Ex-GM Is More Worried About Bucs Offense Than Defense
May 27th, 2026
An unexpected take here from a guy who is friendly with Todd Bowles and has professed his admiration of Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht.
Ran Carthon is a former director of player personnel for the Rams and 49ers, and he was the Titans general manager. He also was a heck of a running back for the Florida Gators once upon a time.
Today, Carthon is a busy analyst for CBS. He was asked recently if the Bucs have enough to make a run in the playoffs. Carthon seems to think Baker Mayfield and the offense are lacking enough horses to get that done.
“I’m still not sold on this wide receiver group, if I’m being honest,” Carthon said. “I mean, I love where Emeka came along, and I just think Chris Godwin is at a phase now in his career where he’s kind of on the down side.”
Carthon likes Godwin’s toughness and versatility and thinks receivers Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson could take strides, and he acknowledges the presence of rookie Ted Hurst, but Carthon is not confident.
“I just don’t know as a whole that this offense has sustatainability to be able to score enough points,” he added.
In all, Carthon said the offense has doesn’t have enough playmakers to score consistently.
What made Joe do a double take is Carthon gushing about the Bucs defense and how their in much better position to succeed than they’ve been in years. He was admant that ‘Shawn Robinson, Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey are good enough to dominate as a trio of defensive tackles. Also, he’s high on Rueben Bain and the what Al-Quadin Muhammad can do in rotational role.
Joe loves hearing confidence in the Bucs defense. That’s a rarity. Still, Joe’s not betting againt the Bucs offense behind a healthy, beastly offensive line.
May 27th, 2026 at 4:37 pm
It’s a different team if we can run the ball
May 27th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
We will run the ball. Right behind Cody Mauch- all season, hopefully…
May 27th, 2026 at 4:43 pm
Exactly. The ‘24 success was predicated on running the ball effectively and letting baker dink and dunk.
If the line stays healthy and we run it well the offense should be good at worst.
Of course Godwin and Jmac have had big issues staying healthy due to style of play. That’s why getting hurst was key.
May 27th, 2026 at 4:45 pm
If the offense fails, it won’t be because of the WR room (barring a crazy amount of injuries, which seems common nowadays)
May 27th, 2026 at 4:45 pm
First Ran was ok at UF. Apparently he know less about football than I thought he did with this take. The reasons are obvious, which do not need to be elaborated.
May 27th, 2026 at 4:46 pm
Ran Carthon? lol. This dude was AWFUL. The Titans went 9-25 under his two year stint as GM, and his draft picks absolutely back up that record.
May 27th, 2026 at 5:06 pm
I bet by the end of this year people ain’t gonna be pointing a Todd as the problem
May 27th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
Does this guy know the defense has looked terrible for the last 2 years, and the same guy is running it? Until Bowles proves he’s not the 2nd coming of Lovie Smith (the defense got figured out, without making adjustments), the defense is and should be the main concern.
May 27th, 2026 at 5:17 pm
Carthon knows football, but let’s be honest. He does not watch, or care about, the Bucs as much as we do. So I don’t really think he knows the team all that well.
May 27th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
The offense under Zac will be really good. I expect the WRs and TEs to ball out. I would still bring Shep back as insurance and get another RB, as I don’t expect Bucky to be fully healed. As far as the defense, I am really worried because our CBs are horrible, edge rush relies on a rookie, and Bowles is the DC. Bowles has proven time after time that he shrinks when the chips are down in the 4th Qtr.
May 27th, 2026 at 5:26 pm
I’d say, like others have said, that if we get that 2024 line back and we can run the ball effectively that offense will be at least better than average.
That front 7 is bound to be better too. The secondary worries me.
May 27th, 2026 at 5:41 pm
I think the Bucs are (somehow) going to be underrated since the guys the national types know (Evans, LVD) have left the squad
May 27th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
@obvious I would have to slightly disagree with your previous take. Godwin got cheap shotted in new Orleans (not his fault) and then hip drop tackled the following year against the ravens ( also not his fault). I dont think that equates to how he plays, just an outcome of sh*ty circumstances. Before roquan Smith illegally tackled him (with no fine from the league which infuriated me) CG was absolutely having his best year by far. He was one pace for a crazy year…
May 27th, 2026 at 6:17 pm
“I just don’t know as a whole that this offense has sustatainability to be able to score enough points”
We went from 29 ppg in ‘24 which ranked 4th all the way to 22.4 ppg which ranked 18th
Being healthy alone is going to make up for that and get us back into the top 5.
