Bucs All-In For Todd Bowles
August 20th, 2026
“Well done, Jason.”
Joe thinks it’s absolutely no coincidence there was a rare Team Glazer sighting on the practice field Tuesday morning and then news broke of a raise and a contract extension for Vita Vea a day later.
Joe is not saying co-owner Joel Glazer told Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht to fetch Sizzlis and Hawaiian Punch while he handles locking down Vea. But Joe is comfortable speculating that Team Glazer committed to ending the Vea standoff immediately, and with a personal touch.
The guys who write the checks always have a heavy hand in expensive, franchise-shaping decisions — and when those calls are made.
So was keeping Vea a franchise-shaping decision worthy of ownership involvement?
That’s up for debate. But in January, Team Glazer made the bold move to enrage a majority of Bucs fans by retaining Todd Bowles following a historic meltdown in the second half of last season. Not every NFL ownership group would wave off the angry mob as mere background noise.
Team Glazer planted a Bowles flag on Dale Mabry Highway and, Joe believes, they showed this week they’re prepared to defend it.
Losing Vea would have made the 2026 team worse and would not have fit with the decision to retain Bowles as the man ready to put the Bucs back in Super Bowl contention. Also, Vea moving on would have re-ignited the screams from legions of fans who insist Bowles is the reason Mike Evans sprinted across the country for less money, more taxes and Brock Purdy, and nobody at One Buc Palace wanted that. (When will Evans and/or the Bucs put a stop to that nonsense narrative? Who has the balls gumption?)
Bowles walked away from this offseason with improved depth and talent at defensive tackle, at edge rusher, and at inside linebacker, along with an overhauled defensive coaching staff, a seasoned offensive coordinator and a veteran offense dripping with talent, plus a highly respected new special teams coach.
It’s no stretch to say the organization is all-in for Bowles.
Flash poll posted at 4:27 p.m.
August 20th, 2026 at 5:13 pm
Super Bowles Baby!!!!!
August 20th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
So, we are all good now with the bloated contract Vita signed? Will “Team Glazer” pay Mayfield and make the JoeBuscFan haters go crazy? Stay tuned!
August 20th, 2026 at 5:17 pm
It’s all-in for winning. Right now. That’s not just for Bowles. Some luck with injuries is more than due, so provided that happens this is a very good playoff team. Is it Super Bowl caliber? I don’t know. They will have to figure out how to beat a very tough Rams squad to get there most likely…
That’s going to be quite a challenge.
August 20th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
I wouldn’t characterize this as an all-in move. I see the Glazers giving Bowles a fair chance by retaining Vita and drafting some good defensive players – and picking up vets like Anzalone and A’Shawn. So, at the end of the season, Bowles can’t say he wasn’t supported and didn’t have a fair chance this year. The Glazers will be looking very hard at Bowles to decide to retain him or not. The Glazers want flexibility if Bowles is gone and a new coach comes in – hence the short contracts.
August 20th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Well see if that statement is the same after he wins 6 games. Next year it will be all in for Mike Tomlin
August 20th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
This is an “all in”, as much as can be, for a Championship push. Todd has no excuses now and as far as I can see the Glazers have played their cards very well by signing a key piece to make the defense jump while retaining a potentially top offense as well. The special teams should be more than special to actually “complete” the team. They are, in effect, saying that if we don’t get to the Championship game and beyond you’re history, while still keeping the option open for the next staff, if need be, to get their own QB while keeping the salary cap manageable for the future. I think these have been sound decisions all around by the Glazers, they certainly haven’t been cheap as some have said. I think they see the defense as growing this year and beyond. They also probably know the future cap projections in advance so that helps in their decision making. To me it shows their desire to win and be at the top. That is not only in business, which this is, but in everything they do.
August 20th, 2026 at 5:24 pm
PS I’m pretty certain Evans left because his wife wanted to leave. It wasn’t Bowles or the Bucs or even chasing the HoF as I originally thought. It was more personal than that. And that’s sad but fine.
August 20th, 2026 at 5:28 pm
Fire bowls. 3rd and 28. Never forget
August 20th, 2026 at 5:29 pm
Def was no coincidence and the speed at which things soon followed.
“When will Evans and/or the Bucs put a stop to that nonsense narrative? Who has the balls gumption?” – I kinda feel like the Joe’s have gained a much better or thorough understanding of the situation and reasoning behind the Evans decision in the last month and change or so by some of the wording/phrasing being used lately in articles
I’ve wondered since the decision to keep Bowles if Jason and Team Glazer were lockstep on that decision behind the scenes. The fact Jason & Greeny weren’t handing out fat new contracts – and def not long term – and then Team Glazer shows up and it’s done only makes me wonder that more. If you’re seeing it from JL’s perspective and hypothetically speaking, if Bowles were to be gone after the season, than having options/flexibility for new Head Coach (and DC) to keep or choose what is the centerpiece of both the Offense and Defense is pretty valuable and a great card to have to play when hiring or appealing to a new HC and DC. Especially if defense were to change to a 4-3 or the new HC didn’t want Baker leading the pirate ship or wanted a different flavor of QB, etc.
This has all been pretty interesting to say the least!
August 20th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
Glazer doing Licht’s job. Maybe he do Bowles job too?
