Jason Pierre-Paul, A Last Gasp Effort To Motivate Bucs?
December 9th, 2025
Jason Pierre-Paul plans to be vocal with teammates.
The more Joe reads and hears about the Bucs throwing a Hail Mary, signing a guy just days away from his 37th birthday, hoping a guy who hasn’t had a sack in three years can somehow produce on the field wasn’t so much about production on Sundays but about the culture of the locker room.
Seems the Bucs have some dead tree trunks in the locker room that can’t be motivated, or are damn hard to get motivated.
Consider:
* A month ago, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield tore into his teammates for lacking a “killer instinct” after a home loss to the Patriots. Mayfield’s tirade didn’t work.
* Two weeks later at halftime of the seal-clubbing in Los Angeles, Lavonte David unloaded on teammates for lacking effort. David’s tirade didn’t work.
* A week later Bucs coach Todd Bowles had a come-to-Jesus meeting on the sidelines in the fourth quarter with his defense. Bowles’ tirade initially worked as the Bucs’ defense got a four-and-out to seal a three-point win over the sorry Cardinals.
* A week later, the Bucs signed Jason Pierre-Paul and it doesn’t feel like the signing was all about production on the field.
JPP said today he is back in Tampa to help and he won’t be quiet about it.
“You know, how can we make this unit better?” JPP said of how he wants to contribute. “What can I bring to the table? …
JPP said he could add some “things that I know that actually could help them out … then I will say something. I’d rather say something, than keep it to myself.”
JPP added that the talent the Bucs have on defense, the defense still has the ability to be “great.”
“I think we’re gonna be a great unit,” JPP said. “They’re already a great unit. I’m just bringing my talents to it and see what we can do together.”
So it sounds like JPP is going to be sort of a player-coach. Joe is confident if JPP sees someone dragging tail or loafing, he won’t be bashful about calling the player out.
Like Larry Foote said today, it appears JPP’s signing has as much to do with added “juice” as it does production.
Joe sure wishes he knew what Richard Sherman knows.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:26 pm
This is entirely speculation on my part, but could it be that the players are ticked off about the team pushing Dean, who’s been with the team for a long time, to take a pay cut, while giving a big raise to McCollum and big money to Reddick, who have both blown chunks this year?
December 9th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
Sad times that we have to be talking about motivation for these millionaires it’s playoff time! JPP should have a little talk with Reddick behind closed doors if you know what I mean!! but anyhow, I’m flying down tomorrow with my son. Please don’t disappoint!!! Go Tampa.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
You never know, ole JPP might hve a few gallons left in the tank. We will see. They need something. Hell, bring back Waren Sapp.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
Richard Sherman knows what you won’t admit Joe.
The team has tuned out Todd Bowles and have checked out on the season.
JPP signing was just a PR stunt to try and fool the fans to blowing money at the stadium.
Wake up!!!
December 9th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
Is Simeon Rice still in town?
The Buccaneers are dangerously close to not even being good enough to be ‘The Cream of the Crap’.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
Way too little too late.
Straight up diversion.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
This is proof that Licht and Bowles ignored the need for a strong defense and now they are bringing back an old guy that probably doesn’t have much left in the tank. Both Bowles and Licht need to be fired. I’m tired of Licht hyping up marginal draft picks. Sorry but the guy is smoke and mirrors. Entire coaching staff needs to go after this stunt.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
Talk maybe i can talk my way into the stadium thursday and talk a vendor into selling me a beer for 3 dollas
December 9th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
Bowles will never win back what confidence this team ever had in him… he’s done in Tampa. The only hype about this team is bringing back 3 fingers?
December 9th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Can JPP overcome Todd’s energy zapping strategy. I think the whole things is too late to salvage Jason and Todd’s jobs. The party is over for all players who represent Todd’s archaic coaching. A new regime will clean house, weed out the softies and try to focus those players left standing into a championship type operation.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
This is how you know your Head Coach and GM are Clowns!
December 9th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
JPP will be in coverage the whole time.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
Our mojo is gone. This cannot hurt. They probably think he cannot perform worse than Braswell.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
Sherman knows the team does not hear the Bowles message. Guys are tuning out. This does not make Sherman a hot take artist it makes him connected.
BTW, he has multiple rings. 4 to be exact. Weather your starting or not your part of the team fabric.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
Just a few weeks back I thought the team would (hopefully) finish 9-8. I now don’t think they will another game. The situation is out of control. There is no recovery from this. There are no good options. Even if they fired Bowles, who would agree to be the interim coach ? Answer…nobody in their right mind. My thoughts were that Jason would be insulated from it all but I’m not sure of that now. I think it all leads to Baker moving on. Way to go Glazer family. Hugh Culverhouse would be proud of the way you blew this.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
I am unsure about this, at first it was wth. Now, maybe it is motivation. We’ll see, perhaps it will help to elevate everyone.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
Wait? I thought the “Tom Brady” affect was in perpetuity?
