“It Felt Like We Just Gave It Away”
December 8th, 2025
Baker Mayfield escapes the clutches of three slimy Saints defenders Sunday.
Joe thinks there are bigger problems with the Bucs behind the scenes than the Bucs will ever admit publicly. The breadcrumbs are all out there to follow.
After the loss to New England, Baker Mayfield unloaded on his teammates for lacking a killer instinct.
Several times Bucs coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield was right on and praised Mayfield for trying to give the team a kick in the pants.
Two weeks later when the Rams seal-clubbed the Bucs in Los Angeles, Bucs iconic linebacker Lavonte David tore into his teammates for giving a half-arse effort.
The following week with the Bucs clinging to a three-point lead against the lousy Cardinals, Bowles tore into his defense, challenging them to get their heads out of their backsides and start playing smart football.
The Bucs went out and got a four-and-out, sealing the win.
In his opening remarks yesterday in his postgame press conference, Mayfield’s words did not dissuade Joe from thinking the Bucs have a locker room issue or an attitude issue.
“It sucks,” Mayfield said of losing to the slimy Saints. “It felt like we just gave it away or didn’t make the plays to win it.
“There [were] too many mistakes, and conditions aren’t an excuse, because they had to play in them too. So, none of that matters – it’s just a matter of making the plays, plays that guys have made a bunch of times. Yeah, [we’ve] just got to execute.”
It’s the same ol’ story, week after week. Just have to play smart. Execute. They’ve done it before.
But for some reason, unless someone tears into them, the Bucs are not motivated. As a team they’re not playing smart or fundamentally sound ball.
This is why Joe thinks Bowles’ message isn’t getting through. Either Bowles’ message has grown stale or he has lost his team. Why are these guys not motivated? Should winning and the playoffs be motivation itself?
Professional teams shouldn’t require a coach or a team leader to go full-blown Bobby Knight weekly to implore players to play aggressively and smartly.
Joe suspects if the Bucs keep losing, we’re going to see a decent change in personnel for the 2026 season. The defense probably needs an overhaul.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:04 am
Pretty clear Bowles has lost this team. It’s looking like late 2008 with Gruden all over again.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:06 am
This Team has reached it’s ceiling with this Head Coach. His forte is supposed to be Defense-and for reasons both obvious and not-the Defense stinks on this team. There is no Pass Rush and they make every QB look All-Pro. It will be time at the end of the season to bring in an Offensive minded Head Coach with a Real DC and a Kick Off team that doesn’t allow every one returned to the 50 yard line. The Fan Base will be very bummed out if they keep Todd next year too. It is Time. They are blocking his message out now.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:07 am
This teams needs a visit from Bobby Knight and Lee Elia.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:07 am
The coach needs an overhaul. GM needs an overhaul too. In the last 2-3 years we could’ve had Montez Sweat (7.5 sacks this year), Josh Sweat, and Jalen Phillips on defense for no more than 3rd round pick for already proven players. How much different would our defense look? Hoarding 3rd round picks so we can draft more Chris Braswell’s? No fire. No top level coaching or coordinators. You only get what you pay for.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:08 am
Defense needs an overhaul would be an understatement. The picks from GM Licht have been atrocious.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:09 am
Maybe the team has checked out on Bowles. Previous teams did it with Rah (and it is happening to him again in the ATL), Lovie and Koetter. As the team keeps making mistakes, it is obvious whatever Bowles is doing is stale and in the case of Tom McGaughey it simply has to be bad coaching and zero accountability. The OC is green and wet behind the ears with injuries. Bucs were fortunate that did not happen with Coen or Canales. Anyhow, we will know soon enough if the team has quit. If they cannot play with heart on Thursday night with all the gala of the franchise turning 50, well it can’t be blamed on the cursed creamsicles, can it?
December 8th, 2025 at 9:11 am
BPBucs
Imagine having both Sweat or Montez along with Jalen Philips on this team. How things might be different. Then again, Bowles would probably make them cover the long ball
December 8th, 2025 at 9:12 am
hopefully some cheerleader or other can chime in and explain this buc “culture”. a frequent go to for the marketing department who post here, and other cheerleaders, yipping and yapping about “culture”
hows the culture now?
December 8th, 2025 at 9:15 am
No baker you didn’t give it away, they came into your house and took it
December 8th, 2025 at 9:17 am
When has bowels inspired anyone if that is the issue then this ship has already sunk and let a proper rebuild start.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:20 am
They did !
