HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On T Tristan Wirfs not being at practice during the portion open to media viewing)

"He's dealing with a toe issue right now. So, we'll see how he's doing later in the week."

(On whether it's an injury that Wirfs was able to push through during the game)

"Yeah."

(On T Tristan Wirfs and S Antoine Winfield Jr. being named to the 2025 Pro Bowl Games)

"I mean, that's huge, for [Tristan Wirfs] to make the Pro Bowl coming back from [injury] just shows the respect he has around the league and what people think of him. He came back and missed part of the season and came in and played without any training camp, really, so that says a lot. 'Win' (Antoine Winfield Jr.) has been consistent the entire time from the spring until now. He's been healthy all year. You didn't see as many 'wow' plays, but he's probably been more consistent as far as understanding everything and deciphering everything that I've seen since he's been here. Obviously, you've got Baker [Mayfield] as an alternate who started off the season very hot and he's still one of the best quarterbacks in this league. [Jamel] Dean started off the year very well, as well. He's also an alternate and he started out having a heck of a year."

(On what gives him the most confidence the team can win in Week 17)

"Just our work ethic and us staying together. That's the biggest thing. We understand what we put ourselves in and we understand we're the only ones that can get us out of it. So, the work ethic continues, the confidence is there with each other, and we've just got to stay with that."

(On the Buccaneers having seven penalties in the fourth quarter in Week 16)

"It's frustrating. Obviously, any penalty is frustrating, but to get seven in the fourth quarter, you don't give yourself a chance. You shoot yourself in the foot and we've got to correct that per man, per person, per coach. We've got to make sure that doesn't happen."

(On if he's shocked that something like that could happen this late in the season)

"I'm shocked that it did happen. I'm not shocked that it could happen. I'm shocked that it happened to us because we've been fairly decent with that the whole year."

(On if he would say the team has a problem with consistency in its performance)

"It's inconsistency with some of the things we're doing consistently, be it penalties, 'M.E.'s (mental errors), or misplays overall. That comes with losing. So, we've got to make sure we correct that."

(On whether the reality of possibly being eliminated from playoff contention in Week 17 could be a spark for the team)

"The reality has been there with us for the past few weeks. We've just got to play mistake-free football. We can't worry about losing – we've got to play to win."

(On why QB Baker Mayfield's turnovers have increased over the last six weeks)

"[They have] kind of picked up a little bit. A few times he got it out a little early and got a little antsy. A few times the protection broke down. A few times there [were] different route combinations and we could have better play calling, as well. So, it's not just one thing that contributes to that or one guy. It's a combination of things that we've got to stop. We know when we win the turnover battles, we usually win ball games. We didn't win the turnover battle and the two in the fourth quarter the last two weeks are disheartening and he knows that. We know that as an offense, we know that as a team. Everybody has got to do their part and do their job and he'll be fine."

(On facing Miami Dolphins QB Quinn Ewers and what he brings)

"He's different than Tua [Tagovailoa]. He's more of a drop back passer from that aspect, but they've got so many weapons around him with the running backs and the [wide] receivers and the tight ends that he doesn't have to put it on his shoulders. He just gets the ball into the hands of playmakers and we've got to make sure we just do our job and know where everyone is."

(On what makes Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel's run game so unique)

"It's very different because they use a lot of different people and move them around. I mean, they can have the tackle out wide like a wide receiver, they can bring him in the backfield, they can have three running backs, they can have three tight ends, they can have two more tackles in the ball game…You just never know. He does a great job of scheming it up to where everybody understands what they're doing. He's probably one of the best at getting angle blocks and getting his running backs on the perimeter."

(On Miami Dolphins RB De'Von Achane)

"He's outstanding. I mean, he is outstanding. He's kind of like Jahmyr Gibbs. They're kind of one and the same. If you give him a crease, you're not catching him."

(On tuning out outside noise)

"I listen to nothing but music when I leave here. I made it a pact when I started coaching to never listen to anything else. So outside noise to me is just outside noise. It's the people in this building, what we talk about, what we do in this building. We've been through this before. We understand where we are. We just have to execute and play our game."

(On whether RB Rachaad White needs more touches considering his success as of late)

"He broke off one and he should have [gotten] a couple more carries than that. I agree with that completely, but I think the game took a different turn. We substitute on offense how we substitute, but we've got to make sure the guys that get the big runs end up getting follow-up runs as well."

(On whether the team will be watching the out of town scoreboard during the game this weekend)

"We control our own destiny. We're playing to win the ball game. We can't worry about what Seattle is doing."

(On the best Christmas gift he's ever received)

"It's a hard question. I've probably forgotten more gifts than I remember. I think I was in the fifth grade. I got a black five-speed Apollo bicycle. At that time, that was legendary."

(On whether he wrecked the bicycle)

"Of course."

QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

(On if running the ball against the Panthers on first and second down made it more difficult for him on third downs)

"It still comes down to executing the third-down game plans. No matter what the down and distance is, we [have] to do that. [On the] first drive we did that, converted a couple of them, extended it, got into the end zone, same thing coming out of the half. Whatever is called on first and second downs, [we] have to be more efficient so that we're not in a third-and-extra-long situation."

(On if the game plan going against Carolina was to run the ball and if he would have preferred to "attack more vertically")
"I mean, here is the thing, you look at statistically -- and I'm not a numbers guy -- but you look at if you run the ball over 30 times against them, I think they were 2-15. That was the message, we're going to be physical and we're going to run the ball. We're going to be the more physical team, establish that, and go from there. Obviously, we didn't end up on the winning side of it -- if we end up [executing on] that two-minute drive, then nobody is really talking about it. Hindsight is 20/20, the message was to be more physical and run the ball and execute, but then when we have our chance in the pass game, we need to throw it and execute as well.

(On getting the ball into the top four wide receivers' hands)

"Yeah, I mean, any of our playmakers' hands. We [have] guys at every position that need to touch the ball multiple times a game. Like I said, hindsight is 20/20, just [have] to win."

(On what gives him confidence the team can end the losing streak)
"Our back is against the wall. [We are] pretty comfortable there."

(On his performance "leveling off" after the first six weeks of the season)
"You can point to a number of things, but just going based on the last game, I thought I played decently, it's just a matter of executing on the two-minute drive. If that interception doesn't happen, [I] played a clean game. It's just about putting it all together, and what I've talked about in weeks past where we haven't had success, it's redzones, it's third downs, it's me executing on some early downs, first and second, getting the easy completions that are there so we can stay ahead of the chains. For me, it's just overall being more efficient and going from there."

(On having seven penalties in the fourth quarter against the Panthers)
"That's unacceptable, obviously. Like I said post-game, when they need to snap the ball on time and be on the same page, we [have