Todd Bowles Explains Pass Rush Issues
October 6th, 2025
Sam Darnold dropped back to pass 34 times yesterday and wasn’t sacked.
Head coach/defensive coordinator Todd Bowles addressed this today on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“I thought we missed quite a few [sacks,]” Bowles said. “We didn’t pressure as much as we typically do yesterday; we played off with a few guys banged up, so we tried to help out the secondary some in certain areas. But we missed the sacks that we should have had. And we just got to do a better job of closing the middle and keeping them guys in the pocket.”
When Bowles refers to “pressure,” he was talking about blitzing.
Was Bowles that scared of what would happen with Kindle Vildor starting in place of Jamel Dean and his backup, Benjamin Morrison?
The Bucs barely breathed on Darnold until their final blitz that got home in a big way. Antoine Winfield hit Darnold, whose errant pass hit Logan Hall’s helmet and redirected into Lavonte David’s arms.
“I guess it caught [Darnold] off guard. We really hadn’t tried to pressure him too much all day,” Bowles said.
Of course, the Bucs don’t have a consistent four-man pass rush. So blitzing is almost mandatory.
Whatever, it worked. The Bucs were on the right end of the shootout finish.
October 6th, 2025 at 5:57 pm
Dont say it worked because it may reinforce him to let us get cooked until the last drive where we “pressure” and “blitz” the QB
October 6th, 2025 at 6:01 pm
I’m glad Hall had his head on the game. lol
October 6th, 2025 at 6:03 pm
I think it is a no brainer, Licht is going to address the edge rushing position like he addressed the CB position in this year’ draft.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:03 pm
Yes, can’t say Hall is in a heady player!
October 6th, 2025 at 6:05 pm
The length of time Baker had to setup and throw was markedly less than Darnold. It seemed in the 4th quarter that Darnold could wait, wait and wait, while Baker was running for his life.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:08 pm
One thing I noticed was Vea getting a push but then dropping to his knees after the initial bull rush. Im not complaining, it was just something I noticed.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
That’s a great pic Joe. I’m only seeing the number 5 on that Buc shirt, so I’ll assume it’s Reddick (6’1″ & 240 lbs). No idea who the Seahawks player is, but it sure looks like a noticeable size mismatch.
Running through a brick wall isn’t easy. Pic nicely demonstrates though why our pass rush might not be getting home.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:16 pm
Secondary got torched for sure…..zero sacks definitely not good…
October 6th, 2025 at 6:16 pm
He’s done much better at being aggressive in the final drives rather than just letting QBs dunk their way into game winning field goals. He played it safe all game then dialed up a great call when we needed it most.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:22 pm
So by helping out the secondary, you give up almost 400 yards in passing. Do I have that right?
October 6th, 2025 at 6:23 pm
I guess Reddick wasn’t the answer, at least to this point. 🤔
Yaya looks a little slow to me.
Interior had a bad outing.
I’m not sure what the answer is at this point but I’m pretty sure it’s not the firing of coaches for gawds sake.
Defense helped us win this game! As they have every game this year. Big plays when you need it! Not much of that last year.
Let’s get some guys back and see what we can do next week.
4-1 baby.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:29 pm
Yeah Defense Rules, for other teams they play smaller OL so they could get home but for us they play the brick walls. Great job by Bowles overall at being useless. The only reason we are winning is Baker playing out of his mind.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:29 pm
Most impactful play by 90 since he ended Jensen’s career.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:35 pm
Bucs have trouble generating pressure with 4 rushers. Not sure why Bowles didn’t blitz more often. Not sure that not Blitzing helped the secondary, Darnold carved the defense up regardless. Should have tried the blitz more often.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:37 pm
Here’s what I don’t understand…
Why is that almost any play where the other team throws a pass to the RB in the flat, he’s wide open with at least 5 yards to run after catch?
Yet we often pass to our backs in the flat, they’re swarmed and often tackled for a loss.
How does Bowles’ scheme leave RBs in the flat so open?
