Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Dolphins
December 28th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
It’s official. The Bucs deserve to be called a bunch of losers.
No matter what happens next weekend against Carolina, the Bucs are guaranteed to finish with a sub-.500 record for the second time under Todd Bowles. Sunday’s 20-17 setback at Miami was a sobering microcosm of everything that has gone awry after a glorious start.
Let’s begin with two interceptions and a lost fumble by Baker Mayfield. Sprinkle in a blocked field goal, costly penalties, another long kickoff return, a string of missed tackles and some sorry mis-communication in the secondary and you have all the ingredients needed for a seventh loss in an 8-week span.
Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes remain alive thanks to the only division in the NFL without a winning team at the top. Because the Seahawks flattened the Panthers in Charlotte, the Bucs will have a chance to “earn’ a postseason berth by beating Carolina at home in the regular-season finale.
Although the Bucs are 3-4 at Raymond James Stadium and happen to be playing awful football, they are favored to extend their playoff streak to six years.
Tampa Bay fans aren’t fooled.
This has been a monumental collapse, right up there with the 10-game losing streak that ended the 2011 season and the 2008 December crash that cost Jon Gruden his job.
The Bucs suddenly look like the third-best team in the state. The Jags are rolling behind former Tampa Bay OC Liam Coen while Miami has won 6-of-9 after a 1-6 getaway.
Don’t be fooled by Mayfield’s final numbers. He completed 33-of-44 passes for 346 yards and two TDs, but he also threw two picks and fumbled when Bradley Chubb posted one of his two sacks.
Yes, the same Bradley Chubb who would have looked good in a Buc uniform at the trade deadline. Instead, Tampa Bay stood pat, figuring the pass rush would improve.
What do you think?
Seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers didn’t have to do much for the Dolphins — but he did enough. What he didn’t do was turn the ball over while throwing for 172 yards and two scores.
One TD was a 63-yard strike to Theo Wease Jr., who just came off Miami’s practice squad this week. Tykee Smith appeared to be caught out of position down the left sidelines as the Dolphins tied the score after Tampa Bay’s impressive opening drive.
Miami went up 17-7 at the half when Ewers found Greg Dulcich open in the end zone. Dulcich, who hadn’t scored a TD since 2022, looked like the second coming of Rob Gronkowski in the opening half with five catches for 58 yards.
A week after playing it conservative at Carolina, Josh Grizzard turned more aggressive, calling only 14 runs in 63 snaps. It didn’t work as Tampa Bay was limited to only 10 points until Mike Evans grabbed a 4-yard scoring pass with a minute left.
For a team that was facing potential elimination, the Bucs failed to demonstrate requisite energy. The Dolphins, playing only for pride, were more physical and more precise.
Here’s how the Bucs fell to 7-9 with a litany of mistakes in all three phases:
* This is not the same Baker Mayfield who generated MVP chatter with a flurry of early-season comebacks. His first interception was underthrown and his second pick was fired into heavy coverage. You could argue he was more effective with his legs than with his arm. That’s never a good thing.
* Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan had seven receptions apiece while each topped 100 receiving yards, but Evans was quiet with three catches for 31 yards on seven targets.
* The Dolphins ran only one kickoff back — but it was a doozy as Malik Washington dashed 47 yards to set up a fourth-quarter FG that put Miami ahead 20-10. At this point, Bowles might as well post a $50,000 fine warning for every kickoff that doesn’t sail well into the end zone.
* The Dolphins overcame 10 penalties of their own for 77 yards. It helps when you rush for 145 yards and contest most of Mayfield’s passes.
* Here’s the tale of woe for Tampa Bay’s eight ensuing possessions after going up 7-0: 3 punts, 3 giveaways, a blocked FG attempt and Chase McLaughlin’s successful 33-yard kick.
* This defense has been abysmal trying to cover running backs in the flat. The Panthers, who averaged only 2.7 yards per snap against Seattle, can’t wait to capitalize.
* Despite what’s on the line, don’t expect a packed house for the regular-season finale. Many Buc fans have checked out, discouraged by sloppy execution and a disturbing lack of energy.
