Todd Bowles Identifies Leadership Changes
April 29th, 2026
Guard/center Ben Bredeson.
So what’s been happening at One Buc Palace since the early stages of the offseason program kicked off nine days ago?
“Not much” is the appropriate general answer. But behind the security guards and fences, Todd Bowles said the new era of Bucs ledership is emerging.
Bowles hopped on The Rich Eisen Show on ESPN TV yesterday and named names when it comes to filling the leadership vacuum left by Mike Evans and Lavonte David.
Bowles called out newcomer A’Shawn Robinson, Rakeem “Nacho” Nuñez-Roches, Calijah Kancey, Antoine Winfield, Vita Vea, Tykee Smith, Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs, Graham Barton and Ben Bredeson as men “speaking” and stepping up in that role.
“You need different leadership as you go along in this ballgame,” Bowles said.
Joe was intrigued to hear the names, and who wasn’t named.
The Joe typing here very much believes in the value of leadership from players, as this Joe has never been around a team as a player or coach where leadership (or lack thereof) didn’t matter.
Change certainly is welcome in that area for the Bucs. Last year’s collapse shouldn’t have/wouldn’t have happened if the Bucs had the locker room leadership the team crowed about a year ago.
April 29th, 2026 at 8:57 am
“” Last year’s collapse shouldn’t have/woudln’t have happened if the Bucs had the locker room leadership the team crowed about a year ago.””
Well that’s accurate considering the HC stated there was nothing more the coaches can do during the great collapse.
April 29th, 2026 at 8:57 am
Last year happened last year its time to concentrate on this year, but same HC so 10 wins is our max 7 is our floor, defense looks to have upgraded their talent and offense upgraded coaching, let’s call cautiously optimistic
April 29th, 2026 at 9:02 am
Leadership of your peers is hard. You must lead by the example of high standards for yourself to earn respect then use the approach that works for you whether it’s quiet, loud, jokes, ass kicking, stick vs carrot or whatever. Team needs leadership beyond peers. The ones in authority need to lead. Maybe the team loves Bowles but seems like the team quit. He and the assistant coaches need to be the stick beyond peer leadership.
Side note: need your coffee Joe? More typos than usual and I thought I had decaf for a second and was still half asleep reading. ?
April 29th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Josiah Trotter will be a leader of the defense
In a few years at most
April 29th, 2026 at 9:25 am
they claimed to have “leadership” last year but brought in JPP for more “juice” lol….
no YaYa, Bucky, Luke or EE2 as leaders?…wow
GO BUCS!!!!
April 29th, 2026 at 9:30 am
I’m waiting for the change in leadership at HC. Guess I’ll have to wait until January for that. So the new leadership are the same leaders that orchestrated the 2-7 after bye record. And lost in the first round 2 years ago. Ok, but of course since the date is different now the results will be different. This plan makes sense when you want a top 5 draft pick, not a championship.
April 29th, 2026 at 9:35 am
Don’t need everyone on the team to be a leader. We need good soldiers that know how to go out and get the job done just as much as we need good leaders. I’d be willing to bet that at least one of the newly drafted rookies gives us a significant leadership boost this year, couldn’t give a guess as to which one it’ll be though
April 29th, 2026 at 9:37 am
“I’m waiting for the change in leadership at HC. Guess I’ll have to wait until January for that.”
Have you prepared yourself just in case things don’t go how you, and many fans on this site don’t go as planned?
Like seriously, what’ll happen to you guys if we go 11-6 or 12-5?
April 29th, 2026 at 9:37 am
We for sure need leadership changes. Especially at the top.
Unfortunately the guy that needs to be fired immediately was retained and will give us a fifth year of mediocre football to enjoy.
It’s really sad that we are forced to waste another year on this fraud.
Only in this division does a historical loser get to keep their job.
#NoPlayoffs
April 29th, 2026 at 9:42 am
I would have liked to see Anzalone on that list, mildly concerning. Of course Zyon is nowhere to be found for the CBs too. A little pleasantly surprised to see Winfield, he seemed very checked out last year.
EE2 will ascend sooner than later. Not worried about Luke or Bucky. With Baker, Tristan, Graham and Ben stepping up, there’s plenty of O-Line/run game representation.
Want to see a LB step up (hopefully Trotter) and a CB (hopefully Parish).
April 29th, 2026 at 9:49 am
WBL
If that happens, then it happens. But then you have to ask yourself, looking at Bowles history as HC, what are the chances it’ll happen again since it hasn’t happened before? And would ownership be willing to risk another 3-5 years on this GM, HC and QB? Idk… I’m just going off the decisions I’ve seen Todd make the last 4 years and since he keeps repeating the same mistakes this team tanking is more likely to happen. But sure, anything is possible….
