“They’re Too Flatlined”
December 25th, 2025
The annual Bucs swoon under Todd Bowles should not be written off as bad luck.
In fact, it’s become part of the team’s identity.
Joe hates that reality, but there’s no escaping it. If you believe in leadership, then the only conclusion is the leadership fails the Bucs each year.
Bucco Bruce Arians often said good teams don’t lose two games in a row. Well, the Bucs have multiple three game losing streaks this season, and they lost four in a row in 2023 and 2024. They had one three-game slide in 2022, all with Todd Bowles as head coach.
Retired defensive end Chris Long, who has a couple of Super Bowl rings, often dives deep on the Bucs during his Green Light podcast.
He sees patterns with the Bucs not playing their best football when called upon to do so.
Long points to the Bucs having “sh*t down their leg* during last season’s playoff game, and their performances late in 2024.
“They were undisciplined down the stretch. There were games they were not ready to play,’ Long said. “That Dallas game, they were not ready to play. That New Orleans game, they were not ready to play. They let Washington do exactly what Washington wanted to do. I know what Washington wanted to do; Washington wanted to possess the football and go on long drives and tire [the Bucs] out. And they did it. That shouldn’t be a team that can outphysical you.”
Nowadays, Long sees a Bucs team that has mental problems.
“You keep banking on them wanting it more, like wanting it more will make them play to a level of detail that they haven’t,” Long said. “But it’s like they’re too flatlined. Like nothing really pushes them to elevate their play. I think they got to stop feeling sorry for themselves and pulls their fuc*’n heads out of their asses and realize you win two games, you’re going to go to the playoffs.”
Still, Long thinks the Bucs can win the NFC South and win a playoff game. He thinks they are talented enough to go that far. But he’s not confident because of their history. “When they get unwell, they don’t come back quick,” he said.
Long is not high on Bowles’ performance and feels like the Bucs might have missed the boat by not hiring Dave Canales or Liam Coen to replace him. And now they don’t have that in-house option to maintain a level of continuity.
“[Josh] Grizzard isn’t the next thing, so now you’re sitting here with your thumb up your ass,” Long said. “More of the same.”
December 25th, 2025 at 8:52 am
One familiar compliment of Bowles is that he’s so even keel, never gets too low when things are bad, or too high when things are good. Chris Long’s comments here suggest there may be a flip side to that coin which is not so good : Bowles’ teams can’t get up for big games
December 25th, 2025 at 8:53 am
I Bet Bruce Arians will come back and whip these guys in to shape if we asked him, Id be down for it. Him or Vance Joseph
Suck to say cause I was rooting for Todd Hard to succeed
December 25th, 2025 at 9:12 am
I feel like they’ll let Todd slide because of the injuries. But will make him revamp his staff.
December 25th, 2025 at 9:16 am
It’s difficult to evaluate GRIZZARD because most of the injuries occurred on the offensive side.
How good is he. If he had less injuries would he’s offense performed better. Mayfield play has been effected by his shoulder injury.
Is Bowles influencing GRIZZARDGs play decisions? So many what ifs. We need to trust Jason Licht. He’s one of the better GM’s. We will have a better understanding in these last 2 games.
It’s wait and see.
December 25th, 2025 at 9:45 am
nothing else has worked to score points so freaking open up the offense!! fun and gun
December 25th, 2025 at 10:23 am
With very few exceptions over the last fifty years ( bringing in Brady and placing key pieces in support of him being one notable exception), the Bucs have demonstrated one core philosophy that they follow religiously:
INDECISION IS THE KEY TO FLEXIBILITY!!!
December 25th, 2025 at 10:25 am
He’s 100% correct.
Of sure, they’re just now in week 17 going to wake up and decide to not play like a**?
#BUCSLIFE
December 25th, 2025 at 10:52 am
Allen Lofton, I said the same thing in the last post, along with Thad Lewis, who we really don’t know much about, I think Grizz could have it. He just looks “handcuffed’? Not sure. Licht needs to hit on a FA or 2 that can mean something, of course, all things have to pan out as well. Trading and FA’s are always tricky. One thing Licht cannot do this year is ignore what Long, Joe, and the rest of the football world has seen and that is the mid-year swoons. I’ve always said that coach’s coach and players play but at some point there has to be a pin point reason for this happening, and it looks like it falls on Bowles shoulders as the head coach. That happening is just unsustainable for a successful season.
December 25th, 2025 at 10:58 am
Lewi Says. Arians coming back?
Don’t Think so, not at age73 and with a bum heart
December 25th, 2025 at 11:09 am
Flatline coach equals flatline players – the players lack of effort and focus the past 3 games screams of a group that has lost faith in its leadership
He has 2 games to salvage it
December 25th, 2025 at 11:22 am
Who the heck would want Vance Joseph? He is a clone of Toilet Bowles. Get out of here with that crap. We saw him as a head coach already and it wasn’t pretty. He is a d coordinator and nothing more. We need an offensive minded coach and a solid d coordinator. I don’t want a retread like Gruden or Joseph. I want someone like the Rams offensive coordinator or someone else proven on that side of the ball.
December 25th, 2025 at 11:48 am
Long makes good points. The candor by Todd at the podium after the Falcons game is the exact frustration the fans feel. These are the same guys, they are not playing any new defense or offense, they are super talented, so why the heck are tackles being missed, and receivers wide open, and running backs hitting the wrong holes, and receivers running the wrong routes or the quarterback missing wide open receivers, or veteran offensive lineman making bonehead plays… and on top of it they are all professionals. At this point, they have made it far enough to show that they have self motivation.
you don’t go on a red hot tear and then a dead cold plummet, and it all be on the head coach. these players need to start playing better because right now it is them that are losing these games
Merry Christmas! Always a fan of the site Joe’s.
this season is not over. We are getting a thrilling finish. Let’s go Bucs!
December 25th, 2025 at 12:18 pm
“More of the same.”
That says it all, and that’s what all fans know is coming next season.
December 25th, 2025 at 12:26 pm
“When they get unwell, they don’t come back quick,” – bingo
December 25th, 2025 at 12:54 pm
I think we need to trade for David Njoku – he’s in a contract year, and can be had for a 4th or 5th rounder. He would replace Otten and be an upgrade. Then we need to get Culp on the field more in passing situations, along with Durham.
We need to draft Sonny Styles – trade up if you need to – he’s the next Lavonte David.
Finally, re-sign Dean. And draft another guard at some point.
I can even live with keeping Bowles (hear me out) but hire a DC to help him. I think Grizzard will work out if we can stay healthy.
December 25th, 2025 at 1:02 pm
Common theme seems to be that we are always out-coached in big games and consistently coaching fails us because Bowles puts a very clear limit on this team.
December 25th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Thank you for this acknowledgement of Bowles consistent mid season losing habits ! It wrecks this team every year ! Bowles is not going to achieve the success that Buc nation craves !