Todd Bowles didn’t mince words when talking about what the Buccaneers need to take their game to the next level. The head coach wants to see a fiercer, angrier Tampa Bay squad. The kind of team that doesn’t just win but takes control, delivers a statement, and never lets up. He’s calling for what he described as a “killer instinct” – that attitude of domination that separates contenders from pretenders.
“I feel good that we know how to win,” Bowles said at the NFL Annual League Meeting. “But I don’t feel good about how we finish. We can’t afford to keep having midseason droughts two years in a row. We’ve got to be better across the board – coaching, veterans, accountability. And it starts with taking control earlier and not letting it come down to the last week.”
It’s no secret the Bucs have struggled to maintain consistency. Last year, they stumbled midseason before scraping through to take the division. But these near-misses? They’re wearing thin. Bowles knows it, the players know it, and, most importantly, Bucs fans know it. He’s pushing the team to stop relying on last-minute heroics and instead, step on the gas and never look back.
“We’ve got to try to blow people out,” Bowles said. “Stop letting these games linger and letting teams hang around. That mentality is what we need to get over the hump.”
For Bowles, it’s not just about scheming the perfect play. It’s about fostering a culture of accountability at every level. He shared how crucial it is for veterans like Mike Evans and Lavonte David to set the tone. “They need to hold everyone else accountable,” he added. “They do that, but it’s got to be more, and it’s got to come from everybody. When they’re vocal with each other, whether it’s tough love or kind love, that’s when the message hits, and the team grows.”
Bowles isn’t handing out excuses or preaching patience. He’s calling it like it is – a team with championship pieces but a mentality that needs sharpening. The message? Stop being content with just making the playoffs. Start dominating.
This shift in focus couldn’t come at a better time. The NFC South is far from locked up, but Bowles can see the blueprint. “The accountability starts now. Spring, summer, training camp – that’s where chemistry builds,” he said. “We’ve got to push each other before the season even kicks off.”
And fans? They’re here for it. Bowles is waving the flag, demanding more aggression, more dominance, and more fight. If the team answers the call, maybe this year, Tampa Bay will rise from “good enough” to downright unstoppable.
