NFL.com: Bucs Should Be Sellers
October 15th, 2026
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
All Bucs fandom is basking in the week-old glory of the Bucs going down to Dallas and making Jerry Jones so upset he slapped the table in front of him in his owner’s suite after the Bucs mopped up on the Cowboys 24-16.
The win gave the Bucs their first taste of victory this season. The loss almost assuredly would have put the Bucs too far behind the eight ball to make a playoff run.
However, the NFC South landfill has truly lived up to its name, and the Bucs are shockingly, despite being 1-4, are just one game out of first place. Those facts may be mirages, types Daniel Popper of The Athletic, filing a story for NFL.com.
Popper believes Bucs shot-callers should not be confused. A meager 1-4 record, Popper notes, should motivate Tampa Bay to start a fire sale.
Besides, Popper writes, its seems the Todd Bowles regime has grown “stale” and someone at One Buc Palace will want to inspire change. And what better way to lure a coveted new coach than to have a cupboard full of draft picks?
The trade deadline is in less Nov. 10, at 4 p.m.
At 1-4, Tampa Bay should be sellers. At the same time, coach Todd Bowles likely needs to win some games to keep his job. Bowles is in his fifth season, and his tenure is turning stale. Bowles’ defense played well against the Cowboys, but he has only won more than nine games one time. The Bucs missed the playoffs last year at 8-9. There could be some conflicting motivations in Tampa. The prudent long-term move is to sell and accrue draft capital. Bowles does not appear to have a long shelf life, though.
Strip away all the emotions involved and look at the dry black-and-white numbers; a fire sale next month makes sense.
Still, the Joe typing here has a hunch the Bucs are about to go on a run. And also remember, Team Glazer, like most owners, covet home playoff games that come with winning a division. Fans don’t care for division titles after you’ve won two or three, but owners have tens of millions of reasons to enjoy them.
So Joe doesn’t believe, short of a collapse the next three weeks, that Team Glazer is interested in a fire sale. Not just yet.
October 15th, 2026 at 5:36 am
How they play against the Steelers this Sunday will tell the tale.
October 15th, 2026 at 5:54 am
Bowles is burnt toast !! Nothing he can do now to save his job ! This team will not go over .500 !! Bowles has proven he is not a leader of men . Goodbye Todd , and good riddance !
October 15th, 2026 at 6:02 am
Maybe not a fire sale jus yet but some prudent trades – AWJ would be my first choice.
October 15th, 2026 at 6:06 am
Playoffs? I think I’m going to be sick
October 15th, 2026 at 6:14 am
After the Steelers it’s at panthers, falcons, at bears, at lions, panthers.
We beat a mediocre cowboys team with an incompetent coaching staff and a really bad defense.
At best we go 2-1 in the divisional games and I bet it’s closer to 1-2 and we get smoked in Chicago and Detroit.
The Steelers game will be competitive but I’m guessing pit pulls out a close one because that’s what the Bucs have been all year.
I guess it depends on one’s definition of “a run”.
Sell vea, Winfield, ya-ya and Godwin at the deadline. Get Walker and hurst more playing time.
October 15th, 2026 at 6:17 am
Bowles will be back next year he has an out Baker got hurt. Offensive coordinator fired again but Todd will be back unless he retires
October 15th, 2026 at 6:21 am
I’d say with the ascent of Walker Yaya is expendable, esp since it’s his option year. Mebbe AWJ too
October 15th, 2026 at 6:40 am
one a half, Carolina has a game in hand still
October 15th, 2026 at 6:42 am
I could see a possible trade for Gainwell but he probably wouldn’t fetch more than a 6th/7th round pick…
AWJ/Godwin/Diaby – I’d be surprised if Licht trades any of “his guys”.
A-Rob might fetch a 4th/5th round pick a ream might be desperate for D-line help and he is our best defensive lineman.
Wirfs isn’t going anywhere and he is our most valuable asset on this roster.
Unfortunately there isn’t much trade value on this roster.
October 15th, 2026 at 6:43 am
Seeing as the head coach is the real problem, I wouldn’t trade a single player.
