The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making some key moves on the defensive side of the ball, and they’re doing it by promoting from within. Head coach Todd Bowles has elevated Rashad Johnson and Tim Atkins to lead the cornerbacks and safeties units, respectively-two familiar faces who’ve been quietly grinding behind the scenes. These promotions aren’t just logical-they’re timely, especially as Bowles enters a pivotal season with his job very much on the line.
Let’s rewind a bit. After an underwhelming 8-9 finish in 2025 and surrendering the NFC South crown to Carolina, Bowles didn’t waste time reshaping his defensive staff.
Out went defensive line coach Charlie Strong and cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross. Safeties coach Nick Rapone, a longtime mentor and friend of Bowles dating back to their Temple days, was nudged into retirement at age 69.
These weren’t just cosmetic changes-they were a signal that Bowles knows the defense needs a spark, both in coaching and personnel, if the Bucs are going to bounce back in 2026.
That’s where Johnson and Atkins come in.
Tim Atkins: A Trusted Voice in the Room
Atkins has been part of Bowles’ coaching circle for years, dating back to their time with the Jets. He was Bowles’ defensive quality control coach in New York from 2016 to 2018, then followed him to Tampa Bay in the same role from 2019 to 2021. He’s been the assistant secondary coach since 2022, working closely with Rapone and the safeties group.
What makes Atkins’ promotion so logical is his deep familiarity with Bowles’ defensive philosophy. He’s been in the trenches, learning the nuances of the scheme, and now gets the chance to put his stamp on a unit that needs a jolt.
Atkins has been around the league, too, with stops in Cleveland, Buffalo, and Miami, plus a stint at Florida Atlantic. That kind of experience-blended with a younger, more modern approach-could be exactly what the Bucs’ secondary needs.
Atkins is in his mid-40s, a full generation younger than Rapone. That age gap isn’t just about energy-it’s about evolving ideas.
The NFL is constantly shifting, especially in how teams defend today’s pass-heavy offenses. If Bowles is open to letting his younger coaches bring fresh concepts to the table, Atkins could play a key role in modernizing Tampa Bay’s back-end defense.
Rashad Johnson: From the Field to the Sidelines
On the cornerbacks side, Rashad Johnson’s rise has been just as steady. A former NFL safety who played from 2009 to 2016, Johnson has been coaching in Tampa since 2022. He was promoted to assistant secondary coach in 2023 and has been working closely with the team’s corners-particularly the nickelbacks.
And here’s where Johnson’s impact really shows: over the past three seasons, he’s helped develop three different rookie nickelbacks-Christian Izien (2023), Tykee Smith (2024), and Jacob Parrish (2025). All three had solid rookie campaigns, which speaks volumes about Johnson’s ability to coach up young talent in one of the toughest positions on the field.
At 40 years old, Johnson brings the rare combination of recent playing experience and coaching acumen. He played under Bowles in Arizona when Bowles was the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator, so there’s a long-standing trust there. During his NFL career, Johnson racked up 383 tackles, 15 interceptions (including three pick-sixes), and was known for his football IQ-a trait that’s clearly carried over into his coaching.
Inside the Bucs’ facility, Johnson is viewed as a rising star. His ability to connect with players, especially young DBs trying to find their footing in the league, makes him a valuable asset on a staff that’s looking to reestablish its identity.
Why These Moves Matter Now
Bowles is expected to continue calling the defensive plays in 2026, and that makes the familiarity between coach and staff even more important. Atkins and Johnson already know the system.
They understand the terminology, the philosophy, and the adjustments Bowles likes to make on the fly. There won’t be a learning curve here-just a chance to evolve and improve a defense that underperformed last season.
More than anything, these moves signal a shift in tone. The Bucs are betting on continuity, youth, and internal development rather than bringing in outside voices. It’s a calculated risk, but one that could pay off if Johnson and Atkins can translate their years of behind-the-scenes work into on-field results.
As the Bucs gear up for a critical 2026 season, these promotions aren’t just about filling vacancies-they’re about setting a new tone for a defense that needs to rediscover its edge. And for Bowles, these decisions could ultimately determine whether he’s still leading the charge in Tampa beyond this season.