Front Office Hate Is Much Better Than Coach Hate
August 8th, 2026
Todd Bowles (left) and Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Great point here by a seasoned NFL veteran, and Joe will take it a step further.
Joe shared how the Bucs were slapped on BSPN TV this week when Pat McAfee said on his popular show that the Bucs’ “vibes seem ass.” McAfee performed his version of NFL math — Vita Vea trade request + Baker Mayfield outrage + Mike Evans bailing + Lavonte David retiring after saying he has gas in the tank = a bad Tampa Bay environment.
Joe thinks lumping Evans and David into that mix is understandable but wacky. Joe is eager for Evans’ whole truth to come out, or close too it.
McAfee said the drama in Tampa means he can’t pick the Bucs to win the NFC South.
Former 11-year NFL linebacker A.J. Hawk couldn’t agree with McAfee. He clapped back predicting the Bucs to be division champs, noting frustration with a general manager is no big deal.
“Bake is upset with the front office. You can do that. You can play with some spike toward your front office,” Hawk said. ‘That’s sustainable over the course of the season. I don’t think it’s sustainable if you’re pissed at your coaches and you hate your coaches. He loves his coaches, it seems like. He’s on board with them; it’s the front office that’s not paying him now. I think [Baker] can have a fun revenge tour, go out there prove them wrong.”
Joe agrees completely with Hawk’s take.
And since Team Glazer isn’t hanging out with players, patrolling the practice fields and forming tight 1-on-1 bonds with Mayfield, Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht has the ability to stay close with Mayfield and blame any contract-extension challenges on the owners. They’re easy fall guys. Under the bus you go.
At this point, Joe suspects Mayfield truly is good with Licht, as Licht stated on Thursday.
Hawk added that the Vita Vea situation needs to be repaired quickly.
“I do not like what they’re doing with Vita Vea,” Hawk said. “I hope they get him paid, get him in there. They need him big-time.”
August 8th, 2026 at 3:51 pm
That’s a great take by AJ. Hadn’t really thought about it to that specificity, but it’s a good and valid take!
August 8th, 2026 at 3:51 pm
Bucs will defeat PIT GB CLE MIN & ATL NO CAR home : 7 – 10
August 8th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
David and Evan’s situation not anywhere near the same.
David was toast. His skills were so declined. Super fun to watch him be a an all time great but it was time.
Evans left to go to a legitimate superbowl contender. That’s it. It’s that simple.
As for the other stuff, if Bowles can’t win this division with an infusion of defensive talent, well you know where I’m going. But despite the constant making fun of the Saints, falcons and panthers they all have better head coaches than we do and positive attributes. I expect the falcons and saints to be improved and the panthers to continue to be tough.
This will be the most difficult divisional season that Todd has ever faced.
August 8th, 2026 at 4:08 pm
The Glazers for the most part have always been cheap and slow to make moves. Look at how long they’ve kept Bowles around for. What if the Bucs are a middling team again and Bowles gets an extension because of reasons beyond his control, then it’s just more of the same. Joe will be able to just phone in his posts for the duration of the extension.
August 8th, 2026 at 4:12 pm
Can’t wait for the season. Most talent we’ve had in YEARS.
Guess we’ll see who’s been right about Todd soon enough – the optimists (pom pom shakers) or the constant critics (Todd’s trolls)
Rah rah rah moth#rf%cker$ 🏈
August 8th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
If you think Mayfield is truly OK with Licht, then you have no idea what makes his fuse burn.
And if he makes it out of this season OK with good numbers, I hope he walks. And I say that as a Buccaneer fan because this is the only way that crap like Licht pulled is going to stop.
Ditto with Vea. I hope that he holds out for as long as he needs to in order to earn credit for this year so that he can walk at the end of the season.
I don’t know why the sudden change in management style, where you insult your best players. But it’s going to leave marks.
August 8th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
I agree the front office is BS’n, but that’s the business side. Obviously publicly the players are “fine”, but I’m sure every man on the squad as of today has some type of perspective on all the business stuff going on lately they’ll never share candidly.
August 8th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Playing games with Baker is a mistake. Also, I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t at least guarantee Vea’s money for this year and maybe sign him for one more. That’s if Vea will agree to it. If it’s already been offered and denied that’s on Vea. He signed a contract saying he will play this year and *he should*.
Pay Baker what he wants and sign him up for a 4 year extension including this year. 52-53M AAV. Simple- if he’s your franchise qb, make him one not just by name. Don’t play games with the future if this team and it also ensures stability for several years!
August 8th, 2026 at 4:34 pm
Mayfield should put out the word to sign Vita and he will work on getting a team friendly deal for his services. The key phrase here is work on it, but not doing it. Another words blow smoke up their rearends like they do with Baker.
August 8th, 2026 at 4:36 pm
Obvious Says:
August 8th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
David and Evan’s situation not anywhere near the same.
Evans left to go to a legitimate superbowl contender. That’s it. It’s that simple.
