Chris Godwin Discusses Last Season’s Collapse
September 6th, 2026
Couldn’t overcome injuries.
Last season was like a two-headed monster for the Bucs.
The good head rose up and clobbered people before the bye. The Bucs were one of the best teams in the league — beating two playoff teams, including the eventual Super Bowl champs in their own crib.
Jumping out to a 6-2 record, it seemed a cinch the Bucs were playoff-bound. Baker Mayfield was discussed by sober minds to be a legit MVP candidate. Then came the bye and the bad head took over. What exactly happened, Joe isn’t sure.
Yes, injuries were a factor but the Bucs were beat to hell when they smacked around San Francisco at home — and healthy enough to beat the Dixie Chicks and tanking Dolphins in December.
Every offensive starter missed games last year except center Graham Barton and Mayfield. And you could argue Mayfield should have sat out a game or two; he was so beat up.
Joe can’t recall a Bucs team looking so good through the first half and so pathetic in the second half, even when the team got relatively healthy.
Football people generally don’t like to talk about injuries because it makes them look whiny and soft. But the fact is injuries played a significant part in the Bucs’ collapse. (That, and too many “professionals” quitting on defense.)
In a Zoom sitdown with Mitch Goldich of SI.com, Chris Godwin didn’t want to point a finger at injuries. But he admitted the Bucs had so many on offense it was difficult to overcome.
“The mentality is always playing one game at a time,” Godwin said. “But it’s like some things are out of your control. Like when injuries pile up. Like that’s not in your control.
“And it has a large impact on your team’s ability to win. It makes it more difficult.”
Godwin said the most successful teams, especially in December and January, are often the healthiest.
“The teams that end up winning in the end are typically the healthiest teams,” Godwin said. “You also have to understand how it’s difficult to win in this league, and you can’t shoot yourself in the foot … and make all these unforced errors or mistakes that you shouldn’t be making if you want to be a good team.
“And when you’re able to do that and put those things together and stack [wins] consecutively, that’s when you can prove that you’re a good team over the course of the year, not just the first half of the season.”
Godwin didn’t dodge the fact the Bucs played lousy football late last season. Whether that was due to the quitting defense or Mayfield being physically unable to perform at a high level because of his injuries, or the injuries themselves (Bucs had to start two slugs at guard), Godwin didn’t say. But surely all were a factor.
Joe always goes back to the Mayfield question: If Mayfield was so hurt that the team knew he would be ineffective, then why was he on the field? And if the Bucs didn’t trust backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, then why the hell was he on the roster?
Seven days and a new season finally begins in Cincinnati.
September 6th, 2026 at 1:06 pm
Oh. I got this! It was Baker’s fault. Now you don’t have to read the article
September 6th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
The culprit is still the head coach.
September 6th, 2026 at 1:10 pm
2025 will feel like a Swedish massage after 2026 is over.
We lost our HOF WR and our best CB. That doesn’t bode well.
Plus, we still have the HC\DC that orchestrated the disastrous scheme.
I’m just going to assume this is a purposeful tanking season to draft a new QB.
Preferably by a new GM with a new HC and DC. Then we might have SB chances again.
September 6th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Injuries were part of it. Mistakes were part of it. Defensive quit was part of it. Basically the second half had a diversified portfolio of suck.
September 6th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
Kgh: The culprit is Bowles? Are you saying he caused injuries to the team?
September 6th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
And if the Bucs think the season is lost if Baker gets hurt, why sign Browning or cut him in favor of a UDFA QB2? Answer: Because it gives the Bucs the best chance to win with a healthy Mayfield, and leaves all options on the table if he gets hurt. It also gives the Glazers flexibility to go in any direction with the GM, HC & QB next season. And if he stays healthy and the Bucs win a playoff game or two, then they hitch their wagon to the trio with a multi-year deal for Mayfield. Baker’s greatest challenge this year will be to throttle back the bravado and protect himself. Sky’s the limit if he can do so for 17 games.
September 6th, 2026 at 1:29 pm
It seems to be a pattern Bowle’s teams come out sleep walking after the bye. Fits right in with the mid season losing streaks. It was more than just team health that lead to last years collapse, let’s not kid ourselves. On to 26, 27. No excuses, time to play ball!
September 6th, 2026 at 1:30 pm
lol the “best cornerback” that can’t stay healthy moving into his 30s…. Yeah ok Kramer
Or the HOF WR who barely played half the season? Surely going to miss that
You’ve got some bad takes maybe think before you post
September 6th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
Lack of quality depth was a major factor and you can lay that at Licht’s feet. And yes he could have greatly improved the D at the trade deadline by trading for Jordyn Brooks who Miami was shopping. Would have made a difference and made the Glazers a bunch more loot by getting the team in the playoffs.
