The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveled to Soldier Field searching for a win over the Chicago Bears that would have put them right back in the thick of the NFC playoff race. Instead, the Buccaneers stumbled into a heartbreaking loss that added just as many questions to a 2026 season that already had plenty of them.

The Bucs’ offense never found a rhythm, the play-calling drifted away from what works, and a handful of costly mistakes decided a game Tampa Bay could have won. 

So, with all that being said, here are the winners and losers from Sunday’s loss in Chicago.

Losers

1. QB Baker Mayfield

It’s wild how the Buccaneers’ offense suffered as a whole once Mayfield became more involved in the game plan. One of the biggest mistakes of the game belongs to him, too. Mayfield threw a pick-six that ultimately proved to be the difference.

“He had his mind made up,” Todd Bowles said when asked about the pick-six. “Probably should have thrown it somewhere else. Obviously, it’s easy to say in hindsight, but you know we don’t like turnovers. We’ve been doing a good job, and not turn it over. We can’t turn it over, and he knows that. He understands.” 

He made a bad read on that play and got too antsy. Mayfield also showed plenty of other instances where he was simply impatient and wouldn’t take what the defense gave him. This Buccaneers offense has to get things figured out, but that responsibility doesn’t fall on the quarterback alone.

2. OC Zach Robinson

That’s why Robinson is next. At one point, when the Buccaneers fell behind early, Robinson opened the next drive with three straight pass plays. Tampa Bay ended up throwing the ball more than it ran the ball.

As we’ve talked about in the past, that doesn’t need to be the case. Sure, the Bucs got down early. However, the overall game script played out in a way where it still made sense to run the ball instead of going pass-heavy. That’s what the Buccaneers did anyway, and Robinson has to be real about the fact that this team is better when it runs more than it throws. It still would have worked out if he had just stuck to the script.

3. HC Todd Bowles

Bowles’ game management was bad. I’m talking about his decisions on the field, not his defensive game plan. I especially hated his choice to kick a field goal down 17-6 when the Bucs were 3 yards away from the Bears’ end zone.

It would have been just fine if Tampa Bay came away empty-handed there. The decision shows he puts way too much stress on his defense to get the job done. Who knows? Maybe the offense, even while struggling, punches in a touchdown. That could have been the difference in the game.

4. WR Tez Johnson

Yes, Johnson made a big downfield catch. He also had two or three huge drops that changed the tone and rhythm of the drives in which they happened.

Johnson is a fun player to watch, and he’s shown plenty of ability to make big plays. He just has to become way more consistent.

5. The Bucs’ third-down offense

Tampa Bay finished 2-of-12 on third down. That’s absolutely unacceptable, and there’s no other way to put it. If you can’t sustain drives, especially against an offense like Chicago’s, you’re not going to win games.

6. The Buccaneers’ offensive line

Mayfield got beat up again. The offensive line did open holes in the running game, but the Bears’ defense sacked Mayfield four times and hit him seven times. Chicago also racked up four tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.

The offensive line has to be better when the Bucs need to pass the ball. It’s that simple.

Winners

1. K Chase McLaughlin

McLaughlin hit all of his kicks once again. He was perfect on everything he attempted from start to finish, and he remains one of the most reliable pieces on this roster.

2. CB Zyon McCollum, DB Tykee Smith, and LB Alex Anzalone

These three finished as a group of their own. McCollum had two interceptions and gave the defense a chance to swing momentum back in Tampa Bay’s favor.

Smith also came away with an interception and finished second on the team in tackles, adding a tackle for loss and a pass deflection. Meanwhile, Anzalone continues to redeem himself after a slow start to the year. He finished with two total tackles, an interception, and a pass deflection.

Four interceptions from the secondary and linebacker room (and five takeaways in general) should be enough to win most games. That’s what makes this one sting. The defense held up its end, and now it’s on the offense and the coaching staff to make sure performances like this one don’t go to waste again.