Ex-GM Says Bucs “Should Take A Step Back”
June 8th, 2026
Team Glazer.
One of Joe’s heroes was talking Bucs today on The GM Shuffle podcast.
Joe is referring to former Panthers general manager Marty Hurney, who began his career as a sportswriter before getting hired by the Redskins in a non-football role in the late 1980s. Somehow, Hurney found his way to become Panthers general manager in 2002.
That’s right, from media guy to team GM. Hurney holds a place in Joe’s heart. (No, Joe does not expect to replace Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht.)
Hurney was talking NFC South with co-host and former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz. Hurney sees a Tampa Bay team on a downward swing with a polarizing coach primed for a hot seat.
“It just feels like the Buccaneers have reached a point where they’re going to start to plateau,” Hurney said. “And if they get off to a slow start, now they’re going to have to deal with all the rhetoric, all the talk about, ‘Is Todd on the hot seat?’ and all that. It’s going to be interesting but it does feel like the Bucs should take a step back this year.”
The Joe typing here does not expect the Bucs to take a step back, but Hurney is dead on with his take on Bowles taking a ton of heat if the Bucs start slow, something the team has never done in four seasons under Bowles.
However, Team Glazer signed up for this. They kept Bowles in the face of serious fan backlash.
Joe expects/hopes/prays the Bucs have a detailed plan to counter all the “rhetoric” and “hot seat” talk Hurney references. It’s coming in strong if the Bucs find their way to, say, a 2-3 record.
June 8th, 2026 at 7:27 pm
Go Knicks
June 8th, 2026 at 7:40 pm
Hurney is wrong. Simple as that. And how dare Joe admire a former GM of a division rival!!!!!
June 8th, 2026 at 7:47 pm
I would not want to be on that Bowles Hot Seat. I mean, he has to win this year. I would say at least 10 games. If he starts slow, Then Boo birds are gonna be loud all around the league. Yes, he should have been fired. All Buc fans know this. So I wish him and my Bucs big luck. This team is going to have to perform and perform well. If not, Todds gonna find out just how cold that water in the bay really is.
June 8th, 2026 at 7:50 pm
All psychobabblerap to me ag this point Mr Mod
June 8th, 2026 at 7:55 pm
They already took a step back last year. They have also hit a plateau.
10-7 to 8-9.
10-7 to 7-10…. That’s the range the Bucs will live as long as Todd is HC/DC.
June 8th, 2026 at 8:03 pm
No team should ever have a philosophy to take a step back. That’s a losers mentality. As to plateauing, they’ve been doing that more or less for the last 4 years. One could say that they have already taken that step back to get the cap situation under control. It’s time to move forward aggressively. If they don’t play hard and well then it’s time to replace the head coach. Because they’ve been drafting pretty well these last few seasons. Wirfs Otton and Winfield are youngish holdovers from the Superbowl season . Godwin and Vea are older holdovers from the Super Bowl. Everyone else is new. Draftees include Smith, Morrison, Parrish, Keynote Scott , Trotter, Bain, Diaby, and Kancey on defense. Mauch, Barton Goedeke, Egbuka, MacMillan, Tez Johnson, Hurst, and Irving on offense . That’s 16 draft choices over the last 3 years that should all be contributing at some meaningful level. Most of the free agent signings should also be contributors. I don’t understand what this guy is seeing! I think he needs to take a more detailed look at look.
June 8th, 2026 at 8:08 pm
And you can throw McCollum into that mix as well. Free agent signings include Mayfield, Bredeson, Anzalone, Robinson, Nunez and McLaughlin, who has been quite a weapon.
June 8th, 2026 at 8:10 pm
I do see the Bucs starting slow this year and picking up as the year goes.Let’s have a look. You have a new offensive coordinator. Yes maybe an upgrade but new. The Bucs have 2 new starting LB , one of which is a rookie, needing development in coverage. The other LB is 31.The Team lost its best corner. The current designated starters at the position could not cover Ira last year. They are a huge gamble, even if only one starts. Yes new starters on the the D line, one of which is a rookie. E Rushers usually need time to develop. Yes Mike Evans is gone and yeah the remaining core is strong a plus. However with all the new players on D and 2 CB , who should be well not starting, how does this team come out hot?. I think it is fantasy to believe that. Finally look at the qb’s the Bucs face . I just don’t see a fast start. Hope I am wrong
June 8th, 2026 at 8:12 pm
We should be a highly competitive team if the coaches do their jobs! Orlovsky is right this time. Maybe not a Superbowl team but failing to make the playoffs would be a massive failure in 2026 as long as we remain relatively healthy.
June 8th, 2026 at 8:19 pm
We got off to a fast start last season, meant nothing. We also took that step back last season. It’s either take two steps forward this year, or step aside for Bowles.
June 8th, 2026 at 8:21 pm
The Bucs could easily lost 5 out of the first 6 games we play this year. , If so the season is over already. And who is there sitting fat, dumb and happy. Your coach TB. That is what this guy is saying.
June 8th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
C’mon Baker, sign that team friendly deal. Take less money for more security. Do Bowles a favor. He went to bat for you big time and it’s made a huge difference in your life. Ask for maybe 3 years guaranteed but at Daniel Jones type of money with some significant, achievable incentives, maybe even a stipulation to tear up the new contract for an upgraded one if we significantly overachieve. That’s the way to win in the long run. Sow those seeds!
June 8th, 2026 at 8:27 pm
As far as I am concerned it’s all on the defense and I am not confident in the Buc’s DC or some of the so called defensive starters for that matter. Bowles could have hired a DC and taken some of the heat off of himself and focused on being a better HC, but it’s clear that the Bucs simply don’t care that they are a mediocre team with a lousy HC/DC. Yeah, another swan dive this year and the fans will be screaming.
June 8th, 2026 at 8:30 pm
Joe you need to find better sources for you journalism It takes effort. Don’t fall into the pit of negative journalism that creates distractions and turmoil. Not much is going on in the NFL Season is a few months away, so Journalists latch onto anything to fill the void til the season starts.
Be creative. It takes effort but it results in better story telling and encouragement for your fan base.
June 8th, 2026 at 8:36 pm
Wow digging deep in the Summer doldrums for meanless people to quote meanless rhetoric.
Who is this joke again?
The Bucs will take a step back because of What again??
Bucs upgraded OC. The Bucs significantly upgraded ST coach. The Buvs starting 5 oline didn’t play a single game together last year. The Bucs added a stud pass rusher, significantly upgraded the dline, got upgrades at LBer.
Makes total sense
June 8th, 2026 at 8:54 pm
I’ve said it many times there is two Joe’s ,one loves being very negative and loves stirring up the pot with the trolls.
June 8th, 2026 at 9:38 pm
Glazers need more blame. Friggin Nerds chose to keep this HC/DC with absolutely no justification other than because they can…
June 8th, 2026 at 9:53 pm
If the Bucs start out poorly, it’s likely going to be a very very bad year. The opening schedule, the match-ups, having what should be 3 hot weather games at home, they should be 4-1. It’s the typical mid-season slump that is the issue.
June 8th, 2026 at 10:41 pm
2-3 is possible, followed by an 0-12 swoon. The post bye collapse is all anyone with eyes needed to see to know. Mike knew. Bowles has lost the team.