“Big Cat” Torches Todd Bowles
March 10th, 2026
Says letting Liam Coen escape to Jacksonville a defining moment in Bucs history.
As Joe sits here on March 10, 2026, there is no way you can convince Joe that the Bucs are a better team than they were 24 hours ago.
In maybe less than two hours yesterday, the Bucs lost a Hall of Fame receiver and their best cornerback. And they were replaced by who?
Yes, it’s probably irresponsible to start throwing eggs after only the first day of legal tampering. The problem is, on the second day, it’s like going through the Thanksgiving leftovers expecting a full hot, fresh Thanksgiving dinner spread. There might be leftover green bean casserole in the fridge.
The reasons behind Mike Evans bolting to the 49ers when just 14 months ago he spoke lovingly of the Bucs, was a cold, rude slap of reality right across Bucs fans’ faces. The Bucs aren’t good enough. They’re not a playoff team any longer, forget a Super Bowl. The arrow is pointing straight down, “this Joe” believes.
Joe has no idea how many top-shelf free agents the Bucs were talking to yesterday but Evans bolting the franchise he once vowed to spend his entire career with could not have helped any Bucs sales pitches to free agents.
“Hey man, if your Hall of Fame receiver doesn’t have faith and doesn’t want to be there, why should I?”
For a lot of Bucs fans, Evans leaving was a major “I-told-you-so!” moment that has been simmering for years. Bucs fans, rightly if not understandably, erupted a year ago when then-Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen snuck out of town in the dark of the night to take over the Jags.
And who did Bucs fans blame? Well, of course, Todd Bowles, even though you and Joe know Bowles wanted Coen to stay. But this time Team Glazer also took heat. How could you choose Todd Bowles over Liam Coen, Bucs fans hollered.
Then, last season, the Bucs collapsed in November and Bowles not only had no answers, but erupted in a rare public display of anger after the choke job to Atlanta.
That third-and-28 moment very likely lit the fire under Evans to give up on his beloved Bucs. That tank job will live in Bucs fans’ souls for many, many years.
Evans’ departure signaled to the football world, loud and clear, the Bucs simply are not good enough and Evans didn’t see much of a near future for the team. If he did, he’d still be here.
Watching all of this go down from his frigid perch in Chicago, “Big Cat” of Barstool Sports fame took to his FS1 platform this morning on “Wake Up Barstool” and absolutely torched Bowles. Like many Bucs fans, Big Cat believes if the Bucs had Coen running the team, the Bucs would have been in the playoffs last year and Evans would still be wearing a Bucs uniform.
Big Cat basically said the only success Bowles has had came as a result of his predecessors. He rode the coattails of Rex Ryan for his only winning season with the Jets, Big Cat said. And Bowles was handed a Super Bowl squad by Bucco Bruce Arians and has done little with the Bucs, who are now going backwards.
(Yes Bucs, many fans think of a division title(s) the same way they look at a job at McDonald’s. It’s a stepping stone to bigger and better things, not a career goal and certainly not something to brag about in a cover letter.)
“I think we’re at the point now where there are certain moments in sports history that you can look back and you can say, ‘Wow, that changed a lot of things,'” Big Cat said. “The Herschel Walker trade for the Dallas Cowboys having started that dynasty.
“You can point to Tom Brady falling in the sixth round, starting the Patriots dynasty.
“And I think at this point, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers letting Liam Cohen walk out the door to keep a really bad coach in Todd Bowles will forever alter that franchise history, and possibly football history.”
Big Cat immediately got pushback from some of his co-hosts, thinking Big Cat was too harsh on Bowles, like he’s the second coming of lousy Lovie Smith or Rich Kotite. Big Cat quickly disagreed.
“I don’t think he’s a good coach!” Big Cat barked. “I don’t think he’s ever been a good coach!”
The contrast between Bowles and Coen is stark. Bowles is a guy who seems to like offense and often talks about scoring points but then too often puts the brakes on his offense.
Aside from spurts (most notably the 2020 postseason), his defenses are average at best. You know, keep the game close. He’s never developed an edge rusher, the most important player on a defense, and overall he doesn’t seem to have any burning interest in an edge rush.