* Swarm to the ball and no loafing … that was Monte Kiffin’s mantra. From 1996-2008, it worked beautifully during most of Kiffin’s tenure in Tampa. Now, it’s an old saying, lost in the past.
* Ewers completed only 14 passes and most were easy throws to wide-open targets. Mayfield didn’t have that luxury as many of his 44 pass attempts were tightly contested. The differences in coverage were stark but not surprising for legions of disillusioned Buc fans.
* How are the Bucs still alive after all the mess they’ve made? You can thank the Panthers, Falcons and Saints for their shared mediocrity. The NFC South has a combined 27-36 record heading into Atlanta’s Monday night matchup against the Rams. Still, the division champ will be at home for the opening playoff round against an opponent with a better record — likely a much better record. Ain’t that a kick in the helmet?
A family-owned Tampa icon since 1960, one mile north of the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.
December 28th, 2025 at 7:44 pm
It is almost over …Can not wait.
December 28th, 2025 at 7:46 pm
Where is the part where you talk about firing Bowles?
December 28th, 2025 at 7:46 pm
Why is it such a secret who the cancers on this team are?!
December 28th, 2025 at 7:47 pm
This team is going nowhere with Bowles and Baker as the leaders. This experiment has run it’s course.
December 28th, 2025 at 7:48 pm
Terrible, gutless, unmotivated and overhyped…everyone screams how talented a squad this is…if this so called talent was there we wouldn’t be 1-7 the last 8 games… we barely beat the Cards who got destroyed by the Bengals
December 28th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
Tell the fans who the cancers are!!
December 28th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
A kick in the helmet? No. It is a swift kick in the nuts. A pouch shot.
The only chance the Bucs have of winning next week is for the Bowel Movement and Grizzard the Lizard to be fired by sunrise tomorrow. Merry Christmas losers!
December 28th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
I’d love to fire Bowles tonight and see what gruden can do with this group for next week.
December 28th, 2025 at 7:53 pm
I’d rather lose out for higher draft picks versus getting blown out the building and getting embarrassed nationally again in the playoffs
December 28th, 2025 at 7:53 pm
Yea the local media needs to call out the players and coaches responsible for this mess. This has to be one of the worst collapses by a team in NFL history. From MVP talk to 5-1 at one point to losing 7 out of 8 games. This disaster didn’t just happen. Everyone responsible needs to be fired. Us fans support the team with viewership, going to games and spending money on merchandise. We deserve answers.
December 28th, 2025 at 7:54 pm
I just DO NOT have confidence in the Bucs winning this game. There hasn’t been any energy with the Bucs for the past 3 weeks. The only thing that interest me with the up coming Panthers game is draft position. Even if we win and make the playoffs I don’t see them going any further than that first game So with a win they could draft around 15 or 16. With the lost somewhere around 12 or 13
December 28th, 2025 at 7:57 pm
It’s time for a total roster reset. Goodbye Bowles and Licht. And all you licht lovers please look at his draft picks year over year and ask who is a game breaker – and is still on the roster. Yes he won a SB but a lot of the fire power only came to play with TB 12
December 28th, 2025 at 7:58 pm
I made the mistake of choosing to watch the game today over playing a round of golf. I won’t make that mistake next weekend
December 28th, 2025 at 7:58 pm
There is a large part of me that hopes the stadium is half empty yet those fans give Bowles he!! – then we get blown out just to ensure the door slamming on the coaching staff’s tenure here.
But as a fan from day one and a life long Tampanian, I would love to see our Bucs catch fire and win the SB. I’d also like to have $1B fall from the sky.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:00 pm
I don’t see any reason for anyone to go to next weeks game or buy tickets for next season
December 28th, 2025 at 8:01 pm
Ira, you mentioned monumental collapse of 2011 under head coach Raheem Morris. Ten straight losses to end the season by an average margin of 17. There is a good chance the Falcons will launch him after his second straight failed (go figure) season. Think he might be a suitable replacement for Bowel Movement Bowles?
