Booger McFarland Thinks Changes Are Around The Corner
December 14th, 2025
Foresees a different Bucs soon.
Joe had to guess guys who played on the vaunted Bucs’ defense in the early aughts wanted to take a football helmet and blast it through their flatscreens watching that all-too predictable of a defensive collapse Thursday night.
Short of the Bucs reversing recent history and making a run to the NFC championship game next month, it sure feels like we’re on Coach Watch, but that won’t really come until Jan. 3 at the earliest.
After the game Thursday night, Bucs coach Todd Bowles looked like a man who had tried everything he could to motivate his defense and was both out of answers and threw in the towel, thinking if that’s what his defense wants to be remembered for, so be it.
And he had a few choice words for them as well. But for a man like Bowles to react like that, it sure looks like he knows the end may be near, that he is just tapped out.
Another man who thinks we will be looking at a different Bucs team in a few weeks is former Bucs defensive tackle Booger McFarland. It seems McFarland is expecting some changes beginning in three weeks.
That loss for the Bucs [Thursday] night is gonna change a lot of lives
Losing five of six games when you had the division damn near locked up, and the past two games to garbage teams, one to a rookie quarterback and the other a backup, both of those at home, that is a colossal fail and Joe doesn’t care who on the defense is laying down.
And Joe has about had it with people from the team whining about no pass rush. Who exactly has repeatedly stated publicly, even as recently as two weeks ago, he doesn’t care about sacks from an edge rusher?
Well, you didn’t care about a position and you’re getting limited production from that position and now the chickens have come home to roost, all of a sudden, not getting an edge rush is a thing.
December 14th, 2025 at 12:07 am
I still want the team to win out and head to the playoffs and win there. You should root for it as a fan. However, as a realist this team and coaching staff don’t have enough effort/fight/dawg/etc and coaching to lead them. It’s sad but true. Bucs need a change of vision and leadership. Lavonte is going to retire and we will need a defense leader, edge rush and a good DC. Offense needs a healthy OLine and I feel Grizzard is not the guy, baker needs to heal and play better but he can’t be paid 50-60 million a year. Maybe 40-45 million. Mike needs to come back on a one year. Draft or sign edge rushers. Team will have to be different to be successful next year.
December 14th, 2025 at 12:14 am
No true Bucs fan wants us to back into the playoffs this year.
Lose out, fire Todd and start the reset.
We have the core talent and a very good GM.
The GMs only problem is listening to or having to much loyalty/crush with Bruce Arians.
Kick BA and Tom Moore to the curb.
Baker is a keeper and our offense is salvageable with the right OC/HC.
Hire the best DC available and go back to a 4-3.
Make some tough personnel decisions on that side of the ball.
Blow it up if you have to because it can’t be any worse than it is right now.
Our window is still wide open.
Make the tough decisions now!
December 14th, 2025 at 12:17 am
@DoooshLaRue
Kicking Tom Moore to the curb would be considered elder abuse.😁
December 14th, 2025 at 12:18 am
@ParatrooperBuc
I don’t see them winning out. They’re probably losing at least one more.
December 14th, 2025 at 12:24 am
Absolutely NO to DC as HC!
Bucs need to go OC like Klint Kubiac or Todd Monken for HC…
Find a DC that is actually good at coaching defense and turn this team into a respectable organization again next season…
December 14th, 2025 at 12:25 am
GM Licht is as much of a problem as the coaches and the sh$tty players he gets.
December 14th, 2025 at 12:43 am
Todd Monken needs to be considered, he is no nonsense and we need that, he aint gonna put up with any sht
December 14th, 2025 at 1:00 am
Bucs won’t win again this year.
December 14th, 2025 at 1:17 am
I agree Tony. I don’t think they win all three games. I wish they had the leadership and effort/fight/dawg/etc. and coaching to go all the way but we know they don’t. Best thing for the team long term is lose all three and get better draft position and new head coach and OC.
