Todd Bowles Thinks Cody Mauch Is “Stouter”
July 29th, 2026
Todd Bowles reacts.
It seems Bucs coach Todd Bowles has an interesting description of Bucs right guard Cody Mauch.
Today, Bowles suggested Mauch, who missed the last 15 games of the 2025 season due to a blown knee, is “stouter.”
So what exactly does the root word “stout” mean? Joe turned to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.
stout
1: strong of character: such as
a: brave, bold
a stout leader
He has a stout heart.
b: firm, determined
Their lawyer put up a stout defense.
also : obstinate, uncompromising
2: physically or materially strong:
a: sturdy, vigorous
b: staunch, enduring
c: sturdily constructed : substantial
3: forceful
a stout attack
also: violent
Yeah, that sort of sounds like Mauch. Pretty close to a Ryan Jensen clone, Mauch seeks out violence. Mauch loves to run downhill and wipe out defenders on the second and third level.
Joe thinks Mauch’s talent and his nose for attacking were missed last season more than the Bucs want to admit publicly.
While it’s still underwear football, and it is impossible to get a correct read on offensive linemen, Bowles gave Bucs fans a delicious morsel about Mauch.
“I think he’s had a great offseason and he looked great in the spring,” Bowles said today. “He looks stouter. He looked stout last year before he got hurt, but he looks stouter right now, and I’m just excited to see him in there.”
The pads come on next week and Joe to is sort of geeked to see Mauch back on the field.
If Mauch is fully recovered from his knee injury, the Bucs’ run game, which was largely stuck in park last year, very well could explode.
Joe thinks all fans ca agree that in part, Baker Mayfield got destroyed last year because the two guards protecting him were less than ideal.
July 29th, 2026 at 7:04 pm
I certainly agree with Joe on this article and the end of it. Mauch is quite possibly our best run blocker on an offensive line full of really great blockers. The data from 2024 (that we averaged 5.5 YPC running between Mauch and Barton and only 3.5 YPC running between Barton and Bredeson- a HUGE difference) illustrates that fact really well. I am so looking forward to our offense this year and have my fingers crossed the O-line can stay largely without injury and certainly without major long term injuries!
July 29th, 2026 at 7:10 pm
Good news
July 29th, 2026 at 7:45 pm
@StPetematt,
Amen brother! And as a bonus please let Kancey play a full season
July 29th, 2026 at 7:55 pm
Mauch is a beast who may not yet have reached his prime.
If Mauch shows that he is fully recovered and as “stout” or “stouter” than he was before his injury, my first priority would be to extend him. The Bucs have shown that they can find good guards later in the draft, but I believe that Mauch brings much more than the standard Bucs good guard find in the draft.
Vea would be my second priority to extend. So he is over 30. Being stuck with a standard formula saw Donald Penn go on to have Pro Bowl success with the Raiders and Michael Bennet go on to have Super Bowl at Pro Bowl success with the Seahawks. Vea is special, and the Bucs DL can be Great!
If the Bucs have to guarantee 2 years @ $25 M with incentives to hit $30 on a four year deal, with the talent that he would be a part of with Bain, Kancey, Diaby, Robinson and the supporting cast, the “special sauce” that Vea adds looks to be a real octane booster. Where do you find another Vea?
Mayfield would be my third priority. I love to watch Baker play. From a fan perspective, I really like the guy. But, Brady signed for 12% of the cap and won a Super Bowl. With a ~$300 M cap, $36 M is 12% of cap. The current salary cap bubble has a few QBs making half again that much, and it is a roster wrecker.
With a bit of improvement at left guard, which may be coming with Shauth, the Bucs can have a GREAT OL. And, the skill players on offense look to be very good.
With a Great OL with Mauch extended and a Great DL with Vea extended, a lot of underpaid QBs could win a Super Bowl for Tampa.
2027 UFA Mac Jones is getting less than $5M a year as a backup in SF. I think someone like him could win a Super Bowl with the team Tampa is building.
There may still be questions at ILB and CB.
I would still like to see Tampa add a proven coverage ILB as insurance while Trotter develops.
And, I would like to see the Bucs add a taller pressman CB.
But, the DL Tampa has put together may let the Bucs thrive just playing nickel to help make up for any coverage deficits.
Deal with Mauch and Vea ASAP, and then look at what you can spend on Baker.
Tampa kind of went at it wrong after winning the Super Bowl. A lot of guys got paid when Tamp should have asked, “Do you want to be 10 or 20% richer instead of rich, or do you want to win it all again?” The answer tells you who you need to have on your team.
July 29th, 2026 at 8:00 pm
Hell yes NC! Also a key to a great season. What if we have all our top starters almost the entire season? This would be a completely different team from last year- and very dangerous.
