“Way Too Many Big Plays”
February 24th, 2026
In charge.
The Bucs defense stunk last year. And there’s no need to remind Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
In a sidebar session with Tampa Bay media types at the NFL beehive known as the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis today, Bowles was asked point-blank why he is confident the defense will improve from last year.
Basically, Bowles said, the issue was simple fundamentals. By tweaking some things on the defense, Bowles believes, the defense will be better.
“I think it has been inconsistent at different times,” Bowles said. “Obviously, different things happen at different times. At times, we just weren’t good enough. Either the defense wasn’t or the offense wasn’t or the special teams wasn’t.
“Defensively, there were way too many big plays given up. That stops with me. So we had to make some changes [on defense]. And we will see what kind of players we can bring in.”
One change that won’t happen is that Bowles said he will remain in charge of the defense. He will still call the defensive plays. So no new defensive coordinator for the Bucs.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:45 pm
He’s an average defensive coordinator and below average coach and yet we have him filing both roles at NFL level. Head scratcher. Like the guy but we can do better at this level if we’re serious about a sb.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Todd is the definition of the blind leading the blind.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
He is going to tweak things. Doesn’t exactly instill confidence, does it?
February 24th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
He tweaked things last year too if I remember? Same B.S. different day.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
Hes had one good season on defense and that was when Brady kept them off of the field. Lavonte hit it on the head. If felt like the old days because we are back to the old days. Bucs will be lucky to place 3rd in the nfl south next season and they will blame Baker.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:58 pm
Can someone ask Bowles this question… “you won a Super Bowl in 2020 by playing aggressive man defense, now you just sit back in your trash super soft zone and give up endless number of big plays and can’t stop anyone — are you planning on making any adjustments?”
February 24th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
RINSE AND REPEAT
February 24th, 2026 at 4:08 pm
That was when he had 1 role. He’s not cut out for 2 major roles. Bill Belichick didn’t even do both roles. We’re asking Todd to do way too much. Why is that?
February 24th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
hiring a DC wouldve did wonders for bowles….
now bowles has to “teach” his new defensive staff his scheme and” teach” them how to “coach” it better to new players lol….
oh boy!!
GO BUCS!!!!
February 24th, 2026 at 4:14 pm
@Rod Munch
Please use google (or something) to check on how much ANY teams played “aggressive man” vs zone last year.
What you’ll find is zone is the most prevalent defensive scheme by far and for very good reasons.
And increasing our usage of man to man, without a consistently effective pass rush, would be idiotic – we’d have given up way more points.
Maybe you should stick to dissing baker. Smh.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:32 pm
Bucs finish last in the NFCS next season with 4-5 wins
New GM, New HC, New QB
They won’t let Licht spend away the future this offseason.
Perfect situation for a new crew to rebuild.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
Paco Says:
What you’ll find is zone is the most prevalent defensive scheme by far and for very good reasons.
————
Just because most people on earth wipe with their hand, doesn’t mean we need to do the same.
The 2002 Bucs are the best defense in the history of the NFL, and they played zone.
Bowles super soft zone, where he literally has guys stand around and wait for something to happen before responding, is garbage. And the Bucs lead the NFL in zone in 2024 – not sure what the stats are for 2025, but they’ll be near the top again I’m sure.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:58 pm
I just watched an interview he gave and he again said the same phrase he’s said every year.
“We just have to play it better, coach it better, scheme it better” – Todd Bowles
Nothing is going to change until he’s gone. Same DC, same tired scheme.
The Glazers are more concerned with culture than wins.
Just look what they’ve done to Manchester United.
February 24th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
“The 2002 Bucs are the best defense in the history of the NFL”
Our 1999 defense was better.
February 24th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
Too many big plays is the analysis my 10 year old son would give.
February 24th, 2026 at 6:41 pm
We were giving up the booty like the defense collectively had a pimp to pay by the end of the business day.
February 24th, 2026 at 6:45 pm
Bowles is an expert at saying nothing. What he said today can be cut and pasted after every loss the Bucs have had since he’s been HC and DC. Dark days ahead.
February 24th, 2026 at 6:47 pm
2000 ravens 10 points a game
February 24th, 2026 at 8:19 pm
I don’t ever recall him saying anything like this in his 4 years as HC.
Surely this means a defensive break thru has happened.
February 24th, 2026 at 8:47 pm
DungyDance Says:
February 24th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
“The 2002 Bucs are the best defense in the history of the NFL”
Our 1999 defense was better.
————
The 1999 team was insane, but no, they were not better. Absolutely not true – no stats or metrics to back it up.
The 2002 team held opponents to a 48 passer rating, allowed a net of 3 points in 3 playoff games.
The 2002 defense allowed less points per game, less points per drive, had more turnovers, less yards per pass, less yards per run, less first downs, literally every single stat shows the 2002 defense was better. Also they played in a year where the scoring was up, and in the playoffs, while allowing 3 net points, they faced three top 10 offenses. The 2002 Bucs defense IS the best defense in the history of the NFL.
February 24th, 2026 at 9:28 pm
Are we in the middle of the season again? Didn’t the superbowl already happened oh no bowles is just on his usual repeat response nothing changed yippee so fun go bucs.
February 24th, 2026 at 10:10 pm
Let me summarize for everyone….Bolwes takes full responsibility for the poor defense in 2025 & then throws coaches / players under the bus for his shortcomings and too many big plays….Because he refuses to make adjustments how he calls DEF nor was he willing to fire himself.
Maybe he needs to take long hard look in the mirror & realize it starts with allowing his Edge pass rushers to…You know…Rush the passer…Instead dropping them into coverage 50% of the time – while he uses S, CB & ILB as the primary pressure specialists.
February 24th, 2026 at 10:20 pm
Todd is misunderstood. He’s so smart, his defense is really brilliant. It’s just that his assistants and players fail to grasp the multiple nuances on any given play call. So his genius is being wasted. Sad for him.
February 24th, 2026 at 11:45 pm
I am as pissed as the next Buc fan that he is still the head coach & DC at this point but… STFU & deal with it. He’s the coach moving forward, let’s just get behind it already.
Wallowing in misery and whining is getting us nowhere. Hopefully an edge, ILB, healthy offense and new OC… They can be a Super Bowl contender and we all know it. …..
They also could be rebuilding in two years but holy hell, just stop the bitching and let’s start with some positivity this year
February 25th, 2026 at 7:21 am
“Obviously, different things happen at different times. At times, we just weren’t good enough. Either the defense wasn’t or the offense wasn’t or the special teams wasn’t.”
Wow, killer insight. The self reflection is so strong with this guy.
February 25th, 2026 at 9:41 am
Too many big plays. Why? Part is coaching and part is players. He said he’ll get new players. But how will he coach differently? Simpler defense? Actually practicing tackling in camp? Having secondary guys specialize in one position rather than learning and playing in 2 or 3 positions like Ronde’ said? Bowles has shown that he’s set in his ways and won’t change.