HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On the status of WR Emeka Egbuka)
"He was out today. We'll see how he's feeling from the running [today], and we'll try and do more tomorrow to have a better idea."

(On whether Egbuka's foot injury is related to the toe injury he had in the preseason)
"No, [it is] not related."

(On the impact of DL Jeffery Simmons on Chicago's defense)
"Oh, it's huge. Anytime you get a superstar like that coming in – obviously you've seen his impact in the first game he played in – it just heightens everybody else on defense, and I think he brought that to that team."

(On what stands out about Bears QB Caleb Williams)
"[There are] a lot of things that stand out – his athleticism, his arm, his quick release, how well he dissects the play and gets rid of the football. It's just command of the offense, really."

(On the challenges of defending Williams when plays break down)
"Everybody has got to do their job. He can throw in-schedule throws and off-schedule throws both very well, and he can make things happen out of the pocket and then in the pocket. So, we've got to be sound – all 11 guys. If one guy's out of place, he'll make you pay."

(On the challenges presented by Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson's offensive scheme)
"I mean, it's a great offense. We saw it when we were in Detroit. He had a great offense there, he has a great offense now. He's very multiple. He does a lot of things with it. He slows the tempo, he speeds the tempo, different personnel groupings…He uses everybody in the offense. He keeps you honest."

(On Tampa Bay's improved ability to bring in interceptions this season)
"Well, I'm not complaining [laughs]. It's just work. You know, it's just a credit to those guys' hard work and then emphasizing it and reemphasizing it with the coaches and them getting it to the players. They're making plays."

(On the factors contributing to the running game's success)
"I think we've tweaked some things, obviously, in how we're running it and the things that certain guys can do well up front, as well as what kind of runs the [running] backs can do. I think the coaches get more comfortable with the players and vice versa, and everybody is settling into the scheme and kind of buying in and being on the same page, really. We finally got on the same page and they're making it work."

(On the tight ends' contributions to the running game, particularly TE Bauer Sharp)
"Bauer came in and did a great job. I think all of them – Cade [Otton], Ko [Kieft], Payne [Durham] – all of them [are] doing a great job. Bauer came in, played a lot of snaps the last game [and] he did an excellent job fitting up in there and understanding that he's more than just an athlete and a pass [catcher]. If he can do those types of things, it really helps us."

(On T Luke Goedeke's status following Sunday's game)
"Yeah, he came out great."

(On what stands out about LB Alex Anzalone on and off the field)
"It's really his intelligence – wanting the green dot, wanting to be the guy, constantly wanting to learn. [He is] trying to learn me as fast as possible and understand how I call the game so he can feed off that and kind of correct things that I say that he may mess up or I may mess up, and then I correct things that he messes up, and getting on the same page and then getting everybody else on the same page…I think he came in like that. There [are] a lot of guys that kind of talk the talk and won't walk the walk – he does both, and guys have ingratiated themselves towards him and him [to] them. I think he's done an outstanding job since he's been here."

(On Anzalone's interceptions against Atlanta, and ability to disguise coverage)
"I mean, he was in coverage. The look was to be on the line, but he was in coverage. We talked about it. His years of being in Detroit, being into the boundary, kind of helped him with that play as we talked about later on. He's just a heady football player."

(On how Tampa Bay's current secondary compares to the team's Super Bowl-winning secondary from 2020)
"It's still early. I think they catch better. I think they catch the ball better. But it's still early, and they're still gelling that way. That'll be written as their careers go on, as to how far they'll go. Right now they're playing great football, [and I'm] very happy to see it."

(On if there is a rhythm of how to utilize running backs Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell)
"Yeah, there is. I think we finally got to where we're utilizing Kenny [Gainwell] more and more, and that's kind of the 1A, 1B we were talking about when we first signed him. Like you said, not to the degree of the carries, 27 and 25, but at the same time, we know he's a great running back and he can do a lot of things for us, and he put it on display Sunday."