Coen, on the other hand, is aggressive, at times salty and in your face. Perhaps a budding offensive mastermind schooled in the Sean McKay brand of football. Cutting edge.
There’s not much cutting edge about Bowles.
The Bowles-Coen debate will last for decades in bars all over the Bay area. What might have been?
Joe knows some folks are triggered with this debate, claiming no team would unload a playoff coach for one of his coordinators.
Didn’t Team Glazer once do that? They canned Chucky, a Super Bowl-winning coach who had two division titles in his final four seasons, for a defensive coordinator-in-waiting because, in part, Team Glazer didn’t want to lose Raheem Morris?
The only way right now for Bucs fans to get over this period of mourning is for Bowles to take the Bucs not just to the playoffs, but to win games — plural — in the playoffs.
The world is watching to see how Bowles handles this.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers letting Liam Coen walk out the door was a monumental mistake pic.twitter.com/4U527YlR2M
— Wake Up Barstool (@wakeupbarstool) March 10, 2026
March 10th, 2026 at 11:03 am
This is TWO YEARS AGO!!!!!!
Don’t care who this guy is – means nothing to me. The guy with perfect hindsight, but no answers. Try actually DOING something rather than just TALKING.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:08 am
he is so right, they should have sent Bowles packing but nooooo we extended that moron
March 10th, 2026 at 11:09 am
Were still whining about Liam Coen??
The guy is not Bill Walsh what a dumb take to say not getting him is “forever franchise altering”
Mike Evans 1,000 yard days are behind him, it will be a blessing in disguise if Jason Licht can use that $ we would’ve paid to Evans to get a premier pass rusher.
The Bucs are still plenty deep at WR, this is not a “franchise altering” blow by any stretch
March 10th, 2026 at 11:11 am
Playoffs…. Playoffs!!! ….don’t talk about it playoffs you kidding me playoffs I just hope we can win a game. Jim Mora.
That is what it is coming to with the Licht/Bowles show.
Licht always feels they are disrespected, days like yesterday leads to that disrespect. Only signing Hendrickson at this point can legitimize Licht in fan’s eyes.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:12 am
Never heard of Big Cat
March 10th, 2026 at 11:12 am
Todd Bowles is who he is. He didn’t let Liam Coen rush off to Jacksonville; Licht & the Glazers did.
Todd’s biggest mistake over 6 years is keeping himself dual-hatted as the DC AND HC. He should’ve figured last season that when the offense and S/Ts struggle, the HC ends up paying a lot more attention to those 2 areas. And when that happens, he pays less attention to the defense.
Bucs went backwards last season not just because of Bowles. Licht and the Glazers played a prominent role in that regression also. In my opinion, they played a BIGGER role because the talent level of our starters has gone downhill in these past 4 years, and our DEPTH has albeit disappeared. I wish Bucs’ fans would start holding everyone who contributed to this regression ACCOUNTABLE, not just Todd Bowles. Maybe then we could make some improvements.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Hindsight is 20/20. At the time, I am sure the Glazers were gun shy to promote Coen and fire Bowles. When they fired Chucky and hired Raheem, it did not end well. This was the beginning of what you like to call the Lost Decade. In that Lost Decade, they also fired Lovie Smith because they were afraid of losing Dirk Koetter. That did not turn out well either. At the end of the 2024 season, nobody knew what Coen could do as a head coach, except for maybe Coen himself.
At the time, I had my doubts about what he could do with Jacksonville. I did not think they would go anywhere. They did not have enough talent yet. I was dead wrong. Coen made the best of what he had to work with. I can now see that.
Had Coen been promoted and Bowles been given a senior administrator title, similar to BA, I am sure the Bucs would have made the playoffs and done some damage. Evans would still be around and we would be talking about a Super Bowl run. I hate to say it, but I feel like all hope has been lost. The defense is too soft and the special teams is non-existent.