Sack’s galore in the first half and then they sat on their laurels.. again!
At the end of the day 💩 runs up hill to the feet of the FREAKING HEAD COACH!
The seasonal malaise 💩’s it’s pants Every single Year
Leaders lead !
Posers react !
Need a major clean house!
December 8th, 2025 at 9:21 am
Since, according to some on this thread, everything is Mayfield’s fault for the losses then they should start Teddy. They might need him to play defense too since the secondary is pathetic.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:21 am
Ugo, that’s true. Not sure how Montez Sweat would do in coverage. This defense makes no sense. Someone else made the comment that the defense is so complex, that it’s shredded weekly by rookie QB’s and backups. There’s a reason (maybe 2) that Bowles won’t be fired. One is from what I’ve seen, is he’s on the cheap, the other I won’t say. The Glazer’s don’t want negative images from him being fired.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:21 am
For the sake of argument, let’s pretend that Bowles really is a defensive genius and his schemes are brilliant, if executed perfectly. Where then are we finding 90 players with a 150 IQ and the athleticism and instincts to match what is required to master these schemes? This to me becomes the ultimate safety net, because it’s always the players fault.
Unfortunately, for Bowles and anyone giving him a pass, most of us have watched football since we were little kids and we’ve seen far less talented teams do more with less. Smart coaches know what their players do well. They put them in positions to succeed. Everyone who has watched this defense should realize by now that the same issues plague this team year after year. We aren’t getting better, in fact players are regressing, which tells me they are giving up. I’m sure Todd Bowles is a nice guy, but he’s a terrible coach!
December 8th, 2025 at 9:22 am
How about making ANY impactful trade deadline deal during any season? Licht is unable to admit HIS guys need help. Licht aint all that.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:23 am
I can guarantee you that motivation would not be an issue on a Bill Cower, Bruce Arians or Bill Parcells team. These players need a sideline a$$ chewing every time they blow a play, miss a tackle, or are out of position.
Basic fundamentals are lacking, as is a killer instinct. That is a direct result of coaching.
Let’s be real, our defense has sucked for 3 straight years, with this year being the worst. Who has DB’s playing 12 yards back on 3rd and 5? Who has 280 D linemen coving receivers on mid-deep routs?
Week after week the basic fundamentals aren’t there… nor is the attitude. Def time for a coaching change.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:24 am
BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! as u stated “It’s the same ol’ story, week after week.”
December 8th, 2025 at 9:25 am
@Joe you should run your “Will the Bucs beat the Falcons poll” today!
December 8th, 2025 at 9:26 am
Imagine you are a Press Man CB in this defense. You’re playing 10 yards off the WR and you KNOW there will be no pass rush to help you. How do you know that? Because the Edge rusher is out there in pass coverage with on another WR!! If you’re an Edge rusher and have to cover WRs (saw Nelson yesterday on Chris Olave) how depressing that would be. These guys are set up to fail and we wonder why they aren’t playing that hard.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:29 am
Can’t wait for this season to be over so we can just pick a new coach and have something to look forward to next season.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:31 am
They know they weren’t a SB caliber team when they got handled by Detroit. They immediately knew they didn’t have the horses, being out coached and out played. Once personal incentives stats are out of reach for the season players lay down. It’s been a downward spiral ever since that game. Some say don’t blow everything up and start over I respectly disagree. The only thing you lose is a DC that you need anyway. A golfing advisor that isn’t needed. S/T coach that doesn’t do the job, and a 3rd down 5 play specialist. The only thing matters to me is 3-0 in Superbowls. 2-1 or 0-17 is the same effect for me. Yes and better talent on the roster is needed. I understand you got to get younger but the younger group isn’t progressing into top 10 talent. That is when they can even get on the field. Ok rant over, Go Bucs!
P.S. No I don’t know who to hire I don’t get paid for that. Throw a pool of names out there if you want to. If the current staff is still the best available so be it.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:33 am
Let the countdown begin. Bowles is a dead man walking and he knows it.
Just a few more games left and this wretched nightmare can come to it’s inevitable tragic ending.
Another Prime Time loss to a division foe at home to a terrible team is the first leg of the stool.
Then a loss on the road to the stinking Panthers to seal the division is another leg.
Finally the end of any playoff hopes eliminated should be the final straw.
Then……FIRE BOWLES!!!!!!!
