Changing The Defense Not The Only Change Todd Bowles Needs
July 21st, 2026
Facing reality.
Very, very interesting breakdown of the Bucs and how the team hopes to resume its playoff ways and ensure Bucs coach Todd Bowles is still with the club for 2027 and beyond.
Veteran NFL scribe Tyler Dunne, who types for his own Substack page “Go Long TD,” has a feature on all the changes to the Bucs defense.
“This Joe” has maintained for months the Bucs defense quit on Bucs coach Todd Bowles last year. That’s why the team’s main goal this spring was to bring in passionate players prone to violence on the field.
Those guys generally are not quitters.
Dunne spoke to a Bucs source who was in the locker room after the Bucs choked a win away on Thursday night against the Dixie Chicks.
Bowles famously unloaded on his team in his postgame presser. However, the source said, Bowles tore into the Bucs in the locker room that peeled paint off the walls, significantly better/worse and more emotional than he was at the podium minutes later.
The same source told Dunne no one on defense challenged Bowles. They just listened and took the tongue-lashing. The source told Dunne (Joe is paraphrasing) there was nothing the defense could say. You can’t argue with the truth.
So the Bucs hope the infusion of guys who play with heart and passion will rub off on the rest of the defense.
Dunne said Bowles cannot stop there if he’s hoping to turn around his Bucs. Dunne called Bowles a typical defensive-minded head coach who thinks his defense will always make a stop and get the ball back, even when there’s no evidence the defense could stop a cool breeze.
You know, Bowles believes his defense will save the day. Way too often, they sh*t the bed and eat an L.
Coaches of Bowles’ ilk trust their defense to a fault. They cannot change their philosophy on the fly. Last season, Tampa Bay’s defense was one of the worst in the NFL — Bowles should’ve embraced the reality that his offense was the strength of the team, by far, and leaned harder into going for those fourth downs. Elite head coaches know exactly how they’ve got to win on a week-to-week basis.
This is, sadly, nothing new. All the major Bowles toe stubs have come when he banked on his defense to get the ball back.
* Taking the ball out of Tom Brady’s hands in Cleveland when he was marching the Bucs for a winning score because Bowles was scared one of the most clutch quarterbacks in NFL history might throw his third interception of the season — in Week 12!
* The Bucs had the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs on the ropes in Arrowhead on a Monday night in 2024. The Bucs scored a touchdown to come within one late. Rather than go for the win on a two-point conversion with 27 seconds left, Bowles chose to kick to tie and lean on his defense in overtime. Yeah, that defense got leaned on by Pat Mahomes alright.
* The playoff game against Washington. Bowles’ defense never forced a punt all night. Instead of going for it on fourth down deep in Washington territory late in the game and get a go-ahead touchdown, Bowles decided to tie the game with a field goal. Even Stevie Wonder could see Washington was going to win on the ensuing drive, which is exactly what happened. Bowles banked on his defense once again and came up snake eyes.
* Then there was last year at Buffalo where Bowles’ defense had zero answer for Josh Allen. Good thing Bowles’ defense is stingy against the run. Allen scored two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Bowles even decided to punt on fourth-and-two from the Bucs-39 because — all together now — Bowles thought his defense could get a stop and get the ball back. Allen scores eight plays later for a 44-32 Buffalo win.
So Joe thinks Dunne is spot-on. The addition of a handful of new starters — potentially including three rookies, one on each level of the defense — will help, but only so much.
Until Bowles learns and develops a better feel for the game, until Bowles has an awareness or epiphany that his defense can’t always bail out the Bucs, it’s hard to believe the Bucs can mount a run to the Super Bowl.
July 21st, 2026 at 7:37 am
Dungy’s teams always got the ball back, too bad they couldn’t score. Now we have the opposite problem. Glazers got it wrong two ways. First by retaining Bowles, and second by not bringing in a DC. Agree with the writer, he better have an epiphany and lean into the offense this year. While I expect the defense to be improved, I wouldn’t bank on it winning games. And a third mistake, credited to Licht, just might be not signing a better QB2. Baker making it through 17 games plus a deep playoff run isn’t realistic based on his stature & style of play.
July 21st, 2026 at 7:46 am
ME13 saw this quitting up close and it became a watershed moment for Evans as he finally realized that Bowles had lost the team and the season. This is when Mike decided it was time to exit stage left coast and joined the 49ers.
