Pass Defense Is Killing Bucs
December 5th, 2025
“Todd, I’m not supposed to help you, sorry.”
In the starting five of the Bucs’ secondary, which includes rookie Jacob Parrish, only one starter was not drafted in the first two days of their respective drafts.
You’d never know it by how they are getting regularly cooked like a Thanksgiving turkey.
At times, it’s like the Bucs have a bunch of undrafted free agents guarding opposing receivers.
The Bucs are tied with the Steelers (!) for allowing the fourth-most passing yards per game: 247.
(To be fair, several potential playoff teams allow over 200 yards passing a game.)
Since the Bucs lost to the Lions 24-9 back in October, the Bucs’ offense averages 20 points a game. Opponents since the Detroit game average 25 points a game.
You’re not going to win many games scoring 20 points if your pass defense looks like a runway at Tampa International Airport during spring break.
This, sadly, isn’t anything new. In fact, it’s the Bucs’ norm the past few years to have a garbage pass defense. Here is where the Bucs’ pass defense ranks each year since 2019 in passing yards allowed per game:
2024: 29th
2023: 29th
2022: Ninth
2021: 21st
2020: 21st
2019: 30th
So only once since 2019 did the Bucs have a pass defense that ranked above No. 21 in the league for passing yards allowed per game. That’s not good.
But to pull things back to the current status, good thing Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving are back and Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan are practicing again. The offense is really going to have to pick things up to compensate for the Bucs’ pass defense getting boatraced each week.
December 5th, 2025 at 12:07 am
How did Bowles get the moniker defensive genius? Obviously his defenses have and do suck.
I mean Joes numbers don’t lie.
December 5th, 2025 at 12:11 am
hmmm…and how long has Todd been here?
December 5th, 2025 at 12:15 am
Tampa DC 2019-2021
Tamps HC 2022-present and probably 3 more years…smdh
December 5th, 2025 at 12:18 am
Gotta tell ya Joe, you’ve been on fire with these latest articles. You’ve gotten to ‘the heart of the matter’ in terms of issues with many of these.
Brought to mind the 1989 song titled ‘The Heart of the Matter’ by Don Henley. Don’t think he ever became very popular, but I think it’s ironic that that song was featured in his album named ‘The End of Innocence’. Something very appropriate in that title as it relates to all the recent discussions about our Bucs’ defense. Well, at least with some JBFers, not all by any means.
December 5th, 2025 at 12:20 am
Glad to see Joe’s now all but saying what most of us have been screaming: Todd has to be shown the door at the end of the season.
I mean, what else do the Bowles boys need to see to be convinced this guy doesn’t change, doesn’t learn, doesn’t adapt.
December 5th, 2025 at 12:28 am
lolol DR, nope, Henley was never popular being part of the unpopular band The Eagles….one of my faves 🙂
December 5th, 2025 at 12:51 am
Todd is only partially to blame for the numbers put against our team.
Todd can’t play man coverage. He can’t make tackles. He can’t rush the passer.
Our DB’s are frequently getting cooked in man coverage. Our pass rush is rarely putting pressure on the QB.
The reality is that we’ve had a severe lack of talent in multiple departments on defense.
Todd Bowles defense is the same one we embarrassed the Chiefs with in the Superbowl… you know, when our players were on fire and making plays.
Devin White not working out was a bummer. Shaq getting hurt was a bummer.
What Todd can do, is stop having 4-3 DE drop into coverage.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:07 am
No one ever won or lost a game with yards; they only count your team’s points and the other team’s points!
You can play off coverage and keep a safety or two back and let the other team rack up yards moving down the field. So long as you can shut them down in the red zone and make them settle for field goals, your team wins if it scores touchdowns. For years, the Bucs have been loading up to score touchdowns.
And, as to the 2024 yards, as this year, that reflects the scarcity of resources devoted to the ILB position as well as injuries at ILB and DB in 2024.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:09 am
You know what would help oit A LOT. Some really good DE players that can consistently rattle the q.b. Remember those days? They were glorious. Now q.b.s that ate goofiest and look slower the Jamie’s are running around luke magic magoo twirling and juking twisting and its sickening to watch. Im done with it. Clearly Clearly Blows and Licht do NOT think a good starter DE is necessary because we dont have a single one. YaYa is okay. Reddok looks xooked remind me how many sacks does he have. Nelson looks luke the best pit of the group when he gets a chance to play.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:18 am
“ What Todd can do, is stop having 4-3 DE drop into coverage.“
It’s that simple 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🤙🏾
December 5th, 2025 at 1:21 am
I don’t know what the time to pass stat is for opposing qbs but I would guess it’s up there. They seem to have a lot of time in the pocket to pick us apart right now.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:36 am
They are who we thought they were…& have been
December 5th, 2025 at 2:08 am
.@Big Red
Well, neither can the players since IT IS BOWLES whom schemes them that way!