December 8th, 2025 at 9:35 am
It will take years to fix the Bowles Mess.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:35 am
Is it too soon to ask for articles on potential coaching candidates, maybe Lincoln Riley or Bob Stoops… Riley is an t USC, could be hard to pry him away but maybe stoops could be had. Open to other suggestions need someone Baker is familiar with though I would think.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:36 am
Hassan Reddick is this years version of swaggy baker. Dude looks like he is just here to collect a paycheck. It wouldn’t surprise me if his uninspiring attitude has leaked into the defense.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:42 am
A coach similar to Gruden needs to be brought in. I would be all out for a Gruden return , just not sure he would leave the personnel to Light. If he could agree to that then I’m all for it. This team needs more accountability for the product they continue to display on the field. Players are checked out and have the marshawn lynch Super Bowl interview attitude. “I’m just here so I don’t get fined” play style. Bowles counts on his locker room to police this. Obviously when that happens and the same players that continue to make the same mistakes repeatedly are still on the field what does that matter ? The problem is no accountability whatsoever. Even with his own staff , special teams coordinator should have been gone weeks ago. I understand loyalty to a point. However if they realize there will be no consequence then everyone gets too comfortable. Just my humble opinion.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:42 am
I think it’s no coincidence that after the Lions game our offensive play calling completely changed. I remember Bowles complaining that he wanted to run the ball more during his post game interview. Before that game the schemes were much better. More players were involved and Gizzard seemed to have a much better feel for what was going on. I suspect Bowles changed the offense after that game. Why else would we abandon what was working for what appears to be 5 or 6 play calls ran in rotation?
December 8th, 2025 at 9:42 am
Go back and look at Bowles record against winning teams…..its like 6-18. He’s routinely outsmarted by half the coaches in the league and built his legacy on winning against the crappy NFC South. Anyone that has watched this team since Bowles took over has seen it. Defensive “gurus” dont allow back up and rookie QBs to have career days on a routine basis. Some of these guys on defense have been in this “system” since 2020…..yet we still look completely lost against bottom tier teams/QBs.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:42 am
Jon Gruden
December 8th, 2025 at 9:44 am
Joe a couple of things, The defense just doesn’t have the personnel. Yes while offensive draft picks have been stellar the same can’t be said for the defense. With that said, both Bowles and Licht apparantly did not see the issue at OLB, MLB, the play there is awful. To make matters worse, their is no depth at MLB.
The Bucs gambled on McColumn and his play has reversed.
The offense, definately something wrong with Baker, the o line , just too many injuries and they were playing better when they were out of position. Then on top of that the coaching. Every week the poor tackling is brought up, however, nothing changes, the execution and effort too. The Special teams are especially bad. Those things are not talent, they are heart and motivation That is coaching, pure and simple. Finally yes certain players are getting older and can’t carry the team as they once did. The younger ones just don’t have the talent and or desire.
Yes, the defense needs to be overhauled. The offense needs a swift kick somewhere. Yes if you have to motivate your team each week, then something is definately wrong.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:45 am
The sad reality is that the Glazers will keep Bowles because, remember, he’s a genius and players just love him. 😏
December 8th, 2025 at 9:48 am
The SB window on this team and coaches has closed and it’s definitely time for a reset. And a complete tear down and rebuild project depends on the answer to this question: If healthy (which he’s obviously not now), is Baker the 2024, top-5, pro bowl version you can win a SB with? If not, do you try to trade up in the draft to get a QB for the future?
December 8th, 2025 at 9:49 am
It’s not that they’ve checked out. Bowles and his staff just aren’t good coaches. This team can’t do the most fundamental things.
Bowles may be a great guy, and players may love him, but who wouldn’t? They can be the least hard working team in the league and still get paid.
Bud Licht is no genius either, he’s been camouflaging his ineptness for the last 7 years.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:49 am
We have good players and good depth we are a SB team but never under Bowles. He blew last years run against the Commander and his D blew the Rams game last year we had Brady. Dude is out of date.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:51 am
Go back and look at Bowles record against winning teams…..its like 6-18. He’s routinely outsmarted by half the coaches in the league and built his legacy on winning against the crappy NFC South. Anyone that has watched this team since Bowles took over has seen it. Defensive “gurus” dont allow back up and rookie QBs to have career days on a routine basis. Some of these guys on defense have been in this “system” since 2020…..yet we still look completely lost against bottom tier teams/QBs.
