What Are The Buccaneers Doing?
March 12th, 2026
Decisions.
Joe thinks if you gave Bucs coaches and suits a shot of truth serum, they would agree:
The Bucs are a worse team right now, on the morning of March 12, 2026, than they were at noon Monday.
Just a brief summation that doesn’t include the backup quarterback swap.
Bucs lost:
* Hall of Fame receiver.
* No. 1 cornerback.
* Starting defensive lineman, not great, but solid.
Bucs gained:
* Veteran starting inside linebacker with a great attitude and good coverage skills.
*Backup but very skilled running back and special teams player.
* An OK yet versatile starting defensive lineman.
And, in the coming days, the Bucs may also lose a Hall of Fame linebacker to retirement and a backup running back (Rachaad White) who might be as good or better than the new one the Bucs signed.
In the meantime, the Bucs shot their shot with beastly edge rusher Trey Hendrickson but failed to seal the deal, likely in part because the Bucs are no longer a postseason threat.
This has been as bad of a free agency start as “this Joe” can remember. It’s about who the Bucs lost without signing an impact player to replace them. So, no, Joe cannot say with a straight face after two days of legal tampering and a day of free agency the Bucs are a better team.
But the defending NFC South champions sure got better.
March 12th, 2026 at 5:04 am
Looks like Alfred E Newman with glasses
What Me Worry
March 12th, 2026 at 5:18 am
Ronde Barber will be running the show in 2027
BUT!
He coulda, woulda,shoulda in 2026
and the FA class and resigned Bucs would have been better as I type
It will be emotionally crushing to the fan base in 2026 because this team is on the precipice of COLLAPSE
March 12th, 2026 at 5:23 am
Baker is playing his last season with the Bucs too
How does that all add up folks?
Should have fired Bowles 0-7
Howâs that dead horse riding goingâŚ.
March 12th, 2026 at 5:26 am
Maybe we can still get Leeman Bennett back as head coach……..
March 12th, 2026 at 5:29 am
My only assumption is that they are punting on this year. Kept Bowles because they didn’t like the look of any of the available coaches, aren’t being serious in keeping talent and instead want a higher cap space next year to sign free agents.
March 12th, 2026 at 5:37 am
Bowles went 8-9 with Tom Brady, that shouldâve shook the Glazers. Winning division titles with losing records doesnât mean your a winner Joel, Brian and Jason.
You have set this franchise back by a long shot. Liam Coen took the worst and last place Jags to a 13-4 record.
Oh do not forget about
Dave Canales yeah the guy that is having one of the best offseasons out of any team this year.
Embarrassing times to be a Bucs fan
March 12th, 2026 at 5:39 am
I think we are tanking this year for a low draft pick. They want a good young quarterback. Just my take..
March 12th, 2026 at 5:43 am
Carolina overspent in a below average free agency class, they also lost their #1 running back to Pittsburgh. I do not think they got much better, they just look like they did because no one wants to play for Bowles. Plus Panthers have a tougher first place schedule than their rivals so I think it is a bitvearly to annoint them the new power in the NFC. They just look better than Bowles and the ATL/Cleveland South dumpster fire led by Tua and James Pearce.
March 12th, 2026 at 5:57 am
But the players just love Todd, so thereâs that. đ
March 12th, 2026 at 6:00 am
We are trying to escape salary cap hell.
We will be smart for 2 more years and try to draft well.
Licht wants to enter next season with more salary cap space.
If Baker wants a Super Bowl, he will need to be like Tom Brady and sign a team friendly deal so we can spread the money around.
Joe Flacco killed the Ravens after their Super Bowl with an insane contract. The Ravens couldnât keep their team together because one QB was taking all the money.
Same with Dak Prescott. His contract is insane.
Baker will need to sign a fair and reasonable 3 year extension that is CHEAP, so we can build a better roster.
March 12th, 2026 at 6:10 am
The Bucs, like many teams, lost Hendrickson because they weren’t willing to offer a 4 year contract.
