Todd Bowles Has No Answers
December 31st, 2025
Befuddled.
Joe is not sure how many Bucs fans had a chance to watch Todd Bowles’ press conference yesterday from One Buc Palace. He might only have two more.
Bowles looked like a beaten man. Like he’s in the same mindset of many Bucs fans, thinking, ‘Let’s get this season over with and turn the page.’
Bowles was asked if he has tried anything different in practices to get his players to snap out of it.
Saturday, if the Bucs don’t win, it’s over.
At least if they beat Carolina, they have a chance at the playoffs as the slimy Saints must then beat the Dixie Chicks to open the playoff gates for the Bucs.
Banking on the slimy Saints. What has this football world come to?
Bowles said he’s tried so many different ways to get his team motivated and to focus.
“We’ve all talked and said everything,” Bowles said, repeating what he said weeks ago. “We can do everything we want to do – we’ve practiced early, we’ve practiced later. We’ve [done] certain drills and have done certain things.
“We just have to do what we do better.”
Maybe this do-or-die situation will motivate players? Almost every week since the bye, either Baker Mayfield or Lavonte David (twice) or Bowles (twice) has unloaded on the team for playing half-arsed. It sure hasn’t worked.
Maybe these guys still have a little bit of pride left and don’t want to be embarrassed yet again on national television. Maybe.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:03 am
Or they already know, because of the script. That’s the only explanation for their seemingly indifferent behavior. None of them have acted like this isn’t normal
December 31st, 2025 at 9:03 am
The team has shut down since losing
Liam Coen last year!
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
Vita Via needs to be traded for whatever
He has hit his wall and is declining quickly
December 31st, 2025 at 9:03 am
The offensive coordinators move on because they know he’s a low iq carrot
December 31st, 2025 at 9:04 am
Why did you remove my comment Joe?
December 31st, 2025 at 9:05 am
It’s scripted, that’s why they’re acting so indifferent
December 31st, 2025 at 9:06 am
Because it’s true?
December 31st, 2025 at 9:06 am
Bowles got to go
December 31st, 2025 at 9:08 am
Vita Via has lost his mojo, and its not because his double teamed.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:13 am
I honestly think the Def has quit because they are not sacking the QB. The “almost” sacks are not cutting it and the pass D is getting torched. The D is tired and beaten down. Baker is injured and is slowing the Offense. 3rd and 28 !! 4th and 14 !!!
December 31st, 2025 at 9:15 am
When you look around and see guys quit around you or just not playing well as much as you try to keep it out of your mind doubts creep into your head about why am I trying so hard and it can effect your play, it’s only natural, which is the “cancer” you want to keep out of the locker room. And after fighting it you can definitely say F it.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:17 am
Nope, Bowles has no answers.
And even if he did, would the team listen and buy in at this point?
The players hear all the talk and are all over social media. They know they are playing for a coach that is having little success at this time and may not be here next season.
I really do believe that Bowles is a good man and tries and works hard to do his best.
However, the NFL is a business and in the business world if you are not performing your job properly or successfully you are replaced.
And sometimes you find yourself in a position that you are just not qualified for.
It is definitely time for the Glazers to make a change.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:18 am
Unfortunately, the Bucs have reached the limit of what can be done with the combination of talent and coaching they have.
Bowles’ shortcomings will cost a lot of people their jobs, not just him. The players that have “quiet quit” on him will find the legacy of tape they have left behind an impairment to their goals. The Bucs have some hard choices to make about many players.
Bowles is a good guy, but he embodies the definition of failure: when your very best just isn’t good enough.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:20 am
Anything short of a SB win will Fire Bowles and that ain’t happening.
Bucs fans should cheer to win Saturday and for the Saints to beat the Falcons.
If Bucs make playoffs, any given Sunday.
Bowles still gets fired after another mid-season collapse that his offense was too injured to cover up his terrible defense.
Bowles is gone
December 31st, 2025 at 9:20 am
“Baker Mayfield has unloaded on the team for playing half-arsed. It sure hasn’t worked.”
