The 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a team that was dealing with injuries to key players. It was the first time in six years that the team failed to reach the playoffs, which is tough to believe after their 6-2 start to the season. There are a lot of reasons for a late-season collapse, but they had a chance in Week 18 to still win the NFC South. With the team making some changes this offseason and looking to get back in the playoffs, one coach revealed something about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that shocked a lot of people.
Todd Bowles reveals Tampa Bay Buccaneers took plays off last season
Dec 28, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles walks around the field during warmups prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
In an interview with Sports Day Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles made fans aware that last year’s team could have taken some plays off during games.
“If we can prepare and we can execute, and we don’t look at the names on people’s helmets, and we can play the same every week and learn how to finish off games and close games out – instead of getting a lead and just taking plays off, or not having a lead and having to come back late.”
While Bowles made sure that this was not him admitting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would just quit on plays. His later context made the message a bit clearer.
“You just want to play four quarters and you want to go out there. And I think we have those types of alpha dogs on our team right now that will make this team to elevate to that. When they start coaching themselves and don’t need too much coaching on the sideline, that’s when you know you’ve arrived.”
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished 18th in the NFL with 22.4 points per game. Their defense was not much better as they ranked 20th with 24.2 points per game allowed. With a lot of improvements to the defense, including four of their first five draft picks, they are looking to improve at keeping things together. On the offensive side of things, life will be different after wide receiver Mike Evans left in free agency. However, they have a lot of talent who can really take that next step and get the team back on track.
That is, before mentioning quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is currently entering the final year of his contract, so he could be playing for a massive payday. It will be intriguing to see if the Bucs are able to keep their focus throughout all four quarters of each game.