There are just a lot of malcontents here in our fanbase. There is no sign internally or otherwise that we are going through an overhaul or using Bowles as a placeholder. Tampa's ownership wants to win now.
We will all know soon enough, free agency right around the corner
Dan Pompei
"Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Edge rusher: The Bucs’ biggest offseason need in 2026 was their biggest in 2025. They hoped Haason Reddick would solve the problem, but he had only 2.5 sacks. Reddick is a free agent. The Bucs had one player with more than 4.5 sacks, as Yaya Diabi had seven — tied for 35th most in the NFL. The Bucs need to generate more pressure with a four-man rush to help their defensive backs if they are going to have a more effective defense than last season. Getting defensive tackle Calijah Kancey back from injury will help, but the Bucs need an edge player who can close on the quarterback. — Dan Pompei
A lot of mocks I’ve seen lately has styles going top 10. Id love if he fell to us tho.
ive also seen several mocks having us getting Colton hood.
i wouldn’t hate a corner, especially hood im a big vols fan he really shined this year especially with jermod McCoy out all year for Tennessee.
id just much rather address the front 7 of defense. It’ll depend what happens with Dean as well.
This will mark the fourth consecutive offseason where I’ve pointed out that edge rusher remains our weakest position. We won’t be real contenders until we secure a top-tier edge pass rusher.
Unfortunately, that game-changing pass rusher for 2026 isn’t going to come from this spring’s draft. I know many fans might say, “We don’t have the budget” or “Licht won’t make a trade,” but if that’s the case, I fear I’ll be repeating this same message for a fifth offseason in a row.
Tampa's ownership wants to win now.
If that were true, they wouldn't have played "chicken" with Liam last offseason.
They also wouldn't have retained the biggest glaring weakness on the sidelines this offseason.
This will mark the fourth consecutive offseason where I’ve pointed out that edge rusher remains our weakest position.
Don't get me wrong, I agree that edge is a MASSIVE need for us. But, with Todd's scheme and the way he's calling plays, ILB has now become the weakest position on the team.
We have ZERO starting caliber players at the position.
Besides, we're not in a window. We're not "a player away".
Just don't see them pulling the trigger on a trade for Crosby.
@donkey_hunter - that’s the sad part. We’ve fallen off so hard at MLB that we’re just trying to get back to as good as we were two years ago, which wasn’t very. Still means we won’t have an edge too. So many holes to fill.
We’ve fallen off so hard at MLB that we’re just trying to get back to as good as we were two years ago, which wasn’t very. Still means we won’t have an edge too. So many holes to fill.
I agree, but the point you're making cuts across the idea that the 2025 team was an actual SB contender and explains how the Bucs current posture - aging veterans like LVD and limited FA - have obviously contributed to the struggle last season.
And at this moment it is actually an open question whether LVD might come back . . .
Just don't see them pulling the trigger on a trade for Crosby.
If what they are asking is accurate, I don’t see anyone biting.
It’s bad business to risk future draft capital for someone who is coming off of an injury.
Two firsts appears to be the asking price.
Absolutely, the 2025 version of the Bucs was never a true Super Bowl contender.
The challenge with a draft-focused strategy is that you need to hit on most of your picks. If you miss and don’t supplement those gaps with free agents, you struggle to fill critical holes.
Teams like the Rams have shown agility in their approach, adapting based on their needs and resources. They’ve successfully added talent through various channels for over eight years, remaining contenders for most of that time.
It feels like we’re just trying to stay relevant. A realistic move to acquire a talent like Crosby is essential to keep this team competitive and maintain interest among fringe fans. There’s no guarantee that Licht will ever be able to draft an edge rusher who performs at a top-10 level, and let’s not even mention Yaya.
Also, the argument that a star edge rusher doesn’t fit Bowles’ system doesn’t hold water. Shaq thrived in this defense, and even an aging JPP looked impressive. Since then, we’ve lacked that caliber of talent.
There are just a lot of malcontents here in our fanbase. There is no sign internally or otherwise that we are going through an overhaul or using Bowles as a placeholder. Tampa's ownership wants to win now.
hard to fathom they want to win now when we just witnessed one of the worst collapse, a team who quit, fired entire coaching staff, but for some reason kept Bowles largely impart to incompetent premature extension in summer of 2025.
They are ok with mediocrity and it's very likely Bowles would have been fired this offseason if not for the retarded move to extend him in summer of 2025.
Dont get me wrong, they dont want a losing team, but i dont think they necessarily care as long as the team is somewhat competitive....so call it they are happy with 7 to 10 wins each and every year.
EDIT: Said another way, we just won a Superbowl in 2020...they've built up enough goodwill in their minds to coast the rest of the 2020s.
They already wasted money keeping Bowles and any years they have him knowing full well the season will go to the toilet when it matters. Prime time bucs Bowles games guys? Anyone want to experience that right now even with no football?
I don't see much of an investment in this team right now. We'd need to make a significant move to help this team on defense. If you do that you might be able to help this team stay above water.
They already wasted money keeping Bowles and any years they have him knowing full well the season will go to the toilet when it matters. Prime time bucs Bowles games guys? Anyone want to experience that right now even with no football?
I don't see much of an investment in this team right now. We'd need to make a significant move to help this team on defense. If you do that you might be able to help this team stay above water.
i mean, they need multiple players on the defense
Need to replace Hall.
Need to get a rotation on the defensive line where Kancey is a starter but we have a 1b to him. He is injury prone. Think Eagles roster when they won the last few years. So i am thinking you have Vea and Kancey but need 2 more above average guys.
You can keep Diaby at edge but need a starter opposite him
David is washed and ok if he wants to return but Dennis is ass. Need at least 1 starter here
Letting Dean walk, probably did enough in secondary with McCollum, Morrison, and Parrish along with Tykee Smith and AWJ at safety. Dont think we need to do much here
so that is 4 new starters basically or starting caliber players. I think Bradley can fill one of those roles and you dont lose any draft capital. You can then draft 2 guys in the first and second round which can fill another 2 spots so still need another big free agent signing to Chubb
thinking this
DL - Vea, Kancey, 1st or 2nd round draft pick, free agent signing
Edge - Diaby, sign Chubb
ILB - David, 1st or 2nd round draft pick
Secondary - Morrison, Parrish, McCollum, Smith, Winfield
the offense is relatively set. Bring back Mike. Sign some vet TE like Njoku or Goedert or Pitts; maybe draft a running back in 4th or 5th round.
Leaves a third round pick to draft best available player. Can never have too much talent in the trenches.
Said another way, we just won a Superbowl in 2020...they've built up enough goodwill in their minds to coast the rest of the 2020s.
or at least to make more deliberate moves than they did after the Gruden SB