That’s a serious question.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:38 pm
Need to trade for a pass rusher if we are serious about contending for a title.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:40 pm
The Putrid Pass Defense remains an issue. If only we could get off the field on 3rd downs. Go BUCS!!
October 6th, 2025 at 6:41 pm
Odd choice, yes it worked out in the end, but it didn’t have to be a shootout. Word is, Darnold has always struggled with a blitz and Bowles is usually blitz happy. But yesterday he chose not pressure as much? 🤔
October 6th, 2025 at 6:43 pm
Well, this is refreshing, our HC admits we didn’t pressure Darnold (surprise for Darnold- -not for Buc fans) and we missed on some sacks we should have had.
Wow! Who would have thunk! Sounds like Bowles is wistfully looking back at a complete collapse of his cherished defense. The only reason we didn’t loose is because of Baker and company and Hall’s helmet. No talk about fixing it, finding someone who could, or whatever. It’s like “Oh, well!”. We are 4-1. How much of it is because of Bowles? My opinion is very little.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:45 pm
Bowles will not be able to blitz his way to a Super Bowl much less win one. As long as the Bucs D doesn’t sport a legit 4 man pass rush, there will be no more SB rings for this team. This lone fact of football that is vehemently blown off by the HC is exactly why Bowles will never be able to win fans over. Real “Defensive minded” HC’s know better.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:47 pm
It is difficult for your edge rushers to pressure or sack the QB when they are dropping in coverage… Of course, drop Vea and he does the job. LOL!
October 6th, 2025 at 6:51 pm
Almost sacks, almost interceptions… whatever!
Interesting that both the Seahawks and Rams will have had 10 days to prepare for us…not sure why or how that happens in back to back games!? I wonder if the NFL did this to any other teams??
October 6th, 2025 at 7:09 pm
Reality check..
It’s a great question. Also wonder why other teams, more often than not, are sure tacklers… actually moving toward the ball carriers.
We’ve got dudes with Joggin Joe Tryon disease….
October 6th, 2025 at 7:11 pm
We don’t have a pass rusher on the roster.
It’s not Bowles fault
October 6th, 2025 at 7:17 pm
I truly believe this. Maybe I’m wrong but this is where my head is at. The lack of a consistent 4 man pass rush is a coaching/scheme/gameplan issue. However you want to describe it.
In my mind there is no way that the Buc’s front office has missed on every pass rusher they have drafted. We haven’t had 1 dangerous pass rusher drafted in years.
Now I’m not saying coach Bowles sucks orthe staff sucks I just mean there is no way JTS, YaYa, Braswell, Hall and anyone else we have drafted all are trash players. Licht and his staff hit on too many other positions for me to believe the issue is all on the players.
Just my opinion, it’s worth exactly what you paid for it.
October 6th, 2025 at 7:18 pm
Here’s another thought. How often did our ‘pals’ the refs call holding on the Seahawks O? Sure this was way better than that JETs joke. But, the zebs still pulled a few stinkers. I always expect it out of them, now.
October 6th, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Yaya is turning into a beast, unfortunately Vea is out of gas. He’s a great run stuffer, without any juice beside him the QB has the Pocket. He’s at the helm to dink, dunk and throw against the Secondary.
Our DLine has talent, it just lacks Youth, Strength and Speed. That’s why we can’t just rush 4.
We’ve had many issues the past 4 years as a whole, but we continue to be in the game, tournament.
Licht has done a damn good job, perhaps this draft he pulls up Warren Sapp / Derrick Brooks or a Shelton Quarles…
We’re not that far off, we have depth and talent, we’re just missing that Defensive Game Wrecker!!!
Go Bucs!
October 6th, 2025 at 7:47 pm
@Bill in Seminole.
Did you actually watch the game? From the start Baker had ample time to scan the field and deliver his passes. How do you think he hit Egbuka on the long pass? You have to be objective.
