Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Steelers
October 19th, 2026
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
The lack of a killer instinct has killed the Buc season.
For three quarters, Tampa Bay appeared in complete control Sunday against Pittsburgh. You could tell because those tens of thousands of Steeler fans in the crowd were forced to sit on their Terrible Towels.
But a 16-3 lead vanished amid a flurry of Aaron Rodgers completions and the Bucs ended up on the wrong end of a 26-19 overtime setback that dropped them to 1-5.
Any momentum Tampa Bay may have carried over from the stunning victory in Dallas withered as undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels threw a pair of interceptions and was sacked five times.
The biggest mistake was Jamel Dean’s pick on a pass intended for Emeka Egbuka that set up a go-ahead field goal with 81 seconds remaining in regulation. The Bucs sent the game into OT on Chase McLaughlin’s fourth FG of the game.
On the opening possession of OT, Rodgers guided Pittsburgh 70 yards for the winning score, a 6-yard toss to rookie Germie Bernard. The key snap on the 12-play drive was a 16-yard catch by D.K. Metcalf over the middle on 3rd-and-13.
Bernard and Metcalf each had 11 catches as Rodgers threw 49 times. It was Metcalf, the former Seattle standout, who triggered Pittsburgh’s late comeback with nine receptions after the third quarter alone. A Buc defense that had Rodgers completely under wraps softened in the late stages.
Tampa Bay fans saw the same disturbing act in Week 2 when the Bucs frittered away a 10-point lead at home against Cleveland.
At this point, even Baker Mayfield detractors can’t muster a sensible argument to keep him sidelined once he is healed from a dislocated right thumb. Daniels averaged less than four yards per pass attempt and Tampa Bay was limited to 224 total yards.
The Bucs have now dropped four consecutive home games for the first time in a decade. They are already three games behind the Panthers in the loss column as they prepare for a weekend trip to Charlotte. After the bitter loss, Todd Bowles told his demoralized team the Bucs no longer have any margin for error.
Speaking of errors, the Bucs have scored one first-quarter TD through six games.
One.
Coming off a spectacular evening in Big D, Bucky Irving couldn’t get going, averaging only 2.4 yards per carry. Despite a very quiet game by T.J. Watt, the Steelers applied constant pressure against Daniels, who showed enough in a 3-game stint to convince the Bucs he is a viable backup to Mayfield.
Buc supporters are accustomed to seeing lots of fans in the stands wearing visitor’s uniforms, but Sunday’s massive turnout by Steeler fans was jarring. “You would have thought we were the home team,” Dean told me before sprinting into a jubilant locker room.
With many Tampa Bay fans already checked out, Bowles must ensure his players keep their focus in a lost season. The Bucs would have to go 8-3 the rest of the way just to avoid a second consecutive losing year.
David Walker was a bright spot with his third and fourth sacks of the season.
Meanwhile, the Steelers emerged with an improbable victory to improve to 4-2.
“Anytime you’ve got No. 8 (Rodgers) on your side and a defense like ours, you’ve got a chance,” said Watt. “And when you have a lockdown corner like Dean, it really helps.”
Here’s how the Steelers rallied for an improbable victory and ushered in Mayfield’s likely return Sunday against the pesky Panthers:
* David Walker keeps making plays in limited action. His two takedowns of Rodgers gives him four sacks on the season. No other Buc has more than one. If Walker isn’t on the field for virtually every passing down by the opposition, there ought to be an investigation.
* Egbuka and Godwin certainly didn’t help Daniels’ cause with key drops. Egbuka was targeted 16 times but latched onto only seven passes for 48 yards. He did provide Tampa Bay’s lone TD with a 2-yard reception that put the Bucs ahead 10-0.
* Daniels continued to showcase his mobility with 39 yards on four scrambles, but he looks like a rookie when it comes to throws toward the sideline. Daron Bland almost registered a pick-6 against Daniels in Dallas and Dean pounced on a bad throw Sunday.