Isn’t that precious. The QB who throws INT’s to grasp defeat out of the jaws of victory unloads on his teammates. The only person that Bakers needs to unload on is himself.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:21 am
Looks like a beaten man? Good . Maybe he’s been beaten enough to do us a favor and just retire.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:28 am
If they can’t be motivated repeatedly to win when they control their own destiny, who thinks they’ll be more motivated when they have to both win and depend on someone else to win too? Nobody. The Dolphins game was reality talking.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:29 am
Why is it that whenever I see a picture of Bowles, I’m feel inspired to change?
December 31st, 2025 at 9:31 am
Many of us saw this when he was hired. Just like many of us saw what a disaster Baker would be.
Your resume always speaks for you in the NFL. Arians and Brady had success with other franchises and were winners so it was reasonable to expect they would win here, and they did.
They were winners despite excuses and injuries and whatever else.
Now look at Bowles and Baker. No success anywhere they’ve been in the NFL at their respective positions. So it was reasonable to expect they’d be losers here. And of course, thats what they’ve done.
Its not complicated. It was worth a shot I guess. Its blatantly obvious that your team is only as good as it’s leadership and the leadership is bad right now.
Time for a change.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:33 am
dey collect dar paychecks get ready for that jan bahama or cancun vaccay golf clubs check lil yachteys rented check they are checked out and have secrets that cant leave cancun
December 31st, 2025 at 9:33 am
Bucs fans need to get a life. There is more to being alive than football. It’s only a game. In the total scheme of things it means nothing. Put it in perspective. Be grateful for whatever love you have in your life. Make a resolution to be kinder and more grateful for the love that is in your life.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:39 am
The cover 2 defense here looks as confused as Bowles in the 2 minute drill
December 31st, 2025 at 9:40 am
Fire Todd
December 31st, 2025 at 9:42 am
I just hope he answers the phone when Team Glazer calls!
December 31st, 2025 at 9:51 am
His downfall was when he ” Low-ball” Kyle Trask
He went all in with Baker Mayfield,
And Mayfield is playing like the trash QB he is
See Ya Todd,
December 31st, 2025 at 9:52 am
What a confusing mess.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:53 am
Maybe? Probably not. If they had any pride we would have seen it recently.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:53 am
The scheme, coaching and the players they have at certain positions aren’t good enough right now.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:54 am
How absolutely lost is this team when you’re changing practice times as some sort
of solution?
Really?
December 31st, 2025 at 10:04 am
Arians did. Seemed to work for him.
December 31st, 2025 at 10:07 am
If it’s true the Bucs rarely ever have actual practices and just do “walk-throughs”, no wonder they look so terrible.
December 31st, 2025 at 10:25 am
This team at this point under Bowles just looks stale
December 31st, 2025 at 10:26 am
Here’s an idea coach, why didn’t you cut the dumb SOB who head butted someone on a kickoff. The penalty cost the Bucs 15 yards and ended in a field goal to lose the game. You want to send a message to your players? Do something real stupid and you won’t be playing for Tampa anymore. It’s too late now but it might have helped had you cut him right after the game.
December 31st, 2025 at 10:26 am
Coaching MATTERS….do you hear that Glazers???? This team needs to reset at the coaching position or it will be the same thing next year!
December 31st, 2025 at 10:44 am
The NFL is going to make it almost impossible for the Bucs to win since it’s embarrassing for a 8-9 team to win the division.
December 31st, 2025 at 11:19 am
Bowles looks like he should be in a morgue. How do you expect players to hit another gear in crunch times when your coach looks like he does not give a damn?
December 31st, 2025 at 11:19 am
Bowles looks like he should be in a morgue. How do you expect players to hit another gear in crunch times when your coach looks like he does not give a damn?
December 31st, 2025 at 11:31 am
CRAZY DAYS AHEAD …
If either team WINS and makes the playoffs, the NFL world will be okay.
If Carolina LOSES and makes the playoffs, the NFL world will come unglued.
If Bucs WIN and make the playoffs, Bucs fans will be dying because Bowles has a chance to save his job.
NEWS FLASH: Ducks play TT tomorrow at 12pm EST. There will be future Bucs in that game likely on both sides of the ball.
December 31st, 2025 at 11:32 am
I recall BA changing practice times for night games.
Didn’t really seem to work for him.
