Inside The Bucs’ Culture — From The Outsiders
September 26th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
If you want to know what’s different about this Buccaneer culture club, ask the outsiders.
That was my mission in Tampa Bay’s locker room this week as the Bucs prepare for Sunday’s home game against the Eagles, a matchup between two of the NFL’s six unbeaten clubs.
Bucs backup QB Teddy Bridgewater.
First up is Teddy Bridgewater, in his 11th pro season since being drafted by the Vikings. He went on to play for the Saints, Panthers, Broncos, Dolphins and Lions before signing with the Bucs only seven weeks ago.
Still, that’s enough time for the veteran quarterback to realize there’s something unique brewing at One Buc Place.
“You start with the superstars on this team,” Bridgewater said. “They’re some of the most humble guys you’ll ever meet. I’ve been in some places where the superstars are arrogant assholes, but here they set the tone and it allows everybody else to fall in line.
“Character’s important. You hope you hit on talent and character with your draft picks, and they’ve done a great job here. Of course, it all starts with Lavonte David. He’s been here the longest and the way he comes to work — he’s a true pro. He’s still here, paying it forward for the next generation of Bucs. That’s what makes this locker room so special.”
Charlie Heck, now filling in as a starter for injured Luke Goedeke at right tackle, is in his sixth NFL season. He played for the Texans, Cardinals and 49ers before signing with Tampa Bay as a free agent in March.
“Out of the teams I’ve been on, this stands out as the best culture,” Heck said. “You can tell everyone has bought in. They show up to work every day, ready to practice. If someone goes down, somebody else is ready to go. And this is definitely the closest offensive line group I’ve been associated with.”
According to Bridgewater, Tampa Bay’s head coach plays a key role in building camaraderie.
“It’s Todd’s personality … he’s a straight shooter,” Bridgewater said. “His door’s always open if you need to talk to him. Baker’s got a little juice to him, but in the end, we’re all spitting images of our boss. It’s a trickle-down effect.”
These guys like each other. They socialize, they talk about their families and enjoy each other’s company.
And it shows.
“It makes you play that much harder when you know the guy next to you,” said Bridgewater. “I’ve also been in places where this is just work. Guys would come in to punch a clock because they didn’t know much about their teammates. Here, guys know about each other’s children and spouses. It goes a long way.”
For Heck, it comes down to the message sent from the stars above.
“There are guys here who have won a Super Bowl and that’s the standard,” Heck said. “Guys like Lavonte and Mike (Evans) are the epitome of leadership and they mean so much to this team. They set the tone and we follow them.”
September 26th, 2025 at 6:35 pm
Great piece, Sage
Go Bucs
September 26th, 2025 at 6:40 pm
Still waiting for Teddy to bust out🎵 “Fast Car”🎶
September 26th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Love this.
The credit goes to Arians. He changed the culture. He brought JPP-Suh in sent GMC-Winston out. That was HUGE. TB12 taught the guys how to prepare to win. Those 3 players and Arians built the culture. Licht, Bowles, Evans, LVD, and the other guyes learned it from them and it continues today.
September 26th, 2025 at 6:56 pm
As a fan I’ve never seen a culture like this anywhere. People can say what they want about Todd but he is the catalyst for this great culture. It sounds like his men know that, appreciate it, and are motivated by it. What we are watching is special and I feel lucky to be a fan at this time. Go Todd, Go bucs
September 26th, 2025 at 6:59 pm
Over the course of these long NFL seasons it’s rare not to need your backup QB. I think Licht and Bowles made a very savvy move when they signed Bridgewater. He fits. And Heck oughta be able to man RT just fine until Luke gets back. Our football team keeps getting better. Culture. Character. Lavonte David. Mike Evans. Teddy forgot to mention we have 2 Super Bowl winners with outstanding character who haven’t played this year coming back this Sunday! The home crowd oughta be going crazy. I’d suggest the Eagles cinch up their britches a notch before hitting that field Sunday.
September 26th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
For sure, Todd is best in class at the HR things. No argument at all about that.
September 26th, 2025 at 7:31 pm
@Jmark
👍🏼🤣
September 26th, 2025 at 7:41 pm
I love when we have players talking about playing for Todd, you never hear a bad word. Yes he has made a few mistakes but he has learned from the mistakes you definitely can see.no matter what he does from this point on even if he wins a superbowl guys like Aqualung and HC Grover will still find fault and never be satisfied.