(On RB Sean Tucker's limited opportunities against Atlanta)
"Those guys (Irving and Gainwell) got rolling. Anytime they get rolling, it's easy to be forgotten about when they're playing that well. He'll get his plays."

(On the added excitement of playing in primetime)
"Primetime is extra at night. You do [get excited] when you get there at night. But during the week, it's kind of normal. Once you see all the lights and action, I think the players get fired up a little bit more."

(On preparing for cold weather in Chicago)
"I mean, you don't. I mean, a lot of these guys are from the Midwest and the East Coast, so that's kind of normal for them. You play football in any kind of weather, and you've got to be prepared to play in any kind of weather. We'll never use that as an excuse. We'll go out and play."

(On whether the Buccaneers had an advantage playing in rainy conditions against Atlanta considering Atlanta is accustomed to playing half of their games in a dome)
"No, I really don't because we don't really play in that kind of a downpour either. It was just a matter of trying to take care of the football. To be honest with you, I think the fans helped out a lot. To endure that type of weather…You could hear them. You know, you could really hear them and feel them on the field. They got Bucky [Irving] and Kenny [Gainwell] going, and they were very knowledgeable, understanding situations [like] when we got first downs, when we got stops. You could really feel our crowd. For them to endure that kind of weather, they deserve about as much credit as Bucky [Irving] and Kenny [Gainwell]."

(On the offensive line's response to outside criticism after back-to-back dominant performances)
"First of all, Luke [Goedeke] is not supposed to hear outside noise. I've got to give him some noise-canceling headphones. They did a good job. As a player, you're going to see that stuff, and it motivates you, especially when people talk about you. That's sports every week. They're either patting you on the back and you disappoint, or they're ripping you apart and then you can rise to the occasion. Keep ripping them so they can keep rising to the occasion."

(On QB Baker Mayfield's block against Falcons S Jessie Bates III)
"He had to get involved somehow. It was one of [those] kind of games, and I guess he got bored and he went down there. It was a very heady play on him, and Baker, he finishes the block. That's what 'Carbs' (Kevin Carberry) preaches to us in practice. He finished the block, and I was proud of him."

(On his confidence in the passing game after two run-heavy performances)
"We know we have to be more balanced. I mean, we practice that way. It's not like we're flipping the switch. We do it anyway, the conditions just went otherwise. It kind of went a different way in Carolina. We know we're not going to be able to run the ball 50-plus times and win ballgames. We know we've got to be well-balanced, and that's going to come. Each game is going to take on an identity of its own."

(On whether the helicopter flying near the practice fields on Wednesday was a distraction)
"No. I didn't know it was a mosquito-spray helicopter, but I saw the helicopter [and] it wasn't an issue. Thank you for telling me that."

QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

(On how it felt not wearing his glove during Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons)

"Good. More natural. The way I'm used to."

(On if his thumb is close to feeling back to normal)

"Yeah, I mean, I don't know if until the offseason it will feel back to completely normal, but yeah, it just feels better and better each week. Especially after, obviously, the last two weeks, not having to use it that much, not a lot of contact. So, yeah, just continuing to do what I need to throughout the week treatment-wise to continue to make it better to where I don't have any steps backwards. But, yeah, it's feeling better and better."

(On how this week's preparation is different with the Chicago Bears adding DL Jeffery Simmons to their defense)

"Yeah, obviously, he's a game wrecker. No matter what team he's on, even when he was in Tennessee, all eyes are [on him], you're figuring out where he is. We [have to] change some protection things and make sure you know where he's at, at all times and take care of that. He's a guy that can truly make a difference in a ball game. They already had a good defense, so all he does is add to that and allows their talented guys up front to get solo individual pass rush reps and different things like that. So, he definitely adds an element to their [defense]."

(On where he thinks C Graham Barton has shown the most growth)

"Graham [has] always been an extremely smart player. I think a lot of it's been he wants to make sure that he's doing the right things, but now it's just confidence. He's like, 'Okay, I know what this look is. I know how I'm going to make this work.' He's playing with a lot of confidence, getting guys on the same page. Obviously, he's extremely athletic, so when you add the smarts into that, he's ahead of the game."

