As the whole world turns on Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles following consecutive home losses to 2 of the worst teams in the NFL, one franchise legend is coming to his defense.
Former Buccaneers defensive tackle and 6-time Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy took to X to passionately defend Bowles following a 29-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15 in which Tampa Bay blew a 14-point lead with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
“Good morning Bucs fans,” McCoy wrote on Friday, December 12. “I already know y’all gonna be upset with me and that’s fine but remember I’m a fan just like y’all at this point. Im frustrated too. But I’ll say this we can’t just say ‘Todd Bowles, Todd Bowles.’ I know for a fact personally …….. Not just from film, TB press conference, last night was brewing. At some point we have to say ok when do we look at the players. People ain’t doing what they are supposed to during the week and it’s showing in the game. That’s all imma say. Take what you want from that.”
The Buccaneers dropped to 7-7 with the loss. They now no longer control their playoff fate as they dropped to second place in the NFC South with 2 games remaining against the first place Carolina Panthers, who are led by head coach and former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
More concerning is the losses came to the New Orleans Saints and Falcons, who have a combined record of 8-19.
Bucs Could Use Players Like McCoy Right Now
One thing is for certain — the Buccaneers could use a player of McCoy’s caliber right now.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft was a 6-time Pro Bowler and 3-time NFL All-Pro in 9 seasons with the Buccaneers from 2010 to 2018 before finishing his career playing one season each for the Panthers, Dallas Cowboys and finally Las Vegas Raiders before retiring following the 2021 season.
“The easy thing to do is to blame (Bowles),” McCoy continued on X. “So them busted coverages in the back end on (Bowles)? Getting no pressure with 4 on (Bowles)? Yall just looking for blame. Everything is bad right now. Can’t just blame Bowles man. Heck naw!! We can’t rush with 4 to save our life man, that is never a recipe for good defense. Having to blitz non stop just to get a rush? It’s a lot wrong.”
‘All Time Horrid Loss’ for Bucs in Week 15
The ship may have already sailed on Bowles returning to the Buccaneers in 2026 if public sentiment is any indication.
“An all-time horrid loss for Tampa Bay,” ESPN’s Peter Schrager wrote on his official X account following the Buccaneers’ Week 15 loss. “Up 14 points at home in the second half. Have Atlanta backed into a Third and 28 And Fourth and 14 … can’t make a stop. Give up final 15 points and lose. At home. To a team eliminated last week with no Drake London. Wild NFL season.”
The Buccaneers return to action in Week 16 in what now essentially amounts to a “loser goes home” game at Carolina.
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