Aqib Talib Explains Bucs Struggles, Picks Vikings
September 27th, 2026
Former Bucs and Belicheats cornerback Aqib Talib, also a Super Bowl starting corner for the Broncos and Rams, is a fantastic analyst.
He’s able to combine years of experience losing with several years under superior coaches, and the knowledge that comes with playing in 11 postseason games. Talib also keeps it real.
While he was unhappy last year about not being named by the Buccaneers as a top-50 franchise player, Talib is a pro-Bucs guy and sees a team that has lost its way.
“They struggling to find their swag and it’s due to how you finished last year,” Talib said on Gridiron. “You kind of come in the game and you’re kind of in that same mode — like you don’t want to say it but you’re in that same mode you were in last year. Like, ‘Alright, we gotta shake this aura off us right now.’ These losing ways, you gotta find a way to get it off of you.”
Talib sees the Bucs falling to 0-3 this afternoon with a home loss to the Vikings.
The five-time Pro Bowler said he would only pick a strong offense to beat the Vikings and the Bucs aren’t close to that bar, he said.
“… You missing Mike [Evans] and it’s just not clicking in Tampa right now, man. So there’s going to be a bunch of pressure blitzes on Baker ass, and he’s going to be Baker; he’s gonna dip and weave and jug and jive and do his sh*t. And I think it’s going to create a couple of turnovers for the Vikings and I like them to win a low-scoring game 17-10.”
Joe agrees with Talib’s take that the Bucs haven’t shaken off last season, which is why Joe harped in the offseason about the team’s mental weakness. Todd Bowles thought the “biggest change” in the team would come from the mentality brought by newly-added tough guys. It hasn’t happened.
September 27th, 2026 at 7:34 am
The.new tough guys we added, don’t play on offense
We need an offensive leader, Baker Mayfield isn’t that leader
If you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem
September 27th, 2026 at 7:49 am
the Bucs had some success with John McKay then had a 14-year drought – the Bucs had some success with Dungy / Gruden and then 12 years of futility – the Bucs had some success with Brady / Arians / Bowles – last year was the first year of the drought – with the obstinacy of the Glazers , the complacency of Licht, the incompetence of Bowles, and the lack of Brady, we are in for another 12-14 years of losing Bucs football – get used to it – you’ll see – by the bye week it will be obvious
September 27th, 2026 at 7:53 am
All these prognosticators put too much emphasis on ME13, Even when Baker threw for 4k yards, Mike barely cracked 25% of them
September 27th, 2026 at 7:58 am
“He’s able to combine years of experience losing with several years under superior coaches, and the knowledge that comes with playing in 11 postseason games. Talib also keeps it real.”
I’m genuinely proud of Talib for the way he grew out of his very immature ways. He was quit the knucklehead when he arrived in TBay.
September 27th, 2026 at 8:11 am
They rearranged the deck chairs on the Titanic, but Bowles is still steering the ship at the iceberg. Licht is still picking the deck chairs. Until those two are replaced it’s full speed ahead.
September 27th, 2026 at 8:19 am
Falcons certainly surprised everyone by going into Lambeau and poleaxing the Packers , so it can happen any given Sunday, but it will take some good bounces of the pigskin. Our backs are against the wall , so there is that.
September 27th, 2026 at 8:24 am
Baker will again be under immediate and constant pressure. Barton, Mauch, and Bredesen have played as bad as possible in pass blocking. Wirfs hasn’t been good either.
Our WR group has also been terrible. Not one good performance from one of them.
And ever worse play calling than last year. That’s a huge issue.
We don’t block. We don’t get open on routes
That’s the death of the offense
And even against a weak QB, our lack of a pass rush just kills the defensive backs- who are playing good- but can’t cover the WRs forever.
Our LBers can’t cover TEs.
We are a very poor tackling team.
Can’t pass rush. Can’t tackle. Can’t cover TEs.
That’s the death of the defense.
It’s a wasted year. Gotta ditch Licht, Bowles, and Robinson.
It’s gonna be a long season
September 27th, 2026 at 8:32 am
Bucs fans watched Mike Evans for 12 years and still seem to be clueless about how he affected the game schematically for defenses and how our offense benefitted from that. Mike could carry that extra attention upfield which opens up all this underneath stuff we’ve been relying on to move the ball the last 3 seasons. Whether it be Chris across the formation, or our RBs in the flat(Like 2024)
Talib is spot on along with Kurt Warner, Mike by design was a 2-man magnet you had to double or else. Whether he produced or not is NOT what Talib is talking about, he’s talking about how Mikes’ presence affected our ability to run a competent looking offense.
Some here struggling to comprehend, it’s not needing Mike to catch 7 passes for 150 yards and 2 scores, but we could use him on long 2nd downs and damn sure miss him in the redzone. We’ve got Duriham, but we’d rather pass to Hurst-EE, because Robinson is still figuring it out. Let go the Liam Cohen stuff, Robinson cannot do that because Coen schemed with Mike on the field changing the game. Robinson along with Baker have to find a new way to keep this offense motoring.
September 27th, 2026 at 8:32 am
Whoever made the decision to let Bowles be the HC and the DC doomed this team.
