Clock Is Ticking On The Bucs
November 9th, 2026
In Joe’s mind, the Bucs are on the clock. Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has scant hours to decide the direction of the franchise.
As Joe is typing this here story late-morning on Monday, failing Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is still employed. Hey, if the Bucs think it’s a good thing to tank the season with one of the worst coordinators in the league not named “Mike McDaniel,” knock yourself out.
But if Licht does choose that option, then he better be selling parts before 4 p.m. tomorrow, the NFL trade deadline.
Robinson will drag this Bucs team down. He already has.
It’s already wild to think the Bucs are only a half-game out of first place in the NFC South landfill with a 3-6 record. But here we are.
If you haven’t guessed, Joe has zero faith or confidence Robinson can fix the offense. The Bucs have played nine games and the passing offense may be worse than it was before the season started.
Robinson pretty much had to be ordered to have a run-first offense by KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles because he destroyed the Bucs’ passing attack so badly, and was well down the road to wrecking the offensive line.
Please name one skill position player who has improved under Robinson?
Ted Hurst all of a sudden can’t catch — when he caught virtually everything in training camp. Emeka Egbuka has all but vanished. Chris Godwin has basically been relegated to an H-back. There is no intermediate passing game whatsoever. And it is getting worse.
Again, if the Bucs want to hang with Robinson over a twisted sense of loyalty — even though he just might get the entire staff run in two months — that’s KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles’ problem.
A team serious about the playoffs already would have given Robinson his pink slip. Joe thinks keeping Robinson means the Bucs don’t have the playoffs as a realistic goal. No team serious about the playoffs would tolerate this level of incompetence.
So if the Bucs keep Robinson, OK, then start selling off parts for draft picks.
Just this morning, the Dixie Chicks — tied with the Bucs — sold off maybe their best defensive player, safety Jessie Bates to the Jags. Bates got shipped to Jacksonville for second- and fifth-round picks.
At least someone in the Dixie Chicks’ front office can see they have no shot at a playoff run outside of winning the NFC South landfill. And they have the same record as the Bucs.
If the Bucs do the right thing and move on from Robinson, then Licht has to go from possible seller to buyer. There has to be a receiver out there Licht can rent who is on the last year of his contract that can catch better than Hurst.
So Licht has two options: bounce Robinson and go get a receiver. Or, keep a guy who is going to be fired anyway in two months, throw the towel in on the season and start stocking up draft picks for collateral.
Choosing nothing is the absolute worst thing Licht could do.
Based on the Bucs’ play at quarterback the past calendar year, the Bucs likely will need to stockpile draft picks in order to trade up for a quarterback.
November 9th, 2026 at 11:13 am
The Bucs could have Jamarr Chase and CeeDee Lamb at receiver and Mayfield would still be taking sacks and throwing picks
November 9th, 2026 at 11:13 am
Mayfield Stats 2026 through week 9.
3 TD passes / 4 interceptions / 6 total fumbles / 3 lost fumbles / QBR 32.4
Here is the kicker:
He is directly responsible for losing to Bengals, Browns, Bears, and counting.
He had nothing to do with wins against the Panthers & Falcons
Dallas win was navigated by undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels SMH
November 9th, 2026 at 11:14 am
The vultures are circling
November 9th, 2026 at 11:16 am
Whichever Joe
Insert Bowels everywhere you typed Robinson
November 9th, 2026 at 11:16 am
Can we trade for an offensive coordinator you know one that knows what the hell is going on and knows how to game plan and how to make adjustments during the game. I think itâs time to give Mr. Robinson his walking papers and just let Baker call the game plan. How could he do worse?
November 9th, 2026 at 11:23 am
Sounds like this Joe dusted off the diatribe typed up at halftime a few weeks back because a couple of players came to the OCâs defense.
Fully warranted by the way, although I will say players play and coaches coach. No flags were thrown towards the Bucs sideline for false starts. No coach dropped catchable balls. No coach inexplicably threw a ball that ended up as a pick six. As they say, you canât fire the whole team but dang, I would want that offense to stand in a room in front of the defense and special teams and let them know what theyâre going to do to ensure that they play better.
November 9th, 2026 at 11:25 am
Saints will win the division. The Bucs are going to be 3-7 regardless, so make trades by the deadline tomorrow to stockpile picks for the new HC in 2027 while guys still have some trade value! Vita, Godwin, Winfield, YaYa, and BAKER (if you can find a willing fool).
