HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On his message to the team of maintaining the same attitude and mindset following Sunday's win over Carolina, and whether that attitude has been developing over the last few weeks)

"[It is] still developing. You know, however we came out against Carolina, we need to come out like that every week. So, that's the mindset we've got to have."

(On how close Sunday's performance was to his expectation of how he wants the team to play in all three phases of the game)
"It probably hit it right on the head. I mean, everything we talked about – controlling time of possession, running the football, getting turnovers on defense, making plays on special teams, the things we had to do to win the ball game – that's what we talked about right before kickoff in the locker room. So, it came to fruition. I didn't think it would come to fruition that close, but it came pretty close."

(On whether the run-heavy game plan helped protect QB Baker Mayfield in his return from injury)
"I mean, we weren't trying to protect him. You know, we got some runs and they were there, and they kept being there, and we kept getting runs, and we're good at it, so we stayed with it. You know, it just happened to be a double-edged sword where it helped him out a great deal."

(On RB Bucky Irving's ability to handle a heavy workload)
"I think it starts with his mental toughness. Bucky works about as hard as anybody, if not harder than anybody, when he comes in the building. He is determined to be successful, determined to win. He does all the little things. He's very bright. He can make cuts at full speed. I think he has that knack that a lot of people don't have. Other than the toughness, he can make cuts full speed and go one way and then change back to the other, so that kind of sets him apart a little bit."

(On T Ben Chukwuma's performance in place of T Luke Goedeke)
"I thought 'Chuk' (Chukwuma) did a great job. I mean, you know, 258 yards rushing – all those guys up front did an outstanding job. 'Chuk,' with his first start this year coming in, did an outstanding job. He's got great size. He's an athlete, and he's very strong, so the run game kind of benefits him."

(On whether Chukwuma has a future as a full-time NFL starter)
"He has a huge future in this league as a full-time starter."

(On whether the offensive line is returning to its 2024 form)
"[We've] got to be consistent with it. In this game, they did. [We've] got to be consistent with it. Anytime you run the ball, offensive linemen get happy. They don't have to go backwards and pass block, and they go forward, and they see the results of it. They get even hungrier and hungrier, and those guys were hungry yesterday."

(On RB Kenny Gainwell's performance on Sunday and potential for an increased role)
"We finally saw it. You could see it yesterday. He went downhill, and he got downhill in a hurry. He makes great cuts. He's very tough. He's very good at protecting the football as well, and he played a heck of a ball game yesterday. I thought all three of those running backs did a great job getting downhill and getting yardage."

(On if WR Emeka Egbuka, T Luke Goedeke or S Antoine Winfield Jr. could return in Week 8)
"They're all questionable. We're going to see on Wednesday and Thursday what they do, and I'll have a better answer for you."

(On whether Egbuka's concussion or foot injury was more responsible for his absence in Week 7)
"They both were about the same."

(On the growth of OLB Yaya Diaby following his three-sack performance against Carolina)
"He's been rushing [well] the past couple weeks. It just hadn't worked out for him. He finished them yesterday. He's been our most pressure [generating] guy without getting the sacks, but we worry about quarterback pressure, and yesterday the sacks kind of came to fruition like we talked about last week. His growth is understanding what offensive linemen are trying to do to him and having counterattacks."

(On if the best part of CB Jacob Parrish's game is the way he attacks the football in the air)
"No, I think the best part of his game is actually press coverage and vision in zone. I think he does some very good things that way, which gets him jumps on balls. Yes, he's very quick and athletic, and he can do all those things, but he has a very smart football mind."

(On having 10 defensive starters on the field for the blocked extra point that was returned for a score by CB Zyon McCollum)
"I mean, that was all [Special Teams Coordinator] Danny [Smith]. You know, Danny did a great job getting those guys prepared. We keep our defensive starters on the field goal block team as well. We think Zyon is great coming off the edge, and those guys get great push up the middle. We saw Tykee [Smith] go through and get the block, and it just happened to land right in Zyon's hands. I don't think anybody is going to catch him when he gets that kind of lead."

(On how much the coverage from cornerbacks Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish has contributed to increased sack production as of late)
"Yeah, they go hand-in-hand. I think they did a great job of making [Bryce Young] hold the ball a little bit more yesterday where those guys could get off the ball. You know, disguising some things and changing some things around, we really got the D-line going. Once those guys get going, those guys can anticipate routes and go for interceptions."

(On the decision to receive the opening kickoff against Carolina)
"Yeah, usually I defer, as well, but we wanted to get off to a good start, and I really wanted to see the offensive line play. I wanted us to go out there first and try to establish the run game, and they did a good job at that."

(On whether the team sustained any new injuries against Carolina)
"No, nobody."

RUNNING BACK BUCKY IRVING

(On the success of the running game and establishing an offensive identity)
"We pretty much just had a talk with the guys up front and just told [those] guys, 'Let's get back to the 2024 offense that we were,' and just being able to know that [those] guys are going to open up the holes and just being able to know the [running] backs are going to hit it where we're supposed to hit it and just being able to trust our tracks…Like I always say, once you trust your tracks and trust the guys in front of you, good things always happen."

(On the offense setting the tone by receiving the opening kickoff against Carolina)
"I mean, it's always exciting when we get the ball starting the game off and then being able to know that we're setting the tone running the ball and just being able to go out there and trust what our coaches call and know that we're going to go out there and execute at a high level."

(On the success of the entire running back room against Carolina)
"I mean, like I always said, I was always used to that in college where guys were always happy for one another. Like I always say, that's where you play your best football at – when you know when you're going out of the game and you have somebody that's coming in that's going to give it their all and have your back and just being your brother's keeper. I feel like when guys care for one another and really want to see guys succeed, we all can succeed in the room. We all are very good [running] backs, so whenever you get your opportunity, you've just got to take full advantage of your opportunity while you're in the game."

(On his work ethic and motivation to succeed in the NFL)
"I mean, that's a great question, man. Like I said, I'm very hard on myself. I know where I come from. It's not easy growing up where I'm from and just being able to give [those] kids back at home hope that it's possible if you just put your mind to it. [I] give all glory to God because I tell myself all the time, I just talk to them every time because sometimes I have self-doubt and I tell myself I'm not supposed to be here. Like you said, [there is] going to be somebody out there [that's] always doubting you. So, just being able to know I'm not the biggest guy, people say I'm not the fastest guy, but just being able to know that I've got the heart and I truly love this game and I truly love what I do every day. So, just being able to have that attitude each and every day. I mean, the process, it can get boring, but you've just got to tell yourself you've got to stick to this routine. Like I always say, when I step out there on the green grass, it brings me joy. I love playing football every day when I step out there."

-BUCCANEERS-