July 29th, 2026 at 8:04 pm
Bucs Nation
While some fans (Trolls) are busy obsessing over contract drama they can’t control, the front office is focused on building a younger, faster, stronger football team. In 2024, the Bucs averaged about 5.5 yards per carry running behind Cody Mauch and Graham Barton, compared to just 3.5 on the opposite side.
That’s why getting Mauch back healthy matters. Real fans understand championships are built in the trenches, not in the comment section worrying about who’s leaving next.
🔥 LFG!!
💍 Ring Me!!
🏈 Trade Vita the Diva NOW!!!
July 29th, 2026 at 8:05 pm
I know Stpete, unfortunately corner is a position group that we cannot afford multiple injuries. We need Morrison back ASAP, he needs all the reps he can get. He pretty much missed all of last years camp.
July 29th, 2026 at 8:10 pm
@NCBucFan and StPete
Jaire Alexander (Packers)
* Elite man-coverage corner when healthy.
* Would likely cost a Day 2 draft pick or more plus a significant contract.
* Biggest impact player available if Green Bay is willing to deal.
Tariq Woolen (Seahawks)
* Long shot, but Seattle has depth.
* Young, athletic, and fits Tampa’s press scheme.
Would you pull the trigger? On a trade??
🔥 LFG!
July 29th, 2026 at 8:10 pm
aka he is Benching a lot more weight. All O-Lineman and D for that matter-shoot for Benching 500 whether they talk or are asked about it. If you are weighing 300+ and training with dedication, you can get there. Go Bucs!!
July 29th, 2026 at 8:16 pm
@ BoriMex, I like where your heads at. Would def for Woolen in a heartbeat. Jaire Alexander actually stepped away from the NFl. He just had too many injuries.
July 29th, 2026 at 8:18 pm
I wonder if Todd shares his Kit Kats with the o-line…
July 29th, 2026 at 8:18 pm
With that being said, would still love to have Vea here for at least this year. He is so important to what we do up front.
July 29th, 2026 at 8:20 pm
@NCBucFan
You’re right I hope he gets his mind right. Another possibility:
Asante Samuel Jr.
* Still one of the best available if healthy.
* Only 26 years old.
* Ball skills, quick feet, and would fit Todd Bowles’ aggressive defense well if his medicals check out??
July 29th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
BoriMex, yes. I would def entertain that.
July 29th, 2026 at 8:34 pm
So you’re telling me without telling me that David Walker survived practice? A better year already!
Mauch is a mauler – thrilled to have him back!
July 29th, 2026 at 8:48 pm
Contract year for him too …
July 29th, 2026 at 9:22 pm
need good backups.
July 29th, 2026 at 9:36 pm
It bugs me when people compare Brady to Mayfield on taking bargain contracts. Brady was already worth $200M when he came to the Bucs, and his wife had another $200M. That’s assets, not career earnings.Money was not a priority.
July 29th, 2026 at 10:39 pm
@BoriMex
“Real fans understand championships are built in the trenches,”
Amen and while there are many components two major players IMHO could be Mauch on the Olline and Kancey on the Dline. Both have proven talent, now comes the critical test…durability.
July 29th, 2026 at 11:11 pm
Get him extended already.
Extend these guys early and you can get a deal – Cody, Luke, Barton and Wirfs are 4 top tier players at their positions (and if you don’t think Barton is top tier at C, move him to guard, he’s top tier somewhere on the line).
If you have a top offensive line, you can then cheap out at RB and probably QB as well, since if you take a middling QB and give them a great offensive line, they can look top notch for a short period of time. And while RBs are a dime a dozen, a top line will absolutely level them up a notch.
July 29th, 2026 at 11:21 pm
Oh my so.e optimism, I must be on the wrong site.
July 30th, 2026 at 1:32 am
@StPeteBucsFan
Well said, SPBF. Talent has never been the question, availability has. The encouraging part is the Bucs promoted Chad Wade to head strength and conditioning coach for 2026. Players have already said the offseason program has been noticeably more demanding, helping “callous” the roster for the physical grind of training camp. If that translates into fewer soft tissue injuries and better durability, it could be one of the most underrated moves of the offseason.
Depth keeps you afloat; healthy difference-makers make you dangerous when it matters most.
@Buddha
I’d rather evaluate what actually decides seasons; health, depth, player development, and coaching instead of chasing the loudest negative narrative. Stay on JBF optimism is extremely contagious!
🔥 LFG!
July 30th, 2026 at 1:50 am
Boweles is taking note of who is bigger than he is on the team.😂
July 30th, 2026 at 8:33 am
8.5 mil in cap room left for ’26 until they start meddling with other existing contracts. Available CB FA are Lattimore, Diggs, K. Moore, Tre White, J. Okudah, Adoree Jackson and some other lesser known players.
July 30th, 2026 at 10:10 am
Not sure I would call him stout…Maybe sir…? Big man? The Pancaker? Whatever suits him. LOL
Go Bucs!