Rob Gronkowski talks Bucs and Todd Bowles, and he nails a major reason why Tampa Bay is struggling early in the season
The Bucs lost a lot with two veterans this past offseason.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a hot mess right now after falling to 0-3 last weekend with a loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Bucs’ offense has been a mess through three weeks, and things will only get tougher with Baker Mayfield out at least three weeks recovering from a dislocated thumb and undrafted free agent rookie starting this weekend against the Green Bay Packers.
But beyond the Bucs’ quarterback and offensive problems, there lies a deeper problem within the franchise, and it relates to leadership and culture. That’s according to someone who knows things well inside One Buc Place: former Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Gronkowski went on the “Up & Adams Show” with Kay Adams on Thursday, and he talked about the culture and leadership issues with his former team.
Rob Gronkowski talks impact of loss of ‘culture’ players and leaders
“You’ve got to think about it, too. They lost Mike Evans, the longest tenured player, along with Lavonte David as well. Those were culture guys. They brought the team together. and then also what you said, there are plays to be made. Like, that Chris Godwin touchdown and then they got a penalty, making too many mistakes. That’s why I said: they are talented. They can win games. Even though they’re oh and three, they can still beat the best team in the NFL at any given Sunday.”
When asked about Todd Bowles’ future, Gronkowski admitted that some uncomfortable conversations could be coming inside One Buc Place.
“It’s definitely going to be an option that’s on the table, there’s no doubt about it. You’ve got to change up something when things aren’t going right, and last year, it’s a continuation from there. They should’ve went to the playoffs, [but] they lost. Something needs to change, something needs to flip, and that’s definitely going to be a conversation, I would say, leading up to the future. That will be on the table for sure.”
The Bucs still have time to change their own fortunes, but it’s hard to do that without some form of internal leadership stepping up and providing a spark inside the locker room. The Bucs saw one player in Evans step away from the franchise despite money being a non-factor. That was concerning.
And with David’s steady presence gone, and Mayfield out for weeks, who will be that on field leader to help turn things around? To help foster a culture of winning from one of losing?
Someone needs to, and quickly. Otherwise, that uncomfortable conversation will take place, and the decision at the end of it will be obvious.
