Todd Bowles Not Happy With Backup Offensive Linemen
August 28th, 2026
Eying bubble players.
[UPDATE] So before Joe gets rolling, time for a reminder:
Justin Skule did not play. Chewbacca did not play. Billy Schrauth didn’t play.
So it’s a very decent bet that the tomato cans impersonating NFL offensive linemen who played for the Bucs Friday night in Jacksonville very likely will have their masks ripped off by Daphney sometime between now and 6 p.m. Sunday, when the Bucs must file their initial 53-man roster to the league office.
Still, with rookie backup QB Jalon Daniels proving Chucky right — that he’s not very comfortable yet taking snaps from center — Bucs coach Todd Bowles gave him a pass.
Speaking to WFLA-TV Channel 8 sideline reporter Jeff Dubrof coming off the field at halftime, Bowles called out the front line for the Bucs’ offense struggling.
“We’ve gotta protect the cornerback first of all,” Bowles said. “We got to get some push-up front.”
Bowles could have easily pointed the finger at Daniels, who looked every bit the undrafted free agent on Friday night rather than the possible QB2 behind Baker Mayfield that he flashed in previous worthless preaseason games.
But yeah, those Bucs backup offensive linemen. Yikes.
Later in the game, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht made his second-half appearance in the WFLA-TV Channel 8 booth. When asked about the bottom few guys who might make the team (he didn’t cite names), Licht mentioned he and his personnel staff already have a list of players they project to be on the bubble throughout the NFL.
So Sunday night, when the initial rosters of each team are released, Licht said they have their eyes on a few potential cuts and plan to “pounce.”
Joe is just going to take a wild stab and guess two areas Licht is looking at are backup offensive lineman and a corner.
[UPDATE] When asked after the game if the depth of his offensive line after the starting-five is a concern, KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles said, “Yeah, it’s a concern.”
August 28th, 2026 at 10:02 pm
Jaguars had no such problems. He and Bowles are the ones who drafted and signed them so we got them to blame for it. Any of these guys start were in trouble. Either Browning or Daniel’s start we’re lost.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:04 pm
Trade Cinderella for a decent offensive lineman
August 28th, 2026 at 10:10 pm
We look pathetic tonight. Offense a big disappointment.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:12 pm
Just like the second half of the season last year, the offensive line was terrible tonight. But then again, I’m sure Daniels will save the day.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:17 pm
The question is why Skule and Chewy didn’t play. You have to assume that they are dinged up. Which means if one of our starters goes down Baker will soon follow. And if Baker goes down that leaves us with another noodle arm that will get our receivers killed, or an undrafted free agent who can’t take a snap from under center.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:20 pm
Jake Beowning is absolutely horrible. The guy holds the ball FOREVER. Garbage
August 28th, 2026 at 10:22 pm
On offense, the Bucs definitely protected the “cornerback” as referenced in the Bowles quote above. QB had no time to pass the ball..
August 28th, 2026 at 10:29 pm
Lmao nothing else needs to be said except go bucs 2027 and welcome to Tampa bay New coaches 😅
August 28th, 2026 at 10:32 pm
THAT ROBENSON PLAY CALLING TONIGHT SUCKED !” WORST EVER . HOPE ITS NOT THINGS TO COME .RUNNING TUCKER UP THE MIDDLE IS NOT HIS GAME . DROPPED BALLS , REALLY BOTTOM OF THE BARREL TONIGHT !:
August 28th, 2026 at 10:33 pm
THAT ROBENSON PLAY CALLING TONIGHT SUCKED !” WORST EVER . HOPE ITS NOT THINGS TO COME .RUNNING TUCKER UP THE MIDDLE IS NOT HIS GAME . DROPPED BALLS , REALLY BOTTOM OF THE BARREL TONIGHT !: i did not . Quit saying it’s duplcate
August 28th, 2026 at 10:34 pm
Less why must you scream like you’re getting pounded???