December 31st, 2025 at 11:34 am
This season has really come down to the QB play, either fair or not. The defense has been consistently bad all year, but because Baker was playing at such a high level early on, they won in spite of the defense. Then, something happened after the bye, and Baker has not been able to carry the team like he did earlier. The defense is just as bad, but the QB is not delivering the game winning results like before. If you look at just the last four games, even with bad defense, there were chances for Baker to win the game at the end and he failed. In the Atlanta game, all he had to do was maintain the lead, and failed. Now of course there are other factors in losing besides just bad defense. Play calling, special teams, and in game decisions by Bowles all impact reasons for having to come from behind to win, but again, Baker delivered late game magic to overcome early on. That’s the difference from 7-9 to 11-5 at this point.
December 31st, 2025 at 11:34 am
Really? Was the Super Bowl played at 8 a.m. on the east coast?
December 31st, 2025 at 11:50 am
In his defense I’m not sure what he’s supposed to say. He knows what’s coming. He knows the people asking him questions know what’s coming. If he blames everything on himself it doesn’t help. If he blames it on his players it doesn’t help.
Like some fans he’s just hoping for a miracle. If that happened he has some hope I his mind.
December 31st, 2025 at 12:01 pm
I saw yesterday’s press conference and listened to the head coach throw his quarterback under the bus. ” The quarterback has to play better!” Mayfield continues to tell us not to blame Todd. I wonder if Baker’s next will become honest and he’ll expose what the team really thinks about Biwles.
December 31st, 2025 at 12:24 pm
How is that throwing the QB under the bus? Seems to Joe that Bowles is being damn accurate and honest. Mayfield has been awful since the bye.
December 31st, 2025 at 1:02 pm
Joe Says:
December 31st, 2025 at 12:24 pm
head coach throw his quarterback under the bus. ” The quarterback has to play better!”
How is that throwing the QB under the bus? Seems to Joe that Bowles is being damn accurate and honest. Mayfield has been awful since the bye.
Calling out one player for the losing streak is pitiful. That alone is enough to terminate his contract. Baker needs to get the hell out of there.
December 31st, 2025 at 1:12 pm
I see a lot of ignorant comments on here about Baker! The guy has had his butt kicked all year with a damaged line, lack of high profile receivers etc. he’s sold his body out enough to where the wear and tear caught him. When a QB has to dance within the flames every play but manages to escape for 10-15 yds and extends the play you’ve got a Crap line. Yeah it contributes to his passer rating and Int’s his TD’s but one damn thing you Cannot say is that he’s the problem! The wind we do have wouldn’t be there if he wasn’t. Injuries, poor coaching and under qualified offense and special teams coaching. That’s the problem
December 31st, 2025 at 1:25 pm
Seriously Joe
Talk about cherry picking. I’d take TB12 in any SB, at any time.
December 31st, 2025 at 1:31 pm
Let’s believe what we hear constantly from players and coaches: leadership is fine, motivation is good, effort is there. Given all that, we’re trying to find explanations for the collapse. We should go back to Occam’s Razor – the simplest explanation is probably the best: the players on the teams who are beating us have BETTER PLAYERS! On average, across the board, they have more talent and can therefore execute better. “It’s not rocket science, Seth.”
December 31st, 2025 at 1:50 pm
Baloney! Bowles was asked about the QB and he gave an honest answer. Bowles ought to applauded for that.
Don’t want to get called out? Play better!
If all you want is lies for the baby players, then there shouldn’t be any press availability. If this is all lies, then it is all a colossal waste of time, energy and money.
And THEN people will have valid reason to whine about “accountability.”
December 31st, 2025 at 1:56 pm
Baloney! Bowles was asked about the QB and he gave an honest answer. Bowles ought to applauded for that.
Don’t want to get called out? Play better!
If all you want is lies for the baby players, then there shouldn’t be any press availability. If this is all lies, then it is all a colossal waste of time, energy and money.
And THEN people will have valid reason to whine about “accountability.”
Fair enough. When will Todd get questioned about the defense and why it has cost them games? We had the lead and had them at 3rd down and 24. Guess who lost? Would you please write articles about other players? This Baker bashing is getting old whether he deserved it or not.
December 31st, 2025 at 2:14 pm
Just remember, fellow Buc Fans, if Bowles beats Carolina on Saturday? We got another 2 years of Mediocrity under him. This team needs a new leader and a fresh vision that excites us fans.
December 31st, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Want to throw up a little bit in your mouth?
The Todd Bowles coaching tree is real thing.