(On what the conversation and the energy in the huddle is like when the run game is successful)

"I mean, it's being in the huddle with a bunch of savages. They're excited. They hear the play call, they get excited about it, they're talking about it. There's just a certain level of excitement and just focus when it comes down to the run plays that they want to make it work. They want to make sure that when they have those runs called, it comes to life. All the reps we have throughout the week that they see the fruits of their labor on Sundays. It's fun to hear them talk about it in the huddle when it's like, 'Hey, we got this run play, can to this one if we get that look.' They're all talking through what happens, and, yeah, it's good to hear the football conversations in the huddle."

(On the tight ends blocking in the past two games)

"Yeah, it's kind of just been adjusting and adapting. We thought Bauer [Sharp] was kind of going to be more of a receiving tight end. Obviously, he's proven that he's a physical player for us and can do the execution on the run plays and do some of the dirty work for us. Obviously, the last couple of weeks we're riding the hot hand with the run game, and it's been great with the 12, 13 personnel and the heavier sets. So, yeah, just being able to be versatile is great for us. Yeah, just [have] to continue to grow it."

(On what challenges Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen's defense presents)

"Yeah, I mean, he does an incredible job of mixing it up and giving you a ton of different looks to where you're always having to adjust, trying to create a lot of confusion at the line of scrimmage, different looks with guys - eight up, seven up looks, moving those guys around up front to where you have to communicate and be on the same page. You can tell when it's a Dennis Allen coach defense. They're aggressive. They play physical. They run to the ball, and it just screams on the tape."

(On if teams preparing for Tampa Bay's run game will give him more opportunities with the pass game)

"Yeah, I mean, you would think that. The teams are going to have to load up the box to stop it, and so you'll have a little bit more of the one-on-one opportunities in the back end. But listen, if it's still working, [you have] to keep calling it, and I think we've found that out."

(On Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson's decision to stick with running the ball during Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons)

"I think that's just been the growing process, which I've talked to you guys about - him learning us and what our guys up front are really good at. Listen, it's the old cliché saying, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' So, I think he's found a rhythm of what works for our guys and what he likes to call, and then at the same time, if it's continuing to work, keep doing it and continue to lean on those guys and trust them."

(On his thoughts on the offensive line the past two games after hearing negative outside comments)

"Yeah, I mean, they handled it like pros. I mean, those guys are ultra-sensitive to protecting their jobs and what they're proud of; protecting their guys in the run game, in the pass game, protecting everybody around. So, they take that personally. They take it to heart. We've had some, like we did in the pass game with the receivers, we had tough conversations with them as well up front. We have to be better all around. I had to be better, they [had] to be better, skill guys. So, the way they've handled it, unbelievably, and turned it around and just, like I said, [we have] to continue that, and just continue to

build that success."

(On his thoughts on RB Kenny Gainwell during Sunday's game)

"Absolutely. Yeah, I think, obviously giving Bucky [Irving] a break there, but sending Kenny [Gainwell] in there, he's no slouch. He just trusts his tracks really well. He hits it where it's supposed to be hit and squeezes through some of those tight windows, so it's fun to see. Then after that, if it's not blocked right, he still has the ability to make a guy miss and have an explosive play. So yeah, I think for him, he's continuing to get more confidence and having success in this offense too."

(On if G Cody Mauch is back to the player he was before his season-ending knee injury in 2025)

"Yeah, I think. For him, just slowly getting that confidence in his knee to be able to put weight on it, move around like he does. Cody [has] always been a guy that… It's not going to look fundamentally sound like other guards. He's going to do it his own way, and it works for him, though. So, it's fun to see him get back to that. He's sneaky athletic, though, so it's fun to see him get out there in space."