August 20th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
Joe … ‘Vea moving on would have re-ignited the screams from legions of fans who insist Bowles is the reason Mike Evans sprinted across the country for less money, more taxes and Brock Purdy’.
That’s all pure speculation; no facts to back it up. To my knowledge, Mike Evans has never dissed the Bucs. Odds are far greater IMO that he saw the writing on the wall in terms of many fewer touches in Tampa with Egbuka, Godwin & McMillen all healthy, plus having to feed the RBs & TEs about 100 touches each per season. Plus I don’t think that ME13 had the confidence in Baker to get him the ball that so many JBFers seem to have.
Some day soon I hope we’ll get off this ‘Todd Bowles is a really nice guy, but he’s obviously responsible for everything bad that happens in Tampa Bay’ kick.
August 20th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Every one of our offensive linemen needs to challenge himself to try to play as well as Wirfs does. If that happens, the Bucs will dominate. Several of them have even more talent than they think. I think Mauch and Goedeke could play at All-Pro levels, and Bredeson and Barton at Pro Bowl levels. Keeping my fingers crossed.
August 20th, 2026 at 5:41 pm
“ insist Bowles is the reason Mike Evans sprinted across the country for less money, more taxes and Brock Purdy “
Bowles is exactly that. Mike knows he sux. Be like Mike.
August 20th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
Why wouldn’t you forget 3rd and 28 ,that makes no sense !! Beer is good…you know the rest..UGH!
August 20th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
It’s no stretch to say the organization is all-in for Bowles.
Further proof they’ve lost the ability to recognize a completely failed agenda.
2025 should have been a moment of clarity and a clear path forward.
Instead they’ve decided to douse the flames with kerosene and hope it works better than water.
Bowles is a loser as a HC. Always has been and always will be. A guru of mediocrity.
August 20th, 2026 at 5:57 pm
We are definitely NOT in a rebuilding phase. We are preparing to win NOW.
With some injury luck we should field the best Bucs team in years.
Nobody can accurately predict this sh$t but I see a path to a top 10 offense and defense, maybe even top 5 and 10+ wins.
We have a lot of new pieces and moving parts so it will take a minute for everyone to “gel” and create an “identity” but anyone who doesn’t think this years squad is (will be) GREATLY improved over last years needs to have their head examined
August 20th, 2026 at 5:58 pm
Awesome- how are ticket sales?
August 20th, 2026 at 5:58 pm
For those of us keeping score at home…this is the 2nd early extension for VV. North of 100 million of Glazer Gold.
What’s most important is that Licht can be friends with VV after VV clowned the Bucs on the sidelines, went to the media with his gripes and called in Big Brother Bully Suh.
Time will tell if it’s a win in the field. Team brass looks feeble for giving in and topping off.
Zero incentive for Mahalo VV to play hard or hurt during his 2 year severance/ farewell tour.
August 20th, 2026 at 5:59 pm
Just like in politics, optics is everything. I wonder if Mike Evans leaving for less money forced the Bucs to pay VV.
August 20th, 2026 at 6:01 pm
Matt——
How are you “pretty sure” Evans left Tampa because of his wife?
Details? Evidence of this? Can’t wait to hear it.
The only thing I know about her is her Texas roots. Why the affinity for California?
I’m pretty sure he left for other, more obvious reasons.
My evidence? None.
Is your ‘pretty sure’ any surer than mine?
August 20th, 2026 at 6:17 pm
Last season the collective media narrative was the Bucs had a “Superbowl roster”. This season its “all in on Bowles”. Whew, the marketing needs a lot of work. Doesn’t matter how much lipstick you put on this pig, this roster pales when compared to the Rams, Eagles and Lions.
When the injuries happen can this “overhauled coaching staff” coach up the thin depth on this team? We’ll see….
August 20th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Love this move! It restored my faith. And it allows for the young pass rusher and LB to have a quality beast eating up blocks in the middle. Everyone is better for it.
August 20th, 2026 at 6:30 pm
It’s not the 3rd and 28 that got us it was 4th and 14 on the next play that got us!
August 20th, 2026 at 6:39 pm
That last sentence is why the Bucs will NEVER amount to anything until a new HC is hired!
It’s a Bucs life….
August 20th, 2026 at 6:40 pm
“We are definitely NOT in a rebuilding phase. We are preparing to win NOW.“
Agreed and as much as people complain about what we do and don’t have in terms of personnel, Licht and the front office have done an admirable job re-tooling this team from the start of the ‘22 season to right now. We legit went from one of the older teams, to being a little younger but middle of the pack old to now having a great mix of young veteran and rookie talent. Do we have what we need to get us over the hump?
Maybe, if they can keep a high level of performance but we’re not far off from being a contender, and imo we’re closer to that than being bottom of the league or a team with a roster in limbo. Had we let Vea go; then I’d say we’re def trending away from what they’ve tried to build since the end of ‘22
August 20th, 2026 at 6:41 pm
Yes, the owners are all in for Bowles. Ultimately, they will come to regret it.
August 20th, 2026 at 6:43 pm
Where’s George Allen when you need him?
August 20th, 2026 at 6:52 pm
This roster could be a real contender with a good head coach. We have a glorified secondary coach who couldn’t lead a pee wee club. Bowles subbing out Dean to get Morrison reps ruined this team last season. They hate him now.