December 14th, 2025 at 1:28 am
Monken is interesting, plus he has a lot of contacts around the league to.pull staff.
December 14th, 2025 at 1:29 am
I do not think this team will win again thus season.
What a disappointment.
And Grizzard is way over his head.
December 14th, 2025 at 1:34 am
I 100% agree that major changes needs to happen with the coaching staff. Bucs need to get younger and more energetic.
December 14th, 2025 at 1:38 am
Bring in Suh to coach D line
December 14th, 2025 at 1:55 am
I have been saying for the last month the Bucs will not make the playoffs. If they do, Bowles sticks around and just delays the inevitable. Carolina, Jacksonville and New England had drastic turnarounds in one season just by changing the head coach.
December 14th, 2025 at 2:12 am
Bowles has one redeeming quality in my book. He picked a couple of great OCs in Canales and Coen. I personally think the jury is still out on Grizzard. With all of the injuries on the o-line thats been a tough row to hoe. If he can get out of his own way and do the same thing with a DC? Thats what determines is quality as a Head Coach. This should have been done a couple of years ago and its a travesty that it didn’t happen but whatever.
If he can’t set his ego aside and just be the head coach then he needs to go.
December 14th, 2025 at 2:18 am
For God sakes get rid of this defensive coaching staff. What a joke. Bowles is to loyal to his buddies. It’s a COACHING problem. Bowles doesn’t have the guts to make the right decisions
December 14th, 2025 at 2:23 am
Blah blah (i love you Joes, not saying that to you, respect 🙂 )
Draft time baby….
Sonny Styles
Sawyer Robertson
Michael Trigg
Jaeden Roberts
December 14th, 2025 at 3:21 am
D players do not like Bowles game plans and D schemes.
December 14th, 2025 at 5:06 am
It’s a young man’s game . Bowles and his geriatrics need to go. This defense is so outdated. The NFL has figured the defense out. Time for some young enthusiastic coaching staff. Time for some excitement I’m tired of this loser mentality.
December 14th, 2025 at 5:10 am
Who has actually seen the fat lady singing? I will notice when the fat lady sings. Fat bottom girls make the rockin world go round. But only once they’ve started singing. She may be warming up. But she’s not singing.
December 14th, 2025 at 5:49 am
Canales and Coen would not be HCs anywhere with the injury situation Grizz had to deal with this season. No coach in the entire history of the NFL could win consistently missing the starters at virtually every position on offense, with a QB playing injured. The OL was pathetic Thursday night. Mayfield had his weapons for the first time all year. It was amazing that they put up 28 points with such poor line play. The OL needs better backups. Give Grizz a healthy offense, and he will produce. The defense needs a new DC and a new HC, a new scheme, and better players at several positions. Reddick and David need new careers.
Injuries on offense, and coaching on defense, combined to doom this season. 2026 is the start of a new era for the Bucs. I look forward to it.
December 14th, 2025 at 6:16 am
Booger knows what he is talking about. I am still rooting for our Bucs to come through. Would love to see them win all three games and more if it happens. Can’t give up now. We are at the home stretch. Go Bucs!
DoooshLaRue – Tom Moore? Are you joking. I can understand BA but Tom needs to stay. He is a legend and if there are big changes, he definitely needs to be there for the players. He has been their life-line for years.
December 14th, 2025 at 6:31 am
Bowles was a bust from day 1.
December 14th, 2025 at 6:36 am
I agree with Greg-therealone says
December 14th, 2025 at 6:43 am
Blow it up! G.M., coaches, players, no one should be safe. Need a fresh set of eyes on this roster. Licht is to in love with what he thinks are great draft picks. It’s a flawed practice drafting college D ends, Hall, Roberts, and trying to make NFL DTs out of them. No edge rush? We have no interior rush either. Hall, and Roberts are not starting grade DTs! End the madness. Fire Licht, and Bowles!