October 6th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
There are three problems with waiting until the next draft to go after a pass rusher. Number one, we would have to wait until next year when we need one this year. Number two they usually take a few years to develop. And number three, Licht isn’t very good at picking them. So I would have no problem if we offered the Giants next year’s first or two second rounders for Brian Burns. He’s only 27, just coming into his prime and we need a pass rush now.
October 6th, 2025 at 7:58 pm
I’m the eternal optimist. SVD will get better. Yaya will figure this out. Braswell is about to unleash. Dean will get healthy. McCollum will eventually step in front of a WR and then catch the ball.
I hope.
October 6th, 2025 at 8:01 pm
Bowles has been explaining his failure for the past 4 years — nothing to see here
October 6th, 2025 at 8:09 pm
This is not a championship defense (or special teams) by a long shot. Yaya and Reddick are way overrated and the kickoff coverage is pathetic. Licht needs to swing a trade for another edge and Dennis needs to be benched. Luckily, Baker and Egbuka have saved the season so far.
October 6th, 2025 at 8:11 pm
Odd, considering Darnold is so bad versus pressure.
October 6th, 2025 at 8:23 pm
Dennis definitely needs to be benched. Deion Jones is not as athletic but is an experienced veteran that knows where to be on the field in order to make plays. Dennis is consistently out of position and is a liability to this defense.
October 6th, 2025 at 8:27 pm
It was just a good ole classic shoot out…arguably the most enjoyable type of nfl games and we won it! No complaints here! That was an entertaining blast of a game to watch!
October 6th, 2025 at 9:07 pm
With Reddick & Yaya”Almost” Diaby, I don’t expect the Bucs to go deep in the playoffs. Bucs need pass rushers. They need to make a trade. The offense cannot save them everytime, especially in the playoffs!
October 6th, 2025 at 9:13 pm
Stop trying to gas light us coach, just admit it you don’t believe in a straight up a pass rush. You seem to have no real need for a good edge rusher, you like having guys do things they rarely ever trained to do in college. You like to think your “exotic” blitzes fool people but it only fools you thinking this is a good system. If you let corner backs cover receivers and linemen rush the qb like they’re used to out pass defense might just be a whole lot better. Watching a cb stand at the back of the endzone while the receiver he’s covering runs a short slant RIGHT in front of him at the goal line is stupidity at the highest level taught by you
October 6th, 2025 at 9:36 pm
Todd sucks as a DC and HC
Baker is winning in spite of Todd and Jason
PAY THE MVP!!!!
MVP!!!!
Todd sucks
October 6th, 2025 at 9:59 pm
A real head coach with a real defensive coordinator wouldn’t have these repetitive issues every game.
But we don’t have those.
October 6th, 2025 at 10:04 pm
Bucs4Ever Says:
October 6th, 2025 at 9:36 pm
Todd sucks as a DC and HC
Baker is winning in spite of Todd and Jason
^^^^^^^
Are you unhappy that Jason took Egbuka in the 1st Round? Are you the one who called Egbuka a “wasted pick” before he even played a down in the NFL?
October 6th, 2025 at 10:09 pm
The problem with quoting and putting credence into what Bowles has to say about his defense is that he has long ago lost all credibility on the subject. Yesterday alone his squad gave up 35 points and required a miraculous play from the grandest of defensive players. Of course, he has no shame, he will happily deflect blame as long as he can save face.
October 6th, 2025 at 10:17 pm
Right on Durango.
October 6th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
@joe – originally yes…thought it was a bad pick ESPECIALLY with sir d sucking ass.
but it worked out. baker is baking…love it
Todd is trash
October 6th, 2025 at 11:33 pm
Go trade for Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson, or hell even Myles Garrett. All three of their teams are already thinking about 2026 and would be wise to get what they can for them.
October 7th, 2025 at 12:37 am
Offence has been doing great this year and recent years. But I believe Bowles maybe is having trouble being HC and DC at same time. Why are we winning close games….. because we can not stop opponent from matching our score! I am 82 and have seen Buds first game to their last, but I think Bucs defence is kid of offensive!