Todd Bowles: Unlikely Bucs Make A Major Trade For A Receiver

October 22nd, 2024

Standing pat.

Would Todd Bowles be interested in the Bucs going out and finding a top-shelf receiver from another team in the wake of the devastating injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin? Sure.

Are Bowles and the Bucs willing to pay the ransom for this unspecified receiver? No way.

Bowles in his day-after presser this afternoon threw cold water on the folks hot and bothered about Cooper Kupp being shopped  — and that the Bucs could bring in a high-quality receiver like the Bills and Jets did last week.

Bowles cautioned the asking price for such a receiver would likely mean “half the team” in return. He and the team are not willing to play in the high-limit room of receiver gambling, he said.

Bowles added the Bucs must “trust” the receivers they chose and are developing to fill the gap.

So no, Joe thinks it is highly unlikely Kupp will wear a Bucs uniform this year — unless the Rams cut him.

72 Responses to “Todd Bowles: Unlikely Bucs Make A Major Trade For A Receiver”

  1. Anon Says:

    Half the team = 4th round pick they plan to use on another punter

  2. LakelandBuc Says:

    Why trade for a WR? It don’t make sense when you have young guys in line that knows the system. Trading for a veteran WR is a wasted draft pick. It will take them time to learn the system, get familiar with the team. If these young guys don’t step up, then they have to go after the season.

    Plain and simple

  3. Mike10 Says:

    The conversation before this game was about who will step up and be our 3rd receiver. Now we don’t have a 1 or 2.
    Are we seriously thinking we can contend without bringing someone in who can help stretch the field?
    Because with the inability to balance out the massive yards given up by our defense, this thing is going to get ugly (on both sides) quickly!

  4. Rican Says:

    Doubt someone like Hopkins would cost “ half “ the team. Cooper is going for a 2nd but I don’t see anyone giving them that. He’s 31, and has an injury history.

  5. Rod Munch Says:

    But hey, at least we got a backup punter for a couple of games. That is the kind of move that wins championships.

  6. Tom Says:

    And that’s why Bowles and the brass aren’t interested in the division title much less the playoffs. Other teams do whatever it takes to win. Jeez it’s like Culverhouse is running the show. As a fan I’m disappointed knowing that it’s probably going to be a long, long season and ugly. Why is it in the big games more often than not Bowles defense collapses? It’s like the good teams know what to do to take advantage and make us look dumb.

  7. Rod Munch Says:

    Reports are that the Rams want a 2nd rounder for Kupp, which includes picking up most of his salary.

    That’s not a message for Tampa however, that’s a message for a team that is actually trying to win a SB, which is the Chiefs.

  8. adam from ny Says:

    hopkins………….tennessee

  9. adam from ny Says:

    save the season…………………do it jason

  10. TJ Says:

    Go get Cooper Kupp

  11. Rod Munch Says:

    Are any of you people mentioning Hopkins actually seen him play in the last 3 years? Want to talk about washed up, he’s the picture of it. Was a fantastic WR at one point, perhaps the best in the NFL, but that was literally at least 5 years ago. If you want Hopkins, you should go ahead and bring in Terrell Owens as well, maybe see if Randy Moss wants to suit back up. They’re all just as done.

    However if you’re looking at the Titans, Calvin Ridley would be an excellent pickup, but he signed a huge deal and because of that wouldn’t really be under consideration.

  12. Tucker Says:

    How did Joe put it, guess you guys are not interested in winning Todd, got it go find another job guy.

  13. Rod Munch Says:

    Guys, it’s next man up! So what if you lose an ALL-PRO and future 1st ballot HOFer, no reason you can’t just replace those guys with someone off the practice squad. The idea of giving up a future 6th rounder for an experienced pro – that’s ridiculous. Those lottery tickets, I mean draft picks, are wayyyy too important to just throw away on experienced proven players.

  14. BucsFan81 Says:

    Bowles spends more time hurting this team than helping it. It doesn’t hurt to reach out to teams to see who is available. The jets just got Adams for a 3rd round pick. It can be done and not for much.

  15. Colonel Angus Says:

    This is what draft picks are for. Use them to make your team better via a trade or the draft. Hopefully Licht overrides him. We need someone to move them chains.

  16. It's Corn Says:

    Might now be a good time to line up Rashad White as a receiver in a few formations?

