Third and 28. It’s something that will haunt Buccaneers’ fans as much as any bad moment in recent memory. Maybe it wasn’t as gut-wrenching as the Ricky Proehl touchdown or the Cooper Kupp bomb, but it was painful nonetheless.
I sat there and heard something I had never heard before, at least not to that extent. As Todd Bowles marched off the field following the Atlanta collapse, he was met with a chorus of boos that was absolutely deafening.
I’ve seen my share of Buccaneers losses in person, but this one was different.
I sat a few rows behind the bench that fateful evening. I witnessed Baker Mayfield yelling at a fan as he tried to defend his head coach from the numerous profanities being directed toward Bowles earlier in the game.
As we left the stadium, I also witnessed a fight break out. The fans were justifiably upset, but this was ugly.
It was the final game of three straight home games I attended — the “Tampa Trifecta,” as I called it.
Three games in 11 days
It started with a win over Arizona, followed by a loss to the Saints on a rain-soaked afternoon, and finally a blown fourth-quarter lead on a Thursday night against the Falcons.
Three games against inferior teams. Three games at home. And the Bucs couldn’t capitalize.
The fans had had enough
The 6-2 start ultimately ended with a 2-7 finish, and the Bucs’ season ended without a playoff berth.
At the end of the season, many fans, myself included, wanted a new head coach. Management felt otherwise. Bowles was returning, and all the complaining from the fans wasn’t going to change that.
Now, with less than two weeks before the start of what could be the most pivotal season since Jameis Winston’s final year in 2019, how will Bucs fans react to Bowles when he leads the team onto the field in 2026?
Especially in the home opener against Cleveland?
As a diehard Florida State Seminole fan, I think I know the answer.
FSU head coach Mike Norvell has lost many of the fans. Some believe it’s inevitable that he will be fired and have all but given up on the season before it has even begun.
It seems some Bucs fans feel the same way about Bowles.
Whenever the Bucs allow an opponent to convert a third-and-long, you already know what’s coming.
Unfortunately, this defense is very young. And as talented as these rookies may be, there will be growing pains.
As a fan, you can decide for yourself how you want to deal with this season.
Personally, time isn’t a luxury I want to cast aside.
The football offseason is long and painful, and you never know how many Buccaneers seasons we have left to enjoy.
Whatever happens this year is out of my control. So I’m going to wipe away the memories of last season and hope for a much better 2026.
There is enough talent on this roster to win the division and host a playoff game.
If that happens, Todd Bowles will likely be back.
When I visit Tampa in December, some of the questions surrounding this team will have been answered.
Let’s hope they ace the test.
Let the games begin!
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