“If This Doesn’t Work [Defensively], Then This Team Has A Problem”
July 23rd, 2026
Are the Bucs more likely to have a top-10 offense this season or a top-15 defense?
The answer from a familiar voice might surprise you.
Rondé Barber chose the defense being top-15. The Bucs legend made the claim on the WFLA-TV streaming show that bears his name.
“The rebound for our defense would definitely be inside the top-15 [in the NFL],” Barber said.
That written, Barber noted the Bucs defense has question marks. One he referenced that intrigued Joe is at cornerback, and it was about Barber’s phrasing.
“Who’s replacing Jamel Dean at corner? (pause) Is it one of the guys we have or is it Jacob Parrish? I don’t know,” Barber said.
Given how Barber is very tight with the Buccaneers front office, Joe took that as the Bucs might be looking outside the organization for a cornerback.
(For those wondering, Rasul Douglas joined the Commanders this month on a modest one-year deal.)
Barber referenced the many changes to the Tampa Bay defense — coaches, players and approach. And he said the defense must take a leap.
“If this doesn’t work [defensively], then this team has a problem,” Barber said.
Joe would counter by saying Team Glazer might strongly disagree if the Bucs revert back to their 2024 form: explosive offense and subpar defense. That was good enough for 10 wins in the NFC South landfill.
July 23rd, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Opinion like you know what…everyone has one.
July 23rd, 2026 at 12:14 pm
It needs to win us 2-4 games regardless.
We won’t score 30 every week, but might score 40.
I expect the offense will win 6-9.
July 23rd, 2026 at 12:15 pm
if healthy, i think both units can be top10
GO BUCS!!!!
July 23rd, 2026 at 12:17 pm
It’s just dawned on Rondé that this team has a problem?
Pictured above: Problem.
July 23rd, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Marcus West (DL) is really the only new defensive coach. Tim Atkins (safeties) and Rashad Jackson (CBs) were assistants last year. Bowles wanted some coaches with some energy, but let’s see if they can improve their rooms.
July 23rd, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Shouldn’t be worrying about a top 15 defense when you have a defensive minded head coach. Why keep Bowles if that’s the best we can hope for?
July 23rd, 2026 at 12:34 pm
The DEFENSE. 💯
July 23rd, 2026 at 12:55 pm
I think we can have both.
July 23rd, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Ronde is thinking like me… he’s hoping they are top 15. After finishing 19th in total yards/20th in total points last season that would be an improvement considering they lost their best corner.
July 23rd, 2026 at 1:11 pm
“Top?”
… did you say “top” in relation to the defense? X-D
The Bucs need to fire the DC. Just sayin’.
July 23rd, 2026 at 1:25 pm
The Retodd has shown us nothing as a HC that leads me to believe his defense will be any better than it was before. As long as he’s running it, expect it to be inconsistent and fold during big moments.
July 23rd, 2026 at 1:31 pm
66% of the ENTIRE OFFENSE were injured last season. Probably had something to do with it. What percentage of the defense suffered injuries? Or was it more of players taking plays (games) off?
July 23rd, 2026 at 1:33 pm
Joe would counter by saying Team Glazer might strongly disagree if the Bucs revert back to their 2024 form: explosive offense and subpar defense. That was good enough for 10 wins in the NFC South landfill.
^^^^^^^^
If this is the case, which I think it might be, THE GLAZERS NEED TO HIRE THE OFFENSIVE GUY THAT WON GAMES FOR THEM AS THE NEXT HEAD COACH. I know they love Todd Bowles, and their warm fuzzies for him has kept him around a lot longer than he deserves.
July 23rd, 2026 at 1:47 pm
Great question maybe they will figure out the answer about CB before the season starts.
July 23rd, 2026 at 1:55 pm
Deff an unpopular opinion but if you give Bowles talent on the D then it does work see 2020 SB win an 21 wasn’t terrible but did start to go down hill and it’s bin down hill ever since. Bowles has bin a terrible head coach. There’s always the woulda coulda shouldas but he’s our coach and ima root for him to be successful.
July 23rd, 2026 at 1:56 pm
In true Jason fashion, he will dumpster dive the leftovers when final cuts are made to find a player.
We obviously know that this will not work and cb will be a weak position group this year.
July 23rd, 2026 at 2:45 pm
The real problem is the head coach. Keeping my expectations low. Hoping for a great season but…
July 23rd, 2026 at 2:47 pm
#1bucsfan while I completely agree on talent, if you’re good at what you do you can get average out of average. Meaning 15th or so would have been ok with me, but last in pass coverage is unacceptable in a passing league!
July 23rd, 2026 at 3:19 pm
If both offense and defense stays healthy, and play mistake free football I see no less than 10 wins
July 23rd, 2026 at 3:39 pm
Seattle was 10th in rushing and 1st on the defensive side= championship
July 23rd, 2026 at 3:39 pm
You would think the Super Guru GM that everyone seems to worship could have figured it out before now that the CB position might be an issue. But, of course, he didn’t.
July 23rd, 2026 at 3:51 pm
My prediction is the offense will be #6 and the defense will be #21. Bucs will go from having one of the worst special teams in the NFL last year (outside of Kicker) to one of the best this year.
July 23rd, 2026 at 4:11 pm
ocala … ‘My prediction is the offense will be #6 and the defense will be #21.’
OR the reverse could occur like it did in 2023 when the offense ranked #20 and the defense ranked #7.
Of course Ocala, it only took 1 year (2024) for THAT also to reverse itself, as the offense improved (under Coen) to a #4 ranking while the defense floundered to a #16 ranking.
Still, I think IF we can stay reasonably healthy, that BOTH the offense and defense will rank in the Top-10. That’s a big IF however given the Bucs’ recent injury history.
July 23rd, 2026 at 4:32 pm
I hope you are right Defense Rules. Offensively I think the Bucs have the potential to be elite if they stay healthy. I worry about the defensive scheme. Bowles does not seem to be able to consistently put together a good scheme. Also, I think the Bucs cornerbacks are bottom tier.