“The Bucs Have Been Absolute Ass”
January 3rd, 2026
Insider has intel from One Buc Palace.
Even closet Bucs fan Peter Schrager can’t sugarcoat what’s going on at The Licht House.
Scharger, the former co-host of “Good Morning Football” on NFL Network who now works for the four-letter, is in Tampa for today’s game between the Bucs and the Stinking Panthers. The game, for the Bucs, is do-or-die, win-and-wait. If the Bucs win, they then have to hope the slimy Saints win Sunday so they can back door into the playoffs.
Even if the Bucs win today, if the Dixie Chicks beat the slimy Saints tomorrow, Carolina goes to the playoffs and the Bucs immediately go on vacation.
Appearing on “The Pat McAfee Show” yesterday from Tampa, Schrager heard McAfee say of the Bucs, “The Bucs have been absolute ass.”
Schrager agreed, “They have been.”
If you think about it, how could one show their face on national TV and try to make the case the Bucs have played good ball since the bye?
Schrager reminded McAfee’s audience that before the bye, the Bucs were a feared team. They had wins at Houston, at Seattle and then at The Licht House against San Francisco.
Then came the bye and as Schrager said, “They’ve been awful ever since.”
Schrager said he had a chat with Baker Mayfield who is trying to keep the Bucs loose, reminding teammates they’ve won big game and must-win games, and that same talent is still on the roster.
McAfee cohort, former Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk, asked Schrager if Mayfield is hurt.
“He’s all sorts of banged up,” Schrager said.
And so too may be the Bucs’ playoff dreams for 2025.
"I had a good chat with Baker Mayfield yesterday and the message was let's play free tomorrow..
They're hoping to get Tristan Wirfs and Calijah Kancey back" ~ @PSchrags #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/eUIH3z9qA5
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 2, 2026
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:24 am
Why is anybody surprised??????? 8-9, 9-8, 10-7, and now at best 8-9 this season. These records in the worst division in football over that span. True definition of mediocrity. I was stupid to think this year would be different after starting 5-1. The laugh is on me and us fans!!! Get rid of this clown show Glazers!!
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:25 am
The lack of anyone viable at the backup QB position has tanked this season. If the Bucs had, say, Mac Jones as a backup they could have spelled a banged-up Mayfield a game here and there
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:26 am
This team is too dependent on Mayfield
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:31 am
We had to face HOF’er Brees, an MVP in Cam, and Matt Ryan during the lost decade. Who has Bowles had to face in our division??? Spencer Rattler and Desmond Ridder!!!! Bowles only confuses his own players most of the time, not the opposition. INSANITY must be what the Glazers like!!!!
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:32 am
Panthers, put us out of our misery today! Please!
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:32 am
Go get a real edge rusher and 2 starting guards add a OC with NFL level experience and the Team is back.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:33 am
Oh yeah, and Bowles had to face his “DADDY” Kirk friggin Cousins! What a daunting ring of QB’s.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:44 am
The good, the bad and the ugly will end today!
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:47 am
Poor pops is rolling in his grave watching how his loser kids run things. No way Malcom extends Bowles after he got toasted by cousins twice last year and grossly outcoached by wash in playoffs.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:52 am
I’ve been watching the Bucs 50 year documentary on Amazon Prime. I never truly understood how involved the Glazers were until I watched this series. Trust me, they have a plan in place and have been working on this plan for quite some time. They axed Dungy due to his laid back approach and then brought in Gruden…polar opposite. They will do the same with their next hire, as we all know Bowles VERY laid back. I would put Bowles firing at 95%.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:55 am
So whether Baker is hurt or just plain sucks everyone has bad games. Qbs are treated like sacred cows. I think they should be handled like starting pitchers. There should be a deep bullpen. At least 3 good qb’s. the CFL wraps up Thanksgiving and their contract stipulates they can bolt for the NFL.. Rypien is on a platoon squad as is several former starters. Cy young winners get pulled for having be bad game then start again in 5 days. Should be like that for q b’s.
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:04 am
Remember our #BeatAtlanta mantra at the beginning of the season. How fitting that if we win today, that they control our fate. That and Cousins is Bowles Daddy!
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:04 am
Glazers will give him an out right away. Retire and go gracefully then the rebuild will begin again.
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:07 am
Don’t stop after axing Bowles! Fire Licht & his whole gang. Clean house! Fire the cheerleaders! Fire the cannons!!
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:13 am
Look up Bowles family tree. Cousins is his Daddy!!!!!!
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:14 am
Ballwin is right Toilet Bowels brought in his buddy Bridgewater just so could get a paycheck PERIOD WHICH WAS A JOKE Bridgewater is a washed up has been that never was Just looking out for his boy PATHETIC
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:21 am
At least this guy actually watches the Bucs play before he makes a comment.
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:28 am
Fishhawkbuc Says:
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:52 am
“I’ve been watching the Bucs 50 year documentary on Amazon Prime. I never truly understood how involved the Glazers were until I watched this series. Trust me, they have a plan in place and have been working on this plan for quite some time. They axed Dungy due to his laid back approach and then brought in Gruden…polar opposite. They will do the same with their next hire, as we all know Bowles VERY laid back. I would put Bowles firing at 95%.”
This.
Although I can see a couple scenarios where Bowles keeps his job.