  17. Kidfloflo Says:

    HOPKINS ,Is the equivalent to getting Julio Jones years back…best days waaay behind him…KUPP for a 3rd forsure, cause it looks like we watched Godwins last game as a Buc last night, and that makes me sick

  18. DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:

    Mayfield has no choice but to trust Sheppard now even though I think after his infamous hammy flop Evans will be ok on Sunday

  19. heyjude Says:

    No to Kupp anyways. He has only played two games this season and hasn’t played since suffering a high ankle sprain in September.

  20. PewterStiffArm Says:

    Sorry but this team cannot win without some sort of extra support when it comes from the wide reciever position. I turned this debacle of a game off in the middle of the third quarter. Up and down, exciting football, depressing play. Teams that play the Buc’s always make adjustments during halftime. They come out knowing how to humiliate this defense, time and time again. It is miserable to watch and Todd Bowles defenses have been figured out by offensive coordinators clear across this league. I am exhausted with this crap we call a quality NFL team. As long as we don’t make adjustments of our own we will be looking at a new head coach named Liam Coen.

  21. Boss Says:

    Told y’all mike would blow a hammy this year.

  22. EEK Says:

    Mike Williams would be interesting

  23. Matt_PcAfee Says:

    Dionte Johnson?

  24. Oregon Buc Says:

    I agree about not giving away high picks but we could get Mike Williams from the Jets or Tyler Boyd from the Titans for maybe a 4th. Standing pat is not an option after what I’ve seen from McMillan and Palmer because they just aren’t any sort of players at the NFL level.

  25. Rod Munch Says:

    Matt_PcAfee Says:
    October 22nd, 2024 at 5:47 pm
    Dionte Johnson?

    ———

    That would be a good pick-up, but I don’t see the Panthers trading him for less than probably a 3rd as he’s young and will be valuable if they ever get a QB. No way the Bucs will spend that kind of money on a proven vet, better to go with Cody Thompson.

  26. adam from ny Says:

    the highly touted twinkle toes mcmillan is going to have to live up to that wildly overrated preseason status everyone here was giving him…

    we need said dood now more than ever…

    and those hand of stone he possesses need to turn into sweet butter rolls that absorb a ball like hot butter

  27. Rod Munch Says:

    Wait, Johnson is 28, I thought he was 25, my bad. And he only has a one-year deal, again, because I thought he was younger I was thinking he had multiple years left.

    So he should be available and not too expensive because of his contract. The Bucs should certainly call, he’d be a decent #1 while Mike is out, and a very good #2.

  28. adam from ny Says:

    sign the baby face white kid the raiders let go…he’s pretty good and can help move the chains and do a little of what godwin did underneath……..i forget his name…………..oh yeah it’s renfrow…

    sign him

  29. Bucco2 Says:

    Rachaad White to WR. He is not a runner and Buck and Tuck are better. White has great hands though.

  30. Rod Munch Says:

    adam from ny – I think McMillan is actually going to be very good, but he needs reps, and he’s also not a #1 WR, was never even considered for that role. I think Shepard will take on that role, until he gets injured, which will probably happen on the 1st play of the next game (based on his injury history and the Bucs traditional luck).

    Give the kid a few starts where he’s getting targets, instead of just running routes, then let’s see where he’s at. No idea why you’d start bashing him when he’s played 1 game as a rookie, then got injured, and still doesn’t look 100%.

  31. Rod Munch Says:

    Scotty Miller is available.

    Oh wait, no he’s not, he’s actually the 4th string WR for the Steelers. Yikes for their poor depth chart.

    But thankfully Adam Humphries is available! There you go, there’s your fit, and best of all for Bowles, he’s FREE!

  32. StormyInFl Says:

    Bowles wants to play ‘his guys’, so rather than try to patch this up, he’ll just trot out the stiffs he has on the roster already.

    At least he can say he played ‘his guys’ when he gets boat raced on a weekly basis.

    Bright side would be the end of the ‘defensive genius’ in Tampa.