March 12th, 2026 at 6:13 am
I think they are a Whole lot better with a healthy O-Line
It doesn’t matter who they lose or gain
When the O-Line is healthy and regain their 2024 form
They are Lethal and one of the top units in the NFL
That’s the key to the success of this team
March 12th, 2026 at 6:14 am
Yep as the Glaziers showed BucNation it’s their team & they really don’t care what the fans think . They didn’t FIRE BOWLES cause this years crop of HC candidates didn’t move the needle for them. As a Bucs fan I’m disappointed but just gotta hope they are doing the right thing. Hopefully theres a HC that they hope to land next season after the Bucs stumble thru a 500 at best season, show some improvement. Maybe Tomlin after a yr off to rest . Just guessing, if the Bucs can improve their record & get back to being a better overall team . Anyway as a long time Bucs fan I gotta hope for the best. Wish Coach Bowzo
Would hire a DC to call a more aggressive Defensive scheme , not likely though. Oh well hopefully they grab a true Edge rusher st least GO BUCS!!
March 12th, 2026 at 6:15 am
EVERYONE knew Bowles should have been fired and the team needed to be very aggressive about finding proven talent. What did the organization do? They did nothing. Nothing. â26 will be a comedy. What an implosion!
March 12th, 2026 at 6:19 am
The bottom line: It least it appears that White, Dean and even legendary Mike Evans couldnât wait to get out of town.
Letâs face it, Todd Bowles is not a good coach. You know it, I know it and the players sure as he!! know it ⌠which leaves the Glazers.
Either theyâve collectively lost their minds, or they playing stupid to make another move down the line. If itâs the latter, itâs a bad way to go about it.
To place the blame for last yearâs failures on Toddâs assistants while retaining Todd is simply a poor modus operandi. Who chose these fired assistants?
Ownership needs to get it together, and fast. You donât throw away a year of your football life to get Mike Tomlin.
Why?
Life is not a straight line, itâs about navigating through a series of curveballs you didnât see coming. Just when you think you have things figured out, woosh! You swing and miss. And itâs happened here before.
Itâs still not too late to send Todd packing. Who cares if all the alleged great coaches are already signed? Sometimes change for the sake of change is a good thing. Most anybody who can spell the words. H E A D C O A C H will do at this point.
Do it, and do it now âŚ
Before Lost Decade II comes to a theatre near you.
March 12th, 2026 at 6:24 am
The day Wirfs, Brederson, Barton, Mauch, Goedeke get healthy
Is the day that this team improve 10 fold
In 2024 Baker and Bucky was getting all of the praise and glory
But in 2025, we seen how they struggled behind a patched up Line
March 12th, 2026 at 6:26 am
They’re tanking duh! Lol…its taken so many of you way too long to come to this very obvious conclusion. This team has been bad since it lost to a rookie at home in the playoffs. That team added Reddick and EE and the media tried to convince us that was a Superbowl roster. And after that first round exit Licht gave extentions to Bowles and Baker and they promptly went 2-7 after the bye and missed the playoffs.
This is who’s running the team, Licht, Bowles and Baker. Why give more resources to these losers? When they have them, they still lose. When the team is healthy or injured, they lose. As long as those three are on the Bucs, this team will lose.
And thats the plan. To lose. You might not like it, but it’s needed. The Bucs need an impact player, at QB, to build a foundation for the future. And the 3 stooges will help secure that top 10 pick for the next regime.
March 12th, 2026 at 6:31 am
“”Theyâre tanking duh! LolâŚits taken so many of you way too long to come to this very obvious conclusion.””
Incompetence can look exactly like tanking. With Licht and Bowles track record I’m going with I N C O M P E T E N T.
March 12th, 2026 at 6:35 am
I smell compensatory pics.
March 12th, 2026 at 6:38 am
A steady decline? No. The truck went over the cliff long before 3rd and 28.
The owners donât care. They did not want to payoff Bowles to leave.
This will be a 4-13 to 7-10 season. Bowles will retire. Licht will probably get one
more chance to hire a coach. He will mess that up.
This team will be at the bottom for the next decade.
March 12th, 2026 at 6:45 am
“”It doesnât matter who they lose or gain
When the O-Line is healthy and regain their 2024 form
They are Lethal and one of the top units in the NFL
Thatâs the key to the success of this team””
Delusional at best.
March 12th, 2026 at 6:46 am
Bowles sunk the ship, who wants to play here?
March 12th, 2026 at 6:56 am
Well, I rarely disagree with you Joe but come on now⌠we immediately got better when we hired our new OC. We now also have a better linebacker and running back group. I agree Mike Evans leaving hurts but he barely played last year due to injuries. Also if offense line is healthy we are way superior to last year so letâs not be such a downer lolâŚ
March 12th, 2026 at 6:56 am
âJust gotta coach it better and play it betterâ
March 12th, 2026 at 7:00 am
Bucs lost:
* Hall of Fame receiver.