Unfortunately you cannot eliminate all the quitters or their cancerous attitudes by replacing a few guys-it requires a change of leadership at the top. Many players on that 53 man roster stopped believing in Bowles last year and once that kind of trainwreck starts – you will not stop that negative momentum.
July 21st, 2026 at 8:02 am
He has been a head coach for eight seasons Todd isn’t developing anything but a crazy sweet tooth bucs have hired a lot of positions to account for Todd’s short comings from a time manager to data analysis guy maybe they should hire someong to coach for him 🤷 glad the glazers like him though whatever that is supposed to mean to team wins though I dunno. Go bucs.
July 21st, 2026 at 8:03 am
Bowles is afraid to do what’s required by a Head Coach. He does not show leadership.
Without leadership he will not earn their respect. Without benching players when is appropriate because of injury or loafing it does not solve any problems. Screaming at them when it’s too late does nothing for them.
SMH
July 21st, 2026 at 8:07 am
@ Todd
I agree but ME13 also left for an upgrade at QB and OC as well as HC…
Imagine that – ME13 left the franchise with an overall #1 NFL draft pick at QB to play for the QB that was drafted #262…
Interesting.
July 21st, 2026 at 8:08 am
Really good piece Joe. I’m not as much of a doom and gloom guy like some posters in here, but im certainly not a big Bowles supporter either. Thos article really nails Bowles biggest issues. He is too often too delusional. He thinks either his scheme or players on defense can get the job done when it’s clear to the rest of the casual fan, they’ve proven they can’t. You listed some great examples and I can think of many others over the past few years.
Unfortunately Bowles delusional thinking has effected JL in the draft..until this year. I believe JL said ENOUGH already. I’m going to draft areas I see as weaknesses and lock Bowles in the closet.
As Buc fans, we can only hope Bowles has learned from his mistakes..but he’s an old dog, and you know what they say.
July 21st, 2026 at 8:15 am
Bingo.
All you mouth breathers blaming Mayfield for “single handedly” causing the slide need to read, but likely you’ll just make more excuses for Todd. It was the defense, stupid. They QUIT. Anyone with a pair of eyes could see it. Couple that with Bowles’ unqualified belief that he could rely on that defense, and you get this.
3rd and 28. Quit. 4th and 14. More quit. That 2nd half performance would get most head coaches fired. Chucky and Dungy were launched for less.
Bad defense + horrific in game decision making is Todd Bowles’ MO.
If the offense is the strongest facet on your team, stop taking the ball out of their hands unnecessarily.
July 21st, 2026 at 8:19 am
“Unfortunately Bowles delusional thinking has effected JL in the draft..until this year. I believe JL said ENOUGH already. I’m going to draft areas I see as weaknesses and lock Bowles in the closet.”
DING DING DING! Licht is another scapegoat for Bowles’ apologists. “He doesn’t draft the right guys” – you think Bowles hasn’t has a major say on who they draft – especially on defense? Licht’s job is to go get players that Bowles says will “fit his system” – whatever that is.
July 21st, 2026 at 8:20 am
@ stormy
I’m not solely blaming our “moxy-filled” BM.
BM is doing the best he can and playing at the peak of his abilities.
However – BM’s abilities are mediocre at best…
Especially late in the 4th qtr with the game on the line.
July 21st, 2026 at 8:20 am
Marine Buc Says:
July 21st, 2026 at 8:07 am
@ Todd
I agree but ME13 also left for an upgrade at QB and OC as well as HC…
Imagine that – ME13 left the franchise with an overall #1 NFL draft pick at QB to play for the QB that was drafted #262…
Interesting…………..
Wow Marine, Evans left because the competition for getting the ball thrown to him was too much. His touches were going to go down along side of his ability to stay on the field. Interesting
July 21st, 2026 at 8:22 am
“Marine Buc Says:
July 21st, 2026 at 8:07 am
@ Todd
I agree but ME13 also left for an upgrade at QB and OC as well as HC…
Imagine that – ME13 left the franchise with an overall #1 NFL draft pick at QB to play for the QB that was drafted #262…
Interesting.”
I don’t recall ME13 walking down the tunnel screaming about an interception…. just “3rd and 28”. That is a fact.
He left to get away from a coach whose balls haven’t dropped yet. If Mayfield was in SF and Purdy here, same thing would have happened.
July 21st, 2026 at 8:26 am
Best move bowles couldve made was to bring in a DC..or maybe JL or the Glazers shouldve forced him to hire one…but unfortunately, bowles is stubborn…make like a certain QB that plays for a FLA team lol
GO BUCS!!!!
