Will he or won’t he? That’s what is going through just about every Bucs fan’s mind when wondering if Mike Evans comes back to football, and just as important, if he returns to the Bucs. [read more]

Welcome to your Morning Cup of Joe, an eye-opener to help Joe’s readers ease into their busy workday with a few football links, wacky news and a pleasant distraction. [read more]

It can happen again.

Don’t worry, Bucs fans. Just because the Bucs missed the playoffs this year doesn’t mean 2026 will be a throwaway season.

Last night marked the 60th Super Bowl. Both teams missed the playoffs the previous season. That is not unusual in Super Bowl history.

In Super Bowl annals, 14 of the 60 Super Bowl winners were not good enough to make the playoffs the previous season. That’s 23 percent.

So basically, the Bucs, based on Super Bowl history, sort of have a one-in-four shot to win their third Super Bowl a year from now.

(Yes, Joe knows that tee’ed fans up for a Todd Bowles screed.)

In fact, the last time the Bucs won a Super Bowl (2020), the Bucs were not a playoff team the year prior (2019).

Cross your fingers, Bucs fans.

Two years ago Buccaneers great Mike Evans signed a new two-year contract and talked about wanting to be a “Buc for life.” [read more]

Chris Godwin

Joe wonders what is going through Chris Godwin’s head today. [read more]

Emeka Egbuka was flying high early in 2025. He opened up on the subject last week.

Joe has written many stories about being geeked the Bucs drafted Emeka Egbuka. Joe tried hard not to get too hyped about Egbuka as he tore up Bucs training camp. [read more]

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Click above to shop the fantastic February pricing at Tampa’s first family of Ford dealers, BillCurrieFord.com. Don’t Worry. Drive Currie! Reach out to Ira’s friend and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their extreme commitment to customer satisfaction at Bill Currie Ford.

Dive in to all kinds of Bucs chatter on The Sage’s podcast.

The wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford. Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts or Podbean.com. Many other platforms, too, including iHeartRadio.

A family business since 1960, Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Damaged goods?

Yesterday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN got Bucs fans panting when he suggested the Bucs ought to be major players in trying to land disgruntled All-World edge rusher Maxx Crosby from the Raiders. [read more]

Night of nights.

It seems like we were living in a different world. [read more]

The Buccaneers’ franchise quarterback seems very happy about his new offensive coordinator, and it’s not just because he helped select him. [read more]

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Draft guru Sean Sullivan dives into his picks — and why — for the best 2025 rookies by position.

Listen by clicking above or enjoy at Apple Podcasts and other platforms. All the fun is presented by Bill Currie Ford, where savings are fantastic with 0% financing on remaining 2025 vehicles. Sean also is the eager Bill Currie Ford GM ready to help you personally with all of your automotive needs. Fire off questions on football and more to Sean at BestInClass@BillCurrie.com.

ESPN links Bucs with star edge rusher Maxx Crosby.

Well, given who typed the following, this very much has Joe’s antennae standing straight. [read more]

Joe’s been endorsing — and enjoying — local Hooters locations since before Lavonte David was drafted. Online ordering is easy, and so is enjoying a good meal in their fun locations.

Is this why Baker Mayfield had a rough second half of the season? [read more]

Interesting behind-the-scenes nugget from Baker Mayfield. [read more]

Click through to BillCurrieFord.com to see their extraordinary offers. Family-owned in Tampa since 1960! Bill Currie Ford general manager Sean Sullivan is ready to help you PERSONALLY and give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of their sale prices. Don’t Worry, Drive Currie!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Fast start, slow fade. [read more]