I’m concerned about losing Baker after next season. It feels like Team Glazer is getting ready for a reset instead of a reload. We need help.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:15 am
It was obvious last year. Most Bucs fans knew Coen had an elite mind to run an NFL offense. It was idiotic to let him leave. It is even more obvious now, but unfortunately it is too late. If the Jags had an elite QB they would have been in the Super Bowl while the Bucs still have arguably the worst head coach in the NFL.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:15 am
But culture what about the culture who cares about winning games when we got the culture. And the glazers really like bowles.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:16 am
Silliness! Last year it was oh the bucks are really good. They’re going to challenge for the Super Bowl. They will win 11/12 or 13 games.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:17 am
I think this guy is a big fool but he’s right on this point
March 10th, 2026 at 11:18 am
I can’t even bring myself to watch the video. I know even without Mike we can still have a good offense but I’m kind of bummed he left. Coen was here scoring almost 30 ppg we got a first round exit. Todd Bowles is head coach how many points do we have to score to get more than 10 wins
March 10th, 2026 at 11:19 am
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers letting Liam Cohen walk out the door to keep a really bad coach in Todd Bowles will forever alter that franchise history!”
It’s exactly what I said at the time. Maybe a little hyperbolic (just a tad lol), but I was thinking more in the area of Ruth to the Yankees and the BOSOX type of deal. Hahahah. I did warn everyone about it. It was a move that HAD TO BE DONE. Period. End of Story. Lickt now has a litany-list of fireable offenses… They are really adding up. That Godwin-Deal was just inexcusable. His overall record period, is inexcusable 💯. We’re watching it here in REAL-TIME.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:21 am
This organization is back to being a laughingstock franchise. Way to go Glazer’s and Jason Licht. You’re all miserable failures.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:21 am
All the points I have made in my comments are captired here. Since Bowles was rumoured to remain the Bucs HC this year, I knew it would have collateral damage and consequences. This shows to EVERYONE around the team and those considering Tampa as a FA destination that Team Glazer is satisfied with mediocrity and WILL NOT do what it takes to get better.
The Great players in this league do not settle for mediocrity. Evans left because the actions spoke the words. Now what does it say when a franchise icon has left for less money? Go to a loaded division where playoffs may be more difficult than the terrible South. What does this say to other FAs wanting to come here? Show me the money because I’m not going to win?
Lastly, the Bucs have been devoid of high end talent and Evans leaving now leaves the Bucs with 0 top end talent. Yes they have pieces, but not any elite players. This team doesn’t have someone who can speak and everyone listens. This team does not have any players where rhe other teams need to game plan around. This is just wrong, considering JL used to know how to build a team. What happened?
Maybe a full reset jis needed. Mistakes over mistakes being made and team Glazer and Managament seem to be taking for granted what it takes to win in this league.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:23 am
Waiting to hear that LVD is retiring that will be the next news. I mean let’s just get all the bleeding out at once. It has sucked being a Bucs fan lately. The collapse of this team from the bye week until now is relentless.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:23 am
He is who we knew he was. The owners keep him in his HC job because of their very flawed ideology. They intend to prove a point. Sorry, TB is a loser. How many great position coaches called to work for the guy? Hmmm, that would be zero. Who did he hire? That’s right, his son. The others were ‘promoted’. Last time a Bucs coach was promoted, it was Grizz. How did that work out? I point the finger to the owners. They ‘like’ TB. Well la-dee-dah. We are on the verge of another decade of disaster.
Been VERY quiet on the Hendrickson front, huh? Can’t imagine why. The cat’s out the bag/the emporer has no clothes/ the entire NFL knows the Bucs have no intention to win. I’ve said many times that this is JL & TB’s prove it year. I take that back. It is ONLY if there was intention to win. There’s not, so have at it JL & TB. Lose all you want. No one in the C-suite will care.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:28 am
I agree with the DR.
Hindsight is 20/20.
