When Players Care
December 15th, 2025
Tristan Wirfs (78) celebrates with teammates after Chris Godwin’s touchdown catch Thursday. Wirfs was in no celebratory mood later.
Walking through the Bucs’ locker room on Thursday night, it was a very dark place, despite the room being very well-lit.
Seldom does Joe go to Todd Bowles’ postgame remarks. A lot of times, even after a win, some players don’t hang out long in the locker room long. Joe figures he can get Bowles’ remarks off video or from team-provided quotes.
So at the time, Joe was unaware of Bowles’ profanity-laced outburst (though Joe thought it was cool and warranted).
As one can imagine, the players who really cared were really peeved after the game. Maybe the best example was Bucs All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs. You could tell Wirfs was so depressed. He struggled for words, often answering questions with a shake of the head, a shrug of the shoulders, followed by, “I don’t know.”
And Wirfs was very much disgusted.
“We lost to the 2-10 Saints and we lost to — I don’t know what the Falcons’ record is,” Wirfs began. “At home. Up two scores.
“Yeah, I don’t really… I don’t know. That was f’ing insane. (Long pause) I think losing to the Falcons at home — what’s their record?”
When Wirfs was informed Atlanta was 4-9 entering the game, he sarcastically said, “Nice. … That’s the most frustrating part.”
Wirfs had no answer when asked how the Bucs can turn things around, now having lost five of their last six and hanging on to a chance at the playoffs by the skin of their teeth.
“You tell me,” the dejected Wirfs said, not in a mean tone at all. “I don’t know. I don’t know dude.
“We all have to look in the mirror. I think Graham [Barton] said it last week, we all have to look in the mirror. [Thursday night] was insane.
“Yeah, I really don’t have much for you guys. Like I’m, I’m… I don’t know. Like that was embarrassing.”
Wirfs then said no one on the Bucs’ roster is above fault, including himself. He noted how it is a team game with 11 on offense, 11 on defense and “11 on special teams.”
Asked about Todd Bowles’ 24-hour rule where players have a day to get the game out of their system, Wirfs didn’t seem to care for that question and he flashed a rare moment of anger, not at the reporter but for how the Bucs have cratered.
“We’ve got three days at home, we’ve got three days of a short mini-bye,” Wirfs said. “I hope everyone sits and lets this f’ing stew.”
Wirfs appeared to want to explode and then his discipline caught him and you could physically see how he tensed up not to say anything more other than to mumble, “Yeah.”
You can see the video from local Tampa Bay sports podcaster Jay Recher by clicking here.
At least Wirfs cares about this Bucs team.
December 15th, 2025 at 12:09 am
We are all fans for a while. Me since the beginning (yes I am almost 60). It’s hard to comprehend but Wirfs, AWJ and any Buccaneers drafted since then have never known missing the playoffs. Going to be an interesting three games.
December 15th, 2025 at 12:16 am
Yep real interesting now!
December 15th, 2025 at 12:26 am
Stewing is one thing…but I want to see them come out pi$$ed off and fired up and really take it to the Panthers. Of course…I doubt I’ll see that, but that’s what we SHOULD see.
I don’t understand why some teams seldom lose 2 games in a row. (I do, it’s COACHING!).
Enough ranting, time for this old butt to get to bed.
But, good job NO. I never thought I’d say that. EVER.
December 15th, 2025 at 12:26 am
I don’t know how to feel about Carolina losing because I feel like the only way changes could be made is if they miss the playoffs. Other than that if they make the playoffs I’ve got a feeling everyone might stay no matter what & we’ll probably be dealing with the SOS. The same scheme/system on D & we’re still gonna be giving up 30 PPG. Would be nice to finally see them go out & do something in the offseason.
December 15th, 2025 at 12:31 am
What are you going to turn around?
1. Special Teams can’t cover all year?
2. Defense can defend the middle?
3. Baker can’t complete 50% of his passes?
4. Offense can’t figure out they need to run Tucker?
The coaches aren’t going to become good coaches overnight. Bowles is the HC because Canales and Coen were good enough to save his job. Grizz isn’t and now everyone is exposed.
December 15th, 2025 at 12:34 am
Sly Pirate,
I feel 3 and 4 can be solved.