November 9th, 2026 at 11:26 am
There is one natural fit to replace Robinson TODAY. Bring in GRUDEN. Jon is a terrible judge of talent because he loves every player, but he KNOWS OFFENSE.
November 9th, 2026 at 11:28 am
Right?!? Why is Chris Godwin blocking at the line of scrimmage at the 1-yard line while Cade Otton is running the corner route? Shouldn’t it be the opposite?
Yeah, yeah, I know……”matchups”. Uh huh.
November 9th, 2026 at 11:30 am
Its crazy Robinson is still employed and this passing attack is beyond a disgrace. We miss Mike Evans badly no true #1 WR on this roster. I think Licht will sell before buying since he treats draft picks like gold and at 3-6 lets be honest we arent going to the super bowl this year.
November 9th, 2026 at 11:30 am
At this point youâre stuck with Baker. Even if Todd has been calling great defensive games. You need to get an offensive-minded head coach to pull Baker back from the dead. Iâd take any NFC south QB over baker as of now.
November 9th, 2026 at 11:31 am
Watching the game, I don’t see where this one is on Zac Robinson. He kept going with the run game and we had opportunities in the passing game. You take away the lost 3 points and giving the Bears 7 points for Baker’s bungling interceptions, we probably win this. This one is directly on Baker. Either he’s injured like 2021 or he a seeing ghost turnover machine like 2019.
Sadly, we are 1/2 game out from first place in division. We can lose to Rams and Lions and probably still win this NFC South with 8-9 by sweeping Bryce Young, Tyler Shough and Bryce Young. If we lose any of the other games, I’d consider eating the 2027 cap hit and finding a new QB. This defense is elite – 4 interceptions in one game wasted.
November 9th, 2026 at 11:32 am
Licht’s predicted response: He will do neither! He’s on his typical season long vacation!
November 9th, 2026 at 11:33 am
If they sh!t-can Robinson they need to have someone already in the building who can run it with the same verbiage and basically the same plays. Two weeks is not enough to time being in somebody who has a completely different offense. I think Licht is an optimist with too much faith in his team roster and will likely sit on his hands neither selling the team for draft picks or trading away picks for reinforcements. It may end up sealing his fate too?
November 9th, 2026 at 11:37 am
Bowles defense is working. Baker is not getting the job done and Zac canât scheme guys open. When itâs 3rd and long and we dump it in the flats for a 3 yard gain, heads should roll.
Bain knocked some dude out cold. Trotter is a beast. We have pieces in place but I have zero confidence in Baker to drive us down the field to win a game. He has proven incapable over and over and over for way too long now.
We need a new QC, QB, and a WR.
We hung with one of the best teams in the league thanks to our D. Everything else was subpar.
November 9th, 2026 at 11:38 am
The only topic I’m confident in is that the Glazers/Licht won’t do anything to affect change. Like Bowles (and players that get interviewed) they are happy still being in the running to win the worst division in the NFL. Man, I wish John McKay was still around to add some well timed sarcasm to this debacle we are witnessing. Or Jim Mora standing up there: “Playoffs? Playoffs?lol. This league needs it. I guess it’s a good thing they all seem to be eternally optimistic…and, with our defense, I do think the Bucs will be in every game. But wow…our offense is poo poo. We can’t get behind…especially 2 scores or more. I hate the thought of another change at OC…but I think even the players (Baker) would welcome a change. Personally, if we have to have Baker as our QB1 the next 2 seasons, I’m all for keeping Robinson. Baker will continue to be Baker regardless of who is calling the plays. Fairly sure nobody is benching the $165 million man. Unless he gets hurt. Which he seems to always be hurt…I felt better when Daniels was playing…he runs WAY better. I’d rather lose with him than with Baker leading the charge.
November 9th, 2026 at 11:40 am
What irks me to no end is how did this guy even got the job? He was horrible in ATL unless the Falcons were playing the Bucs. Goes to show you no one wanted the job… just saying. And trading for a WR is not going to make it better. Passing O is broken, NOT just BM.
November 9th, 2026 at 11:42 am
Bears had the ball 13 times on offense
9 of those finished in a punt/turnover
We lost by 3
November 9th, 2026 at 11:43 am
Love the graphic guys !!!