Come on man! I’m SURE you understand that the “players” DON’T call the plays and you ARE AWARE that “The Coach” teaches them How “HE WANTS THEM TO EXECUTE” those very schemes that he (Bowles) dreames up…. You Do realize that. Right?
You’re attempting to put lipstick on this pig. It’s NOT WORKING anymore! It starts and ENDS with the coach….
December 5th, 2025 at 2:25 am
And BIG Red you’re CERTAINLY RIGHT about the bright idea that Bowles might get a clue that a DE is better suited to DO HIS ACTUAL JOB!
Bowles only RUINS DE’s! Look no further than JTS as the proof! But please have no fear, there are plenty of new examples of his butchery! Notice how they All look clueless and nervous….. And play the position? Even Worse than when they were in high-school!
Bowles isn’t a bad guy. No. But he is a very weird guy… And his concepts are Bizzarro World.
December 5th, 2025 at 2:25 am
Todd keeps pulling Dean out to give BM20 game reps. The other players must be like WTF? Dean is light years better than Morrison right now. Everyone knows that Dean is gone after this year and Morrison is getting gifted that spot because Todd played with his old man. Players see that kind of crap and check the F out. If anyone should be getting rotated out it should by Zyon first.
December 5th, 2025 at 2:51 am
Great point Stallworth, why is Bowles playing favorites, is it because Dean is out of here as soon as the FA bell rings? If Bowles wants BM to get reps, bench that sieve Zyon instead!
December 5th, 2025 at 4:01 am
Thanks for ruining my breakfast
December 5th, 2025 at 4:52 am
MadMax … Yup, not a clue that Don Henley was the ‘founding father’ of The Eagles. Duh, duh, and duh again. From what I found, those solo albums apparently came out during the years The Eagles had disbanded, but got back together again in 1994 or thereabouts.
December 5th, 2025 at 4:59 am
Zyon is bored. Morrison is trying to get his sea legs. Dean is always hurt. Winfield is not as good as he once was.
And the Edge rushers are feckless.
Scheme wise, Bowles tries to cover nimble backs with not very nimble Edge rushers.
Bad players playing badly (or in Dean’s case, not at all), and a bad scheme.
What did I miss?
December 5th, 2025 at 5:02 am
Big Red … ‘Todd is only partially to blame for the numbers put against our team. Todd can’t play man coverage. He can’t make tackles. He can’t rush the passer.’
I agree with you Big Red, that it’s BOTH coaching AND talent. Bucs have given up incredible numbers of explosive plays (runs AND passes) this year. I’m sorry, but I can’t buy that that’s coaching. What I’ve seen is a lot of guys missing tackles, taking wrong angles, etc etc. That’s lack of talent, or at least lack of focus (which is worse IMO).
For its’ part though, coaching can put players in positions from which it becomes harder to make big plays (instead of eaier which should be the objective). That seems to me to be a part of what’s happening this season, for whatever reason.
December 5th, 2025 at 5:13 am
See guys talking about Don Henley. On his solo tour.
It was Don Henley that was the very first event ever to be held at Tropicana Field. Anyway,I was there and everyone that came through the door that night was drenched from a torrential downpour that had flooded the streets off St Pete. An evening I will never forget involving myself and two very hot ladies. Good times.
December 5th, 2025 at 5:16 am
You can’t argue with those pass defense stats. One year, count ‘em, one the pass defense was good. Janis Joplin sang ‘every picture tells a story, don’t it?’ I figured I’d toss that in since some are talking Eagles (the band).
December 5th, 2025 at 5:32 am
Durango 95 … Ya escorting 2 very hot ladies at the ultimate wet T-shirt contest does sound like ‘good times’. Hard to forget a dream evening like that.
December 5th, 2025 at 5:34 am
We ve been seeing this passive and soft Defense for years with no improvements. And all that with a defensive HC
December 5th, 2025 at 5:48 am
Defense Rules Says:
December 5th, 2025 at 5:32 am
Durango 95 … Ya escorting 2 very hot ladies at the ultimate wet T-shirt contest does sound like ‘good times’. Hard to forget a dream evening like that.
—-
lol. Had never thought about it that way. Very clever.
December 5th, 2025 at 6:31 am
Todd Bowles is trash! Hits collegiate and NFL career was spent playing safety
December 5th, 2025 at 6:33 am
Someone said rainy mess for Sundays game. Durango and Defense Rules, thinking you’ve given me something else to look for in Sundays game.