October 15th, 2026 at 6:49 am
Actually Joe , not tens of millions. The average home playoff game brings forward 1-2 million for ownership. Not peanuts , but not tens of millions.
October 15th, 2026 at 6:51 am
We are 1-4
Wont be 1-5 until Sunday evening lol
October 15th, 2026 at 6:59 am
It’s 1976all over again.
October 15th, 2026 at 7:06 am
Bucs are about to go on a run. Thanks for the chuckle this morning
October 15th, 2026 at 7:29 am
First off not all Buc fans are giddy after last weeks win. Speak for yourself. I’m glad you think the Bucs are about to go on a run. I’m not sure what you’re basing that on. I will say tho if the Bucs are to have any chance this season they’ll have to win both division games coming up. We shall see.
October 15th, 2026 at 7:53 am
Bowles will go on a slow run to the Golden Corral buffet line.
October 15th, 2026 at 7:53 am
Trades are complicated by the salary cap..This is why Baseball gets wat with tons of trades.
October 15th, 2026 at 7:57 am
Problem is with dismal ticket sales already; a fire sale would leave the stadium completely empty (except for the opposing fans). I would wait for the division matchups and see how the Bucs do. We have the Panthers & Falcons week 7&8 so after week 8 as owners, I’d make the decision then.
October 15th, 2026 at 7:59 am
Get what you can for Winfield, Godwin, Vita, and anyone else to help the soft rebuild next year.
October 15th, 2026 at 8:02 am
“Go on a run”
A run to 8-9? And that’s really optimistic. And typical for Toddy Paycheck.
October 15th, 2026 at 8:09 am
Plenty of time to trade away assets next off season. Let the new GM decide. Don’t let Licht touch anything anymore.
October 15th, 2026 at 8:14 am
Stop it with only one game out of first place!
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
This is a very BAD team!
This is a very bad franchise!
October 15th, 2026 at 8:15 am
Yep. Bucs on the run….Off. Out. Over.
October 15th, 2026 at 8:26 am
We can talk buyers/seller after Halloween. Let’s see how Sunday goes. I fully expect the Steelers to dominate, BUT if the Bucs pull off a huge win Sunday, the talk will change real fast.
October 15th, 2026 at 8:26 am
Todd, Zero chance a playoff game nets them 1 million, you can’t really believe that?!?!
October 15th, 2026 at 8:36 am
Bright Light won’t budge…for a couple of reasons. He overrates his roster…especially draft picks he’s made. And he may be afraid he’d only end up helping the new regime ( hopefully ). He’ll stand on ( funny ) business.
October 15th, 2026 at 8:36 am
Plenty of time to trade yes, but you also have to sell high. Vitas value turns in to a 5th rounder real quick if he ends the year with 2 sacks. Now that asset is nothing more than a 31yr old over paid DT. If the Bills offer a 2 in a few weeks I take it. But I can’t speak for anyone else, I suppose to others the idea of another 8-9 season only to get bounced anyway by Seattle excites them. Do we really want to go down that road again
October 15th, 2026 at 8:40 am
We should have sold on half these jokers before we resigned them
October 15th, 2026 at 8:40 am
@ Jmark
“A run to 8-9? And that’s really optimistic. And typical for Toddy Paycheck.”
Don’t worry bud…
The Bucs will win just enough games to ruin their draft and go nowhere in the play-offs.
Our “Moxy and grit” filled fullback will soon return and lead us to another disappointing season that will ensure we won’t pick any higher than #16 or so.
It’s a Bucs life amigos.
7-10 (3-3 in the NFC South). Don’t forget how horrible the NFC South is.
October 15th, 2026 at 8:48 am
1-4 with a dead man walking as HC
1-5 and 1-6 looms this team should load up on picks and give the new HC and GM every chance to rebuild this thing the right way
October 15th, 2026 at 8:54 am
If last week doesn’t spark this team up. And they lose.
Yeah be active sellers. I don’t like making rash decisions.