November 9th, 2026 at 11:43 am
I will admit, I’m ok with Bowles if the defense performs like they have been. Kudos to him. Problem is, with Bowles in the HC role, any awesome new OC they may find will get hired away as soon as they get some success. I’d have a TON of respect for Bowles if he agreed to step down and just be the DC…let an offensive minded coach come in and call plays. How I long for some creativity. Other teams have OC’s that scheme receivers open. For the past 12 seasons, the game plan was to just throw it up to Mike Evans…now, our receivers have to get open on their own…which we know they can’t do. Sad state of affairs once again here in Tampa Bay. Go Bucs!
November 9th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Bucs Bandwagon Bag holders
Front Office grifters
3 wins and itâs November
Bwahahahahaa
Shut it Down!
November 9th, 2026 at 11:50 am
No one is getting fired or traded. Zac is bringing the offense along and is right around the corner from an explosive passing offense. Bowles knows this.
November 9th, 2026 at 11:50 am
Joe… I wish I could complain about your rather negative assessment of our team. I really do. But I unfortunately must concur. The defense is entertaining. They simply play just well enough to lose. Still… This is supposed to be entertainment, so…. Ok. Zac-the-sak…. Well you already said it.
November 9th, 2026 at 11:51 am
Licht drafted Godwin Egbuka Tez Hurst McMillan – the last four are on rookie contracts and Licht will probably keep all including McMillan – Licht cannot admit mistakes – Sills and Kam are ok but donât add much – Otton is merely adequate and Bucky / Gainwell are not bad as receivers – we have four (drafted) TEs and NONE of them are difference-makers – what would happen if we had an All-Pro
TE ? I think that would do it
November 9th, 2026 at 11:56 am
Bowles fire Robinson? He hand picked him and his conservative game script! Remember the pre season passes behind the line? This was/is the plan on offense. Funny there is a fire Robinson vibe, but nothing about the guy who hired him or the fact that everyone knew he wasn’t an aggressive play caller. Not sure if Licht was involved in that decision, but they need to be held accountable. What did they think would happen when this team falls behind?
November 9th, 2026 at 11:58 am
âSo Licht has two options: bounce Robinson and go get a receiver. Or, keep a guy who is going to be fired anyway in two months, throw the towel in on the season and start stocking up draft picks for collateral.
Choosing nothing is the absolute worst thing Licht could do.â
hee hee – Licht ALWAYS does the absolute worst thing – except when he turned out the lights, bent over, and pretended to be Gisele so that Brady would save his flailing franchise – you will see NO movement at the trade deadline
November 9th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
Bowl zo must go and take Zac the sac with you.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:04 pm
Honestly, I want to keep Licht. Bowl zo was crammed down his throat.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:11 pm
mopey monday before the trade deadline and jason lite is not going to do anything about anything. i’m surprised that joe is surprised.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Licht is passed out drunk behind a strip club.
He doesn’t need to do anything except sleep it off.
The lousy division is also saving his arse at this point.
Easy money for complete failures like Bowles, Licht, and Baker.
The more we lose, the more they get paid. Why change anything???
November 9th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
Does it really matter what they do or don’t? The product they charge so handsomely for is boring af. Blow this can of bad tuna up asap.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
The Athletic :
âWith Bates playing out his contract, Atlanta likely would have lost him in free agency. Shipping out a near-30-year-old safety for a few games while getting a second-round pick is smart business. Atlanta now has four top-100 picks and the most salary cap space in the league for the new brass to continue the rebuild in 2027.â
I see – the Falcons are âsmartâ – the Bucs, with a GM whose untreated hubris, syphilis, and dipsomania have damaged his brain, is not âsmartâ
November 9th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
Baker is clearly not the answer.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
Licht will likely do nothing. He is loyal to his guys too, but not in a friendship means everything kind of way, but in a way that he needs to prove he is the smartest guy in the room. Standing pat is his way of saying that he built a great team and wonât concede until he is fired in January.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Given The Bucs history I doubt they do anything. Itâs like this franchise has lost its way, it has no direction. I applaud the Falcons for making a trade now to stock up on draft picks. Do we really want to win this division with a lousy record snd get bounced in the first game of the playoffs? Apparently the Falcons are thinking about the future, it appears the Bucs brain trust is thinking about something other than trying to win a Super Bowl and are perfectly fine trying to win the division with a lousy offensive coordinator and players on offense who are either underperforming or not being put in the proper position to be successful. Either way ultimately itâs a losing proposition.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
I honestly don’t get what’s going on with this offense. It’s relatively easy to see what players are doing wrong, but the why is a mystery…at least to me. I’d understand firing the OC because you gotta have some accountability, and the offense is his responsibility. But I have zero confidence that canning him would fix the problem(s).