July 21st, 2026 at 8:26 am
@ Stormy
“He left to get away from a coach whose balls haven’t dropped yet. If Mayfield was in SF and Purdy here, same thing would have happened.”
Interesting theory.
But it’s all just speculation and still no better than my theory (which is also pure speculation)…
July 21st, 2026 at 8:29 am
@BM-fan
Seriously bud – What is wrong with stating the obvious?
BM is a mediocre (at best) NFL QB.
Big deal…
I never said he was total garbage.
July 21st, 2026 at 8:30 am
I hope Bowles and his 9 lives can field a solid team! Hes due ,it would be a hellava story if he changes the course! Go Bucs!
July 21st, 2026 at 8:34 am
Marine Buc Says:
July 21st, 2026 at 8:07 am
@ Todd
I agree but ME13 also left for an upgrade at QB and OC as well as HC…
BINGO!!!!!
Mike said himself, he left to play with a true contender with a QB…lol…
shots fired at baker & bowles
GO BUCS!!!!
July 21st, 2026 at 8:41 am
@ 813
Here is the quote (we have ALL seen it by now):
“Evans stated that chasing a ring and playing with good quarterbacks drove his decision.”
Boom baby!!!!!
Mediocre at best!
July 21st, 2026 at 8:57 am
The defense is definitely not the only thing that needs to change in the organization
July 21st, 2026 at 8:58 am
Marine Buc
BOOM!!!!!!!!
str8 from the horse’s mouth!!!!!
Mediocre at best!
GO BUCS!!!!!
July 21st, 2026 at 9:16 am
Todd the head coach refuses to admit that Todd the DC’s defense is no longer cutting it. He has already shown that he will not change. He will not adapt.
July 21st, 2026 at 9:20 am
5-12
July 21st, 2026 at 9:30 am
Couldn’t agree more. Incredibly Average Todd Bowles needs a change of occupation.
July 21st, 2026 at 9:31 am
Nothing is going to change until the HC and the DC are fired and leave Tampa.
That should make it easier to do since it’s the same person failing at both jobs.
All the evidence that’s posted in this article and still Bowles is retained.
If they sign Baker to a three year deal I fully expect Bowles to remain the HC\DC for the length of the contract.
There’s zero evidence that the Glazers care about winning since he’s taken the helm.
July 21st, 2026 at 9:32 am
At some point you have to ask, what does Todd do well? What value does he bring to this team?
July 21st, 2026 at 9:45 am
Both Reddick and Dean weren’t playing the last few weeks last year. Supposedly, they had ‘injuries’, but I think Bowles benched them. Should be easy enough to get someone to leak that.
And it would be reassuring.
July 21st, 2026 at 10:03 am
The 49ers are in the win now mode the next two years. Can’t blame Evans for wanting to be part of that. The Bucs just don’t have the horses (YET). Glaziers have no problem spending money when the team is in that win now stage. Rebuilding after the SB win is no easy task taking the recent limited cap space. Licht has done fairly well, but he needed to be perfect to get the Bucs back in the race quickly. We will see if Bowles can change his ways especially hiring his buddy’s instead of great coaches.
July 21st, 2026 at 10:18 am
I couldn’t agree more Joe!! The chance to beat KC on national tv, when BM6 and the offense were on a roll, still burns my ash!!! These scenarios happen way too often!!
In the end Todd always blames the players not his schemes. He won’t admit he plays a key roll in these losses
July 21st, 2026 at 10:18 am
Lovie Smith 2.0
July 21st, 2026 at 10:33 am
Excellent article. Best of the year.
And he was retained! Last season only indicates the losing trajectory is accelerating. And of course none of the players said anything in that locker room. They all knew that come next week’s practice nothing about preparation for the following game would change.
Excellent article. Best of the year. Mike Evans agrees.
July 21st, 2026 at 11:04 am
How did Bowles keep his job?
July 21st, 2026 at 11:04 am
.500
July 21st, 2026 at 11:36 am
Bucboi thinks he’s batman! 328 then why did the draft picks sign and why did anzalone gainwell etc…come here if its so pathetic in tampa??
July 21st, 2026 at 11:39 am
Bowles will never figure out his cover nobody defense doesn’t work. He will continue to use it until he retires or finally gets fired.
