The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t had a victory Monday press conference and locker room session in a long time – and haven’t had that many this year in general with just five wins. However, winning the last game of the year against the opponent they did while at home made for a day of all smiles as the players cleared out their lockers.

With smiles came an attitude and openness to talk, and that meant we learned a thing or two. These are the four big things we learned on the final media day of the season.

To Change Or Not To Change

When the news broke on Friday that Dirk Koetter would be retained as head coach, it was a bit of a shock to everyone (even to him). But, it’s not for lack of confidence, more in the understanding that the coaching staff didn’t do what they needed to do this season.

Knowing that the offense struggled to turn all their yards into points, the question was once again brought up to Koetter whether or not he would remain the play caller in 2018.

He answered emphatically that yes he would.

What will shock the fans more than Koetter’s return as a play caller will be if all of his coordinators are also retained, as he hinted might be the case.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken likely isn’t in any danger, but Mike Smith as defensive coordinator could be in jeopardy. The Bucs were last in the league in yards given up this season and were also last in the league in sacks.

Could there still be changes to the Bucs staff under Koetter? Yes. But right now there is no plan to change them.

Grimes Could Return

There has also been plenty of speculation regarding the future of the Bucs No. 1 cornerback Brent Grimes.

Grimes is 34 years old and he’ll be 35 when next season starts. He’s currently a free agent, and there have been hints at him retiring after the 2017 season. But, the team had a meeting with Grimes on Monday morning and told him that if he wants to come back that the team will gladly have him back.

His wife, Miko, also tweeted on Monday morning that Brent Grimes might have some “unfinished business” before retiring.

https://twitter.com/iHeartMiko/status/947845298394685440

Winston’s Offseason Goal

Quarterback Jameis Winston’s final two passes of the 2017 season go down as the game-winning touchdown pass to Chris Godwin and the successful 2-point conversion that followed. That capped off a great month of December for him.

Going into the offseason, Winston said he’ll be ready to get right back at it next week, getting his mind ready for future success and to not be clearing his locker room out after Week 17 next year – instead be preparing for the playoffs.

Dirk Doesn’t Listen To Rumors

Whether he’s purposefully meant to or not, Koetter has had to listen to plenty of rumors about him an his future over the last few months.

When asked about how he’s handled it or what he’s learned, he said that he’s learned you just can’t listen to rumors. He said that he was once told “you either listen to all of it or none of it, and it’s easier to listen to none of it” regarding speculative reports.

Bucs fans hope another year of confidence means a faster start to 2018 – and a better finish as a result.