December 5th, 2025 at 6:43 am
I say lets put Wirfs in the defensive backfield. He’s got great hands!
December 5th, 2025 at 6:57 am
Is it the players, or the coaching, chicken, or the egg? Last year we all blamed Britt for not being able to cover. Said he had no instincts. When Todd got his hand picked MLB Dennis healthy things would change. We all couldn’t wait to see Dennis run Todd’s D the way it was supposed to be run, not like that trash Britt. Reddick was going to make us forget all about JTS, we have a real edge rush guy now. Pay Zyon, he’s lock down, Morrison is the steal of the draft. We’ve missed on players, Licht, and Bowles must share blame. Coaching from defense, offense, and STs, has not been good enough, can’t gloss over it, or spin it. I don’t see the Glazers parting with Licht. You can’t get a whole new roster. Only thing you can do to effect change is with a new head coach.
December 5th, 2025 at 7:09 am
Im sick of talking about it. Been talking about it for way too long. Wake me up when he’s gone.
December 5th, 2025 at 7:11 am
And the Glazers had (or should have had) all this information available to them when they decided to extend his contract. Well, I guess you don’t have to be smart to become wealthy by inheritance.
December 5th, 2025 at 7:22 am
Boy is this a groundbreaking article. I have been posting here on this site for the last 2 years that this Putrid Pass Defense is this teams Achilles heel. Why/How Bowles is looked upon as some Defensive Guru is perplexing to me. We have no Pass Rush and our DB’s play 10 yards off of WR’s. The third down conversions expectations have become part of the misery of being a Bucs fan with Todd at the helm. And not to mention the in-game time Management decisions have been dumfounding. Bowles has reached his ceiling as a coach. It is painfully obvious. Go Bucs!!
December 5th, 2025 at 7:44 am
The only hope the defense has for the remainder of the year and in the playoffs, should we get there is that the offense scores so much it makes the other team one dimensional. It may sound counter productive since we are so inept at covering, but the more chances to get turnovers.
Last year with the offense flying the way it was and in the 20 and 21 seasons, you’d expect to give up significant yards thru the air. But the rankings are the rankings. Not nearly good enough.
December 5th, 2025 at 7:45 am
I had no idea……
December 5th, 2025 at 7:52 am
When is the media going to press Bowles on why opposing teams are allowed to routinely run wide aas open across all levels of his defense game in and game out? We whine about it here but no one with access to the guy in charge bothers to ask him this direct question. Ask the damn question
The truth is already out there. It’s on the field for all to see. No consistent pass rush. Lack of aggression within zone defense. Too many DBs allowed to play off with no accountability. Bowles has been asked about his pass defense many times. Multiple times in the offseason he acknowledged he wanted more ballhawks, DBs were free to play tighter and, of course, he was seeking a better four-man pass rush. This isn’t Watergate.
December 5th, 2025 at 7:56 am
How are they against the Run and Total yardage since Bowles got here ? Passing Yardage is the most misleading stat there is due to garbage yards at the end of games
December 5th, 2025 at 7:59 am
Same Pass defense articles over and over
December 5th, 2025 at 8:00 am
Joe, watch the Chris Godwin mic’d up and tell me there is not some hate on defense for the offense
December 5th, 2025 at 8:00 am
Browns, Jets , Falcons , Saints Vikings are all in the top 10 in Pass defense ..How is that working out for them ?
December 5th, 2025 at 8:02 am
“Journalists” and “media” don’t ask direct or pointed questions anymore. They might lose their access and click bait.
This has some merit in the NFL realm, Joe believes. Corporate media, of course, collectively is terrified. Because those folks run a risk of getting reassigned to cover something else or be replaced altogether. JoeBucsFan can’t get replaced and doesn’t operate on “access,” as you call it. The site was built without it and doesn’t rely on it. And to think Joe wouldn’t have access to information without a press credential is ludicrous. Also, in the NFL, nobody can hide from reality. Fans get access to All-22 and replays and all kinds of data. The truth is already out there for the Bowles pass defense. It’s on the field for all to see. No consistent pass rush. Lack of aggression within zone defense. Too many DBs allowed to play off with no accountability. Bowles has been asked about his pass defense many times. Multiple times in the offseason he acknowledged he wanted more ballhawks, DBs were free to play tighter and, of course, he was seeking a better four-man pass rush. This isn’t Watergate. Questions don’t need to be repeated multiple times to satisfy fans that think there are great mysteries. “We got to coach it better and we got to play it better.” There’s your answer. –Joe
“News” is merely performance. Look no further than D.C.