If Liam murdered somebody and ends up in prison next year or never makes it to the AFC championship game and we make another run at it and win a Superbowl in the next 3 years, everyone flip flops their opinion. Bowles is great after all and Cohen being the worst. We’ll see how it looks 10 years from now but I don’t care what coach we have, as long as we get back to doing some winning. If this coming season we have a healthier team and draft well but coaching decisions cause us to not make the playoffs or barely squeak in and losing the first round, there may be some serious changes in management at who knows how many levels. Now if the same thing happens and we win 10-11 games, we will look back and say wow it really was all the injuries last year. LOL
I wasn’t expecting Indianapolis or New England to be as good as they were or Minnesota, Blatimore and Kansas City to fall so far, so it’s hard to really guess how things are going to play out next year. I will say there were a lot of surprises this past season, good and bad. That’s called entertainment. That’s all the NFL is, entertainment. Quit taking things so seriously. We enjoyed Mike Evans for 12 years, now he’s somewhere else. Every other great you can think of changed teams at some point towards the end of their career, especially the ones that have played this long. Let’s hope EE becomes the next great one, Baker can play the whole season in top five form and the defense can even get back to middle of the pack at this point.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:30 am
I’m watching it on my DVR. Got really sick to my stomach this morning and still don’t feel great – I DVR/watch “WUB” every morning now!!!! I hope they talk some College Baseball some this spring and summer. I believe they will. They’ve mentioned the possibility of that happening. I really hope so. At least some. I mean, what else are you going to talk about all summer long!? They’re a little different show. I like it on most days!
I heard from someone in the know, that LICKT was a HUGE factor why Coen left. He did NOT trust his leadership. Had no faith in him. Probably, didn’t even like him. Definitely, had NO RESPECT for him. I don’t blame him. Cause, neither do I.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:35 am
Wait until Trey Hendrickson signs with Liam Coen and the Jags soon. That’ll light things up around here!
March 10th, 2026 at 11:37 am
Evans main reason for leaving was to leave a loaded WR room and have a better “opportunity” to accomplish his “challenge” of being a 1st ballot HOF’er, instead of just a HoF. He has a couple years left to add to his catches/yards/TD numbers to build that 1st ballot resume. He wants to be a legendary receiver. That was the main or 1A reason. It’s not ever gonna be said like that in public eye, but this was that type of decision to say “peace Bucs fans” and not playing his entire career a Buc. This would be different if it was year 7 or 8 and not 2 years left in his career with the opp for Bucs lore right in sight. This wasn’t about $, but it was about #’s.
Love Mike. Wish him well. Don’t even blame him for making that decision in that kind of business. Beyond thankful. All-time Buc. But let’s not p’foot around this fact because he has a Bucs halo on his head or we got our Mike Evans shades on.
Bucs fan first. Mike Evans or any player second though.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:41 am
Defense you’re right. No one could stop Coen from becoming a head coach and Licht and Glazers know that. It’s a law in the NFL that you can’t stop a coach from taking a job that is a promotion. That being said I agree that the dual hat is an issue here. Other coach’s do the dual hat thing with success but it’s usually offensive coach’s, can’t remember the defensive coach’s that do it.
The defense could have been shored up along the way for the past 2 years. The only guy I would have traded 2 first round picks for would have been Parsons, but he blows a knee so ya just never know. It’s easy to look back and make the correct calls but there is some substance here. I think the decisions for the last 2 years are what led ME to leave, also Deans contract handling probably made his decision for him, even with Bowles being like a second father to him. It’s almost as if Rasputin is whispering into the Glazers ear and they are believing it instead of looking around for themselves. The 3 year straight slide to barely make it into the playoffs and then last years fiasco has caused a lot of issues. Coen has lost 2 straight playoff games so I don’t think he is a savant. Heck even our loss to the Rams at home was a first half of incompetency and we had Brady then, who brought us back, along with the defense. I think the key will be balance and I do believe you build a winner through the draft mostly and keep your own, which Licht has been good at. We’ll see what happens but right now there are more questions than answers. This has been a down hill slide since the middle of last season and it is still continuing. I made a comment about the Glazers hoping that the blow up in fandom over keeping Bowles would sooth over time but that is certainly not happening, in fact it is doing just the opposite.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:43 am
It was extremely obvious to anyone with a decent football i.q….
Liam corn, in his first real NFL gig and in his worst day, was is and will always be 10 times or more better at coaching than IBS could ever be….. Coen already is far better in one year Hc than IBS after several years….
March 10th, 2026 at 11:48 am
Excellent take by Big Cat and basically the Aqualung mantra ever since Bowles gave Tom Brady the only season he ever had in his whole life.