December 28th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
When did our guys stop playing for each other? It seemed like something was lost during the bye week. What happened to our high character people?
I understand why the NFC South is disrespected. We were supposed to be the class of the division.
I still love my Bucs.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:03 pm
Ira, thank you. And, thanks for any help you might contribute to get Jason Licht and Glazer family to understand that a coaching change MUST happen after the final loss next weekend. For all the reasons you listed above and for finishing 1-8 over their last 9 games.
Pitiful. Bowles is accountable. Make him own it.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:04 pm
Baker has now single handedly lost 4 games in a row with 1st place in the division on the line. FOUR!
He’s coming off a day where he turned the ball over 3 times, and only a garbage time TD saved him from having a 13-point day.
Everyone is whining about Bowles, but if Baker is just middling the last month, the Bucs literally win all four games.
The problem is all on Baker, if he was even half the QB he was last year, the Bucs have already wrapped up the division.
That is a fact, and that is the headline story.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:06 pm
Paging Jason Licht…Jason Licht…please report to Human Resources…thank you.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:06 pm
Johnnythemoon, I agree, it will all be over soon. I too can’t wait to at least find out who has been these bad apples with the team lately and what direction the team is headed.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:08 pm
Baker Mayfield sucks and the defense as well.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:09 pm
Jason Licht if you have any decency and truly care about fixing this mess of a team you helped put together and with your failed GM job…..bring Chris Shula as the HC from the rams and let him bring any of the Offensive minds/coaches to assemble his staff.
Bucs are the worst Defensive team, they have no creativity on offense and are boring to watch. And for gods sake fire the special teams coaches. How much worse can it get.
This team is done, they are by far and clearly the worst team in the NFL and are knocking on the worst collapse in the NFL this year. What a joke.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:12 pm
Timon Says:
December 28th, 2025 at 8:08 pm
Baker Mayfield sucks and the defense as well.
——-
If your offense can’t score 21 points, you’re not going to win many games, in particular when you turn it over three times.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:13 pm
Enough with the draft picks. Our GM is above average at drafting and has no understanding of how free agency works and who to bring. What’s the point of picks if they result in mediocre players
Look at the rams.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:13 pm
Time to clean house. Licht should not be exempt.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:15 pm
Feel bad for the fans that traveled down (my son being one) that had to watch garbage football, once again! It’s perfectly clear that this coaching regime has lost this locker room!
Should be clear to ownership what needs to be done! Clean house!
December 28th, 2025 at 8:19 pm
The cancer is the players who are taking advantage of the legal betting system. I have no doubts. I’ve never seen so much pathetic play they’re not even trying. I’m disgusted.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:22 pm
Defense Rules posted along time ago that most of the time the difference in a football game is that one or the other team beats themselves. The Sage posted awhile back, I believe on a podcast he predicted that this will probably go down to the last weekend and 8-9 could win it. You guys are smart.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:23 pm
I’ll be at the game Sunday. I’m a fan. Good or bad.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:25 pm
Fans have ZERO reasons to pay good money and waste time and effort to go to Ray J and see this sorry arse team play.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:25 pm
It’ll be true to form to:
Win the division by squeaking by Carolina
Pulling off an out-of-nowhere upset in the WC
Coming out flat and getting boat-raced in the divisional
That’ll probably buy at least a “short leash” for the coaching staff, but does not change the fact that we desperately need help at ILB, depth on the OL and most especially some semblance of a pass rush.
That said, I do think our issues are 30% mental mistakes / execution and 70% play calling on both sides of the ball.
Why not relentlessly blitz a rookie 3rd string 7th rounder?
Why not sling go routes on every series?
December 28th, 2025 at 8:26 pm
Bottom line: we win next week, and we are in the playoffs. Panthers can say the same. The NFL loves it. Competition for the fourth seed between two teams with, shall we say, less than perfect records gives hope to all the fans whose teams never seem Super Bowl ready. Getting eyes glued to the screens down to the last minute of the last weekend and popping their bets online has got to make the runners of whatever machine Pro Football has become very happy. The winning losing team will not be a “loser” but an “underdog,” ginning up interest in the worst matchups in the playoffs. I’m not saying it’s fixed, but when the computers spat out this year’s schedule, a Panthers at Bucs finale looked like a dog, but now it’s a national must-see. It’s the way the system is supposed to work, but rarely does. Parity Triumphant!
