“Contract Years” Are Not A Thing For Todd Bowles
June 11th, 2025
“Jason, I don’t want to hear about money.”
Bucco Bruce Arians used to say he loved guys playing on one-year deals and the fire that usually brought to the field.
Years ago, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht gave his famous some-guys-need-“a-carrot” line, referring to the effects of cash incentives on players.
Todd Bowles? That’s not a thing for him.
Today, Joe asked Bowles whether he felt extra motivation this time of year when he was a player in a contract year.
Bowles gave a long and detailed “no” of an answer, which Joe appreciated.
“The free agent contract my rookie year was $70,000,” Bowles began. “My second year, when we won the Super Bowl, I started at safety I was [at] $85,000 and I made more in incentives than I did in my salary. We didn’t really have contract years. If you get hurt, somebody is taking your spot. You better get out and go home. You don’t have that kind of thing today – it’s a completely different game.
“You should play the same all of the time; you should practice the same all of the time. And that’s what we try and stress and preach, whether you’re getting paid or not getting paid. I mean, you didn’t get paid in college; they do now but they didn’t before. But you didn’t get paid in high school. It’s your love for the game that’s going to fuel you whether the contract comes or not. So you’ll play for the team you’re on, or you’ll play for somebody else, but either way, you better play.”
Joe asked because there are so many key Bucs in contract years, from Mike Evans and Lavonte David, to Zyon McCollum and, effectively, Jamel Dean.
Dean’s fat contract has no more guaranteed money remaining.
Haason Reddick and Logan Hall are in contract years along with Rachaad White, Cade Otton, Luke Goedeke and other key Bucs.
For Bowles, however, he just expects every player to be consistent professionals, leaving it all on the field for the love of the game. Thankfully, the Bucs roster is loaded with those kinds of players.
June 11th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
Reddick (on this team) is an unknown quantity. As far as resigning guys goes, Goedeke should come first, then McCollum and let the rest figure itself out.
June 11th, 2025 at 5:14 pm
Hopefully IF the Bucs do not dominate this season, They will go out and get a quality winning NFL HC and top DC!
June 11th, 2025 at 5:54 pm
Logan Hall has shown gradual improvement, even with some sacks. I expect Elijah Roberts to get some 3rd down pass rushing opportunities replacing Hall. Maybe Hall will respond to the challenge in a contract year?
June 11th, 2025 at 5:57 pm
I think the recent people the Bucs have hired, from BA to Todd to Brady have had the same mantra: play for the love of the game the rest will fall into place, I think you’re right Joe, the Bucs have that mindset as a team. Now some do play for the money, know a guy financed his future playing in the NFL but no one remembers him either, not that all former players are remembered but you get the idea. That type of money can be a nice pillow to fall back on without a ring though.
June 11th, 2025 at 6:05 pm
If Baker gets $60M next season, we’re not keeping all our free agents.
This may be the Bucs last season for a legit Super Bowl run.
June 11th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Good answer.
June 11th, 2025 at 8:46 pm
Bowles is in a contract year too
June 12th, 2025 at 6:13 am
Swaggy Baker must have really ticked him off.
I know he did me! No room for cheaters at my house.
Go Bucs!