1 a d 2, not so much.
December 15th, 2025 at 12:39 am
It’s put up or shut up time.
December 15th, 2025 at 12:45 am
Is it bad I want the Bucs to lose out so we can purge this whole coaching staff and start over? I sincerely with all my being hate this defensive scheme and Bowles coaching style.
December 15th, 2025 at 1:41 am
Yes, Trey.
December 15th, 2025 at 1:49 am
@Trey Alderson
Yeah that’s why I’m really torn on how to take Carolina losing because in a way I wanna be happy but in another way I’m like NO because of that reason somewhat. If they make the playoffs & all more than likely everything will probably stay the same & nothing will change with anything & we’ll probably still get the same thing over & over again. That’s why in a way I don’t want them to make it because maybe there might be some changes if so. Hopefully. But knowing them who knows.
December 15th, 2025 at 1:58 am
IF the players start playing aggressive, they can win the division and win in the playoffs.
IF.
I remember when the Patriots were a great team, one of their players commented on how they refused to accept losing as a team. Bill and Tom were great at keeping that going.
The Bucs played not to lose for a very long time. Arians changed that. Bowles brought it back…maybe. under Arians we had some top defensive guys on the line, so they new what was needed.
That’s the real reason I feel JPP being in the house matters. I don’t expect him to still be a sack artist. I want his leadership. Lavante is a lead by example guy. JPP is a guy who pulls the team with him.
December 15th, 2025 at 2:04 am
Tony, things will change regardless.
Maybe not the HC. But lots of other things.
Players will get healthy.
We’ll get a new OC.
A second year of drafting defense.
And maybe we’ll get a new DC. Maybe.
Because Bowles is a good head coach. But he should ONLY be that.
I have no idea who our DC could be though.
I will say this: Our next HC should be offensive-minded…because that’s the only way we win rings.
December 15th, 2025 at 2:06 am
Not taking a shot at Wirfs or anything with this comment… but looking in the mirror does what exactly? You look and you see that’s its you looking back. Unless you’re on drugs, then you can see all sorts of wacky stuff.
But instead of looking in the mirror, how about publicly calling out people who failed at their job.
For example, take Carlton Davis, who after 2023, called out Bowles for running that God-awful zone defense, and pointing out the defense was literally built around being an aggressive man-to-man defense – not to stand around in zone. For saying that, Davis was traded to Detroit, where he helped them go, what, 15-2? Now he’s in New England, where they’re what, 11-3?
Maybe some defensive players should say something – then again, if they did, they’d get shipped out of town to.
December 15th, 2025 at 2:30 am
Mayfield needs to sit until he is healthy and doesn’t have to wear a brace. He is a shell of himself. When he was healthy he spanked the now 9-5 Texans and their #1 defense. When hes seriously hurt we can’t beat the 2-10 Saints. The coaches need to save him from himself. We need Baker but not the injured Baker. Take care of yourself Baker Mayfield. We need the healthy you.
December 15th, 2025 at 3:18 am
Sly Pirate that’s a bingo.
December 15th, 2025 at 3:28 am
You should ask Sherman, he knows something
December 15th, 2025 at 4:00 am
I have been pro-Bowles all along. But, as Head Coach, he has to fix the play calling problem on the offense and the so-called game management.
Ahead by 8 points, starting from your own 40, with 9:37 left to play and averaging over 4 yards per carry, you run the football AT LEAST the NFL average of 40% of plays; as strong as the Bucs run game is when they are creative and use all three backs, the Bucs should be running two times for every one time they pass on average.
So, the Bucs come out aggressively with two quick completions and have 1st & 10 at the Falcon 45. Passing when running was predictable was okay even if it was not ideal clock usage. But now, take at least two shots running the ball to get a first down, or at least get into field range, or at least burn clock time.
Instead, two more passes, an incompletion and and interception with only 1:15 off the clock for the entire drive. It is hard to imagine worse situational football.
Why don’t the Bucs believe in themselves when it comes to running the football?
And, why are they forcing touches on Irving when he is fresh back from injury and has not been as productive as the two headed monster was in his absence; why aren’t the going with their strength – a true three RB attack?