It’s a joke. Welcome to the sad late 80s again. Congratulations, GlazerLicht. You will get what you deserve.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:56 am
Quit the whining…..suck it up and root for Bucs to succeed!!!
We did just sign to really good FAs….that fill big needs. We have some talented young players and I think a competent OC.
Let’s give FA & the draft some time & see what’s up.
March 10th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Enough with the “We should have made Coen head coach.” That’s hindsight BS. You don’t fire a coach who just went 10-7 with back-to-back division titles to keep a guy who’s never been a head coach.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
Nah,
We root for winners and players the grind and coaches that take responsibility and GMs that do whatever it takes to get better at the draft/free agency and trade deadlines.
Not the sloth that is Todd Bowles and the moron that is Jason Light.
Those dudes are destroying this once proud franchise.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:04 pm
Bottom five defense, lazy coaches stay on staff, gm that sits on his thumbs at trade deadline, scouting depts that draft weak, undersized, broken, small school rejects
March 10th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
“Bowles was handed a Super Bowl squad by Bucco Bruce Arians….”
Minus an interior OL and $180M in debt…..
March 10th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
Hell to the yeah!
March 10th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
Doesn’t matter what players come and go. As long as Bowles is HC, the arrow is pointing down!. Nevertheless, I wish ME all the best but his best days are behind him, he constantly has hamstring issues and dropsies and the Bucs need to concentrate on defense.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
@ Tbbucs3 Says: “The Bucs are still plenty deep at WR, this is not a “franchise altering” blow by any stretch.”
Oh, it’s NOT!? Yeah, okay… It already has been. If YOU can’t see that by NOW, just after last season, then I don’t know what else there is to tell ya!? It’s irrelevant anyway, since literally EVERY single one of your ‘takes’ always REEKS with homerism, to begin with. You can’t take any of it seriously. And, YES… Those are the exact types of moves that can easily be “franchise altering.” They can and will HAUNT Franchises for DECADES. It’ll be judged by Jacksonville’s and Coen’s history as well, and compared to the Bucs. The sooner the Bucs can move-on from LICKT & BOWLES (and apparently this current ownership group), the sooner we can move past this, and STOP the bleeding in its tracks.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Never watch / listen to him, but there’s not a single thing he said that was wrong.
Bowles has had one above average defense. One.
Some years his run defense is very good. Other years it’s not. Pass defense has always been a weak spot… in passing league.
The team hits a major losing streak every single season under him.
And he’s the only coach who oversaw Tom Brady have a losing season record.
The most decorated offensive player in franchise history just walked out the door.
3rd and 28….
March 10th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Sure was. And here we are.
Even have a top FA Edge that wants to sign after he lost us M1K3 and wont sign him
Why win when you can be Bowles complacent thru and thru.
Team has lost its star power. Lack Talent everywhere but S and Oline.
This is worse than the lost decade
March 10th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
@ Defense Rules Says: “I wish Bucs’ fans would start holding everyone who contributed to this regression ACCOUNTABLE, not just Todd Bowles. Maybe then we could make some improvements.”
💯 Exactly. It is absolutely, just MIND-BLOWING to me (yesterday’s poll) how all these people continue slamming Bowles over and over again to no end, while NEVER holding JL and this ownerships group to account. It all starts at THE TOP. And, you are right… Bowles is WHO HE IS. We already know that. So, WHO is responsible for HIM being here, AND handing HIM a 3-year extension!? Hell, it’s NOT Bowles’s Fault. I mean, do you think HE’s just going to walk away!? NOOO. They’re PAYING HIM. You wouldn’t just walk away, either. It’s so ridiculous. It’s like these people are too SCARED to come down hard on JL and the Glazers. So, they just use Bowles as the scapegoat. He’s just an EASY target, versus aiming their angst in the real direction that it belongs. It’s just real LAZY, shortsighted, and WEAK.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Seems like most look at things as if ALL done in a vacuum. Sucks Mike left really bad but HE WANTED TO REGARDLESS OF what Bucs did. Focus on getting better on defense with Edge and CB. We have darn good WRs, RBs and Oline is the best, when healthy.
Draft or FA = Edge, CB, additional LB, Oline Depth
Remember winning day one of FA is not what good teams do. Getting quality players on reasonable contracts is what they do.