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I like our roster a lot more than theirs and there’s much more “a$$ vibe” going on there with them refusing to cut or release Aiyuk. That front office is a clown show, including Lynch. The 49ers front office is excellent at building rosters but often creates avoidable tension with star players during negotiations. It’s not seen as totally “toxic,” but it is seen as a pattern.
August 8th, 2026 at 4:45 pm
@Obvious,
Believe it or not, I’m not convinced Todd is the 4th best coach in the division. He absolutely could be. He could also be the best (by default).
IMO none of them have done anything too impressive. I know Stefanski has some great reputation, but I think it’s more myth than substance. Guess I will find out soon.
August 8th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Remember that the Glazers admitted that they screwed over Antonio Brown on the Bucs documentary on Amazon
August 8th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
Good point, seems like.
August 8th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
People paid to say things like vibes seem ass annoy me. Clown show.
August 8th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
Glazer family want to play it safe this season. They don’t know if they were wrong about Bowles. They don’t know if the team decline of last season will continue. So they want to position themselves in the middle to make a move either way…a total rebuild or an all in scenario. As owners that’s somewhat understandable. Who does want to have their cake and eat it too. That said, this position sucks to us fans! Come on Glazers, have balls! You brought back Bowles now give him what he needs to succeed!
August 8th, 2026 at 5:29 pm
Vea doesnt want to be here so trade him for some good draft picks. Not sure about a second rounder but a third and fifth is very possible.
August 8th, 2026 at 5:58 pm
@ATL – I like our roster also. We’re younger than the 9ers for sure but I’m not sure it’s better. But that’s irrelevant to my point. KS is an elite HC while we have Todd. That’s the deciding variable.
@DrunkBuc – what Stefanski got out of that 2023 team in Cleveland was pretty impressive. I think he’s easily better than Todd. Jury’s out on the other two but given the fits canales he given us the last 4 games I’ll give him the edge and I’d bet Moore has the aints at 8 wins this season.
This season is going to be very challenging for Todd Bowles. Thankfully I think he has the most talent on the roster than he ever has.
August 8th, 2026 at 6:04 pm
Hawk is right on both counts.
Baker and Vita.
August 8th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
Todd was .500 win coach in NY and same here. We don’t need to see another season to know he is just an 8-8 coach. He is what his record says he is. You should expect 7-9 to 9-7 depending on injuries. He WILL be gone after this season. Unless you like 8-8 and drafting 15 to 18 . Mediocrity is his best.
August 8th, 2026 at 7:11 pm
@Obvious, I can give him some credit for the 23 season. Definitely got more out of Flacco than anyone saw coming. I just feel like he gets a lot more shine than he’s worth.
But yeah, I think Todd is set up as well as he could hope for this year.
@OLDSCHOOL, not disagreeing TB is a .500 coach. Just saying the others may not be that good.
August 8th, 2026 at 7:22 pm
Mayfield QB’d the Bucs to a 2-7 finish including a 3 turnover losing performance in a must win game vs Dolphins and the Bucs offer him a 30% raise and 2 year extension….and Mayfield is popping off.
August 8th, 2026 at 7:46 pm
McAfee is a sensationalist. That why he also does work for the WWE.
August 8th, 2026 at 7:52 pm
Baker Mayfield is not just what last year’s performance showed.
August 8th, 2026 at 8:06 pm
Anybody watch Billings in that HOF game? Thats EXACTLY why we still need Big V!!
August 8th, 2026 at 8:14 pm
Yes, don’t hate on the defensive guru HC. He isn’t replaceable.
All the other coaches were the problem as proven by their dismissal.
The .500 record doesn’t happen by accident. It was earned.
We are so lucky.
August 8th, 2026 at 8:21 pm
FIRE TOILET BOWLES
August 8th, 2026 at 8:39 pm
STFU lynchmob 🤣
August 8th, 2026 at 8:54 pm
Simple Boy
Go make love to your Todd Bowles doll.
August 8th, 2026 at 9:03 pm
you can be a head coach with little talent and lose a lot, you can be a bad coach with lots of talent and win? what are the bucs? they had a crappy defense last year after 6-2 they had replacement guards so i guess it caught up with them the number one goal for the next month is stay healthy so all that talent can blend with mediocre coaching and see how far it takes them
August 8th, 2026 at 10:14 pm
I’m not going to be guilty of heresy and speak poorly of a Bucs legend headed for the ring one day. ME13 has been a great player and class act!
Having said that he’s now running on thin tread powered by balky hammies that haven’t improved with age. His hammies limited him to his last full season being 3 years ago. Last year he played less than half the season. No matter how great a player they cannot contribute from the whirlpool treating balky hamstrings.
He might have a great season this year, but with every passing season his hammies grow to an even greater risk. Whatever happens I wish him well, he was a class act, too bad he has to leave on a disappointing season for the Bucs and himself.
