Bucs coach Todd Bowles.

“When I first started coaching, one of the worst things that I think I heard was, ‘It will be OK.’ I would wonder, ‘How the hell is it going to be OK?’ The worst word in the English language is ‘hope.’

— Bob Knight
There’s an old saying in football that hope is not a strategy. Sometimes, Joe wonders if shot-callers at One Buc Palace are aware of this.

It’s common — especially when it comes to edge rushers — to hear someone with the Bucs say of Player-X, “We hope… “

And invariably that’s exactly what happens. They’re left hoping the light comes on for Player-X (and Player-Y and Player-Z, etc., etc.). The next season, it’s rinse and repeat. Joe hates “hope” in the NFL.

In a cool study of NFL fanbases, Adam Coleman of The Athletic determined the 2026 “Hope-O-Meter” for each team.

Despite all the hype for Rueben Bain being the next Lawrence Taylor, enough Bucs fans have doubts the direction of the franchise, Coleman found. So in The Athletic’s Hope-O-Meter, the Bucs are No. 20.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 68.2 per+cent optimism

Optimist: Because Baker has a chip on his shoulder. We have one of the best O-lines in the league, and our receivers are looking great. Also, our defense is young and coming together beautifully. Now that we have Vita, I’m confident we can do well.

Pessimist: Definition of mushy middle.

Optimist: Think we can regain the NFC South, the only real metric for success in our division.

Pessimist: Losing Mike Evans hurt. I am hopeful but not optimistic.

Joe thinks there is a lot to be proud of with the Bucs. Baker Mayfield is capable of leading the Bucs deep in the playoffs. Hey, if Sam Darnold can, so too can Mayfield.

Joe has been on the bandwagon for years that the Bucs have a strong offensive line. And while Mike Evans left, name a deeper receiver room than the Bucs’.

It is the defense where Joe loses optimism. The defense has been underwhelming for too long, and Joe is skeptical that will drastically change overnight. Maybe it’s a year away when the rookies get a season under their belts and an offseason in an NFL weight room.

At cornerback, don’t get Joe started on this fine holiday.

Joe does believe the Bucs could be the best team in the NFC South landfill. But doing anything past winning the division? Well, Joe’s not overly optimistic.