December 14th, 2025 at 6:46 am
Anyone who wants this team to lose isn’t a real Bucs fan. Fire Todd, sure—I honestly never wanted him to begin with I watched the Jets—but I’d still love to win the Super Bowl with or without him. JUST WIN BABY!! WANT RINGS AND LOTS OF THEM!! Personally, I don’t care who is on the team or coaching it; I’m a Buccaneers fan. I root for the name on the front of the jersey, not the back.
Do I have favorite players? Sure, who doesn’t. But they’re not always on the Bucs, and sometimes they aren’t even as good as you hope they will be—see Sammy Watkins. For me personally, I was so high on that guy. Or look at Thor Griffith, who doesn’t even seem to be in the league hes not even a has been hes a never was lol. That one still confuses me—like, is he a giant douche or something?
December 14th, 2025 at 6:55 am
I miss BA he would hold the players accountable he wasn’t scared to say what needed to be said he would call them out when needed an they responded I actually Liked Todd he is a.great.D Coordinator when that is his only job when he is the HC calling the defense he.ia. We at to.conservative I know the players have been trying to get Todd to switch things up an he just won’t he’s to stubborn an the.players.are not buying into what he is saying they want to run press man an not play this soft.ass.zone.todd is playing idk what happened after the Bye week but the Team has completely collapsed they were 6-2 an 1st or 2nd in the NFC now the team is 7-7 they beat the Cards then got embarrassed by the Saints an the.Falcons.lets see what happens.the last 3 weeks wouldnt be surprised if the.Bucs.go 0-3 I reallt hope they win the.South but not if that keeps.Bowles.around any longer I wonder if Jason lets Bowles.stay 1 more.year because of the injuies but he needs to makw him.hire.a.new.D Coordinator an give them the play calling Todd needs to just be the.HC an Todd should have Fired the.ST.coach.a long.rime.ago.i really wanna know what is going on behind closed doors with the players.an Bowles because there is definitely something they are quitting on Bowles
December 14th, 2025 at 7:06 am
Yes paratrooper that’s it – I am rooting for Stockholm syndrome to take MAX EFFECT BABY!The definition of insanity is most definitely not doing the same thing over and over because this is not driving me insane. Quite the opposite actually, because I absolutely love backdooring my way in to the playoffs buoyed by a sad sack division, and having 0% chance to win there. And yes, 0%. We can romanticize “any given Sunday” and any other dumb cliche all we want but 8-9 teams don’t get to the champion games or win superbowls. 13-4 teams do. But anyway, he’ll eauh bro let’s win out and bring the whole coaching staff back, let’s bring Winfield, Zyon and all the other slackers back. I love the locker room divide too, builds character!
December 14th, 2025 at 7:10 am
Jason Licht told everyone he was all good with our roster by not making a move to get Jordyn Brooks at the trade deadline. Licht consistently shows ignorant intransigence when it comes to not recognizing the opportunity to gain a great LB whose tackling skills and coverage ability would have instantly improved the defense for years. Bucs cannot afford to keep Licht.
December 14th, 2025 at 7:11 am
I am trying to think of a coach who is similar to Bowles as far as the number of mind numbing decisions he has made during his tenure. I think Bowles has even topped Rah who is probably on his way out too. The one coach I can find an analogy to got launched in the middle of last season: Matt Eberflus who cost the Bears game after game in mind numbing fashion, just like Bowles. It is a short list that is for sure. Bowles is lucky the Glazers have not summarily dismissed him yet. It will happen at the end of the season but a lot of other NFL owners would launch him after the Bucs are mathematically eliminated which will probably happen before the end of the season unless the Panthers lose to the Saints.
December 14th, 2025 at 7:18 am
Todd, what you said is probably true but Licht is no fool he will tell the Glazers he knew about the locker room issues and recognized that the 5-1 start was similar to the Wyche 5 dash 2 start of 1993 and decided not to throw good draft picks away on rentals when the Bucs would be one and done in the playoffs at best. I am betting the above is what Licht will likely tell the Glazers when they have their chat with him, before or after they launch Bowles. Licht does have an ego, he overvalues his draft picks and probably knows he has a bit more rope than Bowles because he can point to bringing in Arians and especially TB12 as a feather in his cap which will likely mean he will not get launched and he knows it.