Yet look at the patriots after losing Brady. Evans has to go sometime why cry about it
* No. 1 cornerback. Jamel Dean was replaced just like Carlton Davis was. Itâs the nature of the business. Licht and everyone trashed Dean, he balled out umm of course he was leaving
* Starting defensive lineman, not great, but solid. Unless anyone misses Greg Gaines and Logan little hall this is better than expected
Cannot be worried about Mike Evans when you still have Chris Goodwin and 3 weapons of the future. Rashaad White was a back up thatâs reality and he wanted to leave. Cade Otten should have left too
March 12th, 2026 at 7:01 am
This is why it’s hard to feel bad for them sometimes.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:01 am
Dean was a big loss. Number 1 FA at his position.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:02 am
Everyone, blame the Glazerhouses, thatâs the only thing that will make change. Hit their ego. Todd sucks, we all know that. But join a massive bandwagon blaming the people who kept him.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:08 am
BucU,
I guess it was a “Delusion” when they beat Seattle and San Francisco
Back to back, with a healthy OLine, without Evans
Oh yeah, and the Texans, and a 6-2 start
A 3rd grader seen the difference with our guys up front healthy
Common sense should tell a person
You’re not going to win in the NFL with BOTH of your starting Guards on IR
And also your RT and LT missing time
You fake fans want Bowles to fail so bad, that you want the team to fail
Every Bucs win will bring misery upon you fake fans
March 12th, 2026 at 7:12 am
They’re focused on the draft. This is/was a piss poor free agent class of players. Its a strong defensive draft, whether or not they take advantage of that is the question.
Until Bowles is gone, worrying about what defensive players are being added to the roster is wasted energy.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:16 am
The good news is that next year’s draft is one of the most QB rich in recent memory. If the team bombs this year, they’ll be able to get one of them and flip Baker for additional picks.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:16 am
Licht has once again ignored the woeful defence by not getting an edge rusher or cornerbacks that were just terrible last year
March 12th, 2026 at 7:16 am
I’m willing to give our new DL coach a chance to rejuvenate our current and future DL men.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:21 am
This started when they extended Bowles. It finished when his defense gave up a 3rd and 28 and then they didnt fire him.
Nobody wants to come here…Ive liked licht and defended him until now. His days are numbered.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:25 am
Like at this point it seriously is starting to feel like a tank job
March 12th, 2026 at 7:27 am
JL eval of the team is too high….no stars on this team.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:31 am
The success or failure of 2026 is ALL on Jason Licht-this is your LAST chance Jason.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:34 am
Joe, my question is, are the Bucs thinking about moving Kancy to edge? I mean Bowles has mentioned his team needs to get bigger. Iâve heard that Kancyâs size for a DL may be a small portion of his injury problems. The Crosby and Hendrickson deal, arenât both injured?
March 12th, 2026 at 7:36 am
If 2026 is truly a tank job, the great general manager should diligently consider trading his left tackle, strong safety and quarterback for draft picks!
March 12th, 2026 at 7:51 am
Bucs have 6 guys who represent 60% of this year’s cap hit, which is why we always have dudes like Dion Jones playing, when they’d normally not even qualify for the practice squad
March 12th, 2026 at 7:53 am
Yep going to get picks next year for everyone we lost. Probably will trade Vita half way through this season for more picks. They are going to load up on draft picks for next year for the re build and new coach.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:55 am
Why are we excited with signing two 30 year plus free agents defensive players?
Meh- letâs see if they make it through training camp.
There is no #1 receiver on the roster. Hopefully, one of those guys will step up.
OLine may be the team strength when healthy- but damn, we need quality back ups and havenât heard a peep about rehab with Mauch and Bredson- will they be ready?
Free agency is a chance to improve the team. And I donât think we did that.
Weâre just treading water.
And fwiw the Joes are spot on – front office could have extended Mike last year.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:55 am
Evans is old, Hall was a bust and Dean is fragile. Get over it!
