Buccaneers' Todd Bowles, GM clap back at Falcons, Kirk Cousins hype

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles spoke with reporters at Tuesday's NFL owners' meetings about the Falcons being considered the favorites to win the NFC South division title next season after signing quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency. 

However, Bowles has a history of keeping receipts.

"We’re not trying to win the offseason, we’re trying to win the season," Bowles said somewhat defiantly, as shared by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. "So, our focus will be the same. It fuels a lot of us. It fuels a lot of the players, and we get ready to come back and try to defend our title like we did and just go further in the playoffs. That’s all we worry about this time of the year." 

Bowles and Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht were among those who enjoyed some victory laps after Tampa Bay claimed the division crown and earned a playoff win this past season. Many previously predicted that the Buccaneers would finish near the bottom of the league's overall standings following Tom Brady's retirement in February 2023. 

DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Falcons as the betting favorites to win the NFC South for the upcoming campaign at -130 odds. To compare, the Buccaneers were at +300 odds at that same time. 

"That’s fine with me," Licht said on Tuesday about such forecasts. "I like being the underdog. This team likes being the underdog. I like keeping the receipts." 

Quarterback Baker Mayfield ultimately replaced Brady atop Tampa Bay's depth chart and was a significant reason the Buccaneers surprised many this past season. Bowles indicated on Tuesday that new offensive coordinator Liam Coen will help Mayfield take additional steps in a positive direction, as the two first built a relationship when the Los Angeles Rams employed them during the 2022 campaign. 

"Those guys, when they go in and lock the door, I’ve got to get on Liam to give them a bathroom break because he doesn’t let them out of the meeting room," Bowles said about his offensive staff. "But they have a real good feel for each other and the chemistry is coming together how you want." 

Bowles also mentioned that "Aretha Franklin is probably the only one who gets" respect, which refers to the famous song. The coach may have had jokes on Tuesday, but it's clear he's already collecting bulletin board material for when his players report for springtime workouts.