Bill Belichick returns to the NFL as new Tampa Bay coach? Here’s the truth behind the rumor
The idea of Bill Belichick stalking the Tampa Bay sidelines in 2026 made for an interesting headline. But that's all it was - an idea.This week, NFL insider Mike Florio suggested that Belichick, currently working with the North Carolina Tar Heels, might be eyeing a future opening in Tampa Bay. He even implied that former Belichick confidant Mike Lombardi was floating retirement rumors about Bucs head coach Todd Bowles, possibly to pave the way.That theory didn't age well.On Thursday morning, the Buccaneers announced contract extensions for both Bowles and general manager Jason Licht - a move that signals anything but transition. If there was any thought of a looming coaching vacancy, it was shut down with a single press release.A Statement of Stability in a Sea of SpeculationBowles has been nothing if not steady since taking over as head coach […]