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:31 am
Even a trip to the NFC Championship game doesn’t completely guarantee Todd’s job after this fiasco. Not than I wouldn’t mind seeing that.
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:37 am
Don’t worry. We have Bridgewater waiting on the sidelines. What a brilliant move that was. If Bowles isn’t gone after this game, a lot of fans will be. Don’t look for a win today.
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:37 am
I believe Bowles will be fired unless they make the playoffs and win in the playoffs. Very unlikely that happens.
But… let’s play devil’s advocate. Say the Bucs lose today, and the Glazers decide to give him another year:
🏈 Fan backlash would be huge, so steps would have to be taken to mitigate that. Forcing Bowles to bring in a dedicated DC could happen. ST coach must be replaced. Grizz? Slim chance he is kept for a couple reasons, but more likely fired.
🏈 New OC would be someone who could be promoted to HC later, if they do well.
🏈 Bowles would have to somehow win the dedication of his players back
🏈 We would see a few players retire. This will happen regardless though. Lavante David will probably cal it a day. Mike Evans might too…though I can see him giving it one more season. JPP will return to retirement.
Remember, I’m playing devil’s advocate here, and I don’t think any of this will happem.
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:41 am
Fred McNeil Says:
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:31 am
“Even a trip to the NFC Championship game doesn’t completely guarantee Todd’s job after this fiasco. Not than I wouldn’t mind seeing that.”
It would absolutely guarantee he keeps his job.
To rally the team after this nightmare season and get that far?
It would mean he won over the players again and overcame adversity. No way the Glazers fire him then.
And if he gets the team that far he would deserve another year.
But…I really doubt that happens.
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:45 am
Bridgewater was a huge mistake.
While releasing Trask was somewhat justifiable, Teddy was a step back from Trask.
It was like getting rid of the backup qb position entiely.
I personally think Mayfield would have been willing to rest if Trask were still his backup.
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:52 am
Hopefully the players see this and have some level of pride.
January 3rd, 2026 at 10:05 am
We need a QB!
January 3rd, 2026 at 10:14 am
Bazelak, should get the start, what could it hurt???? baker will have two INT’s today, Guaranteed!!!!!
January 3rd, 2026 at 10:28 am
Pat wearing mascara?
January 3rd, 2026 at 10:29 am
Pete wearing mascara?
January 3rd, 2026 at 10:34 am
8, 9, 10 &, most likely, 7 wins this year. In a frigging division whose opposing qbs are either has-been’s or never-will-be’s. One of the worst divisions in the history of football!
We called the lost decade a disaster, but we played against two MVP’s, Newton & Ryan, and also Brees -one of the games all time greats.
We suck in ALL phases of the game. Basic fundamentals, like say TACKLING & position, are nonexistent. Mo fire. No motivation. No concern. All of the above point to one thing: bad coaching!
January 3rd, 2026 at 10:53 am
“Bazelak should get the start”. HeavyE, you are the first and only one I’ve seen recommending that. May get you some of the attention you’ve been craving. Probably since early childhood. Life’s a beach.
January 3rd, 2026 at 10:55 am
Unless you want the Bucs to tank, the only people who would suggest that is someone that has never seen him play/practice. He wasn’t even in Kyle Trask’s league.
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:01 am
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
I personally think Mayfield would have been willing to rest if Trask were still his backup.
————————————————————————————–
I don’t know if Mayfield would be willing to rest, but Trask could have come in and won some games if necessary.
I love Mayfield, but if you have a QB who plays like him, you’ve got to have a backup you trust to play.
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:06 am
NCbucfan Says:
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:24 am
Why is anybody surprised??????? 8-9, 9-8, 10-7, and now at best 8-9 this season. These records in the worst division in football over that span. True definition of mediocrity
Licht on HC: He extended Bowles with those records
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:07 am
Ballwin Bucs Fan Says:
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:25 am
The lack of anyone viable at the backup QB position has tanked this season. If the Bucs had, say, Mac Jones as a backup they could have spelled a banged-up Mayfield a game here and there
Licht on free agency: cheap fingers crossed that QB doesn’t get hurt
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:10 am
Cardiac kidz Says:
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:32 am
Go get a real edge rusher and 2 starting guards add a OC with NFL level experience and the Team is back
Licht on talent assessment: whatever you say coach, just let me know
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:14 am
Fred McNeil Says:
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:31 am
Even a trip to the NFC Championship game doesn’t completely guarantee Todd’s job after this fiasco
Licht on coaching evaluation: crickets…. not unless my boss tells me I should do something (no agency)
January 3rd, 2026 at 11:16 am
“ He wasn’t even in Kyle Trask’s league.”
And yet he’s still on the team, along with Tracy Chapman and Trask isn’t.
Fire Bud Licht.
January 3rd, 2026 at 1:27 pm
someone looks to be playing with the ozempic if ya ask me
January 3rd, 2026 at 1:36 pm
@Piratic 2
Fire the concession stand workers? Fire the janitors & housekeepers & all? Why fire all the poop cleaners for BOWELS Licht & bunch of them with their screw ups?
January 3rd, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Bazelak, is better than baker (I’m so hurt) mayfield, what could it hurt, Carolina will win the division either way…….
January 3rd, 2026 at 3:19 pm
Baker’s injury doesn’t affect the awful play of the defense.