Playcaller Zac Robinson
* This game was hardly an offensive masterpiece. Despite 76 snaps, Pittsburgh could not generate one pass or run that topped 19 yards. Meanwhile, the Bucs averaged only 3.1 yards per snap. Mayfield can’t get back soon enough.
* Tampa Bay’s poor clock management toward the end of the opening half paved the way for a Pittsburgh field goal that made it 13-3, giving the Steelers some life. But instead of celebrating, Mike McCarthy headed to the blue tent for treatment after someone stepped on his ankle.
* McLaughlin, who hasn’t missed a FG in 14 attempts, ranks as Tampa Bay’s best player through six games. That’s not good. His 53-yarder that tied the score with 8 seconds remaining in regulation was a no-doubt kick set up by a 13-yard catch by rookie Ted Hurst. Amidst all the misery, No. 4 is a gem.
* Besides his late fourth-quarter interception, Dean posted four tackles and an ungodly six pass breakups. At the age of 30, the former Buc is playing with supreme confidence.
* Bernard wasn’t the only Pittsburgh rookie who burned the Bucs on Sunday. Third-round pick Daylen Everette picked off a pass intended for Egbuka early in the fourth quarter. Guess where the throw was headed? You got it … the sideline.
* Veteran Steelers DB Jalen Ramsey is usually lauded for sticky coverage, but he hurt the Bucs in other ways with 10 tackles, two sacks and four tackles for loss. Tampa Bay’s blitz pickup continues to struggle.
* Heading into their first division matchup, the Bucs are saddled with the worst record in the NFC. Even more alarming, the 1-5 getaway comes amid four home games early in the schedule. Road matchups against the Panthers, Bears and Lions are dead ahead in the next month, with the NFL trade deadline looming Nov. 10. Dealing some veterans for extra draft capital seems to be the wise course of action.
October 19th, 2026 at 9:34 am
Knew it was going to be a throw away season when they retained Bowles.
October 19th, 2026 at 9:38 am
Hey Ira. Start asking some tough questions at the presser, Pretend you are in a real media city. Stop the softball toss questions. Take DEI out of the thought process when asking questions.
October 19th, 2026 at 9:43 am
Ira as usual spot on . It was nice seeing all those Pitt fans so quiet for 3 quarters. Jarring a good word as the Buc offense went limp and the defense began giving Rogers those easy short throws. I knew when Pitt scored to make it 16 10 Tampa that Pitt was going to end up taking the game. You could see it and feel it. Zac with all those runs up the middle on first down. Yeah Daniels had some issues on sideline throws, but how many balls did receivers drop that were solid throws. The poor play calling and again O Line not picking up protections along with a rookie qb. and well there uo go
October 19th, 2026 at 9:44 am
Jamel Dean is sitting flat-footed, 10 yards off the line of scrimmage, and we can’t scheme a receiver open? No double move? No adjustment? NOTHING?!
Apparently, the only person who couldn’t figure out our game plan was our own coaching staff.
And Dean, I owe you an apology. Todd Bowles kept reminding everyone through the media that you couldn’t catch interceptions. Well, you caught enough yesterday to make us eat those words.
We don’t have a true No. 1 receiver, we can’t exploit what’s right in front of us, and we keep getting the same results. At some point, this stops being a bad Sunday and becomes a failure of leadership.
We’re living and breathing a nightmare, and the fans seem more desperate to fix it than the people getting paid to.
OWNERSHIP, DO SOMETHING. The fans are tired of caring more than this organization appears to. 🆘
October 19th, 2026 at 9:48 am
WHY did our defense throw everything out the window in the 4th quarter that worked so well in the first 3?
October 19th, 2026 at 9:51 am
The Bucs under Bowles are designed for failure. They are clearly have enough talent to be in any game, but they will never be aggressive across four quarters to seize victory on a consistent basis.
A 13 point lead early in the third quarter should NOT be an excuse for taking the foot of the gas. But like clockwork, Bowles backs off into soft zone and the offense reverts to the run, run, long pass, punt formula that shortens possessions and puts the increasingly exhausted defenders on the field.
