Todd Bowles: I Did “A Lot” Of Predraft Work On C.J. Stroud
November 5th, 2023
So what were the Bucs thinking about their quarterback position in January after the Tom Brady era ended with a whimper?
Joe knows fans will never know the whole truth, but perhaps a nugget slipped out when Todd Bowles was on SiriusXM NFL Radio recently.
Today the Bucs face the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and the second quarterback chosen, Texans QB C.J. Stroud.
Were the Bucs considering trading way up in the draft for Stroud?
Bowles was asked by Movin’ The Chains co-host Pat Kirwan about what predraft work Bowles did on the Texans quarterback.
Somewhat surprisingly, Bowles didn’t punt that question to the front office like he did a query last week on the Bucs’ inactivity at this year’s trade deadline.
Bowled replied that he did a lot of work with Stroud and “met him quite a few times” — when he took his own son to recruiting trips at Ohio State, where Stroud starred in college.
“I’ve talked to [Stroud] quite a bit,” Bowles said. “I think he’s a very sharp quarterback mentally. He can make all the throws. The game means something to him and he doesn’t have the normal rookie mindset. He comes in and he knows he’s the guy. He’s worked to be the guy and he wants to be the guy, and I think that’s showing up on [Texans] tape.”
Was Bucs GM Jason Licht among those bidding in April with the Panthers, who traded up for the No. 1 overall pick? It sounds like Bowles would have blessed that decision if the target was Stroud.
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November 5th, 2023 at 4:31 am
A big ole can of Texas whoop a$$ is coming tomorrow. So tell us, Joe, what retired offensive lineman do you have penciled in for next week to play QB expert?🤔
November 5th, 2023 at 6:36 am
Or you know like maybe a more plausible idea where a HC who is also DC was preparing for the potential to face Stroud twice a year if the Panthers drafted him instead of Young. Not to mention if he went to the Texans instead, TB could look at the schedule and say oh I still got to play this guy this year, let’s use some pre-draft interviews to scout a certain opponent.
TB may not be the savviest innovator in the NFL but he didn’t just fall off the turnip truck either.
November 5th, 2023 at 6:48 am
Bowels is blowing smoke, he is just talking up the opposition. Hopefully the Bucs show up but us long term fans recognize that a Bowels team is as well prepared as a Koetter or Lovie Smith team plus has the lack of talent in the trenches that we had in the Ray Perkins era when the Bucs used to excel at 5 and 6 win seasons, good enough to avoid the basement but not much else.
November 5th, 2023 at 7:09 am
Leighroy, you give Bowles too much credit. Zero innovation, zero adjustments, zero emotion. Pretty much one big zero.
November 5th, 2023 at 7:14 am
The kid is playing good football. Would anybody be surprised if he out plays Baker today?
November 5th, 2023 at 7:38 am
Damn I don’t like Bowles even a little. I see him as slightly less horrible but I’m that class of Lovie coaching. Why waste time on a prospect you know wouldn’t be available and KNOW licht doesn’t trade away any picks even if he it’ll land him a franchise quarterback.
Would give up picks this year. Calijah Kancey
November 5th, 2023 at 7:41 am
Stroud replacing Trask?!? This is BS. There isn’t an nfl scout alive who thinks Stroud could carry a clipboard as well as Trask. I am pretty sure Canton is preparing a new display right now just for Trask’s clipboard.
November 5th, 2023 at 7:44 am
No draft pick this year is making the impact a quarterback would. The only reason you shouldn’t give up draft picks for stroud if you expected to suck and have a top pick in the next years draft which wouldn’t signal a reboot after a championship run
November 5th, 2023 at 7:44 am
Stroud should have gone first. At least I thought. He seemed more of a fit for the NFL. Always felt that way. Not after seeing both QB’s so far. Both may switch stats next year. Wish we weren’t playing a rookie. To me this is a must win game. If we lose today then the Bucs heart is gone. Doesn’t matter the division sucks.
November 5th, 2023 at 7:50 am
The only reason I think the Bucs passed on a QB last year is because they already had one in mind for the 24 draft. If I were to guess who they covet it would be Penix from Washington. The Bucs love Washington players, they scout that team a bunch. The way this season is going they just might be in position to draft him. If not the talent at QB in this draft has more quanity, and quality. Bucs will be looking for a new face of the franchice in this years draft.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:12 am
Hodad, you’re right the Bucs do seem to have an infatuation with Huskies, plus Penix is from Tampa. But the Bucs passed on a qb this year bc no rookie at 19th pick was going to give Bowles a chance to win this year.
Maybe 24 is the year, but my hunch is if they’re targeting a qb in the draft next year it’ll be for a new HC. Does anyone think Bowles survives the year, drafts a rookie QB and is given another 2 years to develop him successfully? I think the fan base would be in open rebellion for that plan.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:21 am
This game may be the most important game for Todd Bowles in 2 seasons. I truly beleive his position is in jeopardy and losing today to a rookie QB with a rookie HC would punch his ticket out the door. A win may only dely the inevitable.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:48 am
Rickym you are correct! Glazers don’t have a history of letting a HC go mid season but you can be sure that decision will be made this Monday.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:50 am
No chance Bowles survives after the season. I believe the glaziers used Bowles to get us through this year, next year we will be in pretty good salary cap situation..look for a Big name coach and a Rookie quarterback..I like Bowles as a person but as a head coach he is really bad..
November 5th, 2023 at 10:11 am
It sounds to me like Toad just happened to meet Stroud coincidentally due to his son’s college tour, not because Toad was hard at work scouring the national talent for the draft. I think you’re giving Bowles too much credit here.
November 5th, 2023 at 11:25 am
OK Todd. Lets see if your scouting work on Stroud paid off today. I hope so.
November 5th, 2023 at 12:17 pm
If Stroud was drafted by the Bucs, Bowles would be talking about how the most important thing he needs to do is protect the ball – it’s even more important than scoring points.
November 5th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
Licht wiffed on Will Levis too.
November 5th, 2023 at 3:18 pm
Sure ya did Bolwes! He’s picking apart your Laughable defense.
November 5th, 2023 at 6:50 pm
Yeah! That’s the only work you’ve done!! Sorry coach! Lovey! Oh excuse me Toddles!!