March 12th, 2026 at 7:55 am
2026 RINSE AND REPEAT
March 12th, 2026 at 7:58 am
I agree. Yes, the Bucs are tanking 2026 for a new QB, to get their salary cap in a better position for 2027 and to get a new HC and DC
1. Bucs aren’t sold on Baker getting them to a SB so they haven’t extended his contract
2. Bucs want to finish paying off void years and dead year $ for the future — though they will be paying Baker for the next few years if he isn’t resigned.
3. Everyone wants Bowles gone, but there’s probably some guaranteed money in his contract
My prediction is the Bucs play around 500 again because the defense will once again struggle. When the Bucs win, it will mostly be in a shoot out because the O is healthy and clicking on that day. As a result, the Glazers bring in a new GM (Greenberg), a new HC with new coordinators and they have to decide whether to keep Baker or not.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:59 am
Im still incredibly disappointed Mike Evans hangs out with Lesean McCoy.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:59 am
Everyone piles on Bowles but licht will be gone too. Iâm good with full restart itâs been long enough.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:01 am
Let our division foes overspend and get in cap he ll. Being prudent in FA is not bad. Jason has some time left to make a few more signings and work trades. Remember some teams who overspend will have to start releasing starting players to get under the cap. Letâs see what the draft does and September roster looks like. I think we will see 2 LBs, an Edge and DT with first 4 picks. They should consider signing Juan Jennings WR also. Heâs a high quality X at reasonable cost. The offense HAS to average over 26 points per game. Look for a lot of run and short passes, less down field throws.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:02 am
The “it’s a tank crowd” is way too loud for me. Relax, we’re 5 minutes into free agency/the new league year and ya’ll acting as if there’s some big deviation from how we’ve watched this front office go about free agency in the last few years.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:02 am
as Chris said “Winning division titles with losing records doesnât mean your a winner ”
winning the south has been the mantra of the good enough crew for a few years. backing in to the south titles when they did win was the trumpet call of the oh but crew and the medicore media defending bowles, the bucs, jason, and the garbage results.
“oh but they won the south”
“oh but his defense shut down the chiefs in the sb”
“oh but they won in seattle”
“oh but he went to yale”
“oh but he’s a snake, i dont like his morality. we dont need him (coen)”
“oh but we like todd”
March 12th, 2026 at 8:05 am
What’s the obsession with Mike Tomlin? He’s had the same issue as Dungy – Lousy OC’s.
His OC when they won the Superbowl (18 years ago, mind you) was …. wait for it…. Bruce Arians. And he fired him and Steeler fans endured 18 years of mediocrity. They’ve been over Tomlin for at least a decade, but the Rooneys simply don’t fire coaches.
This team needs a young innovative offensive minded head coach – McVay type. Hell to the no on Mike Tomlin.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:05 am
About the defense..Dim LICHT âhopesâ Morrison does great as a CG; that Voss will transform into a GREAT LB; that Kancey plays an entire season; that everyone is healthy and happy; and, that Bowles becomes the modern day Lombardi. Friends, Dim Licht will tell us the Bucs will live âhappily ever afterâ.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:05 am
Team is well positioned to blow it up next year. Teams trying to contend would at a bare minimum restructure/extend Baker to bring in help for the defense. We havenât restructured anyone. What winning team sits on their hands with their âfranchise QBâ. Thatâs the easiest commitment to make if youâre genuinely positioning to contend.
Iâm certain Evans understands whatâs going on and while I do believe we would have paid him whatever was needed, he knows next year might be a total rebuild with another QB and another mediocre season. The 49ers are set up to contend year after year.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:06 am
All these FAs are Just A Guy. Nothing more. They have no impact on building a winning team or future. I question the direction of this team.
So, Benmo and ZM are your starting corners No pass rush again. How do think those two will fair? They will get lit. Both are injury prone, so outside of Parrish whos stepping in and up? A capable starting corner should have been a priority. No improved pass rush. Run D wiil look good cause pass D will get cooked again.
Edge is the 2nd or 3rd most important position football, but not for this team.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:10 am
What are the Bucs doing? Ensuring a complete house cleaning next season.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:19 am
The Bucs went 6-2 without Mike or Chris and Bucky ! We added a B+ linebacker thats good in coverage. Everybody including Joe knows how injury prone Jamel dean is. I for one still see 10-11 wins this year and I canât wait to watch all the bum fans hop on the bandwagon lol just like the year after tom left they predicted us being Thr worst team in the league I can see the same for this upcoming year see yâall in august I CANâT take the negative Nancyâs all offseason smh
March 12th, 2026 at 8:20 am
Fred Flintstone
FRED FLINTSTONE
March 12th, 2026 at 8:29 am
This clown show of an organization is doing what it does best.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:34 am
Slobbering over Arsenio Hall is weak.