December 5th, 2025 at 8:03 am
I still go back to the Rams game and he calls for an all out blitz leaving Kupp wide open….the only thing he knows is blitz constantly. Its literally like he’s playing the Madden video game.
December 5th, 2025 at 8:14 am
And some people wonder why some of us are down on Coach Bowles….
December 5th, 2025 at 8:15 am
Damn those numbers suck! Defensive GURU!
December 5th, 2025 at 8:17 am
Even the 9 turnovers can’t overcome the woeful pass defense.
December 5th, 2025 at 8:41 am
Bowles’ defense has been broken in the exact same way ever since he’s been here. He’s been unable to adjust, we don’t develop young defensive players (name one that is better than their rookie season). Bowles needs to go with a clean sweep of all defensive coaches (may as well throw out special teams and conditioning coaches while we are at it). At the very least he needs to be forced to hire a DC who can hire his own staff. We are five years in and we routinely have blown coverages because nobody knows what they are supposed to do. Either his scheme is too complicated or we have dumb players. Either way that’s on him as a good coach fits the scheme to his players if he can’t fit the players to his scheme.
December 5th, 2025 at 8:43 am
Welcome to the party
It’s been like this nearly his whole tenure, as long as Todd Blows is here the Bucs will have a BOTTOM 10 pass D and a top 10 Run Defense
He lacks the skill, courage or knowledge to limit opponents in the pass game.
They keep doing the same thing and expecting different results, that’s pure stupidity
December 5th, 2025 at 8:47 am
Yes the Rams game with Cuup was a killer.
Perfect example.
December 5th, 2025 at 8:48 am
Im always surprised when the pass defense is good whatever year. Bad pass defense seems to be the norm. Maybe some coaching improvements?
December 5th, 2025 at 8:53 am
@Daryl Green
After that pitiful defensive performance the Bucs gave this clown a promotion
December 5th, 2025 at 9:34 am
Todd sacrifices yards for points, always has.
For instance: in our Superbowl season, we were #21 in yards surrendered, but we were #8 in points allowed (22)
December 5th, 2025 at 9:42 am
Yea But the BUCS won back to back division titles
And they made playoffs
SO BOWLES US THE BEST
MVP COACH OF THE YEAR
DEFENSIVE GURU
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Wow I said that with a straight face IM THE GURU
December 5th, 2025 at 10:56 am
Beej: The Bucs are 23rd in points allowed this year, at 25.1 ppg. Not good.
December 5th, 2025 at 11:13 am
All good points. Right now, you are in first place with a good chance to win your division. No matter how much fans hate the coach, management isn’t going to replace him now.
Not until the season is over.
My question is always – who do you replace him with. You may well need to hire 2 – HC and DC.Or even 3 – HC,DC, and OC. I don’t see any speculation here about that – just complaining without offereing solutions.
The most constructive things I have see are earlier posts from Aqualung saying you cannot have a HC acting as DC. I would agree that it’s the problem. And fit the defensive scheme to the pllayers.
Here is a question – What happens if the Bucs win the division and advance all the way to the NFC Championship round?
What would you do then?
What do you do then?
December 5th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
to be fair, some of this is by design. its been a foundation since before bowles. the thought being to focus on the run to force teams to pass with the thought that passing gives a greater opportunity for a turnover or impact sack vs. the run. the issue is we dont have the ability to have zone coverage with the current roster. lavente is a hell of a blitz threat but dennis is one of if not the worst pass covering linebackers in the entire league. he gets tackles, but thats a side effect of his coverage constantly getting catches he never breaks up.
December 5th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
With Bowles the O needs 30 a game.
December 5th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
Ask an expert with access to the all-22 footage if it is scheme or players making mistakes and write and article about that. If I had to guess, it is players making mistakes. McCollum is getting targeted and getting beat like a drum. Tackling has been subpar. Guys have been getting close to the QB, but not getting sacks. I don’t think you can scheme out every deficiency. To be honest, Licht, who is universally praised, has had YEARS to fix the defensive line and edge rush, and hasn’t done it. Not sure I see why Bowles gets blame for Reddick underperforming when Licht signed him. Not sure why Licht gave a big contract to a corner who is our biggest liability in the offseason. Not sure why the plan to replace the oft-injured Dean was to draft the oft-injured Morrison. Not saying Bowles should escape criticism, but frankly, there is plenty to go around for this defense.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:07 pm
This has to be some kind of joke in the NFL because I still read opposing coaches call him a defensive genius or guru. Well the numbers obviously don’t show that and then we make teams like the Cardinals look like the Rams offense. All Bucs fans know how putrid this defense is.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:38 pm
Permanently Moderated Says:
December 5th, 2025 at 5:16 am
You can’t argue with those pass defense stats. One year, count ‘em, one the pass defense was good. Janis Joplin sang ‘every picture tells a story, don’t it?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No, that was Rod Stewart…!