November 9th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
MVP Baker just has to get healthy.
When he does, he’s the best QB in the NFL.
Did you know he has the highest passer rating in playoffs history! Yes he’s the best there was, the best there is, and the best there ever will be.
He just has to get healthy, then you’ll see!
November 9th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
D-Rome Says:
November 9th, 2026 at 11:28 am
Chris Godwin has basically been relegated to an H-back
Right?!? Why is Chris Godwin blocking at the line of scrimmage at the 1-yard line while Cade Otton is running the corner route? Shouldnât it be the opposite?
Yeah, yeah, I knowâŚâŚâmatchupsâ. Uh huh.
———
You got to remember Baker is only 5′ 8″ so having Godwin crouching down and blocking makes sense as Baker can actually see over him.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
“Iâd understand firing the OC because you gotta have some accountability, and the offense is his responsibility. But I have zero confidence that canning him would fix the problem(s).”
If all you have is spam, you can hire a michlen star chef to come in and cook it but that can of spam is not going to magically turn into a porterhouse/ribeye steak.
What you need to do, is go out and get better ingredients. Not even defending ZRob but watching the offense play that poorly he’s just as dejected as us as onlookers. Biggest mistake, was not going back to the run after the first 1 or 2 INTs from our defense. Felt like he was trying to feature his pass game in primetime, and that imo was as glaring a mistake as any because it set this offense up for failure.
ZRob has a QB that can’t complete something as routine as a damn 10yd hitch route, but Bucs fans want creativity and a more complicated scheme lol
November 9th, 2026 at 1:05 pm
Liam Coen
November 9th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
They are only 1/2 a game out of 1st place regardless. They need to play to their strengths and cover their weaknesses. There defense is playing lights out. They need to take the ravens approach when they won the Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer. Strengths – defense, special teams and run game. They will have to play ugly. Run, run and run some more with short safe crosses slants screens and draws. Pass very infrequently and keep the other offense off the field to control time possession. No turnovers – they might win by 9 or 12 points a game. Patience. They are capable of beating anyone but also losing to anyone but Iâm sure the good teams donât want to see them week to week and especially if they make it to the playoffs. All is not sunk. They lose by one play and are not getting blown out. Theyâve hung in there so far. I have to give them credit for that.
November 9th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
@summerofgeorge: Iâll check with the day shift to see if Jasonâs been around.
Barney Rubble (Licht) isnât going to do anything, which will cost many their jobs.
To Bowlesâ credit, the defense adjusted well last night. Too bad they got cooked in the first quarter and on the last drive of the game when it really mattered.
November 9th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
I donât know there are any moves to make. Whose fault is it that the passing game sucks?
Is it the QB, Oline, WRs, or OC? We see Baker scrambling around, not making choices fast enough. We see the O line getting blown up at times and committing penalties. We see receivers running around not getting open and dropping passes. The Bucs passing game looks very similar to what my friends and I cooked up in the park as kids.
November 9th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Worse case scenario is winning the NFC South Landfill with a 7-10 record and getting biotch-slapped at home by a 12 win wildcard team and keeping bowels because he won the division. Apparently bowels is still the only defensive coordinator fooled by a Zac Robinson offense. Gut the team. Hang it upside down and let it bleed out. This season is over except for the crying.
November 9th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
“SB~LV đ Says:
November 9th, 2026 at 1:05 pm
Liam Coen”
The 2nd OC that couldn’t get away from Mayfield fast enough. Hell even Canales has Young playing a little better, while we’re holding onto the next mans’ trash hoping it’ll turn into treasure.
Mayfield at this point in his career, is a former 1st overall bust.
November 9th, 2026 at 1:24 pm
Robinson is a Dead Man Walking. Mike Evans bolted to San Francisco because he saw no chance of winning in Tampa Bay. Purdy was a 7th round pick and he chose him over Mayfield. The Buccaneers need to fire Robinson and trade up to find a future quarterback that can change the mentality of the one and done Buccaneers. With the right pics in the draft the Buccaneers can be contenders within one to two years
November 9th, 2026 at 1:25 pm
He needs to go. The entire offense has taken a step back, save Bucky. Does Robinson know that we have receivers?