October 15th, 2026 at 8:54 am
Un-motivating HC and a $165M QB who no longer has the capability to go thru his reads….
That’s why we’re 1-4….
If we lose the next 2 games, the fire-sale should begin….
Did anyone else see the PFF article that came out 2 days ago??
Tampa Bay Bucs offensive line has allowed the LOWEST PRESSURE RATE for the QB in the entire NFL for the first 5 games at 18.4% !!!
Still astounded by this!!
October 15th, 2026 at 8:58 am
Win 3 in a row or burn it all down…. actually, should burn it all down regardless.
October 15th, 2026 at 8:59 am
Marine – I’ve got it 3 or 4 wins at this point. And it all depends on if penix plays both games. If he does I don’t see us beating the falcons. If tua plays once that could be one win. We can beat the chargers although it’s not a lock and we can beat the saints once.
Besides the chargers I do not see any non divisional win the rest of the way.
October 15th, 2026 at 9:03 am
@ BucFan1988
“a $165M QB who no longer has the capability to go thru his reads….”
He never had this capability…
Plus – you left out the part where he fumbles 3 times in week #1.
Plus – you left out the part where he can’t hit a pass longer than 15 yards.
Plus – you left out the part where he leads the NFL in fumbles.
Plus – you left out the part where he is 2nd in the NFL in INTs only behind Geno “the queeno” Smith.
Plus – oh nevermind… Baker Mayfield is a bad NFL QB right now.
October 15th, 2026 at 9:08 am
@ Obvious
“Besides the chargers I do not see any non divisional win the rest of the way.”
The future is cloudy with a touch of grey…
Did you predict that our beloved Bucs would beat the Cowgirls last Thursday?
Of course not.
Our road to a 7 win season is paved by at least 6 other teams who also suck.
Buckle up my friend – it’s going to get very interesting around here.
That is my prediction.
October 15th, 2026 at 9:15 am
Marine Buc….
Mayfield had the capability in 2024 to go thru his reads under Coen.
He threw some decent deep balls as well that season…
Now, Mayfield is an utter crapshow….
No clue what happened…
He’s Jittery and holds the balls forever!
Fumbling machine and he runs into sacks himself.
Yeah, I’ve checked out from Mayfield.
What a massive idiot mistake it was for Glazers to extend him after what he did the last half of the 2025 season. Just threw this money away totally…
October 15th, 2026 at 9:18 am
I’m inclined to agree with fire sale. Trade Baker to ATL reunion with Stefanski(haha)
Trade Godwin, VV, Diaby, McCullom, Winfield and Barton. Blow it up get new HC and staff, get a top 5 pick.
October 15th, 2026 at 9:26 am
The Bowels lead Bucs are 4-12 in their last 16 games. A .250 win percentage.
What makes you think they have a run in them at this point????
Do you really want Todd to win just enough games to keep his job???
If so you are in for more of the same inept and clueless decisions on the football field.
It’s time to move on. Inspire change now!!!
October 15th, 2026 at 9:36 am
@ Bucfan1988
Under Coen Baker had his best season as a pro.
HOWEVER – he led the NFL in turnovers that season as well…
And don’t look now but Trevor Lawrence had his best season last year and is on pace to do even better in 2026.
I guess we should have fired Bowles and hired Coen BUT our “ROH” GM is a big fat dorky sackless doofus.
And here we are bud.
October 15th, 2026 at 9:39 am
Marine Buc….
Bro, yep we screwed the pooch on Coen and kept the wrong guy.
It was pretty obvious!!
Jaguars are kicking a$$ now and Lawrence looks phenomenal….
Yeah it’s time to clean house unless Bucs pull off a total transformation.
I hope they keep winning with Daniels then what are they gonna do??
October 15th, 2026 at 9:46 am
@ Bucfan1988
“I hope they keep winning with Daniels then what are they gonna do?”
Don’t worry.
The Bucs have a plan to cure all the winning.
Baker Mayfield will be returning soon and he will ensure we remain in contention for a decent draft pick.