Wash, rinse, repeat, for five years. At this point, we can all just sit back and enjoy the karma raining down on the Glazers for their failure to recognize that they have the worst coach in the league.
October 19th, 2026 at 9:52 am
Any other serious sports city and Bowles is GONE after a 2-7 finish in 2025. New York, LA, Philly, Boston, Dallas you finish 2-7 and you are fired.
Those markets the media is gonna be on you, here it’s a lot of softball questions and covering for inept coaching and writing about excuses of injuries and inexperienced coordinators.
2026 can’t end soon enough for this team
October 19th, 2026 at 9:56 am
What has happened to Egbuka? Remember when he was catching anything thrown in his direction? And, that first pass to Godwin. DROPPED! Right to him. That’s not coaching. That’s poor execution.
October 19th, 2026 at 9:57 am
Glad to see someone pick up on those sideline passes that have been a problem all along for Daniels. Since there was no sign of a gameplan involving Daniels running the football, the interceptions and the loss were inevitable. The Bucs 0-4 at home and 0-8 vs AFC north. Shut it down!
October 19th, 2026 at 9:57 am
fishhawkbuc for the win.
Ira is just a Glazer propagandist. He is a useful pawn.
They ask total fluff questions that basically answer for Todd before he speaks.
“Hey Todd, we love you. But why are the refs cheating you out of wins every week?”
Sarcasm but it’s not far off the truth. Who built this dumpster fire????
October 19th, 2026 at 9:58 am
Of all this team’s many problems, they are just losing by one score, and our coach keeps making clock/game management errors near the end of halves that give the opponent points. If they fixed just that alone we might be 3-3 right now
October 19th, 2026 at 9:58 am
Oh yeah, and what if Trotter hadn’t dropped that would-be interception. Right in his hands. That would have changed the whole complexion of the game. WHAT IF? The story of the Bucs!
October 19th, 2026 at 9:58 am
We all should’ve known this season was gonna be a disaster when David decided to retire and Evans bolted for lesser money to a team that plays in a heavily taxed state. Evans recently went on local radio here (Northern California) and essentially said that he had to leave the Bucs in order to ensure his HOF status and post career aspirations and that playing for the 49ers has added years to his career. Yikes. Let’s be honest, the second the Glazers decided to bring back Bowles was when the season ended. Can’t wait to see what the 2027 Bucs will look like.
October 19th, 2026 at 10:01 am
The Glazers either do not care if the team wins or loses and have no concern about putting a quality product on the field or they are complete buffoons for buying Bowles’ excuses week after week. The one common denominator to this team turning into a laughing stock is Bowles. What an insult to the Tampa faithful by allowing this coach to continue making the same mistake each week while insulting the intelligence of fans with his gibberish coach speak and arrogant inability to adapt his schemes. I know the Glazers will not fire Bowles until January, though they should but I do hope they have started looking for a replacement. I am guessing other clubs like the Chargers and Colts already have.
October 19th, 2026 at 10:05 am
On a positive note, Todd positively maintained his perfect winless record against the AFC North.
October 19th, 2026 at 10:08 am
Leading in the fourth and end up losing 26-19 this defense people going on about is not good because this is not a good team all around people going on about the talent I’m not quite it’s there time for a rebuild
October 19th, 2026 at 10:13 am
You won’t get much for anybody, because it’s a buyers’ market at the deadline.
While I would trade 3-4 personnel like Vea, there’s a good argument that the talent is not the problem with the team. If this team is lousy because of poor coaching (HC, OC, DC) then why strip away talented players in exchange for fire-sale late-round draft picks that probably don’t even make the team?
If Lincoln Riley (for sake of argument) is the Bucs HC next year, wouldn’t you want him to have someone like Godwin to work with, rather than a 5th-round WR?
October 19th, 2026 at 10:14 am
I’d think trading some defensive players would be wise for draft capital. Also, wth is “fishhawkbuc” rambling about above about DEI? This is a Bucs message board not Newsmax
October 19th, 2026 at 10:15 am
@fishhawk EXACTLY
“Coach, pre-season this team was expected to win the division. Now that that appears extremely unlikely, do you feel you and your coaching staff has maximized the talent on the roster? If not, do you feel you weren’t given enough talent?”