Licht is darn good GM minus being tone deaf on Edge rushers and he doesn’t draft Kickers in the first few rounds! LOL
March 10th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
The Great Liam Coen,
The guy who couldn’t win a playoff game as the Bucs OC
Then he choked again as Jacksonville Head Coach
He’s a great……One and Done……coach
March 10th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Mf on the hottest before the draft. This will not end well.
And shall suffer thru it without a FA Edge
March 10th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
2nd biggest will be whiff on Hendrickson
March 10th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Entering the season Bowles is on the hottest seat. What’s gonna be the excuse this time next year now “Well we lost Mike”
March 10th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
It is hindsight to us, and I admit that I wasn’t sold on promoting Coen even though I have never thought of Bowles as much of a coach and I said on here that it’s a tough situation to can Bowles after that year.
The problem here is… many fans called for Coen to stay and ditch Bowles and they aren’t in the building ! They were right and I was right for not believing in Bowles and all we do is watch on Sundays and follow Bucs news.
If we know this, or have these strong feelings, how can Licht and the people around the building, with eyes and ears on everything … not see what we see and not know what is going to help the team win!
Blinded by friendship is how. Coens offense dragged Bowles and his sorry D to the playoffs and the Bucs brass absolutely blew it in the evaluation and how best to lead the team forward to another SB. Absolutely blew it and we are still seeing the ill effects today with franchise legends leaving after a non playoff season. Big Cat is absolutely right.
So hard to stay away… but I will learn.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
These people just get sh!t in their head. Such as JL being a great GM (because they are TOLD this), when there is absolutely NOTHING about his overall record that backs this up. They are incapable of adjusting, according to the data and the FACTS. They can’t because they are blind. It was never THEIR OWN opinion(s) in the first place. It’s just a narrative that they continue to follow and believe in. Again, because they were TOLD. JL was HORRIBLE pre Brady. He has only reverted back to his TRUE SELF, post Brady. He has been absolutely HORRID without Brady being here, and making all of the decisions FOR HIM. 💯 💯- So, just WAKE TF UP and open your damn EYES, people. Good God. LoL It’s soooo plain to see. And, has been for throughout the entire time. It’s been waaaayyyy too long… Just LOOK at THE RECORD. In THE ‘weakest’ Division in FOOTBALL now, for the last 4-5 YEARS running. ZERO Pro-Bowlers DRAFTED in the past 5-YEARS (not very many period, over his career). I mean, do you even know HOW HARD that is to accomplish… SERIOUSLY!? Do YOU Know!?
March 10th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
WOW…..a GREAT article Joes!
March 10th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Joe: “The world is watching to see how Bowles handles this.”
I’m waiting for the press conference where Bowles throws Evans under the bus and continues to blame everyone but himself.
He’s probably happy with the news though. One less receiver to throw a possible interception towards.
Get ready for a truly large dose of running plays, until Bucky breaks down.
Honestly, I was vocal about removing Bowles after he QUIT on the team in the waning minutes of the Divisional round against the Lions in the ’23 season.
Had we done so, we would have been in play to get Jim Harbaugh.
Shoulda Coulda Woulda
Already looking forward to who might be available next off season.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
And, exact same with the people who continue to spew TRASH about COEN. It’s ALL about THEIR EGOS. They have ZERO credibility. They are the same people who continued to wear a mask, even while outdoors, when COVID was mostly over with, and when everyone else, already knew better. They’re ALWAYS wrong and are the very last ones to the party. It’s about THEIR EGOS.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
LOL Fans drooling over their man crush Liam Coen for winning a easy division and being a 1st round bounce in the playoffs… Todd Bowles does the same thing and gets crushed.
March 10th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
He’s as ignorant as they come if he thinks Arians left Bowles with a Super Bowl caliber roster!
March 10th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Omfg, enough with this nonsense. Yes Bowles sucks but one thing has nothing to do with the other. He removed his name from the Jags HC search and agreed to sign a record contract to be OC and who knows about promises for HC?
He went radio silent, he also used his wife and kid as a shield. This is the guy who we pine for!!!!!! He is a snake and the first chance he has to leave the Jags for something better he’s gone. I doubt he ever gave the Bucs a chance to match the Yags offer, he just bolted.
