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Following the surprise termination of Bill Belichick by the New England Patriots, the expectation was that he would quickly find another NFL head-coaching role. However, the likelihood of this scenario has diminished recently. Yet, observers believe there is one specific team that remains a plausible landing spot for the seasoned coach—the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

During a segment on PFT Live, the discussion highlighted head coaches who need more than just a playoff appearance in 2025 to secure their positions. Despite Todd Bowles leading the Buccaneers to NFC South titles in each of his three seasons, Tampa Bay's history of abrupt coaching changes remains notable. In 2009, they swiftly replaced Jon Gruden with Raheem Morris. Just three years later, Greg Schiano was brought in; and in 2016, Lovie Smith was unexpectedly let go, seemingly to prevent offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter from being poached by another team. Additionally, rumors suggest that Tom Brady’s 2022 unretirement was tied to Bruce Arians' alleged push into retirement.

Intrigue is further fueled by former Belichick aide Michael Lombardi, who spread a false claim last year that Bowles was considering retirement—a rumor Bowles promptly debunked. The timing stirred speculation that Belichick had eyes on the Buccaneers job. Questions arise about why Lombardi would fabricate such a scenario. It's possible he was hinting at Belichick's interest in the position.

Despite recent tumult within the Buccaneers organization, dismissing Tampa Bay as a potential spot for Belichick may be premature. Their decision to hire Greg Schiano in the past illustrates their willingness to make surprising choices.

What Tampa Bay achieves in 2025 will be crucial, as will the actions of North Carolina Tar Heels, yet Belichick's buyout being reduced to $1 million as of last Sunday leaves the door ajar for a new NFL opportunity. The Buccaneers roster is talent-rich, and should the ownership conclude that a skilled game-day tactician is what they need to reclaim their peak form, Belichick's entry isn't as far-fetched as it might seem.

This speculation isn't to suggest Bowles should lose his role, but rather to anticipate potential shifts. In the unpredictable world of Tampa Bay football, the future remains intriguingly open-ended.