“Coach, after falling out of contention for all intents and purposes, does your approach change managing the second half of the season?”
Brutal spot to be in as Bucs fans too, because he really doesn’t have incentive to use the rest of this year to build for the future. He’s gonna go down with his guys on the ship. I think internally the Glazer’s need to make it known that Licht is staying, so he can at least operate with the future in mind and trade Vea, Winfield, etc. If JL and Todd are both out and they know it, why would they do anything but stand pat and collect a paycheck.
Put him on the spot and make him squirm.
October 19th, 2026 at 10:17 am
Any football team that cant protect a 13 point lead for 1 Qtr is in deep sh!t. And at 1-5 with probably 6 wins max, the rest of this year would just be self torture to sit and watch every week.
The defense went from a brick wall to a stick of butter. The offense went from doing just enough to handing over the game. All at the SAME FRICKIN TIME. How do these coaches let the entire team take a nap with 15 minutes to go. And in OT they got walked on, toyed with like cat and mouse. Rodgers was LAUGHING as he went into OT. He knew Bowles would find a way to F it up.
This year has been a comedy act. Lets see what happens in the draft. And hopefully get a group of new coaches.
October 19th, 2026 at 10:17 am
I haven’t seen anyone say this but Daniels mentally was awful yesterday. He looked at Egbuka the entire 4th quarter and threw there. There was no doubt where he was going w the ball. He looked like an undrafted rookie yesterday.
October 19th, 2026 at 10:25 am
Daniels should start at CAR – Baker is fired up to beat Stefanski and he should be even more healed up by then – elevate Rypien that’s what he’s there for – interesting to see what they do with Stick as he is no longer useful – same with David Sills – Sills will either play against Atlanta .. or what ? JL the psychopath will be neither a buyer nor seller at the trade deadline – unless somebody like Vea demands a trade – IMO the players are ok playing for the Bucs for the rest of the season because they have an opportunity to put up good tape every week and when looking for a new team next year they can always point to Robinson and Bowles – just like Evans – prediction : the team will be bad next year too
October 19th, 2026 at 10:26 am
We’re 1-5. Our offense hasn’t clicked yet. But it can. How? Baker Mayfield. That’s the only way our team turns this around.
Wish our defense was good enough to win games. They’re not. They’re just not. But the defense has been pretty good- just not good enough to dominate. But improved over the last several years. Our backup quarterback has proven he can win a game. So that’s improved. Our special teams have improved.
The identity of our team is murky. In other words, we need one.
How about we get one? How about since we have one of the top gunslingers in the game (any idiot can read stats) that we become a dominant passing game? Coen figured it out and Mayfield threw for 4500 yards and 41 touchdowns. Canales figured it out late in the season and Baker threw 6 TD passes in 2 playoff games against the Eagles and Lions. And did you notice how a great passing offense like under Coen- set up our run game to have great success?
I’m thinking this keep it close mentality, never turn it over, and let the defense win it isn’t working. The defense has gagged every single important possession they’ve faced for the last 3 years. Don’t believe me? I don’t care. I want to see this team win.
We have one chance to win this year. Baker needs to get back in quicklike. We need to run an offense that features Baker Mayfield and his offense. We can set up a run game off the success of our passing game.
Bryce Young is turning into one of the best Quarterbacks in the league. If Mayfield is playing next week we’re gonna find out how the rest of the season will go. Mayfield knows this OLine is just getting settled in. He knows Godwin and Egbuka and Otten are damn good. He can use Hurst and Tez effectively. And Bucky and Gainwell will benefit from our new identity. Which if our identity is to feature Bucky, we’ll lose the rest of our games.
Like it or not we only have one identity. Baker Mayfield and this offense. It’s loaded. And with a little luck, and some solid defense and special teams, the league will find out, too.
All is not lost in 2026. Yet. Put it on Baker’s shoulders. He was made for this.