December 9th, 2025 at 4:59 pm
After my first post, I watched JPP’s press conference, and he said he wanted to play all year… stayed in shape… I do like how he speaks. Lots of confidence.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
Super Bowl signing !!!
December 9th, 2025 at 5:03 pm
So the culture we read about ad nauseam this summer was a crock. It always sounded like one.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:04 pm
This won’t work. Do you think bringing in a fossil that can’t contribute anything on the field is going to motivate anyone? If you were a player would you care if some old guy was signed to a 4 game contract to yell at you in the huddle?
These players are planning vacations. I would wager we lose the remainder of our games and go 7-10. Bet
December 9th, 2025 at 5:06 pm
Calling it now, JPP finishes the season with 4 sacks
December 9th, 2025 at 5:06 pm
Seems the Bucs have some dead tree trunks in the locker room that can’t be motivated, or are damn hard to get motivated.
^^^^
Someone please start the process of elimination and let’s narrow down the list of candidates for the dead tree trunk beauty contest.
I can’t wait to see which of the unmotivated ones wins “Miss Congeniality”.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:11 pm
Hope he doesn’t get hurt. 😏
December 9th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
Can we get Sapp out of retirement and sign him as well?
I’m sure he’d provide some motivation. 😉
December 9th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
This is ridiculous what is our gm doing..
December 9th, 2025 at 5:14 pm
He is 37 what tank? Lol man hate to see hope turn to desperation but geez we in some bad times for sure the smell of desperation is so think you can see it on the air.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
The list of dead tree trunk award candidates is long but the hiring of JPP sure points to Jason’s draft pick Braswell. Jason must have used lot’s of napkins trying to wipe the egg off his face.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:20 pm
I also wonder how Jason really feels about spending $14 mil on Reddick to get sacks only to see him drop back into coverage so much. Shouldn’t that have been anticipated ?
December 9th, 2025 at 5:20 pm
Jpp ain’t changing a trash scheme lmao wow what a fall from grace we had this season can’t wait for a fresh start next season with a new coach that will actually inject some actual “juice” into this franchise.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:22 pm
Braswell will probably file a bullying complaint with the NFL by Friday.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:25 pm
Jason should have told Bowles 2 years ago to dismiss the dead tree trunks in his coaching staff.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:28 pm
I could only take two minutes of the ten minute video of the JPP interview.
My IQ dropped by 40% at minimum having been exposed to that.
I’m glad he took a break from those Mensa meetings to come back and add juice to the team.
Hopefully he won’t talk much though because that almost put me to sleep.
Fire Bowles now!!!
December 9th, 2025 at 5:29 pm
This can all be traced back to the TB12/BA feud. That’s the moment the Glazers drank from the chalice.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:29 pm
Check out the first comment by Flush Bowles.
That’s an interesting take.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Tree trunk candidates:
Full time:
Hall
Dennis
Reddick
McCollum
Morrison
Braswell
Part time:
Vea
Diaby
Winfield
Gaines
Jones
It’s not all gonna be guys we “don’t like,” some fan favorites aren’t living up to their billing & paychecks either.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
JPP is going to say all the right things, and he’d be stupid to not take the retirement funds, but if any of this motivation angle is true, the Bucs are already looking for a new coaching staff and evaluating free agents for next season.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
I Remember 21 Says:
December 9th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
^^^^^
Good start.
Perhaps there are some assistant coaches that have become petrified as well even as far down as the roots.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
View from 132 Says:
December 9th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
^^^^
I suspect the succession (demolition) plan has been in place for a while. The big question (I suspect) was; What to do with Baker ? By allowing the team to fall apart ie. no trade moves sending a signal the Baker problem will resolve itself.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:44 pm
Too many Michel Claytons in this team. No INTEGRITY!
Your freaking check on Fridays should be the only motivation you need as a football player. You got hired to earn your money not be bored!
You got hired to be creative with your game plan not scheme the same defensive plays again and again!!!!
Hopefully JPP will be boisterous also during meetings. I think some juice is also needed for the coordinators.
Friday should be interesting.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:51 pm
Does randy Gregory want to come back?
December 9th, 2025 at 5:51 pm
Fire Todd
December 9th, 2025 at 5:55 pm
This team stinks of a culture regression. Time to get a fiery HC like Vrabel or DC.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:55 pm
Apparently we have some dead tree trunks on offense also
December 9th, 2025 at 5:59 pm
There is no penalty for poor play. Zyon got more money to play worse. Licht should’ve made him earn it. Dennis should’ve been benched after the second game. He was the one responsible for Tyler what’s his name 34 yard TD run. He’s not a starting NFL MLB. He’s Todd’s pet. When you work for suckers, Licht, and chumps, Bowles, this is the result you get. Clean house, locker room included.