December 5th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
@joe: I have been saying this exact thing for years here in the comments of this site! Feeling vindicated, thank you!
Can we bury once and for all the “Defensive Guru” association to Todd Bowles?
December 5th, 2025 at 4:49 pm
Same old same old. The playoffs will be filled with teams that allow plenty of pass yards.
Pass yards allowed will continue to be one of the least important stats for win/loss success.
More important=
Red zone
Explosives
It might help if the offense could sustain a few drives after the defense gets them the ball.
Funny how ONLY the Todd haters, and a couple of the talking heads, keep referring to coach as a “guru”. The rest of us, who are called pom pom shakers, think he’s a good coach and deserves more credit than he gets…that’s all.
But let’s keep blowing smoke up the offenses a$$ and condemning Todd and the D 🙄 every chance we get for everything thats gone wrong with our perfect season. SMH
December 5th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
@Joe I know there are still believers in Bowles however I would like a small article on if he were to be fired what coach or coaches if the whole thing somehow got wiped would we be going for. More as a place to see what ideas the community here have towards such a feat.
I personally have been against Bowles since day one of him being put in as head coach just because of B.A. and his clear history of not being a good Head Coach and DC at the same time. I don’t think he’s terrible as a DC but not while being a HC. I never believed he was a good HC either way.
December 5th, 2025 at 9:14 pm
Dont they have the same secondary coaches? Id move on in a heartbeat from them and the ST coordinator. Bye!
December 5th, 2025 at 9:21 pm
@jcscycles – it would be malpractice to fire Bowles without a good replacement. I am not totally confident in Bowles, but he has won the South 4x straight. Yes the division is weak, but you can’t apologize for that. I thinl Bowles can adapt, he has made some strides
His defense needs an overhaul though. It’s either scheme or the position coaches arent coaching players up enough. I also think Bowles wpuld greatly benefit for a good DC and JL isnt doing enough to find good defensive players, esp a Legit OLB. That is key, tired of the execuses, all the playoff teams have one except Tampa. The pass rush is literally killing us vs the top tier teams. This team has no chance with Bowles mediocracy and an enemic pass rush.
December 5th, 2025 at 11:46 pm
Everyone wants to blame TB but isnt there position coaches? I agree running the whole team seems to have Todd in over his head. I dont understand why we leave players such cushion. Its like we wait fir them to catch it then react. There is no anticipation. I think he is resting Dean because JD gets injured regularly. Mcollum is not catching on. I agree that the Problem starts with Licht. If the problems are obvious to us how can they not be to them? Why does no reporter ever ask any meaningful questions? His defensive scheme do occasionally cause confusion on the opposing offense but it’s generally hurting us. Why on earth is it ok to let the other team chew up clock driving down the field? Even if they get a field goal, we are wasting time. Bye now
December 5th, 2025 at 11:54 pm
Bottom third pass defense = defensive “genius”
Ooooh the blitzes are so exotic! Unfortunately they leave 70% of the field wide open.
December 6th, 2025 at 12:11 am
People, for the love of God, stop citing the SB vs the Chiefs as a reason to defend Todd.
We know how much a good OL matters to team success and the Chiefs were playing 3 backups along the OL in that SB. It was such a bad mismatch that Mike Smith and Lovie couldn’t have screwed it up.
December 6th, 2025 at 1:48 am
You want Joe to lie and type an article that the Bucs have a good pass defense, even though that’s patently inaccurate?
December 7th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
Ronde Barber (podcast show) might have said it best. Ronde pointed out that Todd’s complicated D does not play to the strengths and talent of the players he has. Too many complicated technical hitches find players out of position to make big plays. Barber criticizes they need to adjust to ‘keep it simple stupid’. Todd Bowles D is one of the worst in NFL at giving up big plays – 8 TD’s of 25+ yarders. Why not adjust to something similar in scheme to the Tampa 2 we are known for – ‘a single gap defense where each player is responsible for covering his own gap’ which has always been ‘particularly effective against teams who are playing from behind, because it limits big plays.’ A single gap defense keeps it simple and plays to our talents strengths by lettings gap players do what they do best. Barber may not have said it, but another sport pundit did – “What is Bowles doing when something isn’t working. Is he adjusting at all?”