As for the Bucs’ wrong way turnaround, check the schedule: downhill at first; uphill, second half. Their first half record was good enough to wake up the second half teams to take them seriously and prepare seriously, rather than treat them as an easy W.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:30 pm
Over and out. F them and F the NFL
December 28th, 2025 at 8:32 pm
Upstate NY you said what I did a few weeks ago and I really hated saying it: does the NFL have a problem. 3 teams this year were cruising at their bye weeks, Bucs, Colts and Patriots. Colts are out of the playoffs as of last night, the Bucs may as well be and the Patriots have been in a bad losing streak. Now the other end of the spectrum, Houston which beat great odds to win the division, shows what real heart is, Seattle, Bears, 49’ers with all their injuries. There are more than a few common denominators.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:32 pm
BAKED
AND
BOWLED
CLEAN OVEN AND FLUSH TOILET
December 28th, 2025 at 8:35 pm
Watch Daddy: Boat raced, LOL yeah like 2 submarines full of seamen if ya get my drift.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:36 pm
Any article that doesn’t mention the eminent demise of the HC is lacking journalistic integrity.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:36 pm
Clean Oven (Baker)
Flush toilet (Bowles)
December 28th, 2025 at 8:36 pm
It would be far easier to watch an undertalented but hard working and well-coached team go 7-9 than it is to watch this mess
December 28th, 2025 at 8:39 pm
Yeah, Tykee missed on the initial tackle, BUT it was MORRISON’S piss poor effort, combined with Winfield Junior (nowhere in the entire screen AGAIN, and terribly misplaying it), is what turned it into a 63-YARD TOUCHDOWN. Versus only a 5-10 yard gain. Watch it again! Ira is 💯 CORRECT… They are a buncha LOSERS. And, it ALL starts at the very TOP. If they continue to CHOOSE Lickt and Bowles for even ‘one-more’ season, then they will only further prove this. LOSERS have LOSER mentalities. We need a ‘REAL’ GM, and entirely new direction, with brand new leadership at the top, IMMEDIATELY. The longer they wait, the more they will continue looking like FOOLS, and LOSING fans to the WINNING’ Cohen led JAGS. And, don’t think for even a MINUTE, that it hasn’t already started. Because, it HAS (and they’ll prob be playing anywhere at least, between 6-9+ GAMES ‘IN’ ORLANDO, while their stadium is being renovated SOON) Just a total embarrassment. It’s time to cut ties, and MOVE-ON. NOW. It’s OVER. DONE. The longer they wait, only the worse it GETS.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:40 pm
ira posted why someone will get fired. a win and your in playoff game but dont expect a big crowd. bowles, licht or both?
December 28th, 2025 at 8:41 pm
Ira, grow some nads and call out this awful coaching staff! Bowels is a terrible DC, Grizzard is a terrible OC and don’t even get me started on the Special Teams coach.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:45 pm
Ira is the chief pansy who won’t talk about firing Bowles openly
December 28th, 2025 at 8:48 pm
So I guess the Brady effect has officially left the building…
December 28th, 2025 at 8:49 pm
Go away Ira. I do not like this team or your ‘sage’ baloney
December 28th, 2025 at 8:51 pm
Bears just jumped a Purdy pass for a pick six. Bakers turnovers did lose today’s game. Bad pass to JMac. Physical, not mental, error. Great play by DB on second pick, these guys are good. Strip sack, things happen. I’m feeling like Bijan Robinson probably goes off on MNF tomorrow. Seems like maybe this team gets it together and beats the Panthers next week. And it won’t matter as Atlanta finishes 8-9 also. Maybe not. The only positive thing about today’s game? Did you guys see Baker, Mike, and Chris walking onto the field with 2 minutes to play from our 8 yard line. 90% of Bucs fans were screaming why are they still in the game?!! Down 20-10? Fire Bowles! No, those 4 weren’t about to quit. Then I read Joe’s article about Lavonte and the other article about Godwin. Those 2 are as focused about not quitting as those other 4. That was the positive news. As well as JMac and Chris getting better quick. If Tristan is back next week, and somehow the Falcons can suck tomorrow night, we might win the division next week. And if Kancey came back the next week who knows. But really I think this team just doesn’t have what it takes. And Munch, wouldn’t hurt to go take a dump. Because you’re full of shlt.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:51 pm
Look, it would take a miracle for the Glazers to fire both head coach AND GM, AINT HAPPENING!!! YOU”RE PROBABLY GONNA HAVE TO SETTLE FOR BOWLES AND HIS STAFF getting let go in bulk.GM’s are almost always the last
ones to get let go.