October 19th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Thisisouryear!!!! Says:
October 19th, 2026 at 10:17 am
I haven’t seen anyone say this but Daniels mentally was awful yesterday. He looked at Egbuka the entire 4th quarter and threw there. There was no doubt where he was going w the ball. He looked like an undrafted rookie yesterday.
____________
That may have just been a coincidence.
Jalon was probably looking to see what his mama was gorging herself on in the “luxury” box.
October 19th, 2026 at 10:34 am
Bucs suck, who cares get a life people go Rays
October 19th, 2026 at 10:37 am
The Bucs will be fine. Bowles is one of the best in the league, he showed that by playing with the lead for most of the day. The Bucs have been in every game this season and they control the clock, which is critical. The arrow is definitely pointing up, as it has been since Todd took over in 2022 .
October 19th, 2026 at 10:40 am
Another just good/bad enough play/mistakes all over the the team to lose by one play. Win or lose, mostly losing Bowles loves the adrenalin of close games. Has no idea how important the end of a half is. While we yell at our tvs in predictable frustration. This guy is clueless. This ownership is clueless. Hmmm our coach, he is such a nice guy. Sad sad sad. Now he says lost margin of error. He is ignorantly confident to a fault. …We got this, plenty of football left we will get it figured out, we will coach and play it better, no problem, nothing here to see people….It’s a 3-28 Bucs life.
October 19th, 2026 at 10:56 am
Baseball is for sissies
October 19th, 2026 at 10:58 am
Owners are asleep at the wheel. What a disaster this franchise has become.
October 19th, 2026 at 10:59 am
A waste of Ruben Bain’s best game, a sack, a pass that he tipped that led to an interception by our team leader in interceptions, A’Shawn Robinson, a defensive lineman.
October 19th, 2026 at 10:59 am
“Hey hey hey we’re the Buccaneers, Ho Ho Ho we’re the Buccaneers….”
THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH TEAM GLAZER.
So coming out of the break, the Bucs could very likely be 1-8… its all on you for your HORRENDOUS decision to bring this regime back. You may want to get some new advisors. In fact, make JL, BA and every other dumb a$$ you listen to walk the plank. THIS IS 100% ALL ON YOU.
Empty seats is all that will make you think long and hard and that’s exactly what you are going to get for the remainder of the season. It’s called karma.
October 19th, 2026 at 10:59 am
If Baker’s health is good he’ll be playing. What we don’t know is the mental health of the players. Losing Evans and David has had a bigger affect than expected. Baker is the catalyst on whether or not the Bucs succeed or fail. When he’s not healthy he’s record is poor. Don’t know what Baker will show up. Don’t see the Buccaneers as a playoff team. It might be a time for high draft picks to fill the lost of Evans and David. If that’s the case the Bucs are a couple years away as contenders, assuming Bowles and Robinson are replaced.
October 19th, 2026 at 11:02 am
Good stuff Ira! Always thought provoking truth. Just wish the truth would stop hurting so much. Ouch!
Go Bucs!
October 19th, 2026 at 11:03 am
Hodad Says:
October 19th, 2026 at 9:34 am
Knew it was going to be a throw away season when they retained Bowles.
Hodad. You are 100% correct!
October 19th, 2026 at 11:04 am
@Allen
Just don’t ask Coach about how Baker is doing. His response is he’ll see Wednesday!! Yet Bake was standing next to him for more than three hours as he held a clipboard!
You can’t make this stuff up!
🛟
October 19th, 2026 at 11:07 am
Better sign McLaughlin before he gets to Free agency
October 19th, 2026 at 11:08 am
This team shows the same level of preparation and killer instinct as its head coach. Nothing new here. On to the coaching search and draft. I had no hope when they retained Bowles and proven right. This was easy to foresee.
October 19th, 2026 at 11:11 am
At least the NBA starts on Tuesday and I can ignore this team until Todd is fired.
October 19th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Time to take a cold hard look at stocking the cupboard for our next HC and GM.