September 27th, 2026 at 8:34 am
The shortcomings in effort and overall mentality of our team – on both sides of the ball – has its root cause embedded in a lack of accountability. A fundamental, basic lack of accountability. That you can do (or not do) anything and get away with it, or have it tolerated. Team captains can put a check on that, to some extent, but not holistically. The anointed leaders (general manager, head coach, assistant coaches) are the exclusive enforcers of that cultural value. And it ain’t happening. When’s the last time someone was yelled at in front of everyone else for loafing? When’s the last time a star player was held out a quarter, or straight up benched, for defying marching orders? When’s the last time new guy was elevated to a starting role over old guy simply because he did what he was told, and perhaps played better because of it?
Respect is earned, not given away. And you don’t get to be the boss AND someone’s buddy at the same time. It just doesn’t work.
September 27th, 2026 at 9:01 am
@Warren Brooks Lynch,
I don’t agree with those guys (Warner & Talib). Even when Evans was still here, the offense was great many times when he missed games. Baker IS missing him in the red zone, but I believe that’s because our new OC is failing to properly use the talent he has. There are some good teams who would LOVE to have the talent in our WR room.
September 27th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Today our offense will have numerous opportunities for long pass plays. Can the oline hold up that extra second? Can Baker throw an accurate deep ball? Can the receiver make the catch? I think our defense will be ok. I’m interested in seeing how we look on D today with a few guys on the bench due to poor play/injury. My crazy prediction is Dennis gets a turnover today. We still find a way to lose 20-17.
September 27th, 2026 at 9:30 am
“I don’t agree with those guys (Warner & Talib). Even when Evans was still here, the offense was great many times when he missed games.“
You’re kidding yourself, 2024 Mike got hurt we went 0-3 immediately after
Last year we were 4-5, we scored 9 points in the game he went down and 16 points a week later. Also had 11 giveaways in those game.
Sorry man, the professionals are correct they’re not just looking at final production they’re looking at the functionality of our offense and I agree. Wem’re a short passing team with no reliable deep threat that forces defense to respect. That’s how you get Bucky catching 4 passes for 1 net yard , that extra man that’d be respecting Mikes presence is in the box blowing our short game to bits.
It’s plain as day, to those that can see.
September 27th, 2026 at 9:36 am
“Last year we were 4-5, we scored 9 points in the game he went down and 16 points a week later. Also had 11 giveaways in those game.“
*11 giveaways in those 9 games
September 27th, 2026 at 9:42 am
Baker needs solid protection and he needs to stay out of his own head. Here’s hoping!
September 27th, 2026 at 9:55 am
Hodad I agree with part of your analogy, but JL could buy an entire new ship and it wouldn’t matter with this Capt.
Hard to blame the GM when the HC and leader can’t do either.
JL could trade for the entire Texans or Broncos defense and hand those players to Bowles, and Bowles would not be able to field a top 10 defense.
Keep rearranging those deck chairs and this captain will continue to sink the ship.
September 27th, 2026 at 10:08 am
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
You’re kidding yourself, 2024 Mike got hurt we went 0-3 immediately after
Last year we were 4-5, we scored 9 points in the game he went down and 16 points a week later. Also had 11 giveaways in those game.
=============================================
I’ve seen the offense play just fine without Evans, including these games:
2025 vs. Seattle — 38 points, 426 yards
2025 vs. San Francisco — 30 points, 352 yards
2024 vs. Atlanta — 26 points, 432 yards
2025 vs. Buffalo — 32 points, 367 yards
2025 vs. New England — 23 points, 371 yards
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And now, in 2026, we have better depth IMO in the WR room. There’s no reason the team can’t have a good offense this season with the talent we have now.
We have a new OC and some new pieces on offense, and the starters on our o-line haven’t played together in over a year until a couple of weeks ago. So the offense should gradually improve as the season goes on, assuming no major injuries.
September 27th, 2026 at 10:26 am
@Bucsfansince1996
You’re posting volume production and I’m talking capability. That’s how I know what Talib, Warner & myself are trying to point out might be a little over your heard.
Mike missed 9 games last year and you pointed out 5.
Joes’ written about it:
“Losing Streak Without Mike Evans Extends To Six Games
September 29th, 2025
So durable Mike Evans has missed only 13 games in his 12-year career.
What’s Tampa Bay’s record in those games?
It fell to 3-10 yesterday. And they’ve lost six in row without their Hall of Fame receiver.
Joe warned last week that the loss of Evans is catastrophic to the offense. Baker Mayfield always says how the “offense runs through Mike.” And it does. The film shows Evans draws the attention of defenses and every team’s No. 1 cornerback, which opens up the field for others.
Rookie Emeka Egbuka played his first game as “the guy” in Evans’ hamstring-related absence yesterday against the Eagles. Yes, Egbuka made a huge play, a 77-yard touchdown grab that showcased elite concentration and presence, but he largely struggled outside of that play.”
It’s literally an open and shut case, failing to realize that is failing to see how this team can find a way out of its Evans’ less funks. Baker w/Mike & Baker w/o Mile are not the same guy.