Questioning our sustainability is just another way of saying we were last seen being offensively inconsistent as a team.
16-14 in our last game of the season.
May 27th, 2026 at 6:21 pm
The defense will have five new starters; the offense only one. Although not the same exact role, the swap on offense really boils down to McMillan for Evans. I’m pretty sure most folks would say that’s a downgrade.
Still, it all comes down to health. If the Bucs offense has half the injuries they had last year, they should be considerably better.
May 27th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
I also don’t agree with his take on Godwin. He’ll probably be Baker’s #1 option on most passing plays. Nothing I’ve seen points to Godwin slowing down.
May 27th, 2026 at 6:44 pm
Hurst might be as important as anybody in the WR room.
May 27th, 2026 at 6:55 pm
Not mentioning the O-line is negligence. I expect a significant upgrade in line plsy. That alone will unlock this offense. As for the WRs, they’ll all look better with a less frantic QB. Bake was running for his life most of last year; and when he actually had time, as rare as that was, he started to hear ghost later in the season. Once he lost confidence in their ability to protect him his play plummeted. Everybody looks & plays better when the line has mojo. Same law applies to the D-line.
May 27th, 2026 at 7:21 pm
Carthon … “I just don’t know as a whole that this offense has sustatainability to be able to score enough points.”
What exactly does that mean? How many points will be ENOUGH? Doesn’t that depend on how well our 2026 defense does game-to-game?
It’s fascinating that Carthon was ‘gushing about the Bucs defense and how they’re in much better position to succeed than they’ve been in years.’ IF our defense is gonna be ‘much better’ than they were last year, shouldn’t that mean that our offense could score fewer points because our defense would be allowing fewer points?
And the cherry on top was that Carthon feels that the Bucs’ offense doesn’t ‘have enough playmakers to score CONSISTENTLY. I always thought that winning was about scoring ENOUGH (OK, more than the other guy), not about scoring consistently. Doesn’t matter how you do it, just do it.
Nah too much INCONSISTENCY in Carthon’s rationale. Oh wait, that’s what he’s accusing the Bucs’ offense of. Hmmm.
May 27th, 2026 at 7:22 pm
Idk what Hurst will do this year but I am interested to see what he does after putting on some muscle to that frame.
May 27th, 2026 at 7:23 pm
Drug test that man. Seriously. He sounds like a mental patient.
The only thing that’s gushing regarding the Bowles led defense is the amount of yards given up.
Not to mention the 2-7 collapse in 2025. He must have been asleep during the Bucs games. Wish I had been.
3rd and 28!!!
May 27th, 2026 at 7:50 pm
That’s why He is an EX GM!!!!
May 27th, 2026 at 8:12 pm
A good offense scores a TD a quarter and 28 points a game. A good defense prevents a TD a quarter and 28 points a game. 14 points by halftime as a offense. Under 14 points as a defense. That’s my measurement gauge, it works. Box score should be like this.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
BUCS 7 7 7 7 28
OPP 3 3 3 3 12
Eat that W! Bucs win! Fire the Cannons!
May 27th, 2026 at 8:15 pm
“What exactly does that mean? How many points will be ENOUGH? Doesn’t that depend on how well our 2026 defense does game-to-game?”
We finished the season tied w/Burrowless Bengals and Vikings averaging the 8th most punts per game.
Averaged 22 ppg
Had 2 wins where our defense scored
And averaged about 2 points off 21 of 23 total takeaways by our defense.
Now we’ve got a healthy OL
It’s a new offense again, last year it wanted to be more vertical and now where hearing it’s got to be “spread” which can mean anything in football of 2026
And we’ve got a new OC who comes with his own pros and cons, we’re just in the honeymoon phase right now.
So yea, how well can this offense sustain a high enough level of performance the to generate points is a real question.
How many points is enough? Well how many times did you get the ball and put it in the paint? We know we can kick the ball, McLaughlin got plenty of work last season.
May 27th, 2026 at 8:16 pm
I think the WR room is plenty solid. Assuming players stay reasonably healthy, the offense is going to come down to Baker.