September 6th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
Honestly, can we just let the dead horse rest in peace?
Last year is over. It was over months ago. I get it, until the season starts they are the last games to talk about, but in less than 12 hours it’s Game Week.
There will be plenty for the Pom Poms, Baker Bois, Nega and Posi Trolls to talk about without bringing up games from 2025 again.
September 6th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
“Mayfield being physically unable to perform at a high level because of his injuries”
———
What if every time Baker has a bad game it isn’t about injuries, and it’s more about him just being a very inconsistent quarterback? I mean his entire career is filled with him playing well for a while, then going into a funk.
I mean there’s a reason he’s got a new OC every year, and he either gets a couple of them promoted, or most of them fired. That’s all about inconsistency, because people see Baker play well at times, then see him fall off a cliff.
Hopefully last year was just injuries, and he can stay healthy. We’ll find out this year, if he can go an entire year without getting ‘injured’. At the same time, I know for a fact, the first time he throws a pick, people will say he’s not healthy, and then if he throws a TD to win the game, in the same game, we’ll hear how he’s finally healthy. Just wait, follow along in the game day threads, happens every single game. Every bad play = he’s injured, every good play = he’s finally healthy.
September 6th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
When Baker Mayfield left the Rams game,
That should have been his last game for 2-3 weeks
Coach Bowles should have told him .. you’re sitting the next few out
Teddy Bridgewater should have gotten the start for the next two games
The same goes for Bucky Irving
They were dumb to allow Bucky to rush back
White and Tucker should have been the feature backs
Bucky should’ve stayed out, he never fully recovered
LVD should have sat out a few games late in the season
He was exhausted, and loafing at times
I doubt if he was playing at 70% of his old self
The HC has to make difficult decisions
Last season Todd Bowles didn’t make the difficult decisions
He ignored the fact that these guys should have been benched
September 6th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
I don’t know if I’d say the Bucs were “clobbering” teams before the bye. Seemed like a lot of slow starts and last second wins.
Bowles needs to stop giving the team the entire bye week off. Players come back disengaged, like seniors in high school that got a taste of spring break and mail it in for rest of the season.
September 6th, 2026 at 2:17 pm
“Jumping out to a 6-2 record, it seemed a cinch the Bucs were playoff-bound. Baker Mayfield was discussed by sober minds to be a legit MVP candidate.”
More like a 5-1 start and finishing the season 3-8 in our last 11. It’s amusing to see it framed like things went left during/after the bye week, because a BIG reason we went 1-1 in our last 2 games before the bye was because of one injury in particular. After the bye, the play just got sloppier, less consistent, and more volatile.
Anyways, here’s to hoping Godwin can stay healthy, losing him in ‘24 was 1 of 2 big injuries in the WR room that hampered our ability to move the chains and generate TDs. Also kicked off a losing streak that also went into our bye week
September 6th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
Raheem Morris was too nice to his players.
They took advantage of his kindness and spit in his face.
But he was right about 1 thing.
Josh Johnson should have been our backup for 10 years
He’s still in the NFL at 40, and he still looks very good for a backup.
I will always be a Josh Johnson fan.
He should have been our backup last year.
Ànd for Brady. Josh Johnson should have been a Buc for life.
September 6th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
@Rod
“Just wait, follow along in the game day threads, happens every single game. Every bad play = he’s injured, every good play = he’s finally healthy.”
I just read you for comedy kid. I Was in every game thread last year and as is customary with BDS – just straight up lying.
September 6th, 2026 at 2:25 pm
Lakeland, it’s part of the reason players love him.
He doesn’t make hard decisions, he makes soft conservative ones and it doesn’t help the Bucs win.
You missed the biggest example of them all from last year and that’s retaining McGaughey. Then Bowles has the audacity to say ST cost them 3-4 wins! He didn’t even have the jam to make changes there after the 2nd loss!?
Some HC.
September 6th, 2026 at 2:33 pm
I agree with you Saskbucs,
McGaughey should have been fired before the bye week
That’s was a poor decision by Bowles to retain him
September 6th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
Joe isn’t sure he’s ever seen a Bucs team look so good in the first half and so pathetic in the second half, even when the team got relatively healthy.