Evans leaving for 49ers is sad but gives Egbuka the opportunity to be the no 1 guy and frees up cap money for other roster needs. Also Mayfield vs Purdy was a consideration by Evans.
Bucs should bolster their OLine and continue to add to front D 7 in draft.
This is definitely a make it or break it year for Mayfield. – don’t see him getting extended this year after Evans leaving.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:36 am
gotbbucs … ‘Until Bowles is gone, worrying about what defensive players are being added to the roster is wasted energy.’
Gotta disagree with that one. Talent is talent, and when you have a chance to improve your talent level, you must take it.
I don’t think the Bucs are really ‘tanking’ in Lovie’s 2-14 way. But even if Bowles goes say 9-8 or even 10-7 and misses the playoffs, they’ll replace him next year providing there’s a quality HC available. He’ll have been here as our HC for 5 years, and basically had close to break-even seasons. That’s an average HC and lasting 5 years as an average HC is not that common.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:39 am
If anyone cant see that this is a rebuild in action, im sure there’s a good optometrist somewhere in Hillsborough County. The reality is the bucs are being cheap, purposely, and hoping to land a few stars in the draft. This will roll into next off-season when we will probably have a new coach, possibly a new QB and a pirate ship full of cap money to spend. This, along with a relatively young and hopefully healthy OL and WR to build around. This could be a quicker rebuild than what we’ve seen in the past, (2 years or less) if we hit in the draft. Go Bucs!
March 12th, 2026 at 8:51 am
Stpetematt Says:
March 12th, 2026 at 7:59 am
Im still incredibly disappointed Mike Evans hangs out with Lesean McCoy.
++++++++
Me too. And I think this is the source of Mike’s problems.
Mike, you are judged by the company you keep. Good luck – you are going to need it…!
March 12th, 2026 at 8:52 am
Arch manning 2027
March 12th, 2026 at 8:53 am
Hilarious how folks change their narrative to bang on JL and the Bucs. Most said he couldn’t draft defense and that Dean was soft and Hall was a bust. They leave in FA and people are now saying how great Dean was and how the Bucs got worse. Evans leaving hurts from a sentimental stand point, but they are fine at WR. They are good at RB. TE hasn’t changed and will get utilized correctly under Robinson. They should add a guard in the draft and/or later FA. So offensively, im not concerned. If Baker plays inconsistent football, thrn this is a 6 win team and they will be drafting a QB for the new coaching staff, regardless of any moves they would’ve made on defense.
The draft will likely bring a DT, Edge LBer and oline depth.
The reality is that the FA class was pretty thin. When guys like Philips lands a 120 million contract, when Alex Pierce becomes the highest paid WR, when Romeo Doubs gets 80 mil..things are out of control.
Once they decided to keep Bowles, I just prayed that JL didn’t go out and try to fix his defense for 1 year to mortgage the teams future..good on him for not going there.
March 12th, 2026 at 9:17 am
Defense Rules. I truly hope this is the last season of Bowles. They have to see how no one is going to come here knowing we can’t win with him at the helm. But sadly why wait another year. I don’t think they will fire him unless he has less than 7 wins which with this roster they are putting together seems VERY likely. They are certainly looking to tank this year. Just look at all the 1 year deals.
March 12th, 2026 at 9:25 am
The only way to inject some swagger into this poorly coached squad is to fire Bowles. At this point I would even hire Gruden, at least the Bucs would be entertaining. Boom! lol.
March 12th, 2026 at 9:28 am
Well at least we know Todd Bowels will be gone after this season thank god. Hopefully Sean McDermott will come to Tampa. I could see a total rebuild next year. Mayfield, Vea, Godwin, will be gone. That’s why you won’t see a trade for Max Crosby even if he was healthy. They are saving draft picks for a rebuild. They signed a new DT and a back up QB to a one year deal. We have a new LB who is already in his 30s. There is absolutely nothing that the Buccaneers have done that makes you think they are trying to contend. This roster is a sinking ship.
