extension with the Buccaneers

On August 4, 2021, Todd Bowles agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

March 30, 2022: Named Head Coach of the Buccaneers

On March 30, 2022, Todd Bowles was named the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a five-year deal after Bruce Arians shifted to a senior football consultant role.

2022: Finished atop NFC South

Following the 2022 season, starting quarterback Tom Brady announced his retirement and the Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield in free agency as a result.

2022: Elevated to Head Coach

Since being elevated to head coach in 2022, Todd Bowles has earned widespread respect for his ability to keep the Buccaneers competitive through major roster transitions.

2023: Finished atop NFC South for the third consecutive year

The team finished the 2023 season atop the NFC South for the third consecutive year with a 9–8 record.

2024: Led Tampa Bay to three consecutive NFC South Titles

From 2022 to 2024, Todd Bowles guided Tampa Bay to three consecutive NFC South titles, becoming the first head coach in franchise history to win the division in each of his first three seasons.