Lions and 49ers are buyers as they have the most cap space available.49ers are weak at Safety. Lions are weak at Corner and Nickel.
Deal Winfield to SF for some picks and Morrison to Lions for more picks.
October 19th, 2026 at 11:25 am
Bowels sucks!!!!!
Frickin joke this guy still on the sidelines absolutely comical. What a wasted year with this dog Sssss staff
October 19th, 2026 at 11:30 am
Gotta clean house after the bye week
GO BUCS
October 19th, 2026 at 11:32 am
65% of NFL quarterbacks > Baker Mayfield
80% of NFL GM’s > Jason Licht
70% of NFL owners > The Glazer boys with reference to a football IQ
100% of all coaches whoever lived > Todd Bowles
This organization, and the product they put on the field, is broken.
The Glazers will fire and hire replacements, but they do not have a football IQ large enough to make a wise decision.
I’ll give the Glazers credit for knowing when to leave well enough alone. The problem stems, however, with their responsibility to hire the right people to leave alone.
We are lucky enough to have three professional sports teams in Tampa. Two have owners and GM’s who know what they’re doing. One, the one representing the most popular sport in America, does not.
We are screwed.
October 19th, 2026 at 11:34 am
Ballard’s career record as GM is 72-82-1, with a 1-2 playoff record.
Jason Licht holds a regular-season career record of 94-108 (.465 win percentage), with a 6–4 postseason record (Brady won 5).
The difference between Carlie Irsay-Gordon and the Glazers is that she has a shred of common decency and respect for fans that the Glazers sorely lack. She demands accountability from the GM while the Glazers act like Marie Antoinette and Louis 16 while hoovering up the public’s money to fund their stadium and enteprise – possibly an amendment vote in November and a Tampa mayoral election could get a Bastille Day going here and force the Glazer’s hand somehow
October 19th, 2026 at 11:36 am
Rinse and repeat….week after week, year after year.
Our biggest issue this season is that the LA Chargers seem hell bent on keeping that #1 draft pick.
October 19th, 2026 at 11:36 am
ProfessorBrainStorm: you are so right. Bowels got run out of New Yok on a rail. Almost tarred and feather. If you think IRA is bad, you should read what some other suckups in the Tampa Bay media write. It’s pathetic. It’s why Kauffman is writing for a blog now rather than a publication,
October 19th, 2026 at 11:41 am
That’s the extent of his message to the team: you have no more margin for error.
Goodness. What terrific insight.
At this point I don’t know what I would expect him to say, he knows it’s over, but it still speaks to the passive management he employs.
This is no “setback”, like Cleveland and Minnesota and all the losses besides opening day it’s the end of the season.
October 19th, 2026 at 11:42 am
In the first half, Daniels was having some success with those short out routes, but unfortunately for him, Pittsburgh adjusted and the Bucs did not. Our offense and defense simply do not make adjustments which is why they can look so good in the first half but not the second half. That is 100% on the coaches.
On another topic, the coaches should have our receivers catching at least 200 balls per receiver each day this week from a Jugs machine. Some of their drops were simply inexplicable, particularly that Godwin drop in the first quarter.
October 19th, 2026 at 11:46 am
“Making this change during the season was a deliberate decision,” Irsay-Gordon said in her statement firing Colts GM Ballard. “Waiting would only delay the important work that needs to begin now. We will conduct a thorough search for our next general manager and take the time necessary to identify the right leader for the future of this organization.
I also want to be clear: this decision does not change our goals for the season. We have a lot of football in front of us, and I expect us to compete, improve, and win football games.”
see Glazers ? that’s leadership – that’s ownership – or do you not care ? the question has to be asked : Do the Glazers deserve ownership of the Buccaneers ? Any number of billionaires out there could pry it out of their hands with the right amount of money – Musk could buy the whole league – the Bucs were here before the Glazers and will be here after – are they proper stewards of the franchise ?
October 19th, 2026 at 11:47 am
Ira … ‘Tampa Bay’s blitz pickup continues to struggle.’