March 12th, 2026 at 9:37 am
DR
How does Miles Garrett’s talent help the Browns? How did all of his sacks help improve the record and get the team to the playoffs? Looking at this roster, how many talented players are needed to overcome Bowles scheme? Remember it took 11 defensive players playing at the highest level with extreme talent to win that SB with Bowles as DC. The same defense came back the following year and what happened in the playoffs vs the Rams? That defense had talent right?
Bowles doesn’t know what to do with talent but lose more than he wins.
March 12th, 2026 at 9:47 am
Tanking for Manning
March 12th, 2026 at 9:53 am
Agree with @Fanofdabucs.
Truthfully if we look at the players we have lost to free agency the only one that from a functional point of view and not sentimentality hurts me a bit is Jamel Dean. He had an under the radar top tier season last year which was hidden behind a terrible defense and missing a few games to injury which is his modus operandi.
White is a irreplaceable talent and truthfully Gainwell provides much of the same except that he does not have the size for short yardage work but I think is a better 2-minute drill and receiving back believe it or not.
I am a bit disappointed in our choice of linebackers not because of the player but more because of how many good linebackers were available in free agency who were younger that we could have signed for a longer-term deal. That said Alex Anzalone should be an upgrade at the position and offers veteran leadership.
Hall and Gaines are basically two replaceable level talents and I would argue that Robinson is an upgrade over either one of them.
Losing Mike Evans hurts but not because of his performance on the field but more so just because of who he is and what he means to this franchise. But I truly think at this stage of his career other than his size I don’t think he offers much more as a receiver than any of the other top three guys we have.
This is a very good draft for front seven on defense. I strongly think we are going to leave the first four rounds with three players that are going to be front seven defensive players. I suspect we will have one or two edge rushers one inside linebacker and one defensive tackle coming out of this draft.
I also foresee us drafting one interior lineman both for depth and to be Ben Bredesen’s eventual replacement.
While on the one hand as a fan it sucks to see all these other teams with their shiny new toys, I think as a franchise or not jumping and overpaying for average talent makes sense. Hendrickson would have been a good signing for two maximum three years with the last year being a team option but obviously he wanted a longer term deal and I think he priced himself out of our market. Crosby is 29 years old and just had knee surgery that some experts are saying make him a risk for more than two or three years. So again a risky investment on a team that is not one player away from the Super bowl.
I think Jason is right in building this year through the draft letting a lot of the dead money in these void years come off the books over the next season and allowing this year to determine the future direction of the team.
Scenario 1: Zach Robinson does really well as an offensive coordinator our team on offense plays very well and Baker plays more like 2024 Baker Mayfield. In this scenario I can see that if Todd bowls defense doesn’t come through and is the liability preventing us from having any postseason success that Baker gets extended during the year Todd is fired Zach gets promoted to head coach.
Scenario 2: The offense does not improve from last year and Baker continues with his negative regression. The defense continues to be a liability and we have another losing record and top 10 draft pick.
In this situation I think this is where the team gets full blown up. Meaning we end up letting Baker Mayfield go firing offensive and defensive staff and possibly even letting Jason go.
We will be in a very good financial situation salary cap wise and will be in position to draft a quarterback for the new coaching staff and what is supposed to be a quarterback rich draft class.
So I will keep my expectations low for this year unlike last year. I hope to see what a healthy David Walker does for the pass rush and hope that we are able to draft wisely guys on the defensive front seven to make that part of the team a strength once again as it was during our Super bowl run, but I don’t have high expectations for this team unless the draft produces two or three gems on defense that are pro ready as rookies.
March 12th, 2026 at 9:56 am
For all the “this is a rebuild” crowd, consider this; Licht would have tagged and traded Evans rather than let him walk. Licht wanted Mike and wants to win; he just doesn’t want cap hell again this decade.
March 12th, 2026 at 9:58 am
Hall was average and Dean SUCKED for 5 plus years⌠Evans know he will not be the exclusive guy in Tampa this year. Bucs have a very good crew of WRs. They all can make it happen. Running game is the question, without it passing will be tough.
March 12th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Lakeland Says:
March 12th, 2026 at 6:24 am
The day Wirfs, Brederson, Barton, Mauch, Goedeke get healthy
Is the day that this team improve 10 fold
In 2024 Baker and Bucky was getting all of the praise and glory
But in 2025, we seen how they struggled behind a patched up Line
******************************************
thats why drafting OL in the 1st round makes all the sense in the world!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
March 12th, 2026 at 10:09 am
Draft first round o-line to ride the bench????