The best thing to hope for is that the Glazers put the GM on notice “do a better job” drafting and don’t be afraid to pick up a few more free agents if it looks like we could use them to make a run at least get to the championship, either NFC or superbowl, even this season i felt like we were kind of playing with house money pulling out all those early season wins.
In closing, hope that we get an overall better coaching staff, and draft better quality players.
December 28th, 2025 at 8:53 pm
@ BucsFan81 Says: “Yea the local media needs to call out the players and coaches responsible for this mess. This has to be one of the worst collapses by a team in NFL history. From MVP talk to 5-1 at one point to losing 7 out of 8 games. This disaster didn’t just happen. Everyone responsible needs to be fired. Us fans support the team with viewership, going to games and spending money on merchandise. We deserve answers.”
THIS is 💯 TRUE. Yeah, I believe it has been long past time now, that THIS local group of “MEDIA” starts calling some people out and holding them accountable. And, this includes Ira, Joe, T-Krass, and ALL OF ‘EM, who have continued to handle them with kid gloves, while constantly making EXCUSES for them, and talking out ‘both sides’ of their mouths. GLAZERS. LICKT. BOWLES. I mean, you THINK the local medias in Philly, NYC, Chicago, & etc. would continue being THIS WEAK!? Yah, I didn’t think so! Heads gotta roll. The BIG HEADS. 💯
December 28th, 2025 at 8:53 pm
And h4e Bucs imploded with a mighty crash
Fans on the run
December 28th, 2025 at 8:55 pm
The moderator wondered where they all went
As they carshed in to the Sun
Fans on the run
December 28th, 2025 at 9:00 pm
Ewers to Wease, TD?! Gimme a break.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:02 pm
Lickt isn’t even a ‘real’ GM. He is nothing but a total “Yes-Man,” with ZERO talent, or skills at ANYTHING to do with being a GM. Period. Cannot evaluate TALENT. Has NO instincts. Too SCARED and WEAK to be able to pull the trigger on ANY ‘meaningful’ moves, and the ones he does make are complete DISASTERS, like HIM. It’s a total FLAWED SYSTEM. Whatever ‘HE thinks’ that system IS!? It’s total HORSE MANURE. And, it REALLY STINKS. It’s all been nothing but a BUNCH of BS and all “Smoke and Mirrors.” He’s got to GO. What an embarrassment. You people CHOSE BOWLES.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:07 pm
the local media who get to interview bucs players and coaches are always the last to talk bad about the team. the observant fans called it out. there were posters on here who believed the fake positive reporting but they have finally come around
December 28th, 2025 at 9:08 pm
GM’s just do NOT survive THIS anywhere else, ESPECIALLY one who is now 92-104 throughout his 12-YEAR Career. It. Is. OVERRRRRR.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:09 pm
The entire team in shambles in all areas. Time for Bowles to go. In no way Gruden is answer. It’s already proven he can’t handle quiters.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:10 pm
JASON LICHT IS A CAREER LOSER.
HE FLAT OUT SUCKS. HE IS WEARING BRADY’S SB ring.