March 10th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Everyone gets it but Team Delusional aka the Glazers.
March 10th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
Great job Joe’s. Maybe now some of the JL worship will cease.
March 10th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
Why is no one holding Licht accountable as well?? When’s the last time Licht drafted a pass rusher??
March 10th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
That 2020 defense had arguably 4 future Hall of Famers on it: David, Suh, JPP, Winfield… plus Shaq and a good Devin White. They were LOADED.
He doesn’t in my book get credit for a defense so stacked with talent doing well enough against a Drew Brees and a Patrick Mahomes who could both barely walk.
He does get credit for blown coverages and calling the stupidest blitz in the Rams playoff game that kept the Bucs home instead of likely getting a back-to-back Super Bowl win.
2027 maybe.
March 10th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
It’s gonna be a long 202Xs. Buckle up boys.
2026
Well certainly miss the playoffs again this year, Bowells will get canned.
2027
New head coach, new offensive system,. Baker plays fine but new systems usually don’t go over well.
It’s last year of Bakers contract and the team will consider drafting his replacement. He gets a small extension
2028
New system might start to stick, Baker is playing with a rookie looking over his should.
2029
Maybe we can return the playoffs.
March 10th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
This team is going to be very bad for a very long time. Mike Evans bolting speaks directly to the attitude of the entire team. They all quit last year because of poor coaching and they will play with no spark or fire this year simply because there will be no motivation to do so. When they do fire this idiot head coach they will bring in another sub par coach like Mike Tomlin to continue the mediocrity for another 5 years
March 10th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
PASS RUSHERS, PASS RUSHERS, PASS RUSHERS. That will change everything.
March 10th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Mike not resigning was loud and clear. FA is still not over, so I am hoping JL has a trick or two. If this team does not get the help it needs on D its over for Bowles. He is not the kind of coach that gets the most out of average players. With Carolina making moves, its already looking like his former OC is going to cost him his job. How ironic would it be if Canales wins another NFCS title and gets Bowles fired. All this focus on Coen and Canales ends up ending Bowles HC career. HA!
March 10th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
“I wasn’t expecting Indianapolis or New England to be as good as they were or Minnesota, Blatimore and Kansas City to fall so far.”
Not being an ass, but I DID. Not necessarily New England as good as they were (definitely not the Super Bowl, BUT is was a VERY weak AFC). They were one of my ‘surprise’ teams. I’m not going to go through and breakdown my reasons for all of the other teams on your list, but I was DEAD-ON all of them. Except for Indy… I actually had THEM going to the Playoffs, and they would’ve had Danny Dimes not gotten injured. I KNEW KC was regressing and NOT going to the playoffs, and had ZERO faith in McCarthy in a super TOUGH division. Also, I had SEATTLE winning the division and a being Super Bowl Contenders. I wanted to pick them to go to the Super Bowl, but I had them losing to friggin Green Bay. The NFL is not that hard to pick the playoffs teams, when you pay attention to ALL of the other teams, and start with the premise that there WILL BE at least 4-5 ‘new’ playoffs teams every season that did NOT make the playoffs the year before (and of course vice-versa). You only have to pick the 5-teams that you think were either a fluke, got lucky, or will regress due to their schedule, & etc. Then, find the 5-teams or so, that you think are heading in the right direction, poised to step-up and make a run, & etc. Of course, you factor in the draft, free agency lost/signed, their schedules, coaching changes, their division, and etc. You do have to ‘follow’ all the OTHER teams though, and know their rosters, & etc.