(On if playing in primetime Sunday Night Football creates more energy in the locker room)

"It's still just the next one for us. I think for our guys, after how we started, going out and continue to improve week after week and on a national stage, show the world what we're made of. We continue to get better as the weeks go forward and come together as a team, not just an offense. We've got to continue to do that on the road on Sunday night."

(On blocking Atlanta Falcons S Jessie Bates III during Sunday's game)

"Coach (Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Kevin) Carberry says take him on the angle you find him, and that's what I did. So, listen, we have run intent meetings. I've got to pay attention to those too and just try to translate it from the practice field to the game field."

(On how it felt when T Luke Goedeke had his back while he was blocking Atlanta Falcons S Jessie Bates III during Sunday's game)

"Luke always has my back in those things."

(On what makes Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams who he is)

"The combination of Caleb with (Chicago Bears Head Coach) Ben Johnson scheming things up for him, you always look at Caleb of just the God-given ability that he has, the physical talents that he has, the improv plays that he can make. But, when he's playing on time, he can put the ball anywhere you want it. Then if it's not blocked up perfectly, he's probably going to make you right. He's been obviously exciting to watch over the last few years. I think just the more comfortable he gets in that system, the better it gets. I think you guys have seen that this year."

(On if he feels comfortable including more of the pass game in Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears)

"Yeah, no, I do. I told you guys after the game the last couple weeks leading up to it, I felt really confident in the pass game of the details and stuff that we've been harping on to get back on track. But, yeah, we'll see. Obviously, we're coming into it being the number one rushing offense in the league. I know they pride themselves, especially (Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator) Coach [Dennis] Allen, on stopping the run, and so it's going to be a good matchup for us. We'll adjust and adapt and see how they're playing us."

LINEBACKER ALEX ANZALONE

(On what it means to win NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 8 performance against the Atlanta Falcons)

"Yeah, it's cool, but the best thing is that we held them to a shutout and we got to win. Any individual award is an accumulation of guys doing their job and being in the right spots and just capitalizing on your opportunity. It's cliché and all that, but it is the truth, so that's just how I feel."

(On if he's gotten used to playing in Head Coach Todd Bowles system after eight weeks)

"I think after Week 3 or so, just getting in the flow of things and just keep grinding and keep doing what you're supposed to do and being where you're supposed to be. The plays are starting to come. I think that understanding what Coach Bowles is trying to call and understanding why he's calling certain things, I know I've told you guys that before, but there's nothing like experience and going through a real-life game that gets you in that flow."

(On if he thinks he's playing the best football of his career right now)

"I mean, maybe, yeah. It's hard to tell just because when you consistently stack years, I think that you just take advantage of certain opportunities that come your way. Whether I am or not doesn't really matter as long as we're getting wins and continuing to play great

defensive football. I know this is one of the best defenses I've been on in my career, so I'm proud of that."

(On how he feels being a part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

"Yeah, it's awesome. I think that the coolest part about it right now, is that you're seeing our makeup and what we're about just because of how we started, the hole we're digging ourselves out of in real time. That says a lot about the guys in the locker room and the players that we have and the talent that we have too. There's something to it about blocking the outside noise and just having the guys in the locker room and the coaches in your corner that you have to rely on and dig yourself out of that hole."

(On the challenges Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson's offense presents)

"Yeah, I think that one, he self-scouts a lot. He does a really good job knowing what he

calls and his tendencies, and he'll throw in some one-offs just because. As a defensive player, it's hard to prepare for. I think he does a really great job of putting his players in the best situations for them. He really emphasizes the run game, too, and he leans on that heavy. Just seeing Chicago evolve over the years, without him and then with him, you definitely see them take that gritty mentality that he brought [down] from Detroit."

(On what Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams brings to the Bears offense)

"Yeah, a lot. His ability to make off-schedule throws, obviously, and then he's able to run for first downs. He's fast and he's hard to bring down in the pocket but also, you can see him develop over the past two years and kind of read the progressions that he's supposed to read and go through them and not always having to use his feet or off-schedule throws to get the ball down the field."

-BUCCANEERS-