December 14th, 2025 at 7:26 am
If Licht pitches that BS to the Glazers-they will ask him if he would like to pay them what they would have made from a home playoff game out of his salary.
December 14th, 2025 at 7:31 am
Licht stumbled on Arians, and Brady. I don’t think he can play that hand anymore. Now that they’re gone, the ship has been slowly sinking. His defensive picks are not panning out. Braswell will shock the world? Dennis is a starting NFL MLB? David has gas left in the tank? Zyon deserves a pay raise? Roberts, and Hall are NFL DTs? Winfield is the best safety in the NFL? Morrison was a steal in the second round? I don’t know what the Glazers think, but I’d sure fire Licht too.
December 14th, 2025 at 7:34 am
I agree that a shakeup is needed and I believe it’s on the way. I don’t think Todd gets fired but retires at the end of year instead. I don’t think Bucs will magically start playing better and go on a 3-0 run get in and win a few more and jobs are saved. Hope I’m wrong but my white flag flew after Rams game. People demand a pool of candidates when you say stuff like that. Problem is I don’t follow other teams or college football. The only thing I know about them is when Bucs play against them. For the most part the pool is any OC’s, DC’s, HC’s in the playoffs in NFL and College. That kind of narrows it down to 50 people and 5 outsider guys. That’s currently way to many teams for me as a Buc fan to make a educated guess.
December 14th, 2025 at 7:35 am
Forgot to mention. Licht prides himself on drafting the right locker room guys. Takes players off the board he thinks are not the right character. So why do we have a locker room issue? Why?
December 14th, 2025 at 7:38 am
Unacceptable
Bowels has lost the locker room
December 14th, 2025 at 7:43 am
Wouldn’t surprise me the something somebody knows but can’t say something is his leaked year end retirement and the team stopped playing for him after Detroit game around the bye week.
December 14th, 2025 at 7:48 am
This job will be very attractive to a prospective coach because of the talent on offense. With a healthy line this offense is loaded except for the tight end position. The defense needs to be blown up, like others have said it can’t get any worse. My coaching list (in no particular order):
Clint Kubiak
Todd Munken
Joe Brady
Marcus Freeman
December 14th, 2025 at 7:55 am
Hodad – a most excellent point. Which means his philosophy is nothing more than a logical fallacy, and arrogance. And make no mistake, he may be the most arrogant of all GM’s. Imagine not drafting Warren Sapp because he doesn’t fit his character profile? Jesus Christ
December 14th, 2025 at 8:02 am
This is how a real GM builds a true “Fearsome Foursome”.
“We’ve never had a pure speed right end like that before,” said Dungy. “I think it’s going to be a luxury that we’ve never had. When you’ve got guys that have all had double-digit sack years, it does make it interesting for you as a coach and probably a problem for the other team.”
Adding Rice means the Buccaneers could field a defensive line of all first-round draft picks. Sapp, Marcus Jones (13 sacks last season) and Anthony McFarland (6.5) are all former first-round selections of the Buccaneers. Those three plus Chidi Ahanotu (3.5) created a formidable defensive line last season and helped the Bucs set a new team record with 55 sacks.