  33. adam from ny Says:

    i hope so rod…but now you are buggin’…

    i have seen him drop a lot of balls and he hasn’t just played one game as a rookie rod…come on now…

    dude has played most of the bucs games and looks no better than a walk on at this point…

    either he has high blood pressure or very iffy grubbers…

    mad drops…mad drops…

    do you even watch the games bro?
    do you even lift bro?
    he’s played the bulk of the season…maybe missed a couple games at best…

    in fact i’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt – you thinking he played only one game – and that’s because he has been basically non existent, with a case of the dropsies

  34. J.J.swat Says:

    So here s the thing. The secondary is complete trash. Blame it on injury s
    Or poor schemes, whatever. They lost what is probably the best
    WR tandem in the league. Linebacker core isn’t t getting the job done.
    So with so many needs do you blow future picks in hopes it helps a
    Sinking boat? The worst outcome is they go 7 -10 Bowles keeps
    His job, Evans retirees, and godwin signs with the falcons.

  35. StickinUp4Centers Says:

    An Toe Knee Oh Brown

  36. adam from ny Says:

    by the way……

    mcmillan has played exactly 5 games and has 15 targets…

    however 8 of his 15 target did come last night in the baltimore game…

    and he only has 6 receptions…….and half of them came last night (3) as well…

    3 catches on 8 targets last night…

    and 1 touchdown week 1 vs washington

  37. TheMightyVH Says:

    How about trading for a pass rusher? We could trade for JaMarr Chase but we are not winning anything with that defense.

  38. TheMightyVH Says:

    Rachad White will be the Bucs leading receiver until Evans returns. The group Bucs have are all good role players. Liam needs to scheme them properly. Problem is, there is no alpha in the current group. Good teams, good coaches find ways to win. Just look at Andy Reid. We will see what this team is made up of Sunday… Must win or Bucs fall 2 games behind ATL

  39. unbelievable Says:

    Is Kupp even healthy?

  40. SenileSenior Says:

    Besides Licht has something to d with trade decision. lol Bowles was speaking for the franchise of course.

    I have seen nothing that led me to think the Bucs were “all in” on a Superbowl run at this point in the season anyway.

    Go Bucs!

  41. SenileSenior Says:

    I also love how the spell checker/grammar checker substitutes for me sometimes. I would have swore I typed what I meant to type. Oh well. 😝😝😝

  42. Simeon4HOF Says:

    But should and likely to begin a HC search .. unless he fixes His Defense and makes this up to Chris somehow Contract wise, quick fast and in a hurry. He don’t get us atleast to the NFC championship game even without Chris, it’s time for him to go. Also .. No More dumb coaching decisions until then, zero …. done with his ish

  43. Pelsbuc61 Says:

    With this defense, any trade for a WR would be idiotic.

  44. Clay Cohen Says:

    Pickup Mike Thomas

  45. Ateonetree Says:

    Trading for a WR is a dumb move and Jason licht is a HOF GM. Just anit happing!!! Trading a 2-3rd round pick for a aging expensive WR when an edge rusher is sorely needed on defense would flat out be irresponsible. This team is extremely talented but face it no WR is going to make up for our defense giving up 500 yards multiple times this season. A 12-15 sack a year edge rusher will…

  46. Buc4evr Says:

    Need a LB , sign White ASAP. Do something to get a vet CB. Bucs have huge problems on defense. The offense can still function with Shepard, Palmer, McMillan and Miller. And I like the idea of lining up a TE or RB in the slot.

  47. David Says:

    Shepherd, McMillan, Palmer. They are good, but they are receivers 3-5 and not 1-2 for a reason. This is a massive issue, especially with the schedule that’s coming up.
    Not sure if Jarrett comes back anytime soon.

  48. MelvinJunior Says:

    I am absolutely 💯 AGAINST wasting a single future ‘asset’ towards ANY single player via trade at this point, because we will be in total ‘rebuild’ mode SOON. Sooner rather than later FOR SURE. And, the sooner the FO admits and realizes THIS, the better. We need to be in the market of ‘acquiring’ assets. NOT giving them away. Period.

  49. MelvinJunior Says:

    Well, looks like the Rams have accepted their fate. The Bucs should do the same. I can definitely see some Rams & “Manning-Family” collusion in the works. 💯

  50. BallHawk75 Says:

    Get off your knees Todd, you’re blowing the season!!!

  51. Jason Says:

    Licht needs to go get Kupp. To make up for Bowles mistake. He knows the system! Which is why this is to good to be true. If we were really trying to win a championship this year. That’s what they would do.