May 27th, 2026 at 8:28 pm
I’m not confident in this Carlton bad mouthing the Bucs offense. So many of these analysts are just so full of themselves. Joe, I’m guessing it’s hard to find knowledgeable analysts and you are hard pressed to include in finding material to write about the Bucs.
We are a few months away from the start of the season. Look forward to the proving these idiots how uninformed they are.
May 27th, 2026 at 8:45 pm
I’m worried about both units and it’s because of what the Bucs have at HC, DC and OC.
Those are the positions on the team to worry most about.
On paper, the Bucs roster should be pretty good on both sides of the ball.
May 27th, 2026 at 8:51 pm
Our offense collapsed in the 2 nd half of last season
And now evans left. We added a backup guard and switched backup running backs.
Defensively we added 4 top picks. We lost 1 great playrr near the end of his prime
All else was swaps and hopefully upgrades..
My disagreements with carthon is I think special teams will be better. The defense needs another year imo
May 27th, 2026 at 8:54 pm
What an idgit! Not hard to see why Carthon is an “EX” – GM…..
The Bucs have one of the most talented WR rooms in the whole league.
As long as the QB and OLine stays relatively healthy – Bucs will have a top 10 offense.
If the defense catches up and also ranks top 10 in 2026 – then the Bucs win 11+ games and become a team no one wants to face in the playoffs!
May 27th, 2026 at 9:38 pm
Carthon sounds like a guy who was told to take the downside of a team he doesn’t know.
Here’s my prediction:
? The defense will enter the first game fired up. That, in combination with the Bengals not knowing what to expect from the defense, should result in some big plays for our guys.
This could carry into games 2-3 or 4.
But after that, teams will start to adjust and that’s when the defense will have to start developing and things will become more challenging.
We’ll see how it goes then.
? Assuming the OL doesn’t suffer any devastating injuries, the offense should be fine. Baker Mayfield is used to spreading the ball around, and thanks to last year, the WR depth got a lot of experience. While Baker was playing through multiple injuries, he was not on top of his game, but experience is experience. They all got to grow and learn.
That said, Godwin isn’t slowing down. He suffered a bad injury that took time to return from, but he returned in time to prove he had overcome it. He’s the new #1.
EE will have to work his tail off to prove himself…and he should do just that.
I think the offense will be fine.
The big surprise, I think, will be Special Teams. I think it will be greatly improved…and I think we’ll see a few trick plays introduced.
This will be the Bucs as they should have been last year.
May 27th, 2026 at 10:35 pm
BucBonzai: Agree with your points in prediction. And — I think that few of us have been thinking about the potential level of impact that an overhaul of Special Teams brings!
Thanks for the reminder!
May 27th, 2026 at 10:50 pm
I keep telling ya. This WR group doesn’t impress me much at all. So I predict they’ll both suck. Offense and defense.
5-12 is coming folks. I keep tellin’ ya’ll!
May 27th, 2026 at 10:53 pm
Some of you people are in for a huge disappoint with your predictions.
May 27th, 2026 at 11:15 pm
New name change, huh?
May 27th, 2026 at 11:17 pm
Yeauuuuup! Count me as being in that camp. I’ve been trying to warn you people all along, while you talk about Baker and THIS “Offense” like they are this “LOADED” group. When, there are zero “ELITE” Game-Breakers, with the kind of ‘explosiveness’ that is a legit threat to take it to the HOUSE at any moment the ball is in their hands. Outside of Wirfs, there isn’t even a single Top-15 player at their position, on the ENTIRE ROSTER. But, I will tell you WHO does have “IT” though… And, that is ATL. It could get VERY SCARY, if Tua (with HIS downfield accuracy) just happens to remain completely, ? fully healthy, (&/or) Penix does the same, and then takes that next step. But, Tua though… Again, VERY. SCARY. In THAT Offense. And, With THOSE Weapons.