December 14th, 2025 at 8:11 am
No. Lickt has to go. There is NO WAY that he can have a hand in ANY of this. It has to be a BRAND NEW set of eyes, & a BRAND NEW overall philosophy. EVERYONE who is part of the “OLD (fat-bellied) GUARD” MUST GO. They are just way too cocky, and have been resting on their laurels, while living off of Brady. It’s TIME. It’s now been 5+years, since Brady. Lickt’s entire overall philosophy is FLAWED. Seriously, if you had to grade HIM on his ‘free-agency’ decisions/moves over the past 3-4 YEARS, or lack there of, you would have to give HIM a big fat F. Other than Brady, he has been abysmal. He CAN’T BE Safe. HELL NO. I want HIM GOOOONE. He has made some HORRIBLE DECISIONS. This is especially TRUE with last year’s draft. And, let’s not even talk about PRE BRADY DRAFTS. I loved 2024’s but that’s about IT. I mean, you couldn’t have ASKED FOR more of a CAKEWALK of a Division and schedule over the past 3-4 SEASONS. It’s all been nothing but Smoke & Mirrors. Smoke and Mirrors. It’s all completely FAKE. Just one huge CON. I don’t believe I have ever seen a collapse like THIS before, in THE NFL. You see it in MLB, but NOT THE NFL. Not with THIS SCHEDULE (at HOME, too). It has to be a TOTAL complete reboot. You have to eliminate THE STENCH. We are in desperate need of NEW ENERGY. Look at Seattle AND Jacksonville (and a few others, Rams, Colts, etc). It’s the new way! These guys we have are too old, and just waaaayyy to ‘comfortable’ in THEIR JOBS. So, NEXT… They Gotta GO!!!!
December 14th, 2025 at 8:11 am
All the “ fire the gm” talk is ridiculous, anyone that is worth anything was put on this team buy the game. Mistakes have been made , yes but you were all singing a different tune when emeka was have a great start to the season! Plain and simple the issue is the coach, there is a reason toilet Bowles is under 5pm for his career, he just isn’t good!!
December 14th, 2025 at 8:25 am
The exact SAME people still clamoring for keeping JL are all the exact same people who were in-love with Todd, and thought he was a great head coach. They were the exact SAME people who FULLY-supported, and was ‘all-in’ on keeping TODD over COHEN. Remember it AND know it.
December 14th, 2025 at 8:25 am
Licht has killed it lately in the draft. While it’s too early to evaluate last year’s draft, guys like Embuka, Parrish and Tez look like great pics. We will see about Morrison and Walker who were injured. My issue with him is he relies completely on the draft and doesn’t try to sprinkle in any high quality free agents. Instead he goes for bargains and one year deals. As much as I hate the Eagles, they do it right. They draft well and aren’t afraid to go after stud free agents when they’re available, like they did with Jalen Phillips this year.
December 14th, 2025 at 8:30 am
I’m 50/50 on keeping Licht but was against the Bowles signing from the beginning. He reminded (and still reminds me) of Lovie Smith and look how that worked out. Bowles has to go and we need to replace him with a young, energetic, bright Offensive Coach. It make me sick that we let Cohen walk. I’ve never seen our offense him like it did last year with him as OC.
December 14th, 2025 at 8:34 am
Hodad, Gftf30
Exactly right. “I am that man” was supposed to be about guys who loved ball.
Certainly haven’t seen much of that. Especially Thursday.
More like guys who love bag.
People seem to forget Licht was a frogs hair away from being run out of town before his Hail Mary on BA. He certainly hasn’t improved. This roster is in shambles. Including Mayfield.
Who is Howie Rosemans #2?
December 14th, 2025 at 8:40 am
Yeah, Fort Myers Dave… Eberflus is a great analogy. Todd never had the first clue, and it was evident from the jump. He did get ‘a little’ better, but hell, it seemed they had to hire him a ‘specialist’ for about every possible situation. Ya know, you’d think THAT’D be at least somewhat of a red-flag!? But, he was a robot. Had ZERO ‘feel’ for the game. He was clueless, and just waaaayyy over his head. Should’ve never been promoted. Cohen was clearly, the easy and obvious decision to make.
December 14th, 2025 at 8:55 am
A great quote I ran across from former Memphis HC, & new Arkansas HC Ryan Silverfield, just a couple days ago… “Any head coach that’s not willing to change their scheme based off personnel is… shame on them. It’s about their ego.”