July 21st, 2026 at 11:52 am
40 Year Bucs Fan … ‘The defense is definitely not the only thing that needs to change in the organization’.
To one Joe & a bunch of ‘fans’ their dislike of Bowles flavors any ‘analysis’ they attempt to do of why the Bucs were just a mediocre team in 2025 (and yes, 8-9 is mediocre). The fact that the Bucs let a bunch of defensive players go and signed a bunch of others SHOULD indicate to some at least that the talent level on our defense sucked last year.
I can think of 5 new veterans (Robinson, RNR, Anzalone, Rozeboom, Muhammad) who’ll surely be on the 2026 defense, plus 4 rookies who I’m confident will make it (Bain, Trotter, Scott, Capehart). And at least 6 of those 9 will either be starters or key rotational players. The 2026 talent level is approaching what Bowles had to work with in 2020 & 2021 when HIS defense ranked #8 & #5 respectively. I for one will be extremely interested to see what he can do with this improved defensive talent.
July 21st, 2026 at 12:07 pm
PUH-LEEZE!
You are making both Joe’s and Tyler Dunne’s points. The head coach, who also serves the defensive coordinator, ***SHOULD*** know the talent and the talent’s abilities/inabilities better than anyone in the world. It is HE who chose who plays — if Bowles didn’t want them, they wouldn’t be on the field; they wouldn’t be on the team — for his defense.
If Bowles can’t see that his defense isn’t good enough to stop other teams, he has a much bigger problem than any of us realize.
Given the fact Bowles ***should*** know his players better than anyone in the world, he ***should*** know that his defense cannot be trusted to get a stop or hold a lead to win a game. But he either ignores this or isn’t aware of this.
THAT is a major problem.
July 21st, 2026 at 12:07 pm
It’s going to be BRUTAL for Bowels this year…
July 21st, 2026 at 12:55 pm
bowles shouldnt be the defensive coordinator and head coach , its obvious its too much…..
July 21st, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Stormy nailed.
Just listen to Bowles last off-season. He made statements like “LBer was the teams deepest position group”. Say what??? He also said he was fine with drafting offense because he felt he could get enough out of what they had on defense.
Delusional thinking by Todd. The GM goes to the HC and positional coaches to discuss where they believe they need upgrades and the type of players they want. Pinning recent failures on the GM is just plain stupid and lazy.
JL has built a great oline quickly after Marpet and then Jensen fiasco. He’s reloaded the WR room by hitting on JMac, Emeka, Tez and hopefully another in Hurst. He’s stacked the RB room by drafting Bucky, bringing in Tucker as an UDFA and signing Gainwell. He replaced Brady with the best option available for the money. He’s now bulit a good DL with Vita, Kancey, Robinson while adding depth with Roberts, Nacho and Capeheart. Drafted 2 good young edge rushers in YaYa and Bain. Added depth w Walker and Mohammed. Signed a great replacement for LVD in Anzalone. Drafted an upgrade at MLB. Nailed the Parrish pick at CB/slot.
Every GM has misses. But in Bucland, where the fans just bitch unless the lift the trophy every year, they expect the GM to be perfect.
Clueless
July 21st, 2026 at 1:02 pm
The head coach, who also serves as the defensive coordinator,
He shouldnt be both …… Its too much for him…..
July 21st, 2026 at 1:07 pm
Well I’m obviously agree.
I’ll add one point. It’s not just his belief that his defense can get the ball back, it’s how he was raised in football. Even if he thinks the defense is out manned, he follows the defensive HC script to a tee. “I have to punt the football and try to get it back” – even when all you need is a calculator and ability to see the game clock. The Buffalo game is the perfect example.
The chief game example where he called a time out with 27 seconds left after getting the first down inside the 5 yard line. He should have been prepared to let the clock tick down to under ten seconds left so you have a chance to get a walk off two point conversion. But that’s a coach that understands management.
July 21st, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Todd failed forward into this job, guy got SCHOOLED in the playoffs AGAIN by McVay. His defense was so bad in that game and then he got promoted to be a Head Coach.
Since he’s been here the team has been stronger on the offensive side of the ball than defense, yet, he’s consistently trusted the weaker unit against the elite QB’s Mahomes, Allen etc etc
Trust the better side of the ball to win games, it’s pretty simple, yet he can’t do it
Bucs should’ve let him go after the Commanders playoff loss and promoted Coen. It was simple
July 21st, 2026 at 1:25 pm
Standing ovation for This Joe.