That’s a MUCH bigger problem than many seem to acknowledge. Our OLine has been horrid at pass blocking (5 sacks yesterday to a very ‘average’ Steelers’ defense could’ve easily been 10 sacks). The ancillary blocking by our TEs & RBs has been just as bad however, maybe worse.
Yesterday watching the game I kept thinking how much BIGGER the Steelers looked as a team than the Bucs. We dealt with the matchups fine for 3-quarters. Last quarter we looked like a high school team palying an NFL team.
Through 3-quarters, the Bucs had the TOP advantage: 24:55 to 20:05. We had the lead 16-3. In the 4th quarter, Bucs had the ball for ONLY 3:14 to 11:46 for the Steelers. That’s what happens when your QB throws 3 INTs (that the defense holds to 2 FGs) and you only score 3 pts to ties the ballgame & send it to TO.
Think about how long our defense was on the field in that last quarter. They gave up 1 TD and 3 FGs in that 4th quarter; we couldn’t stop them because our defense was exhausted.
But then WE won the coin toss in OT & I was sure we’d take the ball to give our defense a rest and try to eat up the clock. Nope … instead we let Pittsburgh have the ball & they kept it for the first 6:45 of OT and scored a TD. Amazing!
October 19th, 2026 at 12:01 pm
The offense game plan and preparation lost the game again. Did I say again? People jump at the chance to bash Bowls, Baker, and Bain. I guess Zach is being protected by Bruce and the Glazers. Ira, the problem has been horrific offense game planning and the lack of preparedness by the offense coaching staff all season. This game plan was built around two of the poorest offensive performers this year. There is no excuse for this group of players on offense looking so bad week after week after week. So I guess an eight minutes delta in TOP and twenty one incomplete passes are not top ten take aways. Oh yeah who cares about invisible tight end play? Continuing down the same path for this long is pathetic. Home games that look like away games on TV are also pathetic. Todd will end up being the scape goat. Unless the next Head Coach demands total control of football decisions he will suffer the same fate as Todd.
October 19th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
Thanks Glazers. Keep stuffing your pockets worst owners in the league
October 19th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
@ Fire The Cannons & Fire Todd Says: “Any other serious sports city and Bowles is GONE after a 2-7 finish in 2025. New York, LA, Philly, Boston, Dallas you finish 2-7 and you are fired.
Those markets the media is gonna be on you, here it’s a lot of softball questions and covering for inept coaching and writing about excuses of injuries and inexperienced coordinators.”
Yeup, 💯. Oh, they don’t care to blame players, or to throw a coach under the bus… They’ll do that REAL QUICK. But, when it comes to the FO accountability, management, or the ownership… You can FORGET IT. Just Crickets. I guess, it’s just from being in a smaller market, that is super laid back. Where they know their place. Cause, you see ALL the serious major local markets, constantly on THEIR GM’s and Ownership Groups. Fans, too!!!! I mean, they get MAD and REAL ANGRY… Especially, when they know they are full of spit and being LIED TO. But, these guys here, just treat like another day at the office, and then just continue pushing the SAME BS propaganda. They NEVER lockdown the people in power, and put them on blast, with serious and DIRECT questions, with follow ups. They just get handle them with kid gloves. Literally, SCARED TO DEATH. Never demanding straight-up answers, and then just laugh right along with them, before moving on. You know, just yucking-it up with their good old buddy. They don’t demand accountability, or any better. They’re just there for SHOW.
October 19th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
@ Hopes on 2027 Says: “If Lincoln Riley (for sake of argument) is the Bucs HC next year, wouldn’t you want him to have someone like Godwin to work with, rather than a 5th-round WR?”
Stop insulting people. –Joe
October 19th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
@ Kenton Smith Says: “Coen figured it out and Mayfield threw for 4500 yards and 41 touchdowns. Canales figured it out late in the season and Baker threw 6 TD passes in 2 playoff games against the Eagles and Lions.”
That was a loooong time ago. 2-3 YEARS in THE NFL is ETERNITY.