  52. MelvinJunior Says:

    If you people think that DeAndre HOPKINS is somehow, just going to walk-in and SAVE our SEASON, then you are delusional. I mean, on an entirely other planet. Good God. Wake Up. Be REAL.

  53. Miller5252 Says:

    The man who wrecked Brady’s back to back Super Bowl bid would be a wild pick up. But we really don’t need another receiver that will land on IR.

  54. MelvinJunior Says:

    Renfrow is a free agent, “adam from ny!” No longer in Vegas… I know from playing DFS on DraftKings. So, he should be available, but he really started to fall off last season.

  55. Jeff Says:

    I dont know why Bowles would even comment on next years draft cause unless he has some dirt on Licht, the Glazers or Gene Deckerhoff he isnt going to be a part of it. A 2nd rounder for Cupp if LA is paying the salary?Hop to it Jason! Its not like you know how to pick a 2nd rounder anyway.

    2023 | Pick No. 48 | Cody Mauch | G | North Dakota State

    2022 | Pick No. 57 | Luke Goedeke | G | Central Michigan

    2022 | Pick No. 33 | Logan Hall | DL | Houston

    2021 | Pick No. 64 | Kyle Trask | QB | Florida

    2020 | Pick No. 45 | Antoine Winfield Jr. | S | Minnesota

    2019 | Pick No. 39 | Sean Murphy-Bunting | CB | Central Michigan

    2018 | Pick No. 63 | Carlton Davis | CB | Auburn

    2018 | Pick No. 53 | M.J. Stewart | CB | North Carolina

    2018 | Pick No. 38 | Ronald Jones | RB | USC

    2017 | Pick No. 50 | Justin Evans | S | Texas A&M

    2016 | Pick No. 59 | Roberto Aguayo | K | Florida State

    2016 | Pick No. 39 | Noah Spence | DE | Eastern Kentucky

    2015 | Pick No. 61 | Ali Marpet | G | Hobart

    2015 | Pick No. 34 | Donovan Smith | T | Penn State

    2014 | Pick No. 38 | Austin Seferian-Jenkins |

  56. MelvinJunior Says:

    adam from ny – Rod never said that JMac had only played in just ONE game. He said, that he played in “one game, THEN got injured, and still doesn’t look healthy.” I’m pretty sure Rod is VERY well aware of his stats so far, on the season, as well… Hell, there aren’t very many of them to keep up with to begin with. Rod is 💯 CORRECT on this, too… Very few ‘rookies’ come in and just immediately DOMINATE like that, even less, when you’re talking about a late 3rd Rounder (after sitting out for most of his final collegiate season to then, forced to sit behind ‘two’ of THE BEST WR’s in the league). The targets, reps, and etc. just aren’t going to be there… AND, as he said, JMac was never expected to reach #1 status to begin with… Solid dependable #2 is much more HIS ceiling.

  57. adam from ny Says:

    i know renfro is street meat………bring him in possibly

  58. BucNasty Says:

    Very curious to see if we can get Culp into some formations. He’s literally the same size as Evans, and faster. Could he be a wildcard to fill that position, especially in the red zone?

  59. MelvinJunior Says:

    It was a heckuva ride. LOTS and LOTS of fun. The last two seasons were pretty brutal on the eyes to watch, but they worked out in the end, and we got 2-Divisional Titles, & hosted a couple of Playoff Games out of it. The first 6-games of this season were also, VERY exciting!!!! But, from here on out throughout the rest of the season (and I have confidence that they already are), & leading up to this upcoming offseason, the Bucs FO really need to be thinking much more LONGTERM… Cause this thing is NOT getting any better anytime soon. They should be fully committed in setting the team and franchise up for the next 10+YEARS moving forward, versus the near short term over these next two seasons, including the rest of this season. Continue to develop your young talent, and get your salary cap in order, to put yourself in the BEST possible position moving forward. If/When a young pass rusher comes available still in his prime (&/or) on the Offensive Line, then POUNCE. Otherwise, hoard picks and acquire as much draft capital as POSSIBLE. Continue building the roster and make a play at drafting a QB in 2026. This ride is OVER. Time to move-on. The quicker we recognize it and just accept it, the quicker the rebuild will be… And the BETTER we will be.