December 9th, 2025 at 6:14 pm
If I’m yaya diaby I’m showing up and taking notes and asking questions. If I’m Logan Hall I’m doing the same. JPP is an absolute dawg and it’s definitely that kind of energy our defense has been lacking. This move is so out of the blue to us, but it’s probably been discussed for weeks. JPP has more than likely been keeping them updated that he’s ready to play. I’m all for it. Can’t hurt. Can only help. And let Todd use every lifeline he’s got. No more excuses.
December 9th, 2025 at 6:16 pm
I think Baker is hurt way worse than he is letting on. Playing hurt is what got him run out of Cleveland.
December 9th, 2025 at 6:16 pm
“Joe sure wishes he knew what Richard Sherman knows.”
——-
It’s the greatest most awesomest excuse why HC Todd Bowles is not responsible for the team’s terrible play this season. Even better than any excuses they have ever used before. For sure.
December 9th, 2025 at 6:19 pm
Forcing Benjamin in to get playing rime because we might lose Dean told the team we domt care about winning NOW. That told me this season is toast. What coach would sacrifice games purposefully putting in a rookie knowing hes going to blow coverages and sitting g a vet who’s having the best year of his career?? Thats madness. I see it. Of course the players see it. Plating the future! Yay! What nonsensical moronic ridiculous brain dead Mary rotten crotch llcomg sickness is inside this man’s head?
December 9th, 2025 at 6:33 pm
Hard times at One Buc.
December 9th, 2025 at 6:35 pm
A hut Baker is twenty times better than Blooper. Good thing Bowles got rid of trask. Is he fired yetT
December 9th, 2025 at 6:38 pm
And Now….The Over the Hill Gang.
December 9th, 2025 at 6:43 pm
OneandThree … ‘The team has tuned out Todd Bowles and have checked out on the season.’
Right now the Bucs are 7-6 with 4 games left against teams with records equal to or worse than theirs. Big money hangs in the balance for most of these players if they can make the playoffs and win in the playoffs. For many, their career hangs in the balance.
I don’t believe that they’ve checked out on the season, but I do agree that they may very well have ‘tuned out Todd Bowles’. The play-calling on the offense has been sub-par, and these players know that full well. I’m not at all sure what they think of Bowles’ defensive play-calling, but from the lack of execution I’m gonna guess that they aren’t buying in. Watching this defense is like watching 11 individuals trying to do their own thing as opposed to operate as a TEAM.
December 9th, 2025 at 6:43 pm
Not to pile on but we were assured that the reason why our current HC was the right person was because of the great culture that he had helped build. There was no way to promote Coen and move Bowles out due to that very reason.
December 9th, 2025 at 6:47 pm
Robert Says:
December 9th, 2025 at 6:16 pm
I think Baker is hurt way worse than he is letting on. Playing hurt is what got him run out of Cleveland.
You are correct. Bench him, let Teddy finish the season. I think Baker will get a better offer from a team that has a defense and an offensive line.
December 9th, 2025 at 6:59 pm
If I were a coach on that team I would pull Reddick and Diaby into a room and say “I freaking dare you to let the old man get more sacks than you these next four games”.
But yeah, I think it’s what a lot of people are saying. A last gasp to try and light any fire under this team. I am both not against it (because, WTH why not) while also find it pretty embarrassing.
I don’t think the locker room is against Bowles. They’re just numb to it all now.
December 9th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
Our defensive roster has quite a few players that have played two seasons or less. It makes sense that they are having a hard time with a slump, especially if there’s lack of player leadership. The offense is where I think the real worry is
December 9th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
A month ago, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield tore into his teammates for lacking a “killer instinct” after a home loss to the Patriots. Mayfield’s tirade didn’t work.
——–
And on Sunday, Baker had the ball in his hands, vs a bad team, 1st place in the NFC South on the line, 2 minutes left … and he promptly went 4 and out.
I have no issues with Baker calling out people or trying to get them fired up, but my God, the kid gloves he’s treated with, where people pretend like he didn’t blow the game on Sunday, it’s just sickening. The idea that the defense needs to give up less than 20 points a game for the team to win, in 2025, is absurd. Ever since Baker started listening to the MVP chants, then telling everyone how good he is, he’s played, mostly, like trash. Maybe if the media and people around him called him out, he’d actually respond well – instead, everyone pretends like he’s amazing, when he’s coming off a game where he threw for 122 yard and an INT and got massively outplayed by a rookie on a terrible team.
December 9th, 2025 at 7:09 pm
We need to rebuild alotnof holes this team looks eh i like baker vita emeka tez bucky and smith. Parish.. thats about it the rest are lk.wonwield Godwin look slow and evans tonold.. the rest of l years eh even wires eh..
