Bucs head coach Todd Bowles had a recent sitdown interview with NBC Sports NFL analyst Tony Dungy. Both men have a lot in common, having played defensive back for years in the league before becoming secondary coaches. That led to both men becoming defensive coordinators and ultimately head coaches – for two different NFL teams. And of course, both Dungy and Bowles have coached in Tampa Bay.

Dungy was the head coach of the Bucs from 1996-2001, while Bowles recently replaced the retired Bruce Arians after spending three years as Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator. But the commonalities don’t end there. Both men also inherited legendary quarterbacks.

Dungy inherited Peyton Manning in 2002 and helped the Colts win the Super Bowl in 2006. After winning a Super Bowl two years ago in Tampa Bay, Bowles inherits Tom Brady in what could be the 45-year old’s final season in the NFL. Dungy asked Bowles about the relationship between the defensive-minded head coach and the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

Bucs DC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“We have a lot in common as far as how we see the game,” Bowles said. “He really just wants to win. Whether it’s throw it 60 or run it 60, he just wants to win the ball game. We see it the same way. Our philosophies are the same. He has a killer instinct. I don’t say a lot, according to popular belief, but I’m trying to cut people’s throats out myself. It’s an inner drive that you just have. And you always have it and it never leaves you.”

Bowles’ high-pressure defense features a ton of blitzing – usually the highest blitz percentage in the league on an annual basis.

“He can’t sit there all day,” Bowles said to Dungy about facing quarterbacks in the pocket.

As for Brady, his preparation and football I.Q. are bar none. And he’s the game’s ultimate winner with his stone cold killer mentality.

Bucs, Brady, Bowles On A Super Mission

Bowles also shares Brady’s love for pressure-packed situations that often arise in the game of football. The Bucs’ new head coach also has no problem embracing the pressure of high expectations in his first season guiding the team.

“I’m expecting a Super Bowl,” Bowles said. “That’s the only reason you coach. It’s great when you have good players and you have high expectations. You don’t want to walk in the building and say, ‘I’m hoping we win five games.’ That’s not even what you want. You want the pressure. You want all the things that come with it. That’s what the game is every week anyway. You live for the pressure. You make decisions based on what you see, what you know, what your players know and you live with it. I’m all for that.”

Following a 13-4 season in 2021, Bucs, Brady and Bowles begin their quest for another Super Bowl on Sunday Night Football. The Bucs have a Week 1 rematch against the Cowboys in Dallas to kick off the 2022 season. Tampa Bay beat Dallas, 31-29, at Raymond James Stadium in the 2021 season opener.

You can watch the entire interview with Dungy and Bowles by clicking here.

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