September 27th, 2026 at 10:35 am
Aquib….. he’s going to be Baker; he’s gonna dip and weave and jug and jive and do his sh*t. And I think it’s going to create a couple of turnovers
Translated-Holding the Ball
Baker better transform back into the Coen season, when he got the ball quick,
If not the Bucs season is over, and I do not mean just today against the Vikings, I mean Baker better stop holding the ball and either throw the ball to a receiver or throw it away, and on to the next play. Holding the ball gets you beat in the NFL and as we have watched with Baker it gets you beat up and injured.
Joe the main similarity between Jameis and Baker is HOLDING the FOOTBALL . Baker needs to learn how to win, either get the ball out, or throw it away, not just play hero ball and get beat up and fumble and throw pics because he holds the ball and will not give on a play. This is the NFL, not college or the backyard at the house. Either get the ball out or suffer the consequences
September 27th, 2026 at 10:35 am
Capt.Tim Says:
September 27th, 2026 at 8:24 am
Baker will again be under immediate and constant pressure. Barton, Mauch, and Bredesen have played as bad as possible in pass blocking. Wirfs hasn’t been good either.
Our WR group has also been terrible. Not one good performance from one of them.
——————————————————————————————-
But no blame goes to Baker, right? Oh! I remember, you are a Cleveland fan who migrated here to root for Baker.
September 27th, 2026 at 10:51 am
@Warren Brooks Lynch,
I don’t disagree that Mike Evans’ capability is different from simply looking at box-score production. He’s an exceptional receiver; he changes how defenses can play you, and I’m certainly not arguing that losing him doesn’t hurt.
But that’s exactly why I’d distinguish between capability and evidence of what the offense actually did without him.
You said I was posting “volume production.” But production is relevant when the question is whether Tampa’s offense can function without Mike.
In 2025, Tampa’s first three games without Evans were:
• Philadelphia — 25 points, 376 yards
• Seattle — 38 points, 426 yards — WIN
• San Francisco — 30 points, 352 yards — WIN
That’s 31 points and 385 yards per game. And the San Francisco game was played without BOTH Evans and Chris Godwin, plus Bucky Irving.
That’s not evidence of an offense that is incapable of functioning without Evans.
So I’m not arguing “Mike doesn’t matter.” I’m arguing that the evidence doesn’t support “it’s an open-and-shut case that the offense can’t function without him.”
There’s also a problem with using Tampa’s historical record without Evans as proof. A loss while Evans is out doesn’t establish that the loss was CAUSED by Evans being out. Especially in 2025, Tampa was dealing with injuries to Godwin, McMillan, Bucky Irving, offensive linemen, and others.
September 27th, 2026 at 11:17 am
Lakeland
Haven’t seen the new tough guys playing on defense either…
September 27th, 2026 at 11:23 am
“Philadelphia — 25 points, 376 yards
• Seattle — 38 points, 426 yards — WIN
• San Francisco — 30 points, 352 yards — WIN“.
Again, this is just pointing at outliers and saying “SEE” when there are more losses to account for in his absence than there are wins. That’s like everybody pointing at the Seattle game and pretending that’s the offense/Baker Mayfield we get every Sunday. You’re kidding yourself my man, that doesn’t work for me.
I’m too lazy to point out the differences in aDOT when Mike hasn’t been available, how we throw a half TD less per game in the games he’s missed and average 40-50 yards less in his abscene.
Godwin, EE, J-Mac & Tez don’t take the field and demand the attention Mike did/does, it’s not difficult to see. So when guys are wondering why our WR aren’t being targeted frequently or why passes look off the mark, you need to remember our QB 100% used him as a safety blanket and spam targets to him when he was available. Pick any QB we’ve had since drafting Mike, whatever good they showed from the pocket was accentuated by Evans’ presence. It’s not some mystery, anybody who can’t see it is just choosing not to
September 27th, 2026 at 11:34 am
ignorant to think bucs played the same with evans . evans made godwin and made emeka now look at the 2 of them. the seahawks defense was obliterated by injuries last years game . teams also adjust to rookies , look at how the league has adjusted to to maye. teams have figured out emeka and he doesnt have mike to save him any more same with godwin. i still have hope for emeka but have lost all hope for godwin
September 27th, 2026 at 11:35 am
“So I’m not arguing “Mike doesn’t matter.” I’m arguing that the evidence doesn’t support “it’s an open-and-shut case that the offense can’t function without him.”
You’re not looking at all the evidence to begin with, so of course it’s not as easy to see to you because you’re only fact finding to prove otherwise not looking at all the facts.
September 27th, 2026 at 11:35 am
without*
September 27th, 2026 at 11:43 am
Who’s gonna step up and become the next Bucs legend receiver? Is it EE2 ? Or Ted Hurst ? Or J Mac ?
Hopefully we’ll know more after today’s game !!
Go Bucs !!
September 27th, 2026 at 11:54 am
You know what might have changed things and given the players renewed hope?
A new HC and DC.
Old news though. Tough to be a fan when multi millionaires/ billionaires have their heads up their rears. That owner suite view must be real different than our tv view.