April 29th, 2026 at 9:55 am
I like the idea, everyone should have everyone’s back as well. I mean you guys notice when somethings not right after the snap because that usually ends with Baker on his arse. I see ya’ll between plays talking. Getting to the Superbowl has to come with a lot of good speeches from a coach, but on encouragement, lifting each other up, Remember the Titans, I shed tea
rs,. Love you guys.. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
April 29th, 2026 at 10:03 am
“If that happens, then it happens. But then you have to ask yourself, looking at Bowles history as HC, what are the chances it’ll happen again since it hasn’t happened before?”
Well, I’m not the type to just base things off a coaches past and have that be my primary metric to determine how far that coaches team can go. There’s a bunch of other factors in play, and again who saw us winning a title in 2019 the next year? or with the way we played the first half of the 2020 season before the bye.
Your allowed to feel how you want, my thing is, talking like it’s a sure thing is a bit hasty as it’s not even summer yet and we’re still assembling our 90 man roster while waiting on rookie camp to start.
Maybe I’d understand that logic if we were 5 weeks into the 2026 season sitting at 1-4, but it’s only April
April 29th, 2026 at 10:53 am
Lakeland. I don’t agree with alot of what you’re saying. But you really like this Trotter choice. I’m not so much convinced yet, and I know he’s a pretty good ball player. I’m sure hoping you’re right. I’m gonna quit knocking on him. Now all he’s gotta do is stay on the field and prove it. Fair enough.
April 29th, 2026 at 10:55 am
Alright Kenton,
I just want physical, violent football players
I’m tired of the Bucs getting walk over
April 29th, 2026 at 10:57 am
WBL. Most of these posters wouldn’t know a good ballclub if it bit them in the a$$. We’re favored to win the division again. And that’s why 11 or 12 wins wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest. Fact is I’d be shocked if we don’t win that many- at the least.
April 29th, 2026 at 11:26 am
The only leaders the Bucs really need is a two pack. A real full time head coach, and a real full time defensive coordinator who will install, teach and operate a modern NFL defense.
And Jason Licht failed. And it will cost him his own job.
April 29th, 2026 at 11:47 am
All but 2 of those guys were on the team last season. Now we’re supposed to believe they’ve suddenly found a voice & developed some magical leadership abilities. The hype never ends lol.
April 29th, 2026 at 11:51 am
Dang..
I thought Todd was resigning.
April 29th, 2026 at 11:52 am
3.28.Evans. Now, Now. I said some things about Licht after the draft but the truth is, he is one heck of a GM. I mean, the guy has built the team that we’re all so passionate about. And Ring of Honor GM. If the dude wins another championship, with an entirely rebuilt team, he will be a Hall of Fame GM. Just saying.
April 29th, 2026 at 11:58 am
Bring on the hype! I, for one, am excited for upcoming season. Been telling all the Falcon fans here in Atlanta there will be plenty of room on the bandwagon for them too. No takers so far.
Full Disclosure: I’m always excited for new season. Even back in Greg Schiano Ray Perkins years (which make me nauseous now).
April 29th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
The leadership SHOULD begin with communication from Bowles. Bowles wears a headset during games and is never seen talking to anyone in the headset or in person. Leadership needs effective and constant communication by the coaches and between the players. The Bucs are severely lacking in communication.
April 29th, 2026 at 1:05 pm
Totally forgot about the Nacho signing. I think the Joes are on to something about seeing more 5-2 fronts on defense. Good way to combat the trend of 13 personnel McVay unleashed on the league. Given the number of TEs that went in round 2 in a weak TE class, we’re going to see more teams running it.
April 29th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
Leadership didn’t matter very much when you had 60% of your starting Oline injured late in the season. Coupled with Mayfield’s injuries you could have had George Patton making lockeroom speeches and it wouldn’t have mattered.
April 29th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
Orange Republic. The vast majority of these posters don’t even know when they think they’re seeing a 3-4 that we’re actually playing a 5-2. No reason to get the knuckleheads confused.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
Kenton’s day drinking again.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Nailed it Gipper. Leadership doesn’t make up for lack of talent.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:41 pm
That’s quite a list. One might argue that if everyone’s a leader, nobody is.
I never saw Evans or Lavonte as leaders, except by example or in their position groups, maybe. Both are pretty quiet and mellow seeming.
Bain and Scott seem like leaders. And Baker of course.
April 29th, 2026 at 3:13 pm
I hope this doesn’t mean we will have 15 guys, running around with a “C” on his chest, this year. We only need two Tristian and Vita, that’s it!
April 29th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
HeavyE. I’m betting you are just the harda$$ to take the C off of Baker’s jersey. Not even on a cold day in hell!