I think the players genuinely like Bowles, his approach as a former player probably sits well with them however its clear there’s no fear of accountability, there’s no fire. Frankly his message/scheme is stale. Based on comments made by both Mayfield and David, the team thrives on having someone getting them fired up and that’s not Bowles personality. When Gruden took over for Dungy, he challenged an already elite defense to do more….in particular score more TDs as a defense. He brought an energy to a unit that was already performing at an elite level and pushed them to new heights. That defense is arguably in the conversation for being one of the all time greats.
Now look at Bowles defense…..they routinely play down to inferior competition, have absolutely poor tackling, look lost week after week and completely gassed by the 4th qtr. We have no edge…..the unit is boom or bust based on blitzes. He’s simply not a good leader of a team. Probably a very serviceable DC but not a HC.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:52 am
The sooner Bucs cut bait with Todd Bowles the better. There are coaches that inspire and motivate and Bowles and his people do neither. He is a nice person at the mike but that is not working. Yesterday the tackling was atrocious and it was easy for Shough to run it in. How many losses will it take to lose the locker room entirely, I think we are already well on our way. The Bucs team looked so bad. The kickoff return from the Saints tells the whole story. We had this problem with the Bills game and it is not corrected yet no one is fired for it. Mistakes made that do not get corrected, over and over.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:52 am
This team hook and crooked its way to 6-2. When the luck ran out, they were exposed from the top down.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:53 am
“This is why Joe thinks Bowles’ message isn’t getting through. Either Bowles’ message has grown stale or he has lost his team. ”
——–
Of course he’s lost the team . It happened a long time ago. Only now Bowles doesn’t have an OC to hide behind. Once a coach loses the team there is no getting that back. Can’t be done. Think Greg Schiano.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:54 am
They love Todd Bowles but they don’t fear him. Maybe a dose of Mike Evans is needed.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:55 am
Kayla appreciate your comment, I say we even consider trading Baker, all options on the table. He may be our best option but no one should be guaranteed a job. A rebuild starts at the top.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:56 am
What do the Joes know that they are not telling us that is going on behind the scenes? It definitely looks like this team just does not care anymore. They look like they just want to go on vacation. I think there are a few that care EE, Baker, Godwin and LVD to name a few. But most of the players on this team have checked out. It’s time for a complete overhaul.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:58 am
As much as I look forward to football season each year – – am looking forward to this Bucs season ending. Horrible. It may the beginning of an ugly time here in Tampa.
December 8th, 2025 at 9:58 am
“No baker you didn’t give it away, they came into your house and took it”
Pretty much
“I remember Bowles complaining that he wanted to run the ball more during his post game interview. Before that game the schemes were much better. More players were involved and Gizzard seemed to have a much better feel for what was going on. I suspect Bowles changed the offense after that game.”
Como? We’ve been struggling in the same manner on offense all season. Can’t string together a drive, and when we do can’t replicate it on the next drive. As much as I love the excitement of a 3rd down scramble for a first, it’d be even better if we were more successful getting upfield on 1st & 2nd downs so we aren’t constantly getting buried for 3rd and mid-long.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:01 am
No doubt Bowles has lost Baker.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:01 am
HC Grover Says:
December 8th, 2025 at 9:35 am
It will take years to fix the Bowles Mess.
——–
Yep. And I would bet the Glazers don’t realize what they are facing. The rot has been allowed to fester for so long that it has now putrified..
December 8th, 2025 at 10:04 am
Anyone saying we need to tear down and rebuild has lost their minds. “The king maker” struck out! They keep going young everywhere on this team except Todd Bowles decrepit defensive coaching staff. Receivers, running, o line? There’s nothing wrong with the secondary, there’s something wrong with Todd’s Bowles. Teams have done more with less. Carolina panthers defense was a joke last year! The front 7 needs an overhaul
December 8th, 2025 at 10:04 am
The Bucs lack depth. The problem with the next guy up mentality is that the next guy up is weak. You would think that at a key position like left tackle we’d have a qualified backup. I had never heard of the guy we had starting yesterday. And our defensive backs got taken to the cleaners by a third string QB…again
December 8th, 2025 at 10:09 am
I’m flying down Wednesday if this was not my sons first time to a Tampa game in Tampa!!! I would sell my tickets and cancel my flight, what an embarrassment!!!! Licht wake up and do something immediately this is getting out of control, bad bad football!!! I’m lost for words!!!
