Will Stability Matter For The Bucs Defense?
July 16th, 2026
It’s Year No. 8 for the Todd Bowles defense in Tampa.
A bunch of Bucs have several years in the defensive system. It should matter. It should help guys play faster and think less, and be utilized more to feature their strengths.
That kind of continuity on an NFL defense is rare.
As TheAthletic.com noted this week that 14 teams made changes at defensive coordinator this offseason. That’s nearly half the league. Those coaches had to study their players and craft a system and playbook accordingly. For nearly all of them, it will be a work in progress.
For Bowles, well, his defense should have an edge because he’s got guys all over the field who know exactly what he wants. Bowles can lean on those veterans to help bring along newcomers.
Will it matter? Joe can’t go there with any certainty.
All that seasoning under Bowles didn’t matter much for the defense last season. And every other NFC South defensive coordinator has returned this season, even in Atlanta where there was a head coach change.
That written, Joe is very excited by what seems like an inevitable upgrade in play at inside linebacker. Tykee Smith’s second season at safety should bear fruit. And adding edge rushers Rueben Bain and Al-Quadin Muhammad also looks like a huge upgrade, even if those guys simply play solid ball and rackup up a dozen sacks combined.
July 16th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Stability is somewhat kin to structure but if discipline is lacking, game over!
July 16th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Hopefully, we can try and put our CBs a little closer than 10 yds from the LOS. That might help. Hold a tackling class in TC. Maybe not keep the middle of the field open long enough for someone to bake a casserole. Maybe we can get a defensive GURU to run our D? Oh yeah……nevermind.
July 16th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
Last year was year #7. Were they any good, or did they quit on Incredibly Average Todd Bowles?
July 16th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
No.
July 16th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Last year we were basically ceding any catch under 8 yards, it was maddening
July 16th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
Is it me or does Todd Bowles looking more like a Jeff Fisher than a coach that can win a Superbowl?
July 16th, 2026 at 4:01 pm
A stable system I would think would generally help. However, we have with 3 rookies expected to play as ALL PROS and they have no prior exposure to Bowles system. In effect you may as well have a new cordinator. Second, with the current CB’s we have, exception is Parrish, new cordintor old cordinator, it makes no difference. They can’t cover that we have seen so new old cordinator what difference does it make?. In essence having the same system for half of the defense probably is not going to help much. It may make a huge difference next year if the new rookie develop and somehow Morrison stays healthy and actually develops this year. However, that is a big IF.
July 16th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Success does not evolve from the repetition of failures.
July 16th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Bowles has been an NFL DC for 14 years.
He’s had one defense ranked in the top 5 for total defense (4th in 2015 with the Jets)
He’s had 6 ranked in the top 10, including the one listed above.
8 of his defenses were ranked 11 or worse with 4 ranked #20 or worse.
Take that for what you will, but to me it’s pretty average to me for a “defensive guru.”
Never better than 4th and never worse than 25th.
Am I wrong to want better? He’s had his chance, and then some.
I don’t hate Todd Bowles, I just happen to think, at best, he is an average DC and a below average HC.
And yes, as D. Rules pointed out, injuries play a part. But the NFL is about overcoming injuries, not going full bore “poor me” about them.
July 16th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
Stability?? Huh?
This defense could have as many as 5 new starters come opening day.
Stability with the same DC? I’d go with stale before stable.
July 16th, 2026 at 4:14 pm
Talent WILL matter
July 16th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
The front 7 was weak in 2025…
Reddick sucked! Kancey was lost for the year. Walker never played a down. Hall wasn’t that good. Gaines and rookie Roberts were not very good backups. Braswell was a total non-factor…. Lavonte fought through some fairly major knee issues the entire season – Sirvocea Dennis was not ready for prime time and was a liability in coverage as was 54…..
The Bucs put a LOT of attention on shoring up the defensive front 7 this offseason. There are upgrades all over the place….
Bain > Reddick
AQM > Nelly
Walker > Braswell
Robinson > Hall
Nacho > Gaines
Anzalone > ’25 LD54
Trotter > Sir Dennis
There’s reason for hope with this 2026 Buccaneers defense- and yes – players who have been here awhile like Vea and YaYa and Winfield and McCollum should all benefit from the “continuity” – as should younger up and comers like Smith, Parrish and hopefully Morrison.