December 14th, 2025 at 9:19 am
Grizzard was a bad hire and that really doomed Todd. I understand the offense has had a lot of injuries but he has no feel for the game and doesn’t know how to setup plays and utilize his full array of personnel. For example, He used that wildcat with Bucky twice and it should’ve been setup to use again with a handoff to Rashaad that would’ve been a big hitter. Also when is the last time you saw us run a slant. We haven’t done an end around since the Patriot game. How about shovel pass, a draw or a running back screen pass more than once a game. He overuses Bucky too. Bucky is a 15 touch a game guy. White and Tucker combined should also be getting 15 touches a game. Grizz just isn’t a good play caller and needs to be replaced, which he will be when Todd and his staff are fired at the end of the year.
December 14th, 2025 at 10:13 am
As a true fan, I want us to go as far as we can no matter what coaching players, etc. now, as far as next year goes yeah, I would like to see a Brand new either defensive coordinator who cares about getting sacks or gonna have to be a whole new coach in general because the defense is what we are known for barely offense now that we got the offense somewhat clicking the Defense is going down the drains I can’t appreciate that so either a dc that can send the edges to get the job done and make sure your corners don’t get bored or stupid after a big contract because zy is a big disappointment as of this year I really thought he was gonna be pro bowler this year the way he was playing last year and him saying I can play whatever spot they want as in mlb nickle or outside corner smh wishful thinking
December 14th, 2025 at 10:18 am
Very likely Brady had more power behind the scenes and had a Miami agenda. When BA called him out and said Miami can have him for several 1st round picks and Miami’s coach got fired, Brady was stuck with a decision to retire again or play with the Bucs. He played with the Bucs but lost the team and BA chose to step down or was made to step down because of it.
Cancers developed from it on the team festering to this day in my opinion.
December 14th, 2025 at 10:43 am
Blaming the GM for his defensive picks is a joke. It’s Bowles antiquated scheme, system, and coaching style that makes great players look average, good players look bad and average players look horrible.
Had you given Vrabel this same roster, I promise you he would have them at 10 wins right now.
December 14th, 2025 at 11:31 am
I doubt it, Joe. We all knew it was coming.
December 14th, 2025 at 12:36 pm
The GM responsible for the entire team.
If your job is on the line and you finagle a HailMary to get Bruce Arians in here then you also die by that sword.
December 14th, 2025 at 12:58 pm
This is why I don’t put all the blame on Licht for our lack of pass rush… first of all, during his tenure he has only drafted 5 actual pass rushers, 4 of which had the approval of Todd Bowles:
– Noah Spence – very promising rookie year but career ended by injuries.
– JTS – complete bust
– Yaya Diaby – jury still out but he’s looking to be average at best so far
– Braswell – prob a bust but barely plays so who knows
– David Walker – never played yet due to injuries
So looking at those middle 3, we can safely say JTS was absolute bust. Seemed like a terrible pick at the time too IMO. Never liked it.
But with Diaby and Braswell, are they busts or are they just not coached up / developed? Let’s look at Bowles entire coaching history: He has never once developed a pass rushers anywhere he’s been a head coach. Never! And he has them dropping in coverage 30 – 40% of the time, so how the heck are they supposed to be great pass rushers? Make it make sense.
If you want to blame Licht for something, it’s his homerism to overpaying his own draft picks (Winfield, McCollum, etc) and/or not putting aside his I am the man and going after a force like James Pierce. A strong locker room can handle 1 or 2 characters… but clearly we don’t have that, based on the defense just quoting the last 8 weeks.
December 14th, 2025 at 1:25 pm
It’s all getting blown up in 3 weeks. Coaches fired and players being traded.
December 14th, 2025 at 1:57 pm
So long Jason and company. None will be missed
December 14th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
Jason Licht is a career losing GM. Reddick? Teddy? Zyon? No pass rush. No linebackers. Vea is the only players worth anything in the front 7.
THAT’S ALL ON JL. Brady was the de facto GM when he was here and apparently the coach too. Arians, Todd and Jason were all passengers.
If you want to keep any of those pretenders…you hate the Bucs.
December 14th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
The fat lady already got a standing ovation