December 8th, 2025 at 10:11 am
I think we have found the flaw with Licht’s philosopy on personality. It’s great to have a locker room full of humble, laid back, Walter Payton Man of the Year team players. But man does it seem like they are all waiting for some alpha dog with killer instinct to come in and fire them all up. I’m not saying we need me-first, locker room cancers, but maybe a few guys with anger issues and an edge to them wouldn’t be the worst thing.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:15 am
💩’s is a great coach if everything is working perfectly…
You could cut and paste critical comments from the last 3 years and other than players names mentioned no one could tell which season or what team the Bucs were playing
It’s even more painful to realize that it’s all been pointed out before.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:17 am
Joe suspects if the Bucs keep losing, we’re going to see a decent change in personnel for the 2026 season. The defense probably needs an overhaul
We were told that very same story at the end of last season and nothing changed. You need a new narrative.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:18 am
Turn around can happen quickly. Look no further than the Jags, bears, and pats. It takes the right leadership, and vision. That’s lacking with Bowles, and Licht. Bowles not benching under performing players, Licht handing out extensions before he has to. No accountability. New regime comes in, make every player on the roster open for trade. Vea, Zyon, Winfield, all of them. Get what you can for them, and the money you save let the new GM sign his own FAs. Stock him with picks, and the turn around will happen fast.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:18 am
The Defensive Scheme is old, tired, and easy to figure out.
Would you be motivated if you knew the other team already has you beat?
December 8th, 2025 at 10:18 am
Team especially defense tuned radio out. Guess there tired of midseason losing streaks also or maybe watching special teams suck week after week and not one single change. Can not wait for this dummy to be bounced. They might not win another game honestly
December 8th, 2025 at 10:21 am
After the Superbowl and departure of B.A. Todd was brought in as a stop gap. After Brady left Mayfield was brought in as a stop gap. At that point in time that’s what the expectations were. A stop gap to rebuild and recover from cap hell. Nobody at that time thought about them as a Superbowl winning tandem. Nobody even knew if Mayfield or Trask was going to start. They flashed a little bit with Dave and Coen and everyone forgot about that. Now the ceiling is here and the stop gap continues.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:22 am
This team should realize Lavonte has probably decided he will retire at the end of the season and Mike would strongly consider it if his career didn’t end on injury – he might take his last dance to Houston if we’re this apathetic.
Jason Licht needs to put the beer down and make some tough decisions and set expectations for any player coasting into next year.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:22 am
I agree with Joe. This defense seems to careless about Bowles.
It reminds me of Raheem’s last year as a coach.
Time for a change. SMH
December 8th, 2025 at 10:25 am
The people who still think a trade at the deadline would have changed anything on this team are thick skulled. I’m glad we saved our picks, it obvious now that no addition would have put this team over the top for a Super Bowl. Shoot it wouldn’t put us over the top to get to the playoffs!
December 8th, 2025 at 10:29 am
@TexasBuc- If Gruden would agree to hire a young up and coming OC and let the GM make the decisions in terms of draft/FA, then I would absolutely be open to him returning. He would immediately bring in accountability and light a fire under this deflated team. Again, as long as he stays FAR AWAY from scouting players because he is terrible at talent evaluation/developing players.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:30 am
Somebody posted here ‘that we have good players and good depth’ a SB quality team. No we don’t and it isn’t even close. Count the long breakaway runs this defense routinely allows. Winfield at safety is never remotely close to tracking down a breakaway runner. Compare player to player BUCS defense vs RAMS, DETROIT, or other top teams and you will find out that very few Bucs defenders could play first team defense on contending teams.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:32 am
Is it possible that the players see the need for Bowles to be replaced ?
Is it possible the players see that there is no in house candidate to replace Bowles even on an interim basis ?
Is it possible that the players are playing not to get injured and protect their future ?
Is it possible for the players to realize that a new coaching regime is needed and is on the horizon ?
Given all the above, is it possible that each and every player knows they may likely be playing elsewhere next year ?
After 2 exceptionally good years and early talk of MVP is Baker likely to want to stay after this debacle ?
Keep asking questions and the obvious will become just that.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:32 am
This team needs to rid itself of Todd Bowles. He’s the main reason for the losing he’s holding this team back. I feel like the players now realize he’s no good.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:33 am
Todd Bowles’ job has been saved in previous years by the offense. This year, Josh Grizzard couldn’t cover up Todd mediocrity.