https://www.pewterreport.com/bucs-offseason-10-things-i-think-sr-fab-5/
Bucs win the division
"The popular saying in football is that the game is not so much about the X’s and the O’s as it is about the Jimmys and the Joes. While coaching matters and scheme is important, teams need talent to win over the course of a season. A quick look around the NFC South shows that the Bucs still have the most talented roster in the division heading into the 2026 NFL Draft and I’m not sure that’s going to change next week as each team adds a few new starters out of the college ranks"
"Tampa Bay has the best, most accomplished quarterback in the NFC South in Baker Mayfield and he plays behind the best offensive line in the division"
AND ON BOWLES
And say what you want about Todd Bowles, is there a dynamite coach in the division that is head and shoulders better right now? We’ll see what the future holds for Kellen Moore in New Orleans, who was beginning to turn the Saints around at the end of the season with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.
But Dave Canales has not proven to be a lethal game day strategist in Carolina the way Sean Payton was in New Orleans years ago, and he just turned the play-calling duties over to offensive coordinator and good friend Brad Idzik. And I don’t buy the hype about Kevin Stefanski, and I don’t see how Atlanta got any better this offseason, especially when the biggest addition was backup QB Tua Tagovailoa.
If the Bucs don’t rebound and reclaim the division title in 2026, it will be because of injuries (again) and Bowles holding this team back with game day coaching gaffes either as the defensive play-caller or in the realm of game management. It won’t be because of a lack of talent, as I’m expecting reinforcements to arrive on defense in next week’s draft.
SOME OTHERS . . actually addressing some points raised here on the RB
Zac Robinson’s Offense Will Click In Tampa Bay
Baker Mayfield Is Going To Have A Tremendous Contract Year
Kenneth Gainwell Is A Better Fit In Tampa Bay Than Rachaad White
Bucs WR Corps Will Be Fine Without Mike Evans
Bucs’ Attitude Adjustment On Defense Was Absolutely Necessary
Jason Licht Will Draft The Right Edge Rusher This Year
Bucs Will Address Cornerback After The Draft
Depth Added This Year Will Help The Bucs Avoid Losing Streaks
Special Teams Coordinator Danny Smith Could Give The Bucs An Extra Win
Sigh.
The hopium is high.
A quick look around the NFC South shows that the Bucs still have the most talented roster in the division heading into the 2026 NFL Draft and I’m not sure that’s going to change next week as each team adds a few new starters out of the college ranks.
Unless they added a ton of talent, I find it hard to believe that an 8-9 team that lost Evans, White, and David is a lock to have a more talented roster. If the coaching failed so badly that they landed at 8-9, why would I feel the result would be different? Yes, I am a jaded fan who has followed the team since before its first game. The history of the Buccaneers always gives me pause. At the same time, Todd Bowles and his history do not give me any hope that this will be different.
Tampa Bay has the best, most accomplished quarterback in the NFC South in Baker Mayfield and he plays behind the best offensive line in the division. That alone gives the Bucs an edge in the NFC South because none of the other teams in the division have a dominant defense that can neutralize Tampa Bay’s offense when healthy and at full strength.
Last season, the Falcons and Panthers had better offensive lines. Yes, I understand it was likely due to the injuries Tampa suffered. The Panthers used 11 different starting variations due to injury. The Buccaneers only used nine different starting combinations.
If the Bucs don’t rebound and reclaim the division title in 2026, it will be because of injuries (again) and Bowles holding this team back with game day coaching gaffes either as the defensive play-caller or in the realm of game management.
I expect Bowles to be the weak link. Potentially, Zach Robinson does what Canales and Coen did and bails his weak coaching ass out with brilliant offense, but I fully expect Bowles to struggle. It is what he has a history of doing, and there is no reason to think he learned to do things differently.
2. I Think Zac Robinson’s Offense Will Click In Tampa Bay
Yeah, this section I can see. I think Robinson will be better than Grizzard, but missing Evans will be a big question mark for me until I see the answer show up on Sunday consistently. Emeka I am looking at you.
3. I Think Baker Mayfield Is Going To Have A Tremendous Contract Year
I agree with this. Injuries and inconsistent play-calling hurt. Mayfield seems to be able to make throws to any receiver, but I know he will miss Evans. The key to being better this year is having an offense that is running well, and Baker doesn't have to make so many runs and get his body beaten as much as last season.