  60. Bartow Buc Says:

    I agree with Lakeland Buc. We have young WRs on staff who know the system. It’s time for Palmer, McMillan, Sharp and others to step up, and they will. We also have White, Buck and Tuck who are good receivers and turn receptions into long yardage plays. Cade Otton and other TEs will continue stepping up.

    Coach Bowles is not panicking, it’s a long season. We still have the weapons to beat the Dirty Birds !!

    Go Bucs !!

  61. SBucs Says:

    Nice if you find a wide receiver, better yet, we doesn’t Todd start coaching the defense to stop the othe other team’s offense

  62. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    LakelandBuc Says
    “Why trade for a WR? It don’t make sense when you have young guys in line that know the system. Trading for a veteran WR is a wasted draft pick.”

    This.

    We have some good potential in line. Guys that have looked like they could excel. Give them their shot.

    Evans will return in 2-4 weeks.

    Godwin is finished as a Buccaneer though. This was his contract year. He may never play great again.

    Things will probably get ugly for the Bucs now, but it is what it is. Odds are leaning toward a new coaching staff next year…but at least we have a decent QB to attract a new HC.

    L David will almost certainly retire after this season.

  63. Bucs 97 Says:

    Sign hunter renfrew..Great route runner and can get for a vet minimum

  64. BuccaDAWG Says:

    Glad the Bucs intend to roll with who they have. The Defense is not by any stretch of the imagination good enough to go to playoffs repair it first. If they spend a kings random but give up 41 pts what’s the use

  65. Bobby Says:

    K.J Britt killed the Bucs Def during the Ravens game!!! I commented right here on this forum last week. Most were on here saying all this positive stuff about winning. I said slow down now everyone. I said Bucs should have at-least considered bringing Devin White back. Bucs should have considered adding another pass rusher. Right now Bucs should add those same players above and add a receiver, maybe kick the tires on WR Michael Thomas!?? But nope Bucs management is going to stand pat. And now this season may, may be over before we get to the bye week. If this season goes down, Bowles will be fired for his coaching malpractice in the Ravens forum. But I will say now it will not just be on Bowles and his staff. This season will be on Jason and the other Bucs management staff for failing to address the middle linebacker position depth and edge rusher depth, and other positions.

  66. Bobby Says:

    By the way, hate to say this but Baker throwing picks is also going to be why this season goes down the tube. I mean he throws them no doubt about it, straight to the wrong colored jerseys at times. Everyone is like why? What were you seeing on that play!?

  67. View from 132 Says:

    I would normally agree with the wasted draft thing but the Chefs are getting D Hopkins for a 4th round pick. That is a steal.

  68. Statguy Says:

    Mike Williams would be cheap and was very good in SD. Low risk high reward. Jets are a mess

  69. CaliforniaBuc Says:

    I was extremely sad when CG went down. Now that I have had time, I can see how we may be able to make this into a positive. What if we:
    (a) replace KJ Britt with one of our three nickel corners and/or JJ Russell.
    (b) spend a future draft pick and some cap space for Reddick.
    (c) replace Evans with a combination of Palmer, McMillian, and Sheppard.
    (d) replace Godwin with Miller and Cult. Miller has great hands, while Cult is bigger, stronger and faster than CG.
    (e) we can also use Ko Kieft in fullback to block for the three smaller backs and use him like Allstott to run the ball. Ko played running back in high school and college so he knows how to carry the ball. Like the Chiefs, we need to run the ball more with our three backs, shorten the game and rely on our defense more.
    This is typical “Buccaneer Ball” which we will be fine if we change back to who we have been since 1976.

  70. ArkansasBuc Says:

    How about a Tennessee receiver not named Hopkins? Treylon Burks? Never really took off for the titans and still on his rookie deal. Could be had for cheap, has tons of talent that has yet to translate to the nfl for some reason. Maybe the bucs can bring it out.

  71. Erik from Montreal Says:

    But if the asking price for Kupp is a 2nd with the Rams retaining salary, how is that price too high? While Godwin is irreplaceable to many reasons, Kupp would fill into the slot receiver role perfectly and will likely be familiar with most of Coen’s offense.

    A 2nd round pick isn’t cheap, but it’s not astronomical for a player like Kupp IMO…

  72. BucNasty Says:

    Very curious to see if we can get Culp into some formations. He’s literally the same size as Evans, and faster. Could he be a wildcard to fill that position, especially in the red zone?