March 10th, 2026 at 1:36 pm
@ Bucs East Coast – Baker will NOT be re-signed with the Bucs. This will be his last season in Tampa Bay. We’re heading towards a complete rebuild. NOT a retool with Baker and this current regime. It’s OVER. Baker just better hope for a CAREER YEAR, or he’ll be left out in the cold AGAIN. There won’t be very many teams looking for QB’s next season to begin with, and definitely NOT aging and expensive vets in free agency (just like during this offseason). And for the very few ‘handful’ or so, who will be… They WILL BE looking to the DRAFT to find THEIR new ‘franchise’ QB’s. It’s an ‘all-time’ LOADED Draft-Class, with a TON of potential QB’s coming-out. High-End Prospects, Too!!!! We’ll most certainly see another Draft with prob at least FOUR drafted in the Top-10 Picks. At least THREE of the top 5-Picks. There will be MANY drafted in the first 2-3 Rounds. Potentially 5 just in the 1st. It is VERY unlikely, we will be seeing a ‘bidding-war’ for BIG $$$$ for BAKER. Unless, he just has a MONSTER of a season. And, I am definitely NOT seeing THAT. Now, the Bucs could re-sign him ‘on the cheap’ as just a placeholder or bridge!? Now, THAT is much more likely to happen than anything else. They’ll probably be bidding against THEMSELVES, again. Hopefully, they’ll be smart. There won’t be very many options for Baker next season. Trust-ME. He knows this more than anyone else, and you know he AND his wife are freaking the hell OUT right about now! They are fully aware of the ‘importance’ of THIS SEASON. 💯
March 10th, 2026 at 1:37 pm
Good grief get off Coen’s jock. First round exit, top free agent bolted. Jax won’t make playoffs next year, lock it in.
C’mon now Barstool Sports regurgitating too? Two girls one cup passing back and forth someone else’s hot take.
March 10th, 2026 at 1:41 pm
“This would be different if it was year 7 or 8 and not 2 years left in his career with the opp for Bucs lore right in sight. This wasn’t about $, but it was about #’s.”
He would’ve NEVER left had the Bucs been a real legit Contender. Period. He saw the writing on the wall.
March 10th, 2026 at 1:49 pm
@ Pwiddy Says: “Remember winning day one of FA is not what good teams do. Getting quality players on reasonable contracts is what they do.
Licht is darn good GM minus being tone deaf on Edge rushers and he doesn’t draft Kickers in the first few rounds! LOL”
The Patriots SURE DID just last season. It’s called STOCKHOLM SYNDROME. And, you have it REAL BAD.
March 10th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
@ Tbbucs3 Says: “LOL Fans drooling over their man crush Liam Coen for winning a easy division and being a 1st round bounce in the playoffs… Todd Bowles does the same thing and gets crushed.”
NOT EVEN CLOSE, Clown. It was YEAR-1, with supposedly, far LESS talent than the Bucs, and in a MUCH STRONGER Division. You must’ve been ASLEEP, but that ended up being a real tough division. Especially, before Danny Dimes got injured. And, it’ll be a DAMN STRONG Division this season, as well. A helluva LOT stronger than the NFC South, that’s for sure.
March 10th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
@ Please – Coen hurt your feelings, huh!? Damage your ego!? Lmao. And, their FA didn’t leave THEM. What are YOU smoking!? Or, is just a flat out LIE. They already said looong ago, even before the season had ended, that THEY were NOT re-signing either one of those guys! I mean, EVERYONE KNEW THAT. It is public knowledge, and was very well reported.
March 10th, 2026 at 2:07 pm
leftover green bean casserole in the fridge > Todd Bowles coaching
Never forget when Ira said with enthusiastic glee, “They’re sticking with Bowles!”
Some of the sports media in Tampa are just as guilty as anyone at OBP.
Being stenographers for the power brokers doesn’t yield success.
Unless the free buffets at Raymond James are your measure of success.
#SuperBowles
March 10th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Living in a fantasy world where you can criticize decisions years down the road and pretend like you knew it all along must be nice. For people who know what actually happened it’s maddening. The Bucs expected to get Cohen for a 2nd year as OC. Jax wasn’t going to fire their GM and he didn’t want to work under him. The chance of him even getting offered a head coaching job was remote. Firing Bowles at that point would have been a huge risk. Much easier for fans to claim they knew it all along. I remember way more fans saying they thought he would fail and using the snake 🐍 emoji than any that claimed we should have fired Bowles and kept Cohen. It’s real easy to produce your proof you wanted it done at the time but I’m not seeing anyone showing it. It’s just like saying that you knew taking David Gibson in the 6th round of the 2000 draft was a mistake cause you knew all along Tom Brady was gonna be great. It’s not healthy nor is it the way the world works.