He is a fraud.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:12 pm
@ Kenton Smith Says: “Defense Rules posted along time ago that most of the time the difference in a football game is that one or the other team beats themselves. The Sage posted awhile back, I believe on a podcast he predicted that this will probably go down to the last weekend and 8-9 could win it. You guys are smart.”
EVERYONE fricken knew that! Seriously, WHO DIDN’T!? Only the delusional, I suppose.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:13 pm
They just said the 49’ers are last in the league in sacks and no Fred Warner. They are 11-4 and in the NFC West, Bowles has no excuse for such a horrible defense. Don’t tell me it’s the players
December 28th, 2025 at 9:15 pm
@ FrontFour Says: “I’ll be at the game Sunday. I’m a fan. Good or bad.”
Aww, well, good for you. Those will be some CHEAP TIX for a Division Title Game.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:15 pm
I’d say there is a 99% chance Licht will be back as GM next season. The Glazer’s aren’t going to throw the GM off the pirate ship five years after they won a Super Bowl and then brought the team back the following year giving them a chance to go back to back.
The roster is obviously far from perfect, but he had to build it as best he could while digging the team out of salary cap hell.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:18 pm
POSITIVES
1. Godwin and Mac looked GREAT!
2. SVC and Vea played with passion.
NEGATIVES
1. Baker ain’t it. Draft a QB.
2. The entire coaching staff is terrible. Not just Bowles. If Licht doesn’t recognize this then he should be gone, too.
REFLECTION
1. Today made me appreciate TB12 even more. He is the reason we won a SB.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:24 pm
Munch isn’t wrong about these games being Baker’s fault. If you CAN’T score more than 20-POINTS with all THESE weapons as a Starting-QB… Then, that’s on YOU. Bottomline, as THE Starting-QB. It is what it is. There’s no other way to sugar coat it. Baker has been AWFUL.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:30 pm
Here are 3 clear, recent-weeks-focused reasons the Bucs should move on from both Todd Bowles and Baker Mayfield — no long history required:
1. Bowles’ defense has collapsed when it matters most
This is supposed to be his calling card — and yet the last few weeks have featured:
-Soft zone on critical downs
-No in-game adjustments once offenses figure it out
-Repeated late-game drives allowed with the season on the line
If your head coach is a defensive guru and the defense is consistently unclutch, that’s a fatal flaw.
2. Mayfield’s ceiling shows up under pressure
Baker’s been gritty, but the last few weeks have exposed the same issue he’s had everywhere:
-Inconsistent accuracy when defenses tighten up
-Turnovers or near-turnovers at the worst possible moments
-Unable to elevate the offense when the run game stalls
He can win with things going right — he doesn’t win when things go wrong.
3. The team feels stuck in neutral
The most damning thing lately isn’t blowouts — it’s mediocrity:
-Bowles coaches not to lose, not to win
-Baker is good enough to avoid bottoming out, not good enough to scare anyone
-Young talent isn’t being maximized, just managed
That combo is how teams get trapped in 7–10 / 9–8 purgatory forever.
Bottom line:
Bowles + Baker equals barely competent, boring, and capped.
If the Bucs want a real reset instead of another year of “almost,” the last few weeks made the answer obvious.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:31 pm
@ BucsFanSince1996 – that just sounds like more BS excuses to me. He is what he is. Wake-up. I guess, you FULLY supported keeping Bowles over Cohen too, because THEY said so!