———————–
I don’t think we “looked so good” in the 1st half…… Repeated 4th quarter come backs doesn’t equal so good. The team probably knew they had issues with attitudes and waning talent before it started showing on the field.
We’re going to need improvement across the board. We have new studs replacing aging players and slackers. We have new/younger position coaches. We have a new, experienced O. C.
I haven’t seen a Bucs team with this much talent and motivation in a long time
September 6th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
@heartydickenson, you are spot on that we didn’t exactly crush teams in those first eight games. They were more like nail-biting last second heart attacks, but hey we won.
@rodmunch makes a good point that Baker is inconsistent and streaky at times.
Myself, I don’t think it was just the defense that quit. Special teams and the offense quit also. Special teams were never very good, but OMG! After the bye they got to the point of absurdity.
September 6th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
I agree Simple T,
Last season we were winning “Nail Biters” early on
This season we have the squad to demolish teams
I love this roster of players, the right blend of youth and veterans
I haven’t been this optimistic about the Bucs in years
But, it may take a few games to get it together
September 6th, 2026 at 3:04 pm
He’s 110% correct. If you have a b plus roster and you are healthy in december you are likely in the divisional round.
The big problem with citing the health is the other 3 seasons he’s head coach here and the 3 years he was in New York.
Hes had health and still is a 7,8, 9 win head coach.
I would argue the ‘23 and ‘24 teams had b plus rosters.
September 6th, 2026 at 3:06 pm
yea some revisionist history going on here. they didnt clobber anyone except the aints and won many others only by 3 or less. they got clobbered more than they clobbered anyone.
September 6th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
Mike said it best ” 3 and 28″
September 6th, 2026 at 3:55 pm
I have Josh Allen and Baker on my fantasy team. Starting Baker and his “chip” for opening day. (Well THAT, and Allen is playing Houston)
September 6th, 2026 at 4:12 pm
“I would argue the ‘23 and ‘24 teams had b plus rosters.”
————–
Really ? If those were b+ then this year is an a+.
Sorry, we were more like a C grade
LVD, SVD, Reddick were all liabilities and their slots have been upgraded.
Kancey is back. We added depth with attitude and skill to the D line.
Offensively Godwin is healthy, J-Mac will be back, O-line is healthy, we added Gainewell and Hurst and Bauer. Mike is gone along with his need for targets (addition by subtraction).
Can’t wait to see who’s right and who’s wrong….. Poo poo crew vs the pom poms.
Rah rah rah motherfu&$in rah – let’s go Bucs 😎
September 6th, 2026 at 4:24 pm
“The big problem with citing the health is the other 3 seasons he’s head coach here and the 3 years he was in New York.“
Clean bill of health doesn’t = a high functioning team. Just means you’ve got your best talent available, they still have to play well enough to make a positive difference
September 6th, 2026 at 5:18 pm
@ Summers eve…Why don’t you jump ship off to the Raiders! They’ve done everything you’ve wished for ! See how that pans out ,they even have the elite pass rusher!! Just go DB!
September 6th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
i’ve been a fan since 1976. I was a Dolphins fan before that. And this is my opinion on the upcoming season: it is very hard to win in this league. The parody is crazy. last year was such a special year the 50th anniversary raise the flags documentary Baker’s third year with our team. It was soul crushing traumatic collapse of a playoff team. I still don’t think they quit they just didn’t have enough talent. Baker was losing games instead of winning them …as a quarterback you’re one player that can win or lose a game on a regular basis and he was not winning games for us so why he thinks that’s a good time to ask for a raise I’m not too sure but last year was so traumatic. I had so many ruined weekends. I don’t wanna go through that again nothing worse than watching our pathetic offense, unable to score points ruin a perfectly good Sunday. I really hope they come out and surprise me, but I have no faith in them and I’m not gonna let them ruin every weekend for the next five months- defense wins championships and their defense should be much improved but I just don’t trust Baker and what happens over the next couple weeks doesn’t matter it’s what happens in December we learned that the hard way last year so buckle up and get ready for the long nauseating ride
September 6th, 2026 at 5:59 pm
mj. 50 years a fan and can’t see past it was Baker’s and the offenses fault?
Our offense was first in points per game in the NFC South. Our defense was last in points allowed in the NFC South. And our special teams and coaching were gagging also.
Baker was 10th in the NFL in yards passing and 7th in touchdown passes. He was first in 3rd down conversions with his feet.
Baker didn’t lose a game. You just don’t know football, we understand.
September 6th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
SimpleT – Yes I believe those roasted were b plus.
