Last night’s Super Bowl displayed the growth of the league and how important concepts, coaching, and execution have become.
1. Coaching Over Talent: Neither of the Super Bowl contenders boasted the best talent in the league, but they did possess elite coaching. While players like Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Leonard Williams, Christian Gonzalez, and Will Campbell had great seasons, teams with more stacked rosters exist. The success of the Seahawks and Patriots can largely be attributed to head coaches Mike Macdonald and Mike Vrabel, along with coordinators like Klint Kubiak and Josh McDaniels. They have a clear scheme, know how to coach it, make effective adjustments, and focus on the little things. For instance, you hear Vrabel emphasize at halftime, “It’s all about setting a strong edge and creating a wall” to stop the run. This simplicity is effective. Throughout the game you see Kubiak’s offense giving his quarterback simple reads to half the field, utilizing easy outside pick concepts, and setting up play action passes with run plays early in the game… all giving his quarterback clear reads and setting players up for success.
The Bucs have the roster to play with these teams (we beat the Seahawks), but they lacked the coaching discipline to provide and demonstrate a plan week in and week out. Hopefully we see more focus from the staff with some of the changes made since the season ended.
2. Consistent Pass Rush: Every year, the best teams manage to generate consistent pass rush pressure with their four down linemen. Yes, the Seahawks employed some effective blitz packages in this game, but they primarily relied on their front four to pressure Drake Maye throughout. When a blitz was called, it got home, because it was more surprising coming from a defense that heavily relies on the defensive line to apply pressure.
Jason Licht and Todd Bowles
I’m once again hoping that Todd Bowles and Jason Licht understand the need to add a stud edge presence this offseason. I also would love to see Bowles utilize 4 down linemen against more offensive personnel packages this next season. Match defensive packages against offensive packages. Do not just stick to 3 down lineman, along with 2 outside linebackers every first and second down.
3. Scheme Over Quarterback: While both quarterbacks in this year’s Super Bowl had superb seasons, let’s not confuse them with stars like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, or Matthew Stafford. Their success in leading their teams to the championship game stemmed more from their ability to execute the game plan than from their individual talent.
All four teams in this year’s NFC and AFC Championship Games were led by effective game managers, with Stafford standing out due to his superstar abilities. Even though Bo Nix was injured for the game, he had managed to guide his team to the championship by adhering to Sean Payton’s offensive script. The same can be said for Drake Maye and Sam Darnold. While they made significant plays throughout the season—without which there would be no Super Bowl in 2026—they aren’t top-five quarterbacks; they more closely resemble top-ten quarterbacks.
Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield
This reinforces the idea that having productive schemes and players who buy into them is often more crucial than possessing the league’s top quarterback. It also points to the potential that Bucs’ quarterback Baker Mayfield brings to this team. With the right offensive coordinator (I.e. – Liam Coen) and scheme, Mayfield could carry this Bucs team to the promise land as well. He’s got the ability, does he have the discipline?
4. Special Teams Matter: Both Super Bowl teams put just as much importance into special teams as they do into offensive and defensive preparation. The kickoff and punt coverage units for the Seahawks and Patriots were almost perfect on Sunday night. The players know their job and execute. They settle when they should settle and they set the edge when they should set it. There is a plan for every kick. It’s not like they just hope to place the kick and stay in their coverage lanes.
The fact that we stuck with our coaching on special teams all season shows a lack of accountability. We must be stubborn with the expectations of our players and coaches. Players want to play for coaches like that. They want to play for champions. The two teams were there for a reason, they coach for championships.
