Todd Bowles Thinks Calijah Kancey Will Be A Captain
January 12th, 2026
Todd Bowles takes the title of team captain very seriously.
He’s made that clear. Bowles loves the leadership on his roster and the Bucs’ defensive captains this season were Vita Vea, Lavonte David and Antoine Winfield, Jr.
Will David want to return for a 15th season?
Joe doubts it, and it sounds like Bowles does, too.
Bowles suggested a change of leadership is coming to the Bucs defense in the form of defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, the Bucs’ 2023 first-round draft pick.
“Just physically having [Kancey] back [healthy for the final game] really brought the practices up to another level and it was more intense in practice and had those guys ready to play on Sunday,” Bowles told the Buccaneers Radio Network after the season. “He is one of our true leaders on the team, although he is not a captain yet, I’m sure he will be in the near future and everything starts and ends with him up front with him and Vita.”
“Just the interior pass rush, you know, an extra pass rusher that can push the pocket and also quickness and the games that we run up there, we really missed that type of speed and that type of power,” Bowles said.
A healthy Kancey is an impact player, but he’s too often hurt. Maybe, just maybe, next year will be his year. Joe loves Kancey because not only is he a strong player, he’s not soft like some around him.
The Bucs also are looking at a quick upgrade in the form of edge rusher David Walker. The overhyped 2025 fourth-round pick who blew his knee out in training camp.
January 12th, 2026 at 10:54 am
He’s a china doll.
January 12th, 2026 at 10:58 am
He loves the leadership, but did any of these leaders step up when they’re in their slide?
January 12th, 2026 at 11:01 am
He could be a coach with the amount of time he is in street clothes.
January 12th, 2026 at 11:03 am
🤣🤣🤣🤣 this Coach is funny. ( I don’t call him by his name anymore)
January 12th, 2026 at 11:07 am
The Panthers only ran for 19 yards against us in the season finale.
Kancey changed our defense completely.
19 yards!
We have a nasty run defense.
We just need an elite DE to replace Hall.
An elite OLB to replace Hassan Reddick.
And 2 elite MLBs who can cover the middle of the field!
January 12th, 2026 at 11:08 am
Captain of the injury brigade.
January 12th, 2026 at 11:08 am
Love Kancey but can’t take a captain that’s always hurt.
January 12th, 2026 at 11:18 am
Kancey needs to go on a 2012-‘17 Gearld McCoy type of run. It’s time.
January 12th, 2026 at 11:19 am
There are so many needs right now, especially a future and healthy pass rusher. And strong coaches. Is this a participation “Be a captain” award ?
January 12th, 2026 at 11:22 am
Vocal captain ? Because I don’t see him taking the patch away from vita as long as he’s here. It’ll probably be, Vita, LVD or whoever the mlb is ( hopefully not SVD ) and Winfield. For defense.
January 12th, 2026 at 11:23 am
It’d be nice if he could stay healthy
January 12th, 2026 at 11:25 am
Captain Unreliable.
Unless they can ban wind in Raymond James, the chances of this guy making it through a three game stretch without an injury seems very unlikely.
January 12th, 2026 at 11:26 am
Can someone please remind me why Todd is keeping his job again?
January 12th, 2026 at 11:29 am
Dont care what Bowles thinks. Dont care what he does. Dont care what he says. Get him out.
January 12th, 2026 at 11:30 am
Captain Tub Commander.
Jesus – everytime Bowles opens his mouth, he just gets stupider.
January 12th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Over/Under Kancey misses 7games ..I take the over.
January 12th, 2026 at 11:35 am
If he can actually play he could be a captain
January 12th, 2026 at 11:37 am
How’s he going to be a captain when he’s injured the whole year again?
I’m not blaming him, clearly the soft practices (walkthroughs) don’t get these guys bodies ready to take hits in games.
All the more reason to FIRE BOWLES!
January 12th, 2026 at 11:40 am
All I hear or read when Todd Bowles opens with mouth is white noise.
January 12th, 2026 at 11:43 am
Captain he has barely olayed
January 12th, 2026 at 11:47 am
Bitching about Bowles is a waste of time….he’s here….isn’t going anywhere….get over it.
January 12th, 2026 at 11:48 am
“”Dont care what Bowles thinks. Dont care what he does. Dont care what he says. Get him out.”””
Amen!! This ain’t goin away like I know the Glazers are hoping. Not gonna happen. In fact I believe the outrage is going to get worse for them as the offseason goes on. No distraction is going to make this horrendous decision go away.
January 12th, 2026 at 11:48 am
3rd and 28!
January 12th, 2026 at 11:51 am
We should not have any captains, let alone six of them, are you kidding me, if anyone should be a Captain it should be McLaughlin, and that’s it Period, he deserves it….this team is so SOFT!!!