July 21st, 2026 at 2:06 pm
Steve V Says:
July 21st, 2026 at 11:36 am
Bucboi thinks he’s batman!
you’re not even Robin lol…cool it cat woman!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
July 21st, 2026 at 2:07 pm
This is Todd’s last year, win, or lose. If we lose the firing is easy. If we win Zac Robinson will have a lot to do with it. That means he’ll get a HC job. Glazers won’t lose another young offense mind to keep old man Todd. Letting another Coen walk out the door isn’t an option.
July 21st, 2026 at 2:15 pm
“To one Joe & a bunch of ‘fans’ their dislike of Bowles flavors any ‘analysis’ they attempt to do of why the Bucs were just a mediocre team in 2025 (and yes, 8-9 is mediocre). The fact that the Bucs let a bunch of defensive players go and signed a bunch of others SHOULD indicate to some at least that the talent level on our defense sucked last year.
I can think of 5 new veterans (Robinson, RNR, Anzalone, Rozeboom, Muhammad) who’ll surely be on the 2026 defense, plus 4 rookies who I’m confident will make it (Bain, Trotter, Scott, Capehart). And at least 6 of those 9 will either be starters or key rotational players. The 2026 talent level is approaching what Bowles had to work with in 2020 & 2021 when HIS defense ranked #8 & #5 respectively. I for one will be extremely interested to see what he can do with this improved defensive talent.”
—————–
Agree with the above.
July 21st, 2026 at 2:21 pm
Fire the cannons – it was indeed that simple. You knew exactly what you were getting with Todd and you had a coordinator that got a 40plus td season out of your qb the first year he called plays.
Khan did what was necessary, the glazers did not.
July 21st, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Not a very flattering picture, Joe. We have got to keep him out of Tibby’s in Brandon. I have been there 5-6 times. I have seen him on two of those occasions
July 21st, 2026 at 3:13 pm
Stpetematt Says:
July 21st, 2026 at 9:45 am
Both Reddick and Dean weren’t playing the last few weeks last year. Supposedly, they had ‘injuries’, but I think Bowles benched them. Should be easy enough to get someone to leak that.
And it would be reassuring.
^^^^^^^^^
It would be reassuring if the Bucs had a HC/DC that could coach his way out of a wet paper bag.
July 21st, 2026 at 3:14 pm
Obvious: The Glazers LOVE Todd Bowles! More than they love winning football games! 🙄
July 21st, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Joe … ‘You are making both Joe’s and Tyler Dunne’s points. The head coach, who also serves the defensive coordinator, ***SHOULD*** know the talent and the talent’s abilities/inabilities better than anyone in the world. It is HE who chose who plays — if Bowles didn’t want them, they wouldn’t be on the field; they wouldn’t be on the team — for his defense.’
Awesome Joe. And thank you for making MY point that ‘the talent level on our defense sucked last year’. Bowles tried to put ‘lipstick on a pig’ in praising some of them, but it was just a waste of lipstick. I guess that’s what head coaches do sometimes.
Of course Bowles knew the talent level of his defense, and he bastardized that defense so much last season (and in 2024) trying to compensate for the low talent level that it became unrecognizable.
Bowles best defense from a least-points-allowed perspective was 2023 when they surrendered 325 pts & ranked #7 in the NFL. No Suh, no JPP, but still had Shaq, Devin White & Carlton Davis. Two 2023 draft picks on defense played quite a bit: Kancey & Diaby (I’m guessing those 2 replaced Suh & JPP?).
The 2023 season record wasn’t that great (9-8), but we did win the NFC South plus 1 playoff game against Eagles before losing to the Lions. That team started meh (3-5) but finished strong, going 6-3 in the 2nd half of the season, with the defense only allowing 17.5 PPG thru those 9 games (and only 9 pts to the Eagles in the playoff victory).
So what did Bowles have in 2023 that made his defense work that he didn’t have in 2025? Well maybe …
o A quality OLB in Shaq (16 games – 652 snaps – 4.5 sacks)
o A quality DT in Kancey (14 games – 577 snaps – 4 sacks)
o A quality MLB in White (14 games – 894 snaps – 2.5 sacks)
o A quality CB in Davis (12 games – 715 snaps)
o A still productive LVD (15 games – 957 snaps – 4.5 sacks)
The talent level was higher in 2023 IMO, and it paid off in that end-of-season run. Oh we still had guys on defense like JTS & Hall getting lots of snaps, but it still worked (they didn’t play like 1st Rounders, but they still gave us 5.5 sacks between them). The pass rush is obviously a key to every defense, but the performance of the 2 ILBs in Bowles’ defense is huge. Replacing White with Britt then SVD in 2024 & 2025 took a toll.