October 19th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Fire Robinson and give a rock the play sheet. It’ll be better in every way
October 19th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
“Just don’t ask Coach about how Baker is doing. His response is he’ll see Wednesday!! Yet Bake was standing next to him for more than three hours as he held a clipboard!”
Baker needs to get used to holding that clipboard because that’s how his career is going to end.
October 19th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
We the fans want Bowles to get the boot,
The Glazers are too busy counting their loot,
This team can’t win the season is lost,
What will it take what will it cost
I think it is time for the fans to just not give a hoot
October 19th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Baker ain’t gonna play next Sunday – he’d have to be on the plane Saturday and ready to go on Friday – Bowles (and the doctors) will check him out Wednesday – that is two days to get back into it with the ones – I don’t think so
October 19th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Daniels’ missed TD throw to Egbuka and then Trotter’s dropped pick-six are the kind of plays that separate wins from losses — and good teams from bad teams.
October 19th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
This loss was a necessary evil. Pretty ironic that the corner Licht ran out of town on a rail had such a key role in the Buc collapse. But his backfill 2nd round draft choice..Benji Morrison…was inactive. Again.
Licht’s “leadership” is now completely limp. Bowels has been cooked for quite some time and will make a solid defensive backs coach if he seeks another gig.
Another lucky win and the chances of Nine Lives Licht & Co. remaining intact would have increased. No thanks.
October 19th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
I think most Buc fans that really follow this team knew that this season was going to be similar or worse than every other season Bowles has been coach. Everyone hoped it would somehow be better and the Bucs could challenge for a deep playoff run but as we all know, hope don’t get nothing done .
October 19th, 2026 at 1:06 pm
Fire The Cannons & Fire Todd Says:
October 19th, 2026 at 11:11 am
At least the NBA starts on Tuesday and I can ignore this team until Todd is fired.
_________
Heck, why not just watch CNN instead for all your race and political needs?
October 19th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
Start the fire sale today. Vea, Godwin, Winfield, send them all packing for as much draft capital as you can get your hands on
October 19th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
yeah ira……the most frightening part of daniel’s game singlehandedly are his throws towards the sidelines…
they often seem like very dangerous throws, and you can see db’s are just trying to time them for the pounce…
he literally looks like a rookie & a half on his sideline throws…
you’d think robinson……or even bowles!!…..would notice this…
most parts of the young kid’s game are halfway decent tho…
but his vision in the pocket to sense who is approaching him from behind is bad…the kid’s head needs to be more on a swivel in the pocket…….
and his sideline throws look not timed right and horrendously dangeroso..!
October 19th, 2026 at 2:07 pm
So, Baker has been coaching Jalon. Jalon has the interceptions well coached. Given more time, Baker will teach him how to fumble 3 times in one game.
Baker coming back won’t save the season. Rookie Jalon will not save the season.
October 19th, 2026 at 2:17 pm
heeeyy wait a minute … could we trade Baker to the EAGLES ?? worth looking into
October 19th, 2026 at 2:33 pm
we are not trading baker anywhere now…lol…
at best jalon daniels looks like a decent option as a 2nd string long term qb situation…with still a heck of a lot to learn and adjust to in the league…
make jalon your official starting qb right now and you are looking at 4 wins…and 4 -5 next year no matter who is your HC…
and with bake we are looking at 6 wins this year
(as if that’s even better lol)
October 19th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
Ira please ask Bowles how he can keep his best defensive player on the bench 2/3s of the snaps with a 1-5 record. It’s time to question his sanity.
October 19th, 2026 at 2:50 pm
No mention of Bonehead Bowles freely choosing to give Aaron Rodgers the ball first in overtime? No shocker he dinked and dunked all the way down the field taking over 7 minutes. Great idea to give your struggling rookie QB less than 3 minutes in a high pressure situation in a “hostile” environment
October 19th, 2026 at 3:09 pm
Media is soft on this town and always has been. Anyone that thinks Jason Licht belongs on the Wall of Fame or whatever it is called has low standards. Watching the Bucs reminds me of the Indians in Major League where ownership purposely tanker to move the franchise for a new stadium. We may be watching that play out.