September 26th, 2025 at 7:46 pm
I don’t understand why GMC continues to get so much hate from some on this site. Not his fault the Bucs didn’t get him more help while he was here and he was usually double teamed. His happy demeanor and helping opponents off the ground also apparently really pissed some people off.
September 26th, 2025 at 7:51 pm
This team has a chance to be special – if we can get to the playoffs relatively healthy that is…..
Already lost two key starters up front for the season (Kancey, Mauch) – can’t have much more of that and expect to compete for the Super Bowl…..
September 26th, 2025 at 7:55 pm
Okay Jmarkbuc,
That was funny…I literally laughed out loud and I needed that one.
Thanks man!!
September 26th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
Jmarkbuc I was thinking the same thing when I saw him 🤣😂🤣
September 26th, 2025 at 8:36 pm
SlyPirate … ‘The credit goes to Arians. He changed the culture. He brought JPP-Suh in sent GMC-Winston out. That was HUGE.’
Yes it was huge Sly Pirate, but you’d better check your credits. JPP came to Tampa in 2018 … 1 year before Bruce Arians did. And Suh, who came in 2019, made it clear from the start that he wanted to play for Todd Bowles. That was his motivation for signing here.
Tom Brady had an enormous impact on the Bucs’ cultural change, but so did Suh & JPP as you stated. Shaq did also BTW, and he was another who came here wanting to play for Todd Bowles.
Too many fans sell Todd Bowles short IMO. Teddy Bridgewater stated Todd’s impact so well I think in that interview …
‘Baker’s got a little juice to him, but in the end, we’re all spitting images of our boss. It’s a trickle-down effect.”
September 26th, 2025 at 10:09 pm
Whew..
For a minute there I thought I was the only one old enough to appreciate Tracy Chapman. 🎸
September 26th, 2025 at 10:51 pm
Great insight into this team … Mike and Lavonte are good dudes .. Great read
September 26th, 2025 at 11:05 pm
That is big and good stuff.
Thanks for the great article Ira!
September 26th, 2025 at 11:11 pm
As a fan of the Bucs in the early 90s…… I can’t believe what we have in Tampa right now, win or lose it is Awesome.
September 27th, 2025 at 12:23 am
Nice. Very different from 2022. Bowles was just establishing his regime, and Brady was checked out. Great to see that they have righted the ship.
September 27th, 2025 at 12:41 am
Jmarkbuc
Guess I’m old, had to look it up to confirm it was the song I thought it was.
Had an argument with one of my sons recently about a song I had never heard. He couldn’t understand that if it wasn’t on the radio, I didn’t hear it.
September 27th, 2025 at 12:59 am
Jmark
I’m surprised nobody has thrown the RCST label at you for the comment yet
September 27th, 2025 at 1:56 am
It’s not a RCST remark.
It’s noting a similarity in appearance. And that Tracy Chapman is awesome.
Only an actual RCST would see it any other way.
Sleep tight.
September 27th, 2025 at 4:26 am
Such a beautifully done post, Ira.
Bridgewater’s words come from the heart. The Bucs are family. Todd and Jason get kudos for having this wonderful culture off and on the field. They know the players they want and keep building the team stronger and stronger each season.
September 27th, 2025 at 6:55 am
good stuff ira…
i wonder how many coconut donuts you had to fork over to big charlie heck, and teddy for the insight…
probably a baker’s dozen ! 🙂
September 27th, 2025 at 7:00 am
Great piece Ira! That familiarity with one another definitely helps bond the team. I hadn’t thought about that before.
September 27th, 2025 at 7:27 am
The One thing that nobody can take away from Todd is his ability to find talent. He Certainly Has the appreciation and respect from the guys who play for him.
Jason Licht got Great when he meet the right mentor in Bruce Arians. Bruce provided “the” missing peice to his puzzle. All the sudden Licht started to pick winners All Over a football team and he’s STILL getting better at it as he goes. “Licht” gets the credit for being able to put it ALL together. Licht brought ALL of the talent in and Licht IS the Boss and IS CLEARLY A TOP 5 GM in the world of football, even with his faults..