December 15th, 2025 at 4:55 am
Saw Hainsey celebrating a TD in J Ville wth his teammates yesterday. He was the center we had to replace. His offense put up 48 points. He’s the leader of that O line. We let him walk for nothing, and wasted, yes wasted, a first round pick on a college LT we’re trying hard to turn into a center. Forget the edge rush, or a real DT, not Roberts, we used that pick on a center, who wasn’t a center. The problems run deep in Tampa. Clean house.
December 15th, 2025 at 6:15 am
Bowles is gone. The Glazers know it. Bowes knows it. The players know it.
The Glazers have been patient owners. But they fired Dungy and Gruden.
Is this team less disciplined and more sorry than Dungy’s last season?
Is this failed season as bad as Gruden’s last 9-7 falling off the cliff?
Yes to both.
Thank you Arians for intentionally waiting to retire so that one of your favorites could get the Head job.
Stagnation won’t stand.
December 15th, 2025 at 6:39 am
Todd Bowles is the absolute worst coach in the NFL. An absolute utter embarrassment. We want him G O N E.
December 15th, 2025 at 6:58 am
Maybe Wirfs needs to choke slam somebody. Make an example out of a slacker.
December 15th, 2025 at 9:12 am
This team will fold like a beach chair the next 3 games and miss the playoffs. They don’t deserve to make the playoffs and they don’t want it anyway.
December 15th, 2025 at 9:16 am
After Bowles Arians needs to go. He has influence over ownership, and I suspect he props up Todd.
December 15th, 2025 at 9:46 am
Fire Todd
December 15th, 2025 at 9:57 am
Maybe we need to start worrying about holding onto our precious picks and get the best fing players and put in a coach who knows how to use them. How crazy is that? Maybe we should cut the guys who dont care about losing aw zyon yep idc im calling them out I see it. I dont need to guess I watch how these guys play. Half the line. None of you are truly worth a cheeseburger if im being honest.
December 15th, 2025 at 10:33 am
Hodad, I disagree that Graham Barton is not a good center, if that’s what you are saying. The guards have been the big issue.
December 15th, 2025 at 10:34 am
joe wont like this at all and few others will as well.
what has been going on in recent weeks is not working.
its not simply a matter of will. it will take trancelike performances, meaning so deep into the zone that guys wont even know what temperature it is outside.
getting there requires clearing the mind of things that arent progressing and finding fuel in parts of their games that film will show didnt win. totally a kind of mental, but flow, loose, calm, superhuman.
use failure as a fuel
December 15th, 2025 at 10:39 am
Ufcguy, I believe they all want to win. Injuries riddled this team. We have been using a lot of backups who were not ready.
I also believe requiring a third stringer to play like he’s normally a starter is unreasonable of us. Yes, sometimes the cream will rise to the top, but most of the time you end up with guys who want to win but are not capable of doing it…yet.
That’s no excuse for regular starters though.
This is a turning point. This is a time when, as players, they are examining themselves. The ones worth keeping will prove themselves. The ones who are not will be gone with the next draft class and free agency.
Meanwhile…we get to see a great turnaround if it happens. IF.
December 15th, 2025 at 11:12 am
Because Bowles is a good head coach. But he should ONLY be that…..Bonzai
Bonzai, you, Bonzai are an idiot! What evidence to you have that the rest of us don’t? But, you are just posting your opinion. I hope mine makes more sense than yours.
December 15th, 2025 at 12:15 pm
There is a cancer within. Don’t know who started it or who is ensuring it continues but before we can come together as a team it has to be cut out.
December 15th, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Toopanca….I agree with only half of what you said. When that series started, I thought Bowles would run 3 plays up the middle for 1 yard each. Normal “turtle.” I was thrilled when they passed. But 1 maybe 2 passes was enough. The surprise was gone. Trying again and again was the mistake.
December 15th, 2025 at 1:07 pm
Toopanca…..I only agree with half of what you said. When that series started, I was sure Bowles would run 3 plays up the middle for 1 yard each then have to punt. Typical”turtle.” I was thrilled when they passed. That’s where things went wrong. After 1, maybe 2 passes the surprise was gone.