No one dislikes Todd Bowles remaining dual-hatted more than I do, and I’ve been consistent in saying that since 2022. But ‘it is what it is’ and it’s the Glazers decision, not ours. What I care about is the performance of the Bucs on-the-field. And what I’m hoping now is that the personnel changes we’ve made will get us back into the Top-10. Time will tell …
July 21st, 2026 at 3:34 pm
There is a world where not letting Todd go after last year is a good thing. One of three things will happen this year. Either we will overachiever (Hooray) and he stays, we do poorly and he’s gone, or the dreaded Dominique Wilkind Altlanta Hawks of the NFL, just good enough to make the playoffs, not bad enough to get a franchise changing pick.
If there is a change, here there are 10 teams with new coaches this year. So we are down to 21 potential for HC competition. Then go through the divisions:
AFC East – Maybe the Jets
AFC North – Maybe the Bengals
AFC Central – Not seeing anyone
AFC Weat – Not there either
NFC East – Washington or Philly, ehhh maybe
NFC North – Don’t sleep on a change in GB or Minn, and I would take either in a heartbeat
NFC West – Nope
NFC South – Carolina???
Of course there will be more than one or two changes, there always are. But there sure doesn’t seem to be as many hot seats out there as there normally is. One more year of Todd could end up being the best long term thing to happen here for a while.
Of course, I could also be 100% wrong.
July 21st, 2026 at 3:37 pm
We lost a lot of talent just like most teams do shortly after winning the Super Bowl. When you win, your players are in high demand, and we had a few retire and get injured shortly after too. So we had ground to make up, and had nowhere near the talent on defense that we did during the Super Bowl year. Successive drafts picking late in the first round haven’t produced nearly what we hoped for. This year we actually got defensive players ranked significantly higher than when we picked them so got maximum value per picks. It can make a lot of difference with a really solid job in free agency. Which I think we did. I agree with Defense Rules and Simple T. The talent (and money invested) on defense was significantly lower but is catching up. And talent makes all the difference in the world!
July 21st, 2026 at 3:38 pm
You might want to email Bowles this because he couldn’t figure it out! OH, and who is being paid seven figures to make ***his*** players better? That would be the defensive coordinator/head coach.
Name a player on defense that played better last year aside from Jacob Parrish. Isn’t that the core job of a coach is to help a player get better? Or is the coach only allowed to stand on the sidelines and cuss?
No matter how you want to spin it — and you spin more than a ceiling fan when the AC is out — Bowles did a bad job last year. Bad!
Go ahead and keep digging and use your usual pseudo intellectual gibberish, but Bowles did a bad job last year. No amount of spin or misdirection (which you are very good at) can change that.
Go ahead and please do explain why the head coach/defensive coordinator is not at fault for not knowing his defense isn’t any good, but he still turns to them to win the game for him.
July 21st, 2026 at 4:05 pm
If he wasn’t effectively polishing a turd trying to make those players better, we wouldn’t be getting 5-6 new starters on defense. It doesn’t take intellectual “gibberish” and is obvious. Every team’s analysis of our defense last year included slow ILB’ers. And most took advantage of them if they had the speed to do so.
July 21st, 2026 at 4:09 pm
There is an old saying. You can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip. All the great coaching in the world can fix stupid. How did Bliicheat do when he lost a great player that came here and won it all with Bowles. It seems more of s perfect storm. Low talent the G.M. Ignorant coaching Bowles and staff. Players cashing checks, making business decisions. Imagine why we lost #13. He saw it was from top too bottom with Tampa. But with a new year comes a new hope. We only had 8 games in us last year even with all that. Hopefully we can last 20ish games this season. Hope is all we have as fans. Go Bucs!
July 21st, 2026 at 4:11 pm
Not to mention the high level of injuries. Can we survive training camp? LETS GOOOOOOOO!
July 21st, 2026 at 4:12 pm
Jeez, Joe. Why the hate for DR? One of our best posters, doing research laden posts on the regular. And as he pointed out, there were elements of his first post that you disparaged that you obviously agreed with. But… Pseudo intellectual gibberish? Come on man..