If the Bucs defenders stay relatively healthy – this 2026 group could definitely compete for a top 10 average scores against ranking. Which combined with an expected top 10 offense – would mean at least double digit wins on the season and likely more than that….
It all starts up front and the Bucs have done a good job (with the resources available) of transforming a ‘soft’ defensive front 7 into one that will demand respect and hopefully win a few more games along the way – as opposed to being a liability that must be over come by the offense…..
July 16th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Beeej Says:
July 16th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Last year we were basically ceding any catch under 8 yards, it was maddening
To be fair to Todd, hasn’t that been every single year since he became hc?
July 16th, 2026 at 4:32 pm
BuccoMarty … ‘Last year was year #7. Were they any good, or did they quit on Incredibly Average Todd Bowles?’
I still can’t understand Marty why so many fans continue to push this ‘The defense QUIT on Todd Bowles last year’ phobia. We went 6-2 tp start the season & the defense (and offense) were both playing quite good. We then hit a 3-game losing streak against 3 Top-5 offenses (Pats, Bills, Rams) that ate our defense for lunch. But for the last 6 games when we went 2-4, our defense did BETTER than our offense, and actually BETTER than it had done to start the season.
They DIDN’T QUIT; we won the Arizona game 20-17 thanks to our DEFENSE (Cards got the ball back with 2 minutes to go, and our defense shut them down in 4 downs). And we won the Panthers game 16-14, limiting the Panthers to 2 TDs & ending the game by causing them to fumble with us up by 2 pts. Our defense averaged 19 PPG in that 6-game end-of-season stretch. Had we averaged that for the whole season (obviously we didn’t), we would’ve given up 324 pts on the season … good enough for a #5 ranking. That’s not the mark of a team quitting.
July 16th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Pickgrin … Excellent player-by-player analysis. Completely agree that we’ve got the POTENTIAL to be Top-10 in both offense AND defense.
I’m expecting a LOT out of several newcomers: Anzalone & Robinson in particular on defense, and Gainwell on offense. Rookies will be rookies, but I think we drafted well, particularly on defense, and that Bain, Trotter AND Scott will all be able to hold their own. I’m concerned that things might start a little slow for our defense (some things take time to gel), but I’m hoping that our offense starts the season with its’ hair on fire.
July 16th, 2026 at 4:45 pm
Defense Rules Says:
“They DIDN’T QUIT”
Thank you DR. For stating what should be obvious based on simple statistics – but instead has grown into a false narrative with a life all its own…. (One of the Josephs saying it over and over hasn’t helped).
The 2nd Atlanta game was the only one down the stretch that the Defense totally lost. The other 3 loses to totally beatable teams in the last 6 games were mainly on the offense….
July 16th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
Id like to see them fire todd during the regularly scheduled mid season slump. No reason to wait and let the locker room sour like last year. Defense rules has got to be todds burner account. That atlanta game was brutal to watch, the rams took their foot off the gas and showed us mercy they could of hung 70 on todds defense. This defense quit last year.
July 16th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
One DB from the top five gets hurt and this defense is toast.
July 16th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
Answering the question, “Will Stability Matter For The Bucs Defense?”
The answer is, no. It won’t.
July 16th, 2026 at 5:07 pm
srqbuc … ‘This defense quit last year.’
Over many years of watching NFL football, I’ve seen defenses quit, and it’s downright UGLY. This defense gave up an average of 21 PPG over the last 6 games, while our offense scored only 20 PPG over that same stretch. those aren’t UGLY numbers, they’re just too low for consistent winning. Neither side of the ball quit on Todd Bowles, but they were both pretty well beaten up & lacked the DEPTH needed to finish strong given all their injuries.
I’m proud of you for keeping an open mind though & analyzing the stats to figure out what was really happening. Enjoy 2026 though. Tell me again srq, which team are you rooting for now?
July 16th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
Todd’s defense. Play AWJr 17 yards from line to protect against long TD”s. Alll we saw last year was huge gash plays whether runs or pass pays. Winfield was beaten anyway. AWJr is tremendously over rated. Licht would be wise to get rid of him now before the entire league discounts his value.
July 16th, 2026 at 5:16 pm
“It’s Year No. 8 for the Todd Bowles defense in Tampa.” Joseph
I don’t feel that is accurate. Yes, the superbowl team had it, but when Tom left and Mayfield came in, the focus became building around him and the defensive talent was igored at the top of the draft.
