It's been a week of celebration as much as it's been one of preparation for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team has a Wild Card game to get ready for -- their fifth in as many seasons -- which in of itself is a reason to be excited.
Last Sunday was about more than just punching a playoff ticket and winning the division, though. Mike Evans was 85 yards shy of reaching 1,000 yards for an 11th straight season and tying Jerry Rice's all-time record. It came down to the final play of the game to get him there, and it's a moment that is already one of the greatest in franchise history.
Rather than take a knee to run out the clock, the Bucs took a risk and threw the ball to Evans to get him over 1,000 yards. It was a gutsy call, one that came straight from the top as Todd Bowles wasn't about to let the streak end on his watch.
Baker Mayfield said as much after the game, noting that the discussion on the sideline was about how to get Evans the ball rather than whether or not to throw it. Everything worked out perfectly, as Evans' streak remains alive, and the good vibes from that moment continue to permeate throughout the locker room.
Todd Bowles drops another great line about Mike Evans' reaching 1,000 yards again
Baker dropped a great line after the win on Sunday about how nervous he was that the streak was going to end, and Bowles kept that going this week when speaking to the media. He's never one to show too much emotion, which means when Bowles drops a joke it's notable.
That's what he did when asked how he felt in the moment leading up to Evans' historic catch.
"I was just hoping it was complete, and you know I think Mike owes me a million dollars," Bowles joked before walking off.
Evans did more than just extend his streak, he cashed in a nice bonus as a result. Not only did the reception get him over 1,000 yards and set up a potential record-breaking season next year, but it lined his pockets with an extra $3 million in contract incentives.
That's what Bowles was joking about, and it gets better every time you see it.
coach wants his cut 😂 pic.twitter.com/QhHNjUpPaC
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2025
A lot has been said about the job Bowles has done this year, and there are legitmate things to criticize him about. What gets lost in the anti-Bowles discourse, though, is just how much he means to the locker room. He deserves to be criticized for some of his clock management decisions and his stubbornness when it comes to changing up some of his defensive schemes, but his leadership in the locker room is unquesitonable.
We've seen it in back-to-back years on the macro, as the Bucs have pulled themselves out of losing streaks that should have ruined thier season. Instead Tampa Bay ended the year as division champions on both occasions, which is a testament to the cultulre Bowles has built.
That was on display more micro too, as the Bucs' second half adjustments down the stretch of the season are a big reason why they're preparing for a playoff game this week. We all saw the emotion of the players around Evans when he made his historic catch and the fact that the call came from Bowles -- who didn't need to risk a potential disaster -- says a lot.
The vibes are good, and anytime Bowles is in a joking mood you know things are going great.
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