Bucs’ defense struggles as opponents continue to set record performances, sparking questions around coaching and player alignment.

In a season marked by inconsistency, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense has developed a troubling pattern: helping opposing teams reach new heights. The Buccaneers seem to be making a habit of allowing opposing players to break season and franchise records against them, raising significant questions about the defense’s structure and coaching approach.

Records Falling Fast and Often

It started when Kirk Cousins, playing with a physical disadvantage, set a career-high 509 passing yards against the Bucs earlier in the season. Not only was it a personal best for Cousins, but it also marked a franchise record for the opposing team, underscoring defensive weaknesses under head coach Todd Bowles. This isn’t an isolated incident either; Cousins’ record-setting day was actually the second time in Bowles’ tenure that a quarterback has torched the Bucs defense for such high passing yards.

Recently, the San Francisco 49ers added another disappointing chapter to the story, racking up season-highs in yards after catch (YAC) and multiple 20-yard YAC plays in a single game, according to NextGen Stats. Opposing offenses are not only managing to outplay Tampa’s defense but seem to be reaching peak performance, leaving Bucs fans and analysts alike with questions.

Coaching or Personnel Problem?

For a team with talented players, consistent breakdowns raise an important issue. Are the coaches, particularly Bowles, setting the defense up for success? The Bucs have often fielded players with limited experience due to injuries, such as Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk, but it’s reasonable to expect that they would still be adequately prepared. Good coaching typically involves adjusting strategies to compensate for gaps or using players’ strengths, yet Tampa’s current defensive performances suggest these adjustments may be lacking.

Furthermore, fans are puzzled by the usage of players like K.J. Britt, who has struggled in pass coverage but remained in rotation for weeks. Vi Jones and J.J. Russell, though with the team for extended periods, haven’t filled the role successfully either, despite being viable options on paper. If these players are not suitable fits, why haven’t other solutions been found?

Building for Success or Repeating Mistakes?

The Buccaneers’ defensive lapses, combined with players repeatedly being out of position or failing to execute, indicate a deeper issue that goes beyond individual performances. Whether it’s a lack of coaching adjustment or player fit, the Bucs need to address these defensive shortcomings quickly. Opponents racking up career or season-high stats game after game is a trend that could haunt Tampa as they progress through the season.

If the coaching staff can find a way to address these deficiencies, the Bucs may regain their footing and prevent other teams from treating their defense as a career-boosting opportunity. For now, though, Tampa’s defense continues to be the site of record-breaking achievements—for all the wrong reasons.