August 8th, 2026 at 11:18 pm
I love all the training camp hype! All the new players and coaches are all going to do amazing stuff. There is just one thing …. Todd Bowels win loss record is under .500 after nine seasons as a head coach. With the Bucs he is 35-33. So is this the season he breaks out and bust through his head coaching lifetime of average results? The odds are not in our favor but hey, it’s a new season. I’m in!
August 8th, 2026 at 11:51 pm
With all the different opinions on here, does anyone disagree when I say if the Bucs win 10 and a playoff game Todd isn’t going anywhere?
Todd Bowles, the Daniel Jones of head coaches. Is they good at their job? Ehhhh……how do you define “good”?
August 9th, 2026 at 7:09 am
VV deal gets done , I just hope it is in Tampa.
August 9th, 2026 at 8:57 am
@OLDSCHOOL – agree on all points. Only add ins are there are now 17 games in an nfl season and Todd was an under .500 coach in ny.
Agree he will go 7-10, 8-9 or 9-8 this season.
@Drunk- that’s the issue. 10 wins is him at his top of tops. He’ll have to get mighty lucky with an offense going absolutely off and no major injuries to get there. And if that happens we’re doing another OC hire. The same mediocrity cycle keeps spinning and the franchise can’t move forward.
Luckily for the glazers they won’t have to put themselves in this position again. You don’t get guys like Coen dropped into your lap every two years. The offense might be better this season but Robinson is not Coen.
If the division improves, as it likely will, the glazers won’t get their home playoff check and they won’t have to grow a pair to fire Todd.
August 9th, 2026 at 9:03 am
St Pete Bozo talking out of both sides of his mouth again. First saying pay Vita, then saying he signed a contract and should play, then saying..then saying pay Baker whatever he wants even though Baker also signed a contract for 3 yrs and has a year left.
Wow, you’re spiraling Matty. Not surprising.
Also, Hawk says “it’s the Bucs front office not paying Baker”. Say what? They were the only team willing to bring him in to be the starter a few years ago. They brought him into a great offense with player makers and a very good oline. Then they rewarded him with the biggest contract Baker has ever had with 100 million dollars only 2 years ago! So excuse the Bucs front for not feeling overly sorry for a player they’ve taken care, coming off a bad year for the team and still having a year left on his contact. Please with the “they aren’t paying him bullspit
“
August 9th, 2026 at 9:17 am
And St Pete Matty..please explain to all of us why not paying Baker right now is “a mistake”???
Please tell me what the downside to waiting is? Because I can list about 5 reasons what the potential downsides of paying him now could be.
Do you really believe there is a world in which Baker plays well and the Bucs offer him a fat new contract after the season and Baker declines their offer?? If you truly believe that, then you are completely clueless and there is no convincing you otherwise. Even if you do believe in fairytales, the Bucs have the franchise tag.
Baker has no leverage and JL is doing the right thing. Same with the Vita, who knows the end is near and wants to cash in now before other teams see that decline coming. Hard to blame the big fella, but tel him when these hold outs, hold ins, faking injuries..ever end well for the player? They rarely do. Ask Bell, the RB who Pittsburgh (a highly regarded franchise) let rot and didn’t cave to his demands.
August 9th, 2026 at 10:02 am
I have to disagree with the premise. Feeling underpaid is not good. It keeps the hate simmering year-round.
August 9th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Fanofdabucs. You don’t know what the heck you’re talking about. Your posts show what a waste of time reading anything you write really is.
“They were the only team willing to bring him in to be a starter a few years ago”. So he was available March 10, 2023. And the Bucs and Mayfield had a verbal agreement on March 8, 2023. Did you know that, Fanofdabucs? You didn’t know that. 4 or 5 more teams had interest, Mayfield was guaranteed a starting spot by Licht and Bowles- you didn’t know that Fanofdabucs, did you?
The great team and line and skill players? Brady was a loser with this mess in 2022. Vegas said maybe 6 wins. Overhauled our OLine in 2024 because in 2023 we had the WORST ypc of any rushing team in the league. Godwin coming off knee surgery and finally healthy halfway through 2023.
“Do you really believe there is a world in which Baker plays well and the Bucs offer Baker a fat new contract after the season and Baker declines their offer?”
That would be called the real world, Fanofdabucs. But you don’t live in that world, Fanofdabucs, so you wouldn’t understand.
August 9th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
David was past due at the glue factory. That doesn’t take away from his outstanding career/body of work.
Evans…in my throwaway opinion…let emotions ( as he’s wont to do ) get the better of him…led by his agent Happy Gilmore. There was no turning back and he had to settle for a far cheaper deal in SF…along with the tax bomb iof California.
August 9th, 2026 at 4:30 pm
Sad hoe many unknowledgable and delusional people are on here.
The FO scuttle does matter and it will make a difference. When you’re screwing the defensive leader and the offense and team leader over money, then it mayters. Already have to overcome below average coaching, so rhis isn’t needed.