August 28th, 2026 at 10:37 pm
Not sold on Robinson. Falcons went nowere .
August 28th, 2026 at 10:37 pm
Pearl clutching peanut gallery opining on worthless preseason game and game planning. Save the drama for week one and beyond.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:40 pm
We have 4 good corners Joe. % when we include Scott. It’s a non issue.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:40 pm
…5 when we include Scott.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:43 pm
Bowles could have easily pointed the finger at Daniels, who looked every bit the undrafted free agent on Friday night than the possible QB2 behind Baker Mayfield that he flashed in previous worthless preaseason games.
———
But even if you want to completely dismiss all the dropped passes and claim the lack of production was on Daniels… his passer rating tonight was still higher than what Baker’s was last week. And on the first play of the game Daniels did something that Baker didn’t do all last week – he threw the ball past the line of scrimmage.
August 28th, 2026 at 10:56 pm
“We’ve gotta protect the cornerback first of all,” Bowles said
Bowles doesn’t even know that CB’s are on defense. His Swiss cheese scheme is proof of that.
Up first in two weeks Cincy. We’re getting boat raced. 55-3.
The Pom Pom squad will writhe in the brown stained mattress. 🤡🤡🤡🤡
August 28th, 2026 at 11:14 pm
Looks like Robinsons zone blocking scheme is working well with guys that have been gap blockers. Plus he doesn’t have a guy like Bijon to lean on anymore. He’s trash and wasn’t wanted by anybody. Bowles and Robinson will hold back this team that has plenty of talent to make the playoffs.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:36 pm
Not impressed with the Offense’s coordinator. I know Ronde tried to say that they only show 15% of their offense in preseason but I think the writing is on the wall. Robinson is not good! I was never impressed. Play calling is straight up azz backwards. I think this will be our Achilles heal all season. We win 9 games. I hope we are better than this….Go Bucs! Last of the Mohicans!
August 28th, 2026 at 11:41 pm
Do you always have to degrade these football players that are playing their hearts out???
What have you ever done in your life to be at 1%. tomato can, bad boy, future UPS driver.
It just gets old man you do it over and over and over again.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:54 pm
Well, not sure about one percent, but about four years ago, based on data from web traffic analysis from SimilarWeb.com, Joe had the No. 3 NFL team-specific independent site on the internet. Globally. And you read it. So there’s that.
When you hire an AC repairman or roofer or plumber, are you humbled and honored if a guy you are paying works his heart out and does a crap job and gets turned loose? No. You hire someone to get the job done and get the job done correctly.
Not sure why people think the NFL is any different. Joe cares about results. Period.
As Bear Bryant once told a player, “Try??? I don’t want you to try. I want you to do!”
As for writing this all the time? Joe believes what he writes in his heart. If you are looking for bland, boring, vanilla, Wonder Bread-type AP style writing, this site isn’t for you. And Joe’s making zero apologies for being successful.
August 29th, 2026 at 12:02 am
admin Says:
August 28th, 2026 at 11:54 pm
What have you ever done in your life to be at 1%. tomato can, bad boy, future UPS driver.
Well, not sure about one percent, but about four years ago, based on data from web traffic analysis from SimilarWeb.com, Joe had the No. 3 NFL team-specific independent site on the internet.
lol. Good response Joe. You’re the best Bucs site in the biz, but you’ve got nobody dipsh1tz complaining as if they’re forced to read. Keep up the good work.
August 29th, 2026 at 12:05 am
Still baffled that we had a nightmare backup interior o-line last season and Licht did absolutely nothing to remedy the situation.
He (baffling) re-signed Feeney and drafted an injured dude in the 5th who might not make the team. Truly head-scratching for an “o-line guru “.
August 29th, 2026 at 12:22 am
Thanks man. Hey, no harm no foul. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “You can’t please all the people all the time.” Joe knows this site isn’t for everybody. And Joe’s been cool with that since he launched this site back in August 2008.
Even daily readers get p!ssed at Joe for this or that. All good!