July 21st, 2026 at 4:22 pm
With All of the TRUE fans Standing Up and DEMANDING FAR BETTER, there little more for me to add at this time but I’ve Got To Say, the Pom Pom carrying Trolls are a RIDICULOUS group of a few delusionals.
NO MATTER the “Truth and the Reality”, the Trolls deny it to the very end as they Insist that FINALLY in year 9 or 10 of BOZO’s attempts at being an effective head coach, .. well, this is finally his year.
The very much so, in deep denial Trolls (usually NOT a long time fan) are real fans of the circus. And they Love to be the Clowns in the Clown car.. What’s funny is how quickly they’ll fade away back under their rocks, JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHERS HAVE YEAR AFTER YEAR!
The Polly Anna, Pom Pom pushing, Rosie Colored glasses selling, Lemming Trolls are Just Like the rest of the fools before them….
You see, you can ONLY deny “Reality” for just so long before the last Clown Car rider figures out they ARE the last clown in The car. The rest have already gone beep beep, as all you can see is a cloud of dust, floppy shoes running in the other direction, and red noses rolling all over the ground…
The trolls JUST LIKE “ALL THE OTHERS BEFORE THEM” will change their names, Shut Up, and Grow Up, and start to see things as Actual Adults DO…
And JUST AS SOON AS THE GLAZERS WAKE UP, we might start winning again with the Buccaneer Way that we fought SO HARD TO GET TO IN THE FIRST PLACE BY FINALLY HIRING A REAL TRUE TO GOD, EFFECTIVE HEAD COACH WITH THE DESIRE AND “KNOW HOW” TO WIN!
Or the Glazers SHOULD sell the team to Someone Who DOES HAVE “THAT PASSION” TO WIN! The Glazers can keep the boring, mediocre, self defic@ting, loser mentality trolls since they seem to align with the Glazers current mentality of “LOUSY” being an on going choice for them as being the “Glazer Way”!
July 21st, 2026 at 4:31 pm
Umm bucswin?
What the F@@k are you talking about? Brady DID NOT come here for BOZO BOWLES!
DUDE! You’re either REAL STUPID OR A STRAIGHT UP DELUSION LIAR!
YOU…. ARE CLEARLY A TROLL!
If you’re not a TROLL why don’t you give a shot at REALITY! I JUST WROTE ABOUT YOU. Son, you really believe that Tom Brady came here for Bozo Bowles I’ve GOT TO say …. JUST WOW!
July 21st, 2026 at 4:31 pm
If you want far better, improve the talent Mr. CAPS Lock. We spent 137.6 million on salary on defense and 185 million on offense. Would seem to suggest the offense is about 50% better than the defense. Especially true when our first and second day draft picks that are still on their first contracts are divided about equally between the offense and defense. The defense needs more talent and just got an infusion. If they’re healthy and still not playing any better then I’ll be concerned. And if the offense doesn’t look like 2024 and is healthy I’ll be concerned. I think we are in a lot better shape overall and heading for an exciting season.
July 21st, 2026 at 4:34 pm
And bucswin,
If reading that wrong…. Then I apologize.. but I’m not so sure about that..
July 21st, 2026 at 4:38 pm
Floor Matt…
Rookies dude. ROOKIES!
And OF COURSE your cheerished genius running the show into the ground. You’re just the same ole song! And if you WERE around for the last 5 Years, then you’d Understand QUITE WELL what the rest of us MEAN…
July 21st, 2026 at 4:41 pm
Its the sqme old lie we’ve been sold since bozo got here. He was NEVER QUALIFIED and THAT COULDN’T HAVE BEEN any clearer than after he JUST ran the jets STRAIGHT i to the ground!
July 21st, 2026 at 4:45 pm
And to be Perfectly Honest, as much as I respect Arians for SHOWING ALL OF US WHAT A “REAL HEAD COACH, IS”..
I CAN’T STAND ARIANS FOR SELLING THE GLAZERS Mr. Magic Bean himself, Bozo Bowles!
July 21st, 2026 at 5:04 pm
Bowles is the DC who came up with the great strategy for beating KC in the Super Bowl while working with Arians. No wonder Arians recommended him. And the Jets were bad before Bowles got there and are still bad now. Every time the owners change head coaches, they fall further behind. The same would happen here unless we got McVay (who obviously isn’t available). Keeping Bowles just maintains stability and continuity. Which is helpful when teams keep stealing our offensive coordinators. Give Bowles great personnel on defense and you will have a great defense.
It’s that simple.
