Will Contract-Year Players Save The Season?
January 1st, 2026
For weeks now the Bucs collectively have played like a lifeless force, a unit taking on the usual public persona of its head coach.
“We’re trying. We’re good. We just have to keep practicing like we do and we’ll snap out of it.”
It’s been a steaming pile. And the Bucs have not displayed the leadership capable of pulling the team out of its rut, or capable of forcing change because a crisis demands it.
Visibly, on and off the field, the team looks and sounds defeated. It’s a sad sight.
Joe is convinced Team Glazer and Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht see the same thing. And it sure seems like they’ve resigned themselves to a mindset of, ‘well, it’s Todd Bowles’ team right now. We all have to sink or swim with how he’s handling things.”
If that’s the mindset, it’s weak as hell.
Licht should have had every player walk though his office for a 5 minute meeting this week. Ownership, too, was very capable of getting creative to inspire the team.
Will fans learn that anything out of the failing Bucs norm changed this week?
These power brokers at One Buc Palace love to talk about how they’ll do anything and everything imaginable to improve the team. Well, Joe would love to know what they did this week while an opportunity for a Super Bowl appearance hangs in the balance. And if Licht and Glazers think the Bucs have no shot to win four consecutive games, then they should fire Bowles now and tank Saturday’s game for a better draft pick. They shouldn’t be able to have it both ways.
Joe is frustrated along with most Bucs fans by what’s happened to this team.
So what might change Saturday?
Joe thinks it’s possible that contract-year players could rise up to snap the Bucs out of their funk. They might find a money incentive to turn them into hungry and rabid football players.
Logan Hall, Greg Gaines, Rachaad White, Cade Otton, Mike Evans, Michael Jordan, Dan Feeney and a bunch of special teams players are pending free agents after the season. That represents a lot of snaps in Saturday’s game.
(Joe is not including Haason Reddick and Lavonte David because Reddick was in a contract year last year with the Jets and was awful, and David is likely to retire.)
Joe also will add Baker Mayfield to the mix. While he has tens of millions guaranteed for 2026, Mayfield has no contract for 2027 and likely would love to extend his contract this summer. A spectacular finish to this season sure would go a long way toward helping him negotiate.
This is what it’s come to for the Bucs, hoping something other than professionalism, fans, love for the game and respect for coaches motivates players.
January 1st, 2026 at 5:28 pm
That mustache and mullet should give him super powers
January 1st, 2026 at 5:30 pm
This guys mustache and mullet is our secret weapon
January 1st, 2026 at 5:33 pm
No Joe they won’t, because they can’t. They’re just not good, or well coached. There’s no saving this season. Licht is just as much to blame for this mess as Bowles. Someone else will have to fix it, Licht, and Bowles aren’t capable.
January 1st, 2026 at 5:33 pm
Jesus could play quarterback this Saturday and the Bus would still suck. Football is a team sport, if only one out of 11 players doesn’t care about playing well, then the whole pirate ship sinks. I don’t believe the coaching staff is capable of motivating every player who will be on the field Saturday.
The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.
January 1st, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Bowles has the team right where it always is. Trying to secure a win in week 17 only this time win or lose it doesn’t matter what happens if Atlanta wins on Sunday
January 1st, 2026 at 5:43 pm
The hitting and tackling in the 3 college playoff games in the past 24 hours far exceeds anything I can remember from the Bucs this year!
January 1st, 2026 at 5:44 pm
I’m going to watch tomorrow.
But honestly, I just can’t get excited about it. 🙁
*sigh*
January 1st, 2026 at 5:49 pm
Curt Cignetti is our guy
January 1st, 2026 at 5:51 pm
It’s out of their hands. It’s up to New Orleans. Who would be wise to tank and secure a top 5 draft pick.
January 1st, 2026 at 5:53 pm
@Joe – why do you protect Licht??? I have never seen an article stating the truth of how he’s not been up to par as a GM, he’s frugile, when does give money it’s a good chance the money is wasted – and when it comes to draft picks OMG he has sucked big time!!! he’ll have maybe 1 contributer per draft, maybe. But he hasn’t drafted an edge rusher, Linebacker to help LVD, or have provided depth in hardly any of the positions. IF Bowles get’s fired Licht needs to get fired too because Bowles doesn’t pick the players! He does! Do not eliminate the any responsibility from Licht! he sucks as a GM
Joe disagrees. –Joe
January 1st, 2026 at 6:11 pm
I’d literally take Indiana and their coaching staff for the entire Bucs team. It’s almost sad watching this team play knowing we’re stuck with our bs coach, organization, and a bunch of mental case quitters on the team.
