“Our Bond Is Strengthening”
November 9th, 2026
Optimism.
It wasn’t all dismay and disbelief in the Bucs’ postgame locker room last night.
There was plenty of that, per interviews shared by WFLA-TV on its Bucs Bonus show. But there also was cornerback Zyon McCollum saying Tampa Bay is galvanizing for a stretch run.
“Our bond is strengthening, our competiveness is strengthening, our ability to fight through adversity is strengthening,” McCollum said at his locker. “So, we just have to keep staying focused on the details and keep going.”
What was the message in the locker room after a gut-punch loss to the Bears.
“We’re right there,” McCollum said. “I mean, the Bears, they have a fantastic football team. And us coming down to the end with them, you know, what does that make us?
“So, take some time off [during the bye] and get away from the game. Get your bodies right. But really get your mind ready for this run we’re going to have to go on, because it’s going to take everybody. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie or if you’re a tenth-year guy.”
Center Graham Barton said the bye week has arrived at a good time — a time for each player to take stock of himself and return strong to close out the division. Barton noted how no team in the NFC South (including the 3-6 Bucs) has more than three wins.
November 9th, 2026 at 1:16 am
Could have won easily, playoffs for sure
Zyon is proving to be an absolute bargain for what we are paying him, Parrish and Tykee are absolute dawgs as well
Future is bright 🤙
November 9th, 2026 at 1:18 am
Zion really had two picks today this man has been playing out his mind this year!
November 9th, 2026 at 1:19 am
I’ve been wanting to fire Todd Bowles but honestly I’m starting to feel bad for the guy. His defense this year hsve been playing at an elite level. Zac and Bake holding back a great defense and running game
November 9th, 2026 at 1:24 am
Remember all the idiots who wanted us to cut Zion just last year?
November 9th, 2026 at 1:28 am
I always thought Zyon had the talent even when he was coming out of Sam Houston.
November 9th, 2026 at 1:32 am
Just think….
Zion’s 2nd interception, he jumped up and ran it back 40 yards for a TD but the dumbass officials blew the lay dead because they thought he didn’t catch the ball.
They reviewed the play and realized he did.
We had to kick field goal on that turnover…
The refs fuk-up cost us 4 points which would’ve been enough to win the game.
Food for thought 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️