Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles offered a measured assessment of his team heading into the upcoming season, deliberately avoiding labeling them a "top-flight NFL team." This caution comes after a challenging conclusion to the previous year.

Recapping Last Season's Collapse

The Buccaneers experienced a significant downturn in the latter half of the previous season. After achieving a promising 6-2 start, the team struggled significantly, dropping seven of their final nine contests.

This late-season slump mirrored a recent trend for the Bucs, though this time proved more definitive. Unlike previous years where they managed to recover from mid-season struggles, the hole they dug in 2025 proved too deep to overcome.

Major Roster Departures Define New Era

The team faces substantial changes heading into the new campaign. Wide receiver Mike Evans has departed and is now with the San Francisco 49ers, seeking another Super Bowl title.

Furthermore, linebacker Lavonte David has retired, officially closing a significant chapter in Tampa Bay history. These departures represent the loss of two pivotal leaders both on and off the field.

Bowles' Perspective on the 2026 Squad

When questioned about his agreement with General Manager Licht's assessment of the team during the Annual NFL Meetings, Bowles provided a nuanced response.

"I feel like we are a top-flight NFL team. I don't think we're six and two, but I don't think we're two and six either," Bowles stated regarding the team's current standing.

The Necessity of Rebuilding the Foundation

Bowles stressed that the team must essentially start anew following the exits of Evans and David. He emphasized the need to lay new groundwork and build the team differently.

"We have to build differently, our mentality's got to be different, and there's got to be different people to step up, but I do feel like we have a very good football team," he added.

The challenge now lies in finding the internal spark to motivate the squad after a difficult previous season. While leaders remain on both sides of the ball, establishing the right motivational structure will be crucial.

Fixing the foundational cracks exposed last year is paramount if the Buccaneers hope to transition into true Super Bowl contenders. Success will require a collective effort from everyone within One Buc, not just the players, to achieve the franchise's goals.