Distractions!
July 30th, 2026
Todd Bowles shares input.
Joe and Ira discussed the following on the latest edition of the “Ira Kaufman Podcast.” And Joe guesss it is also on the minds of many Bucs fans.
Distractions!
With two stars, one on each side of the ball, embroiled in contract disputes, including the team’s quarterback, this has to affect the mentality of the entire team, right?
Well, Bucs coach Todd Bowles shot down any such theories yesterday. Bowles stated his team is locked in and focused. No one’s contract is making anyone play or practice poorer, Bowles said.
“Not at all,” Bowles said of the contract disputes being a distraction. “Every situation is different. Mike [Evans’] situation was different. Baker [Mayfield’s] is different. Vita [Vea’s] is different as well.
“We talk about all these things, and we have a very mature group, like I said. We make sure we make it about ball.
“We understand the business side of football as well. Everybody is going to go through that, coaches and players alike. We have a very tight-knit team, and I feel pretty good about them.”
Joe harkens to the 2020 season. You had “The Sickness” floating about with disruptive procedures everywhere. Plus, you had Antonio Brown, a walking distraction.
How did the Bucs do that year?
Joe always remembers what his high school coach, who played for John Madden and Tom Landry, used to say about distractions or perceived distractions: “Distractions are distractions if you let them be distractions.”
If it worked for scatterbrained high school kids, the same philosophy ought to work for professionals.
July 30th, 2026 at 9:04 am
One is not even practicing so I dunno about all that Todd but at this point I don’t believe much of anything that Todd says.
July 30th, 2026 at 9:05 am
As you harken back to that 2020 season be reminded of the leadership on that team, Brady and Arians. The Bucs don’t have anything close to that in the building. Every season has had a losing streak under Bowles so his teams are always unfocused and distracted.
July 30th, 2026 at 9:08 am
“Not at all,” Bowles said of the contract disputes being a distraction.
And ‘not at all’ is how much Vea is currently practicing Todd. But nope, not a distraction.
July 30th, 2026 at 9:09 am
Not worried at all!!!…Vita will get paid sometime next week and baker will play this season on his current deal….
what can be a “distraction” are injuries…Wirfs is already hobbled and we’re still waiting to see if bucky can bounce back from his injuries…
GO BUCS!!!!
July 30th, 2026 at 9:10 am
All I have to say is…those tests must be tough!
July 30th, 2026 at 9:12 am
What was this article about? Sorry, I got distracted….
July 30th, 2026 at 9:13 am
813bucboi, after last year, I think all of us will be sensitive to any and all injuries this year.
I know I am.
July 30th, 2026 at 9:30 am
Just another in a long line of delusional comments from Bowles. Whistling through the graveyard does not make you any safer. Good luck with that Todd.
July 30th, 2026 at 9:31 am
I’ll admit it… Todd Bowles’ press conferences are so monotone they can distract anyone. 😂 But once you get past the sleep aid, the message is actually right: focus on football, not headlines.
🔥 LFG!
July 30th, 2026 at 10:17 am
No distractions? Like no distractions last year when the D quit on him. Got it!
July 30th, 2026 at 10:32 am
2020 had a real HC
July 30th, 2026 at 10:41 am
Wait until they lose three in a row. This will all be revived.
And if the Glazers are the holdup, and Licht wants to re-sign Baker and VV, then he should quit.
This may explain Evans leaving. Maybe he asked about support for Baker and VV and they said “we ain’t paying” and he said “outta here!”
July 30th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Of course he would say that.