Bowles could have stomped his feet to get some high roundd picks, but he was the one who wanted Mayfield…so he had to make due with lesser talent on defense.
Is it really his defense if it isn’t the talent he wants to build it with?
Last year, he still didn’t get the first pick. It went to offense again. I think it was a smart move, but it meant pushing back the secondary. Secondary usually improves slower, so I get taking CBs last year.
Finally, they started building his defense again this year. I doubt it will be top 5 quality, but it might reach top 10 or so. Maybe.
If not, he gets fired and we make a run at Tomlin.
July 16th, 2026 at 5:30 pm
Boring defense
July 16th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
D. Rules——
Did it occur to you the reason so many fans are saying the defense quit was because Todd Bowles told us the defense quit!
OK, I’m paraphrasing. Todd said they took plays off. But if that’s not quitting, I don’t know what is.
July 16th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
It’s almost like Todd Bowles is a championship caliber HC. Who knew?
July 16th, 2026 at 6:00 pm
We finally have a nickname for the Todd Bowles D…
Groundhog D!
July 16th, 2026 at 6:08 pm
@Pickgrin:
Bain > Reddick
AQM > Nelly
Walker > Braswell
Robinson > Hall
Nacho > Gaines
Anzalone > ’25 LD54
Trotter > Sir Dennis
I love your posts about as much as DR’s (big compliment). BUT, how do you know the above? Don’t get me wrong, I WANT to believe, and sometimes do. But we have never seen any of these guys play. Walker could be = to Braswell. Same with AQM. Same with them all, well maybe except for Bain. He should easily get 20 sacks, lol.
The root of my scepticism derives from Joe’s recent article on the top 10 players where Anzalone is not even one of 25 players receiving a vote. And that Robinson was average on the Panthers. AQM did not make one start. ETC.
What does give me hope, is that all of those guys are new. That is a lot of FA and draft capital invested. I have a lot of trust in Licht. He is not 100%, no GM is. When Todd has even a decent amount of talent, he has proven to be a very good DC. Todd has been going without while a lot of investment has been placed on the offense, Oline, RB, WR and now QB.
A top 12 defense and a top 8 offense could do a lot of damage in the playoffs.
July 16th, 2026 at 6:15 pm
@BuccoMarty
I said that all along about how the team probably just gave up on him.
July 16th, 2026 at 6:34 pm
With stability, the Bucs will have the beginning of structure on defense but without discipline, it’s game over! The DC is directly responsible for being consistent with discipline!
July 16th, 2026 at 7:43 pm
JA … ‘OK, I’m paraphrasing. Todd said they took plays off.’
I remember reading that Todd said that. And what I thought at the time JA is that Todd was out of touch with his defense (and team). Example: LVD by his own admission after the season ended said that he was hurting all season long. He also told folks that he slacked off on some plays (we all saw that anyways). I have to wonder how much his knee problems impacted how he played last season.
Bowles, being an old-time ex-player, grew up in the days when NFL players just gutted it out. Broken leg? No problem, you’ve got another. I think Todd’s background & experiences are why he let Mayfield decide to keep going out there. That would’ve been Todd’s mentality too (Baker & Todd are very similar in many respects IMO).
July 16th, 2026 at 7:54 pm
Wait. Bowles is a genis. He once had a good game plansi years ago.
July 16th, 2026 at 8:15 pm
Familiarity breeds contempt: Logan Hall – Monotony. Zion McCullom – Bored. Reddick/Dennis/Braswell – Cashing checks. A. Nelson – Plays well for a glue guy. LaVonte David – ROAD.
Hoping they play the guys with heart or the guys that understand they get paid to play the game.
July 16th, 2026 at 8:19 pm
@Pickgrin &
@Defense Rules
Thank you for bringing some objectivity and perspective and substance to a comments section in danger of being overrun by the opposite 👍🏼😎
July 16th, 2026 at 8:30 pm
Q: What happens to a DC who has been figured out, and either can’t or won’t adjust?
A: Their defense gets lit up.
Q: Who are some examples of this?
A: Lovie Smith, Mike Smith, and Todd Bowles.
July 16th, 2026 at 9:11 pm
Takes about 10-12 years to figure this scheme out. For the coach. Then another 10 to teach the players. So we got this. It’s nice to have an advantage. Go Bucs.