March 12th, 2026 at 10:17 am
If Bucs are tanking, they need to start trading some of their older players, but they are not doing it. Ownership or Jason Licht have some delusion that Todd Bowles is going to take this franchise to a Super Bowl. Players and fans know Todd Bowles is an awful NFL head coach but for some reason Bucs management and ownership doesn’t see it.
March 12th, 2026 at 10:23 am
âJason, you think Mike would still be here if we brought Antonio Brown back from the football grave?â
Haha, yes, AB comin back wearin an ankle bracelet. . .
March 12th, 2026 at 10:24 am
WoW! This fanbase has proved to be JUST what I have always noticed!! I guess Mike Evans needs approval from commenters on JBF on who he invites to his home and who he enjoys as company!! I guess he wouldnât need folks approval if it was reported Mike was hanging out with a Lightning player at some Tampa area golf course or something to that effect!! I guess delusional & judgemental folk are not aware Shady McCoy is in the media and is part of a very successful Podcast called Speakeasy so with Lesean knowing Mike getting the scoop directly from Mike for material on the Podcast is business as much as just hanging out!
March 12th, 2026 at 10:32 am
Baker in his last year of contract…. if they are planning to tank they will not have contract extension talks, meaning they will put it off until mid season if ever. If they move that extension talk to the summer, they are not tanking the season.
Maybe losing Evans puts this team on a different trajectory. I have seen it all the time not only in sports but in business. It’s not all bad it is just different. They can do more with what they have than worrying about feeding a player to keep him happy. But no doubt throwing to Evans in the Red Zone is a winner 9 times out of 10.
This all comes down to ownership/GM being too loyal to an underachieving HC/DC. If they are so hellbent on keeping the HC they should of demanded him giving up the reigns on DC.
March 12th, 2026 at 10:48 am
Just waiting on Tomlin to recharge his batteries. Maybe Mike brings Tony on to consult.
March 12th, 2026 at 10:49 am
“What Are The Buccaneers Doing?” Tanking for 2027, duh…
March 12th, 2026 at 11:06 am
Moving up in the draft is always nice, but tanking for a better draft pick sounds like what the Bucs are actually doing. With Bowels it will a cinch to get better positioned for 2027.
March 12th, 2026 at 11:10 am
Anyhony Says:
March 12th, 2026 at 10:09 am
Draft first round o-line to ride the bench????
Mauch sits while he heals…he wont be 100% during TC or PS
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 12th, 2026 at 11:24 am
LMAO. What are we doing? Our usual bargain dumpster shopping. That’s what we are doing.
March 12th, 2026 at 11:27 am
We need to draft a franchise qb in next years class and better not extend a 32 33 year old average qb let the new hc next year pick his guy next year, itâs the year to do it
March 12th, 2026 at 11:27 am
Itâs delusion to think mayfield is the franchise guy.
March 12th, 2026 at 11:42 am
The look on his face in the picture above says it all.
He’s absolutely clueless about how to do his job.
Just another failed NFL executive that was made to look smart by Tom Brady.
He covered a lot of stink up in his career.
Licht made two great moves in his career. Evans draft and Brady signed.
Other than that he’s been a dumpster fire.
March 12th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Can Joe please stop pretending that losing Jamel Dean is a âbigâ loss?
Dean was a liability way more often than not.
March 12th, 2026 at 11:53 am
Fanboys and fanboy media starting to wake up to how overrated Lichtweight is. Took ya long enough fellas
March 12th, 2026 at 12:11 pm
It looks more and more like this is indeed a Glazer soft tank. Jason will be safe, this is to get rid of Todd, get good draft position and load up the salary cap capacity. Itâs the only explanation.
March 12th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Mauch sits while he healsâŚhe wont be 100% during TC or PS
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First round o-lineman for rotation??????
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Licht made two great moves in his career. Evans draft and Brady
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Yeah, that Wirfs pick was crap. VITA SUCKED. Winfield…… don’t get me started!
(SARCASM)
March 12th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
All doom and gloom at Joe’s Cafe. The “tanking” narrative is nonsense. A team with this much talent on offense doesn’t tank.
If we have a fully-functional offensive line and ZR is an effective strategist and play-caller, the beginning of the ’26 season will look a lot like the beginning of the ’25 season.