July 21st, 2026 at 5:08 pm
Looks like Bowles needs to change his diet
July 21st, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Joe … ‘Name a player on defense that played better last year aside from Jacob Parrish. Isn’t that the core job of a coach is to help a player get better?’
Well, Tykee Smith comes to mind. He had a pretty decent year … 16 games, 893 def snaps, 2 sacks, 5 QB Hits, 3 Bats, 6 TFL, 100 tackles (61 solo). Targeted 53 times with 35 completed (66.0% Completion Percentage) with 13 PDs & 3 TDs Allowed. Not a bad year for his first year at Safety.
But obviously those numbers can’t be right because I only offer ‘pseudo intellectual gibberish’. Love that word ‘pseudo’ BTW Joe. Out of curiosity though, you do know that it means ‘false; not genuine’ right? I never thought of offering up documented facts as being ‘pseudo intellectual’ or as being ‘spin & misdirection’ but hey I can see how you & some others might perceive them that way.
July 21st, 2026 at 6:49 pm
Yeah, he needs to change the QB!!!
July 21st, 2026 at 8:46 pm
Bowles’ best leadership move this offseason would have been to bring in Jim Schwartz as DC. Too much ego, though.
July 21st, 2026 at 8:57 pm
This Joe is starting to sound like lynchmob. Not really a good look for a “journalist” or a fan imo. Push back against certain narratives around here is definitely frowned upon by at least one of the Joe’s.
July 21st, 2026 at 9:37 pm
Obvious one you are clearly taking that out of context.. Brady came here for Bowles? I want to smoke what your smoking. I was stating that Bowles was indeed our DC. When we won the Superbowl. Sorry to trigger you. Not a troll. Lifetime fan. I have baked in old sombrero.. basically saying great players make s difference in this here greatest team sport of them all. Just grateful we have real football. Go Bucs. Or should i say go Bowles’ the greatest mind at head coach everrrrrrrr!!!!!!
July 22nd, 2026 at 12:44 am
ucswin,
No you Didn’t ucwin… So now You ARE a Liar… Your two statements just don’t match up.
I didn’t say it, YOU DID… Maybe you should lay off that nasty brown weed and try the good chit.
Your insinuation was that the offensive juggernaut “Tom Brady” came here and won it with Bowles… ? Yeah dude Clearly I had it right. You are a “confused troll”
Boy did you fall into that trap. No hard feelings though because you at least attempted some good ole boy within your confusion.
And hey, if you Really Believe that bozo is your answer for happiness on your hopelessly dispared Sunday’s, pretending that you love your team looking like a Bunch of QUITING CLOWNS then more power to ya. I guess…
I’m not going to be standing there with you but I’ll think about you as the hopelessness continues.
Because that clown ISN’T GOING TO change its big red nose, and the clown car ISN’T going to change it’s stripes after almost 10 YEARS OF THE SAME NO MATTER WHERE HE GOES! HE’S NOT GOING TO CHANGE! Therefore, neither will the results.
We’ve gone from a Super Bowl WINNING TEAM (a mere 6 years ago) to a team that’s ON THE BRINK OF A FULL BLOWN REBUILD under this guys philosophy! And the Bucs aren’t the first team clown boy has done this to. He was ESCORTED OFF THE PROPERTY at the Jets facility the year before Arians gifted him the job of DC.
Same old Clown, same old Clown Car….
July 22nd, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Oblivious one. Bless your little heart, him needs some anger management. You have soo much hate you see what you want to see. I’m not even sure what your arguing about here. But if it makes you feel better to lash out and call names and make up your own narrative. You do you. Might want to lay off the meds though. Your clearly unstable. Go hang out in nature. Kiss a puppy. Support your team or put your Saints jersey back on. Your not a Bucs fan.Smh. Bucs fans unite! Go Bowles.
July 22nd, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Bowles isnt a great HC. He is average to below average as his record states. He won’t change, every year there is another flaw that the Bucs need to address bc of his lack on ability. One year it was his poor game management, last year it was lack of awarness to put more trust in his offense, rather than pray for a miracle on defense. 3 years ago it was not making player/ roster adjustments early enough and moving on from coaches like ST coordinator. Those problems continued into last season. The guy just doesnt have IT to be a good HC. Too many holes in his game.
July 22nd, 2026 at 9:36 pm
That thumbnail of Todd is embarassing. He needs some GLP-1 injections or at the very least a personal trainer. Any Reid thinks Todd is out of shape.