July 16th, 2026 at 9:14 pm
I would quibble between saying that the Bucs defense “quit” and saying that it was “disheartened”.
The defense knew that the opposing offense had the kryptonite for the Bucs’ weakness at ILB. That kryptonite was to make sure that both Bucs ILBs were in coverage the majority of snaps, which opposing offenses did.
Too often, that meant drive sustaining completions five to ten yards down the field followed by lots of YAC.
And, with poor clock management on offense giving the ball back to the other team with time for one more drive to steal the win, as a fan, I was disheartened. So, I have to think that the players on defense were also disheartened.
July 16th, 2026 at 9:15 pm
3.28 is a good poster..wait didn’t she have a meaningful post years ago?
July 16th, 2026 at 9:17 pm
D. Rules——
You gave me a laugh. I must commend you for giving one of the most eloquent disseminations of a dubious point I’ve heard in quite some time. The “old school” stuff really cracked me up.
Good job, but the defense still quit. Not often, but often enough …
July 16th, 2026 at 10:06 pm
Jeff fisher mention. Elite post.
By the second or third week of January we’ll be able to name August 9th or September 8th ‘Todd Bowles’ day.
July 16th, 2026 at 10:33 pm
Since he switched from DC to HC, Bowles has had a lot less talent to work with in his front 7. I’d say he got an awful lot out of this defense down the stretch last year considering he had to sit some players for slacking and others were injured. Far from excellent, but the defense kept the games competitive while the offense without guards couldn’t move the ball. As far as I’m concerned, the Bucs are due for a relatively healthy season after the last two injury debacles.
Let’s see if the Football Gods agree. I’d love to see what this team is capable of when relatively healthy!
July 17th, 2026 at 12:56 am
Over-ripe eggplant wth maple syrup is a bad combination. At least no other coach ever has to overcome injuries by (gasp!) coaching and making adjustments. 😵💫
July 17th, 2026 at 10:10 am
@ pickgrin ….. well said
The by far biggest is Robinson ……… You can’t win with a Bowles attitude and effort in the NFL …….. You must have hard nosed, tough ass , bad ass leaders in order to be successful !! Hopefully Baine and Robinson become a bad ass , ass kicking family and AA will be right there to caboose the train !! Those three s mental difference should also make a physically stronger , better shape, with less injuries Team …….. T Smith can also pull some wood …… Keep an eye on Winfield !! Is he In or out ?
July 17th, 2026 at 10:21 am
Hopefully the Bucs don’t have Vita Vea and other big defensive linemen covering RBs and Receivers again this season. It’s so crazy that coaches have them do that so often. And you can see opposing offenses and QBs looking for those coverage deficiencies everytime they drop back to pass against Bucs defense. QBs are like yes!! Vita is covering Alvin Kamara or Bijan Robinson or Amon St. Brown in zone coverage yes!! Quick pass and then first down!! Bucs defense was so predictable with stuff like that during most games last season.
July 17th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Aren’t there like 6+ new starters on defense? I guess you could be right the vets will able help coach up the new guys. Apparently, so I’m told this is a very complicated defense with a steep learning curve. It’s impossible to simulate every possibility at every position in practice. So with 6+ new starters I expect the defense to “gel” around week 5 or 6. The good news is this defense should start out better than what we saw at the end of last season. The bad news is historically the defense seems to play its best early in the season. Helping notch a few wins. Then by week 7 or 8 it’s a slow decline. The offense on the other hand with a new OC doesn’t seem to gel until week 4 or 5. What I’m saying is this team never seems to be able to have a complete game. I feel the offense is making some heroic herculean effort to eek out a close win. Because the defense can’t seem to stop anything. Or the offense seems to get swallowed by penalties and can’t get out of thier own way. And the defense is out there creating turnovers and getting stops. It seems as though one side of the ball is perpetually sputtering along. Never a complete game.
July 17th, 2026 at 1:46 pm
Hey Pot. You stated that the Bowles collapse is manufactured. What do you mean by that? Sounds like you are saying it is an intentional collapse. I have always taken the view that his collapses were because of ineptness.
July 17th, 2026 at 5:05 pm
A stable “soft zone” will provide opportunity to the Buc opponents!! Will Bowles back down from this? We’ll find out come September. I wouldn’t put down any cash on that proposition.