December 28th, 2025 at 9:33 pm
There is no question that Todd Bowles has football knowledge yet he would not be able to beat me in a game of checkers just because of the simple fact that I’m competitive and I just want it more and this is the attitude that it’s needed to win a football championship here; this cancer has been carried around for years now and drove off talented offensive coordinators at a drop of a hat. Now the players have given up the ship since the New Orleans debacle. Fire him now, draft a QB to develop and focus on the future.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:35 pm
If the Glazers retain LICKT, then they are unserious and have turned into Jerry Jones, just wanting a “Yes-Man.” Seriously, there is no other reason that makes any sense. The guy isn’t a ‘REAL’ GM. Not in the modern day standards of one.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:36 pm
So what do the owners do now ? They need a new coach that will work with Jason and rebuild the roster. What if Jason gets fired ? What if Jason and the new coach don’t share the same philosophy or just don’t get along ? It’s a mess. Who would want the job ? It’s a risky career move. The owners have had to scrape the bottom of the barrel before and we recall what they got. What about Baker ? I don’t see a young guy lining up for this. This is more than just a team that needs talent and a new coach. The stench has to be all through One Buc. They need someone with experience and is desperate enough to take on a disaster. Who would that be ? My money is on the head of the FFA.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:38 pm
OOOPS I meant to type FFCA.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:41 pm
If it weren’t for Brady, Licht would have been fired years ago. Not pulling the trigger at the trade deadline was simple arrogance. He is okay at certain position groups but flat out awful at others (defense line, edge, linebackers). If he gets retained, he should be told to hire someone who can scout from seven defensive talent.
Coaching is, of course, an absolute disgrace. Bottom five coaching on defense, worst special teams coaching in the NFL, bottom ten offensive coaching. There is no fixing this team with this coaching staff. Can’t fire the whole team, coaching change is the only way. Great owners who have had down years don’t tolerate this crap (Patriots, Eagles).
December 28th, 2025 at 9:45 pm
Here’s the issue with being in the “murky middle” (and bad division) several years going: you’re drafting, what 15-20ish every year? You’re not getting a QB there in a weak class.
Who is going to be available in free agency? Mac Jones? Danny Dimes? Gardner Minshew?
Get an ILB, draft a guard, also ign the best available FA guard. Double dip again on the DBs.
Empty the bank for the best available edge – and forget being concerned whether or not he’s a “nice guy”.
“I Ain’t That Guy”
December 28th, 2025 at 9:47 pm
Rod Munch Says:
December 28th, 2025 at 8:04 pm
Baker has now single handedly lost 4 games in a row with 1st place in the division on the line. FOUR!
Rod Munch Says:
December 28th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
How about a QB that doesn’t single handedly lose you four games in a row, that would help.
Rod Munch Says:
December 28th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Baker has literally single handedly lost 4 games in a row.
Rod Munch Says:
December 28th, 2025 at 5:20 pm
I’m telling you, if players ripped into Baker for loses these games, it would be by far the best thing for the team
December 28th, 2025 at 9:49 pm
Found it interesting that Lavonte said no players only meeting will he happening. Too many players checked out mentally it appears. When the messengers message holds no weight, it’s easy to tune out. “Trust me guys, just do what I tell you to do and we’ll have success – I know what I’m doing”. Oh yeah coach, then why are we ranked as one of the worst defenses in the league after 16 games? I guess us players all just stupid huh?
Time to pack your bags coach. Sorry – it’s just business.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:53 pm
Licht and Bowles both got extensions in the offseason. They aren’t both getting fired.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:54 pm
MelvinJunior Says:
@ BucsFanSince1996 – that just sounds like more BS excuses to me. He is what he is. Wake-up. I guess, you FULLY supported keeping Bowles over Cohen too, because THEY said so!
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You’re right, @MelvinJunior, He is what he is. He’s a GM who built a team that won the Super Bowl five years ago. It sounds like you’re the one who needs to wake up.
Your claim that THEY decided to keep Bowles over Coen is pure, unadulterated BS. They got Coen’s agreement to stay on as the highest-paid OC in the NFL, but he then went back on his word.
December 28th, 2025 at 9:55 pm
The Glazers will never fire Jason Licht because he executes the Glazers “penny pinching” plans to perfection! 👌
December 28th, 2025 at 10:00 pm
rocket Says:
If it weren’t for Brady, Licht would have been fired years ago.
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If it weren’t for Licht, who built a talented roster and hired Arians, one of the best head coaches of our generation, Brady never would have come here.
December 28th, 2025 at 10:03 pm
“Told You Says:
December 28th, 2025 at 8:45 pm
Ira is the chief pansy who won’t talk about firing Bowles openly“
Unfortunately, I believe you have just coined Ira’s new nickname – Chief Pansy.