January 1st, 2026 at 6:13 pm
Phred Says:
The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.
————————————————————————
Sometimes that is true, but not always.
If it were true, then predicting a deep playoff run for the Bucs would have
been a good prediction back when the team was 6 -2.
January 1st, 2026 at 6:14 pm
Licht would extend all of them, he’s as big a problem as Bowles.
January 1st, 2026 at 6:17 pm
The Glazers and Licht are a part of the problem
If you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem
And they are definitely not a part of the solution
January 1st, 2026 at 6:23 pm
Baker Mayfield had a career year last year and was still in the top 5 in turnovers. Sound familiar? I’ll give you guys a hint, he’s “famous” for eating “W’s.”
Guys it’s time to see the reality of the situation the Bucs lack a quality OC to mask Mayfield’s deficiencies. The injuries to both starting guards has turned Baker into a one read QB. When an OC doesn’t give Baker the answers pre snap like acorn did last year Baker turns into Jamies lite.
As for Bowles, what do you expect he is who we thought he was before they made him a HC! Jason Licht is the only GM in the NFL that will give a Dc who just lost a game with a failed blitz(see Rams 2021) and offer him the top job. Granted Arians tied us up by retiring late. But I can’t defend doofus for signing off on an extension for goofus in June 2025.
Today, this team is a reflection of a lack of talent and poor coaching. And for me it’s not even execution or effort that the culprit, the defense has actually played better after the saints game, for me it’s energy! Where’s the energy?!
Still, sadly, Bowles will not get fired bc Licht will admitting his error in judgment by extending oa mediocre HC in the NFL.
January 1st, 2026 at 6:28 pm
When you fall from #1 in ESPN Power Rankings, from 5-1 to 7-9
You can’t lay all of the blame on the Workers aka Players
The blame goes from Ownership to Head Coach
You can’t even blame the assistant Coaches, they’re also Workers
You have to point the blame at the shirts on this one
They allowed it, they have the power to bring change
Not the Workers
January 1st, 2026 at 6:28 pm
Bucs will throttle Carolina, but it will be all for naught. There’s no chance the slimy Saints help us out. I’ll streak down my street if they beat Altanta. Ain’t happening. Seeing the Bucs snap out of their funk Saturday will be followed up with a kick to the nuts Sunday. A fitting ending to a horrid season.
January 1st, 2026 at 6:46 pm
I have doubts anything can ‘Save’ this disaster.
January 1st, 2026 at 6:51 pm
I will never forgive the a$$hole that has me rooting for the slimey saints wtf, f u bowels.
January 1st, 2026 at 6:54 pm
NO. WHAT ABOUT Jason LICKT’S TEAM. ANOTHER article placing ALL the blame on Todd Bowles, WITHOUT ANY of the blame whatsoever, being placed on JL. It is PATHETIC and OBVIOUS what is going on here. “Ring of Honor,” My ACE. What a JOKE. Even, everyone on WDAE has admitted it. WHERE’S ‘The Pressure’ on LICKT. It’s total BS. And, when there is NOT ONE move or non move from HIM in the past YEAR+ that ANYONE can defend. NOT ONE. And, NOT A WORD. There is ZERO credibility here. So, guess we’ll just wait for the next article blaming BOWLES AGAIN for all of THIS, and no one else. JUST Bowles. NEVER JL. It’s been 12-YEARS. Time to move on. Bowles WON a “Super Bowl” too, so where’s HIS PASS!? 92-104.
January 1st, 2026 at 6:58 pm
Will Contract-Year Players Save The Season?
Short answer: No!
Long answer: Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!
January 1st, 2026 at 6:58 pm
They should put Jason Licht in the ” Hall Of Shame”
Without the few years he rode Ton Brady jock
He’s just a failing, mediocre GM
January 1st, 2026 at 6:59 pm
“”””Tom Brady””””
January 1st, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Well said Timon. Couldn’t agree more
Timon Says:
January 1st, 2026 at 6:23 pm
January 1st, 2026 at 7:00 pm
@ Lakeland – That’s RIGHT. JL is to blame as much as ANYONE. Where’s he at hiding NOW!? The ONLY thing HE has done is look like THE ‘Clueless’ FOOL that HE IS. He needs to do the right thing, and STEP DOWN. Period. End of Story.