August 29th, 2026 at 12:33 am
That’s what happens when you play without your best 8 offensive linemen. Pointless game.
August 29th, 2026 at 1:06 am
Nick. You don’t follow this site much if you think Joe is degrading the players. The Joe’s and staff do just the opposite. I get a huge kick out of reading about the employment fates awaiting those who don’t make the cut. Seems like I’ve probably done half those occupations in my lifetime that he’s making jokes about and it’s funnier than hell.
Good journalism never gets old, Nick. The journalism may have a bit of an edge to it- probably why I read it. I’ll bet I’m not the only one following tonight’s game that thought we’d like to beat ElSerpiente tonight. Thanks Joes.
August 29th, 2026 at 2:27 am
Why can’t anyone admit that Jason Licht failed to provide adequate depth on the offensive line…again?
Guy is notorious for being mediocre at staffing starters and occasional small school finds but damnit, get some fn consistent competition in the depth like it’s your job. What a toolbag
August 29th, 2026 at 7:01 am
Rod Munch Says:
August 28th, 2026 at 10:43 pm
“But even if you want to completely dismiss all the dropped passes and claim the lack of production was on Daniels… his passer rating tonight was still higher than what Baker’s was last week. And on the first play of the game Daniels did something that Baker didn’t do all last week – he threw the ball past the line of scrimmage.”
Your passer rating obsession is nonsense. Baker was in for two series with zero starting receivers. He threw six passes if I recall correctly. With Wirfs out there was pressure from their starting defense players. Just like last year, it won’t matter who the qb is if the o line can’t block well enough to give them time to throw.
August 29th, 2026 at 7:40 am
Well. NONE of our 5 O-line starters played, THREE of our #2’s didn’t play. How many teams can field a decent team with their 3rd stringers? Chukes and Skule probably could have played in a regular season game, but why risk it in a pre-season game, and WHY show plays that the Bengals can practice against in 2 weeks?
August 29th, 2026 at 7:59 am
Why is it impossible to find serviceable backup lineman? And I don’t mean what we saw in this 3rd preseason game. Going into this season, Licht has opted to kick the tires on the same dudes we had last season and/or the prior season since we brought back Skule over Heck, which is really that big of an upgrade? Hutchinson built his season on his performance vs Skule. The Oline was such a problem last season, that we felt it unnecessary to consider any serious upgrades, opting to keep Haggard and Fenney around…Chewy was a project.
August 29th, 2026 at 10:04 am
Licht should have cut the OL at halftime.
August 29th, 2026 at 11:27 am
So, knowing how our backup OL played last year this “ring of honor” GM has us in pathetic shambles AGAIN.
The dumpster fire is lit. New coach and new GM incoming. If the Glazers have ANY sense at all.
August 29th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
Licht deserves blame because after the 2025 collapse all he did was sign players to off set the players lost in free agency. But this roster never improved which is not going to help keep pace with the Panthers who are the defending division champs and did more to improve this off season.
Licht’s only saving grace is the 2026 draft which was gifted to him by incompetent teams passing on Bain.
August 29th, 2026 at 6:56 pm
Good job pointing our that this team is in trouble past our first wave of players. There’s the typical Licht roster, he thinks that O-lineman have to play for a mid west team I mean 3 interior lineman from Nebraska, every year he goes to k state or some other mid west team to pick players. He tries too hard to find a diamond in the ruff guy from some low mid conference team then keeps them around too long . He almost refuses to grab guys cut by other teams that have starting experience or hire over the hill guys to 1 yr deals hoping for a reload. I don’t think there’s much more than maybe a game over .500 team this season. With Wirfs a enigma this season so far , he’s been hurt all camp so it will take time getting him ready no matter how good he is. We may have a strong first team but Baker better learn to slide & probably roll wp into the fetal position before mid season cause our O-line is only a injury away from last season. Like I say 9 & 8 probably maybe 7&10 no playoffs imo