September 6th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
*rosters
September 6th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
Joe Says:
Maybe the recall problem was that they didn’t look very good the first half of the season either. The 6-2 was all smoke and mirrors. Okay, there were victories against Seattle and SF, but there was a whole lot of bad football, in particular special teams, that made them look like fools. It was clear to many of us that this team had issues even in the first half. I can’t recall the bad games but choking against the Jets and then having to late rally to win is a standout. We basically sucked and it was obviously not sustainable. The late season collapse was only shocking in the degree of incompetency. They played maybe 2 good games the entire year.
September 6th, 2026 at 7:28 pm
Kenton your right i don’t know football after watching it for 50 years, all those stats don’t mean jack it’s who scores more points. week 17 and he throws two picks and fumbles the ball! i like Baker i’m rooting for him but you can’t do that and he does it again and again- panthers away, commanders in the playoffs, im rooting for him and every qb has a bad game but he’s had three years and it’s not getting better, the defense held the dolphins to twenty points, baker had me13 chris godwin tez and jmac having an amazing game and he can’t put up more than 17 points against the dolphins defense?! open your eyes
September 6th, 2026 at 7:37 pm
Mj …all that talent got hurt.and mayfield tried to put the team on his back .all the supporting cast was injured..Last time I looked it was a team sport…UGH!
September 6th, 2026 at 8:02 pm
mj—
Good posts! But you have to remember that any criticism of the Boi’s god will result in preadolescent retorts.
“You don’t know football.” Ouch! Like they do.
Have your say, but beware. Best to keep blasphemies at a minimum. Kenton Smith is madly in love with Baker Mayfield, and guys tend to get irritated when you sully their lover’s reputation, whether it’s justified or not.
Their collective myopia is not only astounding, it’s downright funny!
September 6th, 2026 at 8:26 pm
I have been critical of JL & TB. It does mo good. So, I will simply watch and observe where this team ends up. That’s all.
September 6th, 2026 at 10:13 pm
Every season Bowles has been HC there’s been a mid season lull to put it mildly. That lull turned into an epic collapse last year where quitting, loafing and apathy was in full display in the 2nd half of the season. Unless Bain instantly becomes Sapp, Trotter becomes Hardy Nickerson, Zyon and Morrison become Barber and Abraham, and Baker becomes Brady, I don’t see them winning more than 7 games with Bowles as HC.
September 6th, 2026 at 11:24 pm
The wind coming off the Pom Pom squad could start a global tsunami.
Do you cake eaters really believe what you’re shoveling?
We were told last season that the SB was in our grasp. Then 8-9 and no playoffs.
Now because of three drafted rookies and a few one year cast offs we’re somehow the best we’ve ever been???
You people need a whole team of psychiatrists studying your every move.
September 7th, 2026 at 2:14 am
Mj ,I guess with all the wide outs having an “amazing ” game! mayfield should’ve picked them up and carried them into the end zone??? …That made no sense!
September 7th, 2026 at 2:16 am
I’ve never seen a team use the injury excuse so often. If Licht were such a “Draft Guru” wouldn’t they have better depth? Or maybe they should have a better HC. Excuses are tiring.
September 7th, 2026 at 4:15 am
That’s the thing. They got worse the healthier they got. It irrelevant regardless, with THAT remaining schedule. Still, should’ve beaten THOSE friggin’ teams. Like, in 2023 AND even in 2024. Just take a look at the list of QB’s they played in 2024 down the stretch of that season, and it was STILL a struggle (even with COEN)… Spencer Rattler x2, DeVito, Ridder & Aiden O’Connell, Bryce Young x2, Cooper Rush, and a DEPLETED Chargers team who couldn’t SCORE by then, with ZERO weapons, & without a viable O-Line. And, we ALL KNOW that “Winfield Junior” literally SAVED US, and won AT LEAST 2-Games by himself, in 2023… While, having THE ‘weakest’ 2nd-Half (remaining) schedule in the ENTIRE LEAGUE. It wasn’t any stronger in 2024 or 2025, either. It’s all been nothing but a buncha SMOKE & MIRRORS. Only, from residing in a ‘historically’ WEAK Division, for throughout the past 5-YEARS running!!!! It’s ALL FAKE.
September 7th, 2026 at 4:42 am
@ Kenton Smith – Completely meaningless, and YOU are willing to just openly ‘insult’ YOUR OWN intelligence, LIKE THAT. Over a ‘professional’ FRICKING ATHLETE. Embarrassing. Sad. And, SO PATHETIC.