January 12th, 2026 at 11:56 am
They better fire all the strength and conditioning staff
January 12th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Did we really miss Buster Kancey? Did we really?
January 12th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Unfortunately in the NFL injuries are a part of the reality of professional football. Why were the Bucs devastated with injuries in 2025. No one knows why some players are while others like Rhonde Barber aren’t.
It will probably remain a mystery. Finding depth is critical to winning a devision. The Bucs should have a pretty good understanding who some of those players are from season 2025. Hopefully with less injuries, a good draft and better coaches in 2026, the Bucs can fulfill their Super Bowl aspirations.
January 12th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Todd – please stop talking. Your opinions will carry zero weight until you can level up from mediocrity. Sadly, that’s most likely never.
January 12th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
Captain of the IR team?
January 12th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Seriously, why would we want to have a captain of a defense who spends the majority of the season on IR. Wish Bowles would just shut up and spend the off season getting his act together. We are stuck with this guy in 2026.
January 12th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
What good is a captain if he’s not on the field?
So tired of hearing and reading the mindless statements from Bowles.
He has lost all credibility with the team and the fans.
Every game he is the HC\DC is a wasted day.
2027 is our only hope at this point.
January 12th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Can Bowles save his butt next season with often injured CK and an already seriously injured David Walker? He’s laid a foundation of excuses and really set himself up for a do or die season. Actually a good thing for us fans.
January 12th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Another bust!!! Jason get it together man.. we need a good draft this year. Kancey has graded bottom of the league since he’s been here. Robert’s is already way more impressive than him.
January 12th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Your best ability is your availability! And I like Kancey alot, when he’s available. STAY HEALTHY
January 12th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
Who is this Kancey u speak of? Is he from the Canadian league?
January 12th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Jesus Palomino! I just realized it’s 2026!
January 12th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Arless Reese. Move up somehow and get him. Trade AWjr and a high pick to move up. AWjr vastly overated. Need to find a sucker to take his ridiculous contract.
January 12th, 2026 at 1:24 pm
The only way Kancey will be an effective Captain is if the NFL allows virtual reality headsets to be worn during the game. He could Zoom in and rally the troops, from his couch.
January 12th, 2026 at 1:24 pm
Only if you could stay healthy which hasn’t happened
January 12th, 2026 at 1:40 pm
I am so disgusted with TB, JL, and the Glazers I don’t give a flying F%^K what any of them have to say.
January 12th, 2026 at 1:50 pm
how long has kancey been with the bucs…3 years…?
how many games has he played in that time…?
maybe 30 out of let’s say 50 games…
30 games in 3 years……60% of the games…?
you might want to seriously consider if a guy who hasn’t played 2 full seasons worth of games, is truly worthy of captain-ism…
not a hater here…just not so sure he is worthy……yet
January 12th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
He can be out there for the coin flip, and then retreat to the tent.
January 12th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
Captain Street Clothes! Captain of the Training Room!
January 12th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
What does Bowles really know?
January 12th, 2026 at 2:28 pm
LOL!
I’m just going to pile on here…
Is CK going to be Captain of the injured reserve team next year?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
What a joke.
January 12th, 2026 at 2:30 pm
You guys got me laughing 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 we have right to talk ish
You want to keep this garbage this is what you are going to get nonstop.
Bravo guys 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
January 12th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
Captain of the IR maybe. He’s the most overrated player in Bucs history. Dude has done next to nothing even in those rare occasions he makes it on the field. He’s as reliable as Braswell
January 12th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
I am tired of hearing about this guy… Who cares. How about you just stay healthy for a season, then we can talk about this. Tough to lead the team as a captain if you are never there…..
January 12th, 2026 at 3:06 pm
Didn’t he say the same about SVD? This fool doesn’t kno what he’s talking about
January 12th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
If Bowles ain’t fired by week 6 I’d be surprised
January 12th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
Captain Sick Bay. Can’t lead from the training room.
January 12th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Just what we need, a captain cheering from the sidelines, press box, player’s suite, trainer’s room or at his home during games. I think Todd needs to keep his mouth shut between now and opening day.
January 12th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
What about “potential” makes makes you a captain? shouldn’t that be earned on the field, something Kancey hasn’t been able to do?
January 12th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
Yep, Licht is firing up the ol money machine for Captain Hot Tub who has missed 22 of a possible 51 game (43% of his professional carreer), not to mention games he left early due to injury. And Joe says he’s not soft, hmmm.
January 12th, 2026 at 5:46 pm
I’m so happy others beat me to the caption of the IR comment. Now I don’t feel like such a jerk for thinking it. At least I’m not alone, lol.