May 27th, 2026 at 11:41 pm
I just now, actually READ the article. And, I FULLY AGREE ? with what this guy said. I’ve been saying it ALL, myself. I think this defense has a great shot to be a Top 10-15 group. And, dare I say… Possibly, even a Top-10. As long as the Little Benji (The “Godson” LoL), McCollum, Tykee, Parrish, Scott, & a newly ‘rejuvenated’ Winfield Junior, can all take care of that backend, while remaining mostly healthy, along with Kancey. I could not understand the Trotter pick, at ALL… It made ZERO sense. But, everything else was fine, and I was onboard with. The Defense will NOT be the problem. They weren’t our #1-Problem last year, during that late season total COLLAPSE (I could ‘see-it’ in Baker’s eyes… HE was not focused and did not show up, or seem to even care). The Defense will be fine. It’ll all come down to THE OFFENSE, whether or not this Bucs Team will be successful. It’s on THEM with Baker in a contract year!!!!
May 28th, 2026 at 12:00 am
Final 6 games of the season, with the playoffs on the line…
Bucs defense, 10th in points against.
Bucs offense, 28th in points for.
May 28th, 2026 at 4:41 am
Rod Munch Says:
May 28th, 2026 at 12:00 am
Final 6 games of the season, with the playoffs on the line…
Bucs defense, 10th in points against.
Bucs offense, 28th in points for.
^^^^^^^^^
Sir Rodney of Munch: Remember last year when Bowles decided to “help” the offense at the end of the season? To keep the scores low to try to make the putrid defense look better? You probably don’t remember that, but I do.
May 28th, 2026 at 5:27 am
Yes, Bowles actually “helped” ruin the offense last year, too. Look it up.
May 28th, 2026 at 6:56 am
There’s Munch again, pointing out the final six games where the Bucs defense played the worst offenses in the NFL and the offense went against better than average defenses in most of the six:
Arizona, Atlanta, New Orleans, Miami and the Panthers twice. Real powerhouses on offense there.
Saints – worst scoring offense in the NFC
Panthers – second worst scoring offense in the NFC (two games)
Falcons – third worst scoring offense in the NFC
Cardinals – fourth worst scoring offense in the NFC
Yeah, great job defense [insert eye roll here].
May 28th, 2026 at 8:04 am
Defense had 3 starters who aren’t even in the NFL anymore, see that unit only being better
May 28th, 2026 at 8:35 am
I’m hoping the new guys on defense make a positive difference, if Bowles uses his players the right way, for a change.
May 28th, 2026 at 11:12 am
This is gonna be a running team this year Oline is healthy,time to knock people off the ball! Keep Baker healthy Limiting the other team offensive positions!
May 28th, 2026 at 11:17 am
FIRETHRCANNONS:
Fair enough but I would be surprised if we aren’t sitting here in October or November talking about how we need hurst and Johnson to play significant snaps due to Godwin and JM missing games.
Hope I’m wrong but it’s been a trend.
May 28th, 2026 at 1:37 pm
1000% DISAGREE WITH WR
Godwin, EE, and JMac are all SOLID receivers.
The Questions are:
1. TE. Otton is a reliable but meh. Is he it?
2. RB. Who’s the #1 RB? It’s not Bucky … or if it is, it won’t be for long.
3. QB. Does he continue losing games with INTs or can he clean it up?
May 28th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
ScottyMack Says:
May 28th, 2026 at 6:56 am
There’s Munch again, pointing out the final six games where the Bucs defense played the worst offenses in the NFL and the offense went against better than average defenses in most of the six:
Arizona, Atlanta, New Orleans, Miami and the Panthers twice. Real powerhouses on offense there.
Saints – worst scoring offense in the NFC
Panthers – second worst scoring offense in the NFC (two games)
Falcons – third worst scoring offense in the NFC
Cardinals – fourth worst scoring offense in the NFC
Yeah, great job defense [insert eye roll here].
————
And the defense did their job — while Baker put up games with 122 yards, 144 yards, multiple horrific 4th quarter INTs to lose three of the four.
May 28th, 2026 at 5:51 pm
Healthy, beastly line?
Two are returning from serious knee injuries.
Graham Barton played well at tackle.
But he was horrible at Center.
Good luck with that.
Mediocre WRS room. Mediocre O line. Irving recovering.
If I were Mayfield, I wouldn’t sign an extension. I’d be asking for a trade.
And the defense is still counting on Rookies to improve the pass rush.
That’s not how the NFl works.
Defense is counting on rookies at every level .
We lost Evans. We lost Lavonte. Nobody nearly that talented walked in to replace them.
Yeah, it’s gonna be a long season.