Our only hope is that he stays healthy enough to throw the rest of the season for us…
If Baker gets injured there might be a chance we actually win a few more games.
October 15th, 2026 at 10:07 am
and if the fire sale happens
The Bucs will be a WEAK desperate bargaining position
October 15th, 2026 at 10:07 am
Trump will be at the game on Sunday. Maybe he can help Bowles… lol.
October 15th, 2026 at 10:16 am
Bucs played their best defensive game without AWJ. So start with him.
October 15th, 2026 at 10:51 am
DraftKings has the Bucs losing to both the Steelers and the Panthers
October 15th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Can we get a seventh round pick for Todd Bowles?
October 15th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Buc4ever……
Trump backed out of attending the game….
Probably has a choice of more exciting teams to watch than us, lol!!
October 15th, 2026 at 11:27 am
Marine Buc….
Touche’ man on Mayfield!!
If they continue starting him, Bucs offense will do NOTHING!!!
Yeah, we need a top draft pic to lure Sean McDermott to us after Bowles is fired.
Totally agree 🙂
October 15th, 2026 at 11:38 am
Given the coaching turnover rate these days, having a lot of draft choices doesn’t seem very attractive since a new coach will be fired before the successful draft choices mature, not to mention the unsuccessful ones. And trading bona fide starters for 4th- and 5th-rounders and below isn’t a proven winner. Perhaps if the coach were given total control of the roster, he might consider it; but who is worth that risk? Vince Lombardi, God rest his soul?
October 15th, 2026 at 11:40 am
Encouraging a fire sale? Tank job? Geez!
Go Bucs!
October 15th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
How often does the fire sale actually work? The Cowboys wish they never got rid of Parsons and Green Bay wishes they never signed him.
October 15th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
I’m trying to stay positive. But it’s hard after reading all these negative posts. But here goes nothing. Bucs need a win, need a bunch of wins. But they must take it one game at a time.
So how do we stack up against Pittsburgh? Well, I think we’re stacked up pretty good. First of all if the Bucs defense plays as well against them as they did in Dallas, and the Bucs Oline has their will on the Steelers, and JD is patient and does nothing to hurt the offense, I think the Bucs have their first home win of the season. I think Bucky will have another big game against them because of the Oline play, and Bucs Win !!
Trying to stay positive !!
Always a Buccaneer fan who loves wins !! And this would be a big win!!
Go Bucs !!
October 15th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Marine, you called Baker a fullback. Which is actually pretty funny. Kudos.
October 15th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
Mike C Says:
October 15th, 2026 at 8:26 am
Todd, Zero chance a playoff game nets them 1 million, you can’t really believe that?!?!
Not only do I believe it Mike , it is a fact. NFL teams get Zero dollars from ticket sales-100% of that money goes back to the League Office. The team is permitted to keep stadium operational revenues however , and that usually amounts to 1-2 million per game depending on stadium size , lease agreements, and sales numbers. So now you have the rest of the story Mike C.
October 15th, 2026 at 3:06 pm
Fire sale!!!
Fire sale!!!
Fire sale!!!
Do it!
The Glazers… are they really delusional enough to think this team is ever going to do anything with Bowles as head coach? Are they stupid enough to think that winning the NFCS landfill for 3 years was actually meaningful? Do they not realize that their team would not only NOT have won any other division in the NFL, but they probably wouldn’t have even been a wild card had they been in any other division? I mean, seriously, is winning the cesspool that is the NFCS enough to make them proud? If so, we need new owners.
October 15th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
Fat lady has not sung yet.
October 15th, 2026 at 6:00 pm
You gotta have something worth selling. Who on our roster nets us worthwhile compensation? Our best two players on expiring contracts this year are our K and P. Sorry, but Yaya, Durham, Cody Mauch, Anthony Nelson, Sean Tucker, or a bunch of other JAGs aren’t moving any trade needles. So either you’re trading away guys on rookie contracts (Irving, Chancey, Parrish) for discount value or we’re trading vets like (Vea, WInfield, or Wirfs) and we become next year’s Dolphins and play with half our cap tied up in dead money.