December 31st, 2025 at 2:39 pm
Bowles has no answers because he doesn’t understand the problem.
Problem – his schemes do not fit the players available on offense or defense but he will not adjust.
Bowles’ unfounded pride blinded him from the need to make changes at the bye, changes week by week, and within games or quarters. Players understand this, knowing that his schemes expose each of them to constant, individual failure. This makes collective failure near certain. Losing the defense and then the team is the final outcome from the players rejection of the HC.
Bowles is who he is, and the outcome is what it was, with the Jets in his first run. Leaders are usually promoted based on what they have done in lesser roles, not necessarily what they are able to do in larger roles. He came with a large body of proof on his inability to lead in a larger role and has reaffirmed it.
The question is not if he will be done after this season, but rather, who will miss him?
December 31st, 2025 at 2:43 pm
Example of scheme issue if you need it – play soft zone without a pass rush and have OLBs, DL, and or LBs struggling to cover the flats and wheels.
December 31st, 2025 at 2:55 pm
The Baker Bashers are out in full force today.
This year the Bucs line has sucked. Period! Why do you think we have no deep game? Receivers can’t get open deep cuz the pocket has already collapsed. If not for Bakes balling, especially on scramble plays, we would be sitting on TWO wins, maybe less.
Mayfield has given everything on the field this year, yet some of you put everything on him. What about the piss poor play calling from Griz? Opponents KNOW our frigging limited playbook. He!!, there even video of defensive players calling our plays from the sideline.
Not to mention Baker has played hurt almost the entire 2nd half of the season. He’s one of the few who HASN’T given up!
What’s our alternative? Bridge(over troubled)water? Lmao. In his one game he played NOT to get hit. Thank you Bowels for bringing this loafer onboard! Also, his Teddys arm is obviously shot. His attitude may be one of our locker room cancers? Who knows?!
Baker was excellent for us last year. Why, we actually had a line that could block. Again, this year he has none, no different than Brady’s tailspin in ‘22 when he had no line!
Go Bucs… and, please go, Todd -straight into retirement.
December 31st, 2025 at 4:07 pm
team is a mess like bradys last season, bucs will get blown out
December 31st, 2025 at 4:07 pm
Rumors from people who actually know this team are special teams and line coach will be fired. Bowles will return for next year and a decision on him and Baker future will be made after next season. The new coach will get to choose if he wants to keep Baker or draft his own guy. Unless we have. good season next year which wont happen with this group this is a 6 win team.
December 31st, 2025 at 4:12 pm
Still no pads though… wouldn’t want anyone getting hurt.
Oh wait.
Camp cupcake paying off handsomely, isn’t it ya dingus?
December 31st, 2025 at 4:32 pm
You can only have so many full contact practices because of the NFLPA and negotiations. Im sure Todd would be having full contact practices every day if he could right now. Maybe somebody would learn to wrap up and tackle.
December 31st, 2025 at 4:33 pm
Bowles has no answers because he doesn’t understand the question.
December 31st, 2025 at 6:20 pm
I’ve never known of an NFL team giving up on the kickoff. Coaching needs serious help. Pathetic.
December 31st, 2025 at 8:32 pm
The Bucs are broken and the all the King’s horses and men can’t put them back togerther, let alone Todd Bowles who is way out of his depth. The last 3 years making it to the playoffs were the residuals of the Brady-Arians magic. That magic has now faded and Bowles is caught like deer in headlights.
Glazers, make a drastic change. Instruct your hitman, Jason Licht, to orchestrate Bowles’ exit along with the swath of others on the coaching staff including the ST coach. That blocked field goal was inexcusable as is the ability of opposing teams to run back punts and kicks for great field position.
It’s taken 4 years, but finally Bowles has been exposed for what he is. He is a mediocre coach with a very unimpressive record. Go back the past 3 decades or so and see what he has accomplished in the NFL. He has not accomplished anything and he has a dismal record as HC with the Jets.
Team Glazer, it’s time to clean house. Make the necessary trades. Get rid of overpaid, underperforming players and look for a QB of the future. It’s rebuilding time starting in 2026. Gruden got us to a superbowl over 2 decades ago. Brady and Arians got us there 5 years ago. It may be a long time before we get there again. I hope I’m still around. Go Bucs, go Canes (my alma) and Happy New Year to everyone. GB. Cheers:)