4. I Think Kenneth Gainwell Is A Better Fit In Tampa Bay Than Rachaad White
While he doesn’t have White’s 6-foot-1, 220-pound size, Gainwell has the technique and tenacity to be a good pass protector on third downs and actually had a better pass pro grade per Pro Football Focus than White did last year.
OK. I tend to agree here. I think White was a little better runner, and Gainwell is a little better pass receiver. However, the real question is how good Gainwell is at pass protection. I hope the author is correct on this.
5. I Think The Bucs WR Corps Will Be Fine Without Mike Evans
Don’t get the headline twisted – I didn’t say the Bucs WR corps will be “great” without Mike Evans, I just said “fine.” The Bucs will miss Evans this year, especially on downfield shots with him coming up with 50-50 balls more than half the time, as well as fade passes in the end zone from the lower red zone.
I agree. We will see what the draft brings.
6. I Think The Bucs’ Attitude Adjustment On Defense Was Absolutely Necessary
But the defense needs more than just better players. An attitude adjustment was necessary as the unit has simply been too soft over the last two seasons. Tampa Bay has struggled to stop the run at times and struggled rush the passer on a more regular basis. There has been a lack of accountability on defense because there has not been that fire-starter on the unit that this team has had in previous Super Bowl seasons.
A DC not named Bowles and not trying to be a head coach would have been nice too. I understand that players and attitude can set a tone. So can a coach. Especially a dedicated DC that can talk to the defense when the offense is on the field. Bowles can't because he has to focus on both units and the clock management. I don't care if Bowles was to call plays, but having a DC to be able to get the guys in the right mental space would go a long way.
7. I Think Jason Licht Will Draft The Right Edge Rusher This Year
Is the issue who he has drafted or the defensive staff not being capable of coaching guys up? Also, stay away from guys who have an injury history in college. This team has bad injury luck, and I suspect drafting injury-prone players is a part of that as much as bad luck.
8. I Think The Bucs Will Address Cornerback After The Draft
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs were super stealthy and drafted a cornerback in the first two rounds this year – even though they have hardly investigated the position from a public standpoint with scant interest via official 30 visits and formal interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine. Cornerback remains a big need with just three starting-caliber players in Zyon McCollum, Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison.
Defensive backs are the players that Bowles and his staff tend to do well coaching up. I agree that this area is a need, but I suspect the CB taken will be in rounds 4-7. I also think that getting a decent pass rush solves some of what people think is a problem with the defensive backs.
9. I Think The Depth Added This Year Will Help The Bucs Avoid Losing Streaks
The Bucs have a dubious distinction of losing at least three games in a row in each of Todd Bowles’ seasons as head coach dating back to 2022. In fact, Tampa Bay has lost four straight games in each of the last three seasons, which is embarrassing and has prevented the Bucs from elevating into the upper echelon of the NFC.
The author blames the losing streaks on injuries, but I think it is a coaching issue. A coach who does not adjust to the talent of the players on the field. The 49ers are a prime example. They had lots of injuries and they performed much better than the Buccaneers. The Panthers on the OL are another example.
10. Special Teams Coordinator Danny Smith Could Give The Bucs An Extra Win
I agree. Our special teams were a massive issue. However, why does the author throw injuries out as an excuse for defense, but then make a claim that the coach is the difference here? In my case, I can only hope that the other coaching changes make a difference. We will see, but I do not have as much hope as this article does.
The history of the Buccaneers always gives me pause.
CAN TOTALLY RELATE!
I think on this point
Unless they added a ton of talent, I find it hard to believe that an 8-9 team that lost Evans, White, and David is a lock to have a more talented roster. If the coaching failed so badly that they landed at 8-9, why would I feel the result would be different?
SR's argument is that much of their talent was injured and if you use David as an example, well past his physical prime.
Who knows though?