We have a Solid team. We Are built 90% perfectly. Unfortunately we Are missing a couple of KEY pieces starting with missing a MLB “that all has confidence in”. We have half of a set. And the solid part (David, one of two) could be playing his last year of ball.. STILL, it’ll have to be enough because THIS IS THE YEAR WE PUSH FOR THE SUPER BOWL..
We’ve had a rough start concerning (As Usual) injuries… If we can win at least 2 of the next 4 games, WE ARE CHALLENGING THIS YEAR! We might not make it all the way BUT WE WILL MAKE SO MUCH NOISE THAT WE WILL NO LONGER BE DENIED OUR SEAT AT THE TABLE! TOP 5 and Quite possibly TOP 3!
It’s no secret that I’ve been a detractor of Bowles. “Because he deserved the criticism”! And I made it CLEAR that I expected BETTER from him and promised two things this off season.
One.. If the defense didn’t improve GREATLY then screw it, No Mercy
Two… If he DID improve then I’d cut him fresh flowers…
Turns out so far it’s both. He HAS improved the defense! They are playing Far better…
Fresh Flowers for Todd there. I’m Encouraged And Impressed. A GREAT SIGN and THAT’S the good part..
The problem then? He STILL triggers the “GO TO SLEEP” mode (prevent defence), FAR BEFORE he should and Isn’t readjusting and remaining Flexible to the challenge and it bothers me that he doesn’t seem to realize that. .. Every time he does it, WE FIND OUR BACKS AGAINST THE WALL…. “UNNECESSARILY”.
He’s been goofy like that from go… The clock management has been Superb… Todd Didn’t take the advice last year, looks like he either realized there WAS a problem OR the decision was Made For Him …. and that IS giving me a sigh of relief. And Now, if he could just figure out when to hold them and when to fold them…
And it’s J mark for the win with the fun comment, And buddy definitely looks like Tracy Chapman. Bridgewater looks like he’s trying just a bit too hard to find an identity but if he wants to look like a chick, that’s on him….
I wonder if he realizes that if he’s going to follow the “Rasta” religion, that he’s Not allowed to take a back in fresh water? It HAS TO BE in the Ocean or Not at All… or he’s a “poser”. Just saying…
September 27th, 2025 at 7:38 am
Good stuff. Now let’s win. And @Jaymarkbuc, I see what you did there…😎
September 27th, 2025 at 8:23 am
Jmark
Gee, sorry to have offended you.
I was commenting on some of our fellow posters who seem to read more into a post than was intended (being nice).
Funny though. Your response says a lot more about you than I think you intended.
And yes. I slept great last night.
September 27th, 2025 at 9:02 am
Another awesome article Ira. And this is why you are my favorite journalist since before you arrived at Joe’s.
DR, so perfectly said. My hat is off to you sir1
I heard an ex NFL QB say something along the lines of what Teddy said in this article. He was talking about individual player talent and that one’s natural physical talent is very important in selecting a player for your team. But one’s character determines the players ceiling.
Character is what is leading this team. Character determine our ceiling. Our ceiling is limitless. Go Bucs all the way to the SB!!
This is so true. You can have the talent of Devin White, or LVD or ME or CG. But if you don’t have the right character, you will only go so far. Devin had IMO maybe better physical skills than LVD, but his character sucked. ME, LVD and CG get better every year because they are humble and believe they can do more things to make them even better.
September 27th, 2025 at 10:32 am
gp
Nothing for me to be offended by..
RCSM hadn’t even crossed my mind, until it was brought up. Generally he who smellt it dealt it …
But don’t believe everything someone tells you.
September 27th, 2025 at 10:58 am
He’s not even ragging on Teddy about the Tracy Chapman reference. It’s just that Tracy Chapman, back when she sang that song, was sporting a look that could be rocked in the NFL by some players at any given moment… and also by pretty much any band member of the Wailers.
😜
September 27th, 2025 at 11:00 am
You keep building the case against yourself.
You see, it rarely does with your type.
Like stpete likes to say, when you find yourself deep in a hole, it’s wise to stop digging.
September 28th, 2025 at 4:44 am
Brilliant Ira! What sets apart sportswriters to me is the ideas that they find to help the fans better uderstand the game and the team. Thank you sir!
Two dudes who know the flip side of the NFL teams. Character counts!
Go Bucs!