January 1st, 2026 at 7:04 pm
As far as the players go- the ones that have quit aren’t going to start up again. They’re ready for the offseason. Visiting the gm and owner isn’t going to chance that IMO.
Licht and Glazers – I happen to agree that they see what we all do, more so even. If they lose on Saturday they get a better draft slot and if they win, there’s the possibility that they get a home playoff game and the revenue that comes with it.
Also – you have a division of labor. Unwritten rule you don’t muddle in the coaches affairs. Plenty of reasons for them not to inject themselves into the situation.
January 1st, 2026 at 7:06 pm
What grown man goes to a concert of a band they like 30+ times? The whole JL AC/DC shtick is old. How about you spend more time working on the Bucs than being a fanboy like a teenager. That never sat well with me. It’s total cringe
January 1st, 2026 at 7:09 pm
@ Jack Burton Mercer Says: “Curt Cignetti is our guy.”
He just signed like an 8-year/almost $100-MILLION Contract. At 64-years old, he’s going NOWHERE. And, he’s developed a close personal relationship with Mark Cuban (both bonded over being Pittsburgh boys)… It was the reason for Cuban giving a BIG CHECK (‘donation’) to the IU Football Program specifically, for the very first-time.
January 1st, 2026 at 7:15 pm
This team bites my scrotum.
January 1st, 2026 at 7:17 pm
@ Timon Says: “But I can’t defend doofus for signing off on an extension for goofus in June 2025.”
That’s Right. That’s ANOTHER thing, that I keep forgetting about… Friggin’ JL EXTENDED BOWLES, just a few months ago, when he didn’t even HAVE TO. Now, let that sink in. Not MY $$$$.
January 1st, 2026 at 7:17 pm
Timon, it’s obvious that you know nothing about Baker’s past. Do your homework before you make a fool of yourself, or even worse, turn into Dr. Muncher. Now I’m making a fool of myself.
January 1st, 2026 at 7:23 pm
@Lakeland
I’ve been saying that for awhile to where the front office the coaching staff & the Glazers are the problem.
January 1st, 2026 at 7:24 pm
@Lakeland
If somebody else takes over that D they’d probably look better. There’s no way that team overall should be struggling the way it is with all that talent on it.
January 1st, 2026 at 7:27 pm
They extended JL and Bowles – Plus guaranteed Bakers 2026 salary.
JL has serious beer goggles for his draft picks…I think the Bucs only make minor changes for 2026
January 1st, 2026 at 7:30 pm
If the Buccaneers defeat the Panthers Todd Bowles keeps his job !!
I’ll never pull for the Bucs to lose !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Panthers!!
January 1st, 2026 at 7:34 pm
@ Adam Says: “The whole JL AC/DC shtick is old,”
💯Agree on THAT LoL. Thing being, I never thought it was “new” Hahah. HE’S OLD. Been in his position for too long. He’d be smart (lol and I know that’s asking for A LOT) to step down, and try preserving what “legacy” he has left. He’s GOTTA GO.
January 1st, 2026 at 7:35 pm
And you know what’s funny? Licht is STILL the best GM the team has ever had!
Hard to believe but true. I can’t stand the gross “mystery” what the he!! happened but until we do.. Blaming (Besides the Obvious BOZO) is just throwing darts. TO MANY argued that it was wise to hold all the draft picks (I WAS NOT one of them) and Now some of the same people might be arguing the other way because their Hero Bowles is about to get thrown SO FAR INTO THE BAY THAT THE SHARKS WILL EAT HIM BEFORE HE’S EVER SEEN AGAIN! Or at least, THEY BETTER! But the same people that once defended Bowles (openly) Are looking for Any Scape Goat possible for BOZO they can point a finger at!
And Licht HAS RESPONSIBILITY for SOMETHING Not WORKING and THAT’S a FACT! Now how much blame IS Lichts? You should ask the Glazers about it before assuming too much. Just how responsible IS Licht???….. Fair Question.
Besides, he IS BOZO’S “Supposed” boss…
January 1st, 2026 at 7:52 pm
The season is over… there’s no time left that save it.