To some extent, Mike leaving removes a distraction. We’ll see how Chris as progressed — or not. Otherwise, it’s smarter to focus on building your offense around your younger wide receivers — and we have them (please don’t draft another one early as “the best player available”)!
The Bucs totally flamed out in the back half of last season because they couldn’t effectively compete offensively with O-line patchwork — and couldn’t count on needed support from defensive stops.
Bowles and his defense needed to go, but the team is stuck with him. Hopefully, we’ll have a decent defensive draft to prop up Todd’s butt.
March 12th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Jason has one of only 32 jobs and it pays very well. I’m sure he puts up with a lot to keep that job. At some point the stench from the hubris of others may become overwhelming and give him reason for pause.
March 12th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
Hey Hey Hey we’re the Buccaneers, ho ho ho we’re the Buccaneers…
#TeamDelusional
March 12th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
Since Mike didnât play for much of the year, not sure how losing him makes us worse.
March 12th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Iâm a glass-half-full guy right nowâŚ
March 12th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
What are we doing? Not much. We’re not improving our cap situation for next year or after. We can’t even trade our bloated extended contracted players for picks. No one wants their contracts. Baker is the only one who will provide some relief one way or the other. Either we dump him and his salary for a draft pick or FA or we extend and restructure him long term. Otherwise, we are still loaded with the baggage of 20 mill+ and other bloated contracts for a few more years. Of course, there is always the option of restructuring to mortgage the future if we so choose.
March 12th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
The other issue is that weâre top heavy and paying premium $ for players that are not delivering premium results (they certainly didnât last year). Injuries have played a part in that. Mediocre coaching seems like a factor too. And thereâs really no locker room âalphaâ holding any of âem accountable for delivering on the field. Brady demanded excellence. Sapp did too.
March 12th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
Joe the sky is falling. You a big of cry baby as the rest of these fans. There is a reason none of you are running a team. Everyone would be fired and you would spend all your money on players coming off injuries. While complaining about players on the team being injured
March 12th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
Everyone was high on the Bucs at the start of last year. Now that Bucs bombed in 2025, the prognosis is the Bucs will bomb in 2026. Licht is not throwing house money at these aging edgerushers. Media is saying the Bucs will be bottom feeders in the dreadful NFC South division. It seems like they get it wrong every year. NOTHING NEW THERE.
March 12th, 2026 at 1:37 pm
First round o-lineman for rotation??????
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1st rounder will be a starter….
Mauch will be depth with his bum knee…
if an OG goes down like last year, Mauch can step in instead of Haggard, Klien, or MJ…
Mauch is a FA after the season anyway….best to plug the hole now while he’s on the roster instead of drafting for need…
GO BUCS!!!!
March 12th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
Ira you sound like such a Bowles supporter here. You might as well become the Bucs official Press Rep. i can see your going all in on defending Bucs leadership all off-season. Letâs see if you stand by that when Bucs go on another mid-season losing streak
March 12th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
@813: 5th round for depth and rotation.
March 12th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
they are tanking thats what they are doing. The moment they resigned, Bowles useless as coach
March 12th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
Ioane….might even be able to trade down some and still get him…..thats what Im hoping we’re doing.
March 12th, 2026 at 3:53 pm
Leeman Bennett back! LOL Ray Perkins maybe or rehire Ra Ra Radio. I have no clue what the Bucs will be next season. Lord I hope we Draft really, really good.
March 12th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
A bunch of old guys on 1 year deals.. this is a tank season.. its obvious.. if Baker doesnt do hero ball, him, Bowles, Litch, and everyone is gone.. its obvious and this call came from the Glazers
March 12th, 2026 at 5:58 pm
Is Dean hurt yet?
March 12th, 2026 at 6:12 pm
Why in the the world would some of yâall want to extend a32 year old whoâs career has been average instead of drafting a twenty or twenty one year old to be the franchise qb for the next ten to fifteen years. To want to extend baker is delusion, heâs reached his ceiling and we know what he is. Itâs infatuation with him heâs just the bridge qb.
March 12th, 2026 at 6:15 pm
Everybody complaining but they continue to watch year after year.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:23 pm
Why would anyone want to come to Tampa with Bowels as our coach!! Absolute garbage.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:49 pm
Iâm actually really pleased at Lichts moves this year. I think he killed it. Sucks loosing another good corner though!! There were some good ones signed cheap!