December 28th, 2025 at 10:04 pm
7-10 is coming
December 28th, 2025 at 10:05 pm
I doubt either get launched. It’s very normal to imagine ownership agreeing that we had (obvious) injury issues at every level on both sides of the ball and still either “won the division” or “were in it until the last game of the season”.
Five losses since the dreaded bye have been by one score, including a franchise-record four in a row. Owners are aware that usually comes back to the median – in fact, that’s the season – we won them all early this year and not so lucky lately.
With our current QB room, I think we’d be 2-14 without Mayfield, and of course that’s a different story. Grizzard could be the fall guy, but his numbers overall are better than Canales, so they’re likely to default to patience.
We might hate that as fans, but that’s how owners evaluate.
December 28th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
If the Bucs stayed with Jameis for five years, they will tolerate Baker for at least one more.
December 28th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
So what you’re saying is that we need to lose 38 to 10 against the Panthers next week.
December 28th, 2025 at 10:14 pm
TheBucsAnthem Says:
The Glazers will never fire Jason Licht because he executes the Glazers “penny pinching” plans to perfection! 👌
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What evidence do you have that the Glazers have “penny pinching” plans?
(I’ll save you time. There IS no evidence.
The Glazers laid out tens of millions of dollars in cash over and above the salary cap back in the 2021 season to keep the core of the team together that had won the Super Bowl the year before.
December 28th, 2025 at 10:15 pm
I do think a blowout might be the straw.
We beat Seattle on the road.
Seattle just held Carolina to 54 yards passing.
If that kid even Panthers fans do not want lights us up again, emotions might boil over in the suite.
December 28th, 2025 at 10:15 pm
MelvinJunior, can’t say I’m delusional. You made a remark that “ you don’t score 20 points as an NFL QB then that’s on you”. You had it in ALL CAPS. Philly and Buffalo played today. Josh Allen lost to Jalen Hurts 13-12. Those QBs must suck. Football is a team game MelvinJunior. Coaching, offense, defense, and special teams. For a variety of reasons we just haven’t put it together this year. Baker has been sucking- he also almost had his head ripped off on a sack attempt and somehow managed to get loose and make a positive play. He didn’t lose all these games. The whole team has done it.
December 28th, 2025 at 10:16 pm
I was listening to the coin toss while driving to watch the game at a friend’s house. You could hear the dolphins players talking trash, something that usually is not done during a coin toss and seems like amateur hour. But, in retrospect, I would like to see the Bucs players care enough to actually talk trash. They look like a bunch of guys who secretly no longer care, but who say all the right things and try to act like they care in public……but, you can’t hide it on the field.
December 28th, 2025 at 10:36 pm
Jaguars are 12-4.
Just sayin’
December 28th, 2025 at 11:23 pm
Thank you Ira for finally coming clean on this team. BA stressed accountability and there is none of that with this team. I wonder if the teams mentality would be different had they fired the special teams coach after all his failures like McVay did in LA. It starts at the top.
December 28th, 2025 at 11:37 pm
Would the Bucs even belong on the same field as the 49ers or Bears? It’s like they’re playing in a different dimension!
December 29th, 2025 at 12:47 am
“Here’s the tale of woe for Tampa Bay’s eight ensuing possessions after going up 7-0: 3 punts, 3 giveaways, a blocked FG attempt and Chase McLaughlin’s successful 33-yard kick.”
This is disgraceful.
December 29th, 2025 at 12:49 am
The Glazers and JL have work to do this offseason. If they don’t pull the cord, gou can bet players have already checked out for next season and don’t eexpect anything better.
December 29th, 2025 at 1:10 am
You Baker haters including Rod Munch are a bunch of idiots. Whoare you gong to get to replace Baker if you have your way? You’re not getting Burrows or Dak Prescott (who wouldn’t be an improvement)? Yeah you can get Rob Munch’s dream date, Kyle Trask. You people are so stupid you would quit a job when you don’t have another job lined up.