December 9th, 2025 at 7:38 pm
kyzir white released by titans yesterday…
i’ve been vocalizing to sign the man for quite some time…
bring him in…the middle of the field could use an extra hand
December 9th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
I thought we were discussing JPP. Apparently Rod didn’t get the concept and is still on a hate Baker rant.
It was a miserable game to watch. Somehow Houdini was supposed to pull the rabbit out of the hat when the odds were stacked against. Only two starting linemen playing, missing several receivers including ME, a rookie move that let the defense intercept a pass and really poor coaching choices including the two failed fourth down tries. It’s all Supermans fault.
December 9th, 2025 at 8:07 pm
Jason licht owns this whole mess. And arians is giving advice
stop listening to these two idiots please
December 9th, 2025 at 8:18 pm
I could use an extra handy
The Bucs are 7-6, what’s all the fuss about guys?
I know two things:
1.) This team is in shambles
2.) This comment section is awesome
——-
Cheers fellas!
December 9th, 2025 at 8:22 pm
@Rod is correct
Baker is getting a pass due to the PTSD we experienced from years of Jameis and losing Brady.
Baker needs to step TF up asap.
December 9th, 2025 at 8:34 pm
If JPP can’t contribute on the field bringing him is a bad idea.
December 9th, 2025 at 8:44 pm
Gruden.
December 9th, 2025 at 9:15 pm
Based strictly on what JPP just said, he has no chance of passing the drug test
December 9th, 2025 at 9:19 pm
Teddy B is worthless. He shouldn’t be a backup.
Another Jason Licht special.
This team is a YUGE failure post Brady.
December 9th, 2025 at 9:22 pm
So it is clear, this is not a serious team. It is reflective of the coach. The GM had opportunities to provide assistance with additional personnel but he waits till the Bucs have prematurely collapsed and he finds JPP, wonder what they paid him. Embarrassing to be a Bucs fan. The entire league will be entertained on Thursday night. I don’t think this was well thought out and that is concerning considering the amount of money being wasted.
December 9th, 2025 at 9:32 pm
Can’t say Bowles and Lichr aren’t trying. Sad it’s come to this though. If us fans feel exhausted by this roller coaster season imagine the players. zero consistency on the o-line, receivers in and out of the lineup, defensive backs in and out. Just a horrendous year for injuries. I think Bowles gets one more year healthy roster or not.
December 9th, 2025 at 9:33 pm
Gruden for OC not HC
December 9th, 2025 at 10:08 pm
Lefty Says:
December 9th, 2025 at 9:33 pm
Gruden for OC not HC
————
Do you not remember Gruden’s offense? It wasn’t good. It wasn’t even middling. It was almost always in the bottom 3rd of the NFL. It was also old and outdated when he was active. The last thing the Bucs need is another boring, unproductive, derivative of a 1980s west coast offense.
Now, if it was the other way around, as HC but he has zero say in personnel, or defense, and isn’t the OC, and his job was basically to yell at people and fire up the team – that I could at least listen to. But this idea that he was even middle of the pack as an OC is beyond ridiculous and not supported by the facts.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:17 pm
^^remember Tim Brown laying on the field like an old man- and the Charlie Garner experiment? It was very hard to watch
Gruden’s time here was extremely overrated
December 9th, 2025 at 10:33 pm
This is a disgrace this is another reason why Bowles should be fired.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:34 pm
Drunk fan
Pretty obvious that Reddick just wants to be sure his check is direct deposited. Earning it? Yeah, no.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:40 pm
ElioT Says:
December 9th, 2025 at 10:17 pm
^^remember Tim Brown laying on the field like an old man- and the Charlie Garner experiment? It was very hard to watch
Gruden’s time here was extremely overrated
———-
The worst part is he cut John Lynch and let Warren Sapp walk without even as much as a contract offer, because he wanted to PROVE he could win on his own and it wasn’t just him winning with Dungy’s team.
Then he gave a bunch of BS about the salary cap as he signed Garner to a big money deal, signed a very old washed up Tim Brown, and every injured mid-30 year old offensive lineman available. That was, of course, before he started to collect quarterbacks. His personnel moves were, by far, the worst thing about Gruden and his hand picked stooge Bruce Allen.
His second worst thing was going to the Glazers to get Rich McKay fired after he refused to sign an old and washed up Andre Rison. If McKay had still been here, all that crap above wouldn’t have happened, and Gruden would have won a lot more games, perhaps even a 2nd SB. Instead a couple of years after winning a SB the Bucs are 5-11 — with the 5th ranked defense. That’s how much of an offensive genius Gruden was.
December 9th, 2025 at 11:01 pm
It’s not just Bowles…Jason Licht is done here.