It's an optimistic take and I like it but we will have to see where they are at when the lights go on. I think the team has to prove some things with how they ended last year. It really wasn't good and the owners were totally justified to let go of everyone for that collapse but they didnt so there should be a pessimistic outlook as well. I think they got potential too but I think they really need to prove it. I'm not really surprised too much either way as the potential to go either way truly is there. I think the division is better this year than any one before so there's that. It means it only gets tougher and we haven't really been great when truly tested. It will be interesting.
honestly, i knew last year was f%$# when some pundits had us going to Superbowl like Nick Wright and Pete Prisco and that unlike other years, everyone had us easily winning the division.
it looked that way the first 2 months as well....
well i like the doubt that has creeped in on this team....because that seems to be when we are capable of doing some damage
2020 - sure some thought high things but not many were high on Brady and that it was still the Saints division. Looked that way until we got hot at the right time
2021 - we were the defending Champs, Brees retired and expected to win division. We actually handled the pressure well
2022 - Only a few "Captain Hindsight's" will claim they saw the disaster coming. But we were the clear team to beat in the division and a Super Bowl contender entering the year. We shit the bed in Brady's final year.
2023 - Nobody expected anything from this team and we maintained division dominance
2024 - Alot were suggesting Atlanta as the team to beat with Penix joining the fold and we showed we are still the class
2025 - not many picking outside of Tampa for the division and we were absolute clowns the second half of the year.
2026 - seems to be doubts even among Tampa Fans, emerging teams throughout the division; Bucs still favored given the talent
so im saying...it's a good thing we aren't clear cut favorites because we dont typically perform well when that's the case.
It's an optimistic take
That’s being generous. One if the reasons I stopped reading his stuff years ago.
I think the team has to prove some things with how they ended last year.
maybe the remaining guys have a chip on their should about that
fingers crossed
The author blames the losing streaks on injuries, but I think it is a coaching issue.
this is the million dollar question
The owners and GM say injuries. Fans say coach
The author blames the losing streaks on injuries, but I think it is a coaching issue.
this is the million dollar question
The owners and GM say injuries. Fans say coach
coaching no doubt played a part - Bowles, grizz and mcshit or whatever his name was.
Bucs upgraded coaching staff even with Bowles retained so that’s good
issue I see is leadership definitely got worse without Evans and David
schedule also looks extremely difficult with afc and nfc north, improved division, Dallas and LA teams.
Baker is the key. If he performs close to 2024, maybe we can win 10+ games.
if he’s closer to 2025, then we are probably a 6-8 win team. And again 2025 wasn’t necessarily atrocious but it’s not exactly the play that can carry the team to winning record
the defense might be marginally improved but I don’t see the talent there to make them go from top 25 to top 10; they likely are still in the 15-20 range
offense should be improved even without Evans but we now dont have any game changers sans Bucky Irving.
I’m currently at 6-11 but let’s see how the draft goes and how “youngry” baker is
coaching no doubt played a part
yes it seemed to me like the team quit on Bowles. Maybe not, but if so that would say next season is already lost.
And again 2025 wasn’t necessarily atrocious but it’s not exactly the play that can carry the team to winning record
Considering he was playing with multiple injuries and a jackass HC middling with the offense, I'd say his play wasn't all that bad.
And, if it weren't for his early season playground ball, this team only wins a handful of games.
But, hey!
I'm sure Todd will get this turned around!
Just some communication issues. Need a little more time.
coaching no doubt played a part
yes it seemed to me like the team quit on Bowles. Maybe not, but if so that would say next season is already lost.
clearly you can see a shift in my fandom. I’ve been around too long to be a hopeless romantic as it comes to their chances next season.
hope im eating crow
- I do not see the Bucs winning the NFCS. Saints and Panthers have closed the gap. If the Falcons had more wiggle room with cap and draft picks they could close the gap too.
- Robinson couldn’t get the Falcons to win double digits so I doubt he can do that for the Bucs.
- I think Mayfield will do good but there is too much wrong with this team in terms of talent, coaching, systems, Bucs FO, etc.
- KG is better as a third down back but has not shown he can grind out yards if he has to be the guy.
- Bucs WR room is still in the upper half of the league due to sheer talent
- Bucs kind of punted and did not do enough bringing in vets to help on defense.
- The right edge rusher from the draft is one that can contribute to the rotation day one and does not have to be a home run so I agree here 100%.
- Bucs should not wait till after the draft to address CB. Bucs need another boundary CB in the pipeline if McCollum and/or Morrison fail.
- Bucs had losing streaks every season where they added depth so that will not change with Bowles led teams.
- Bucs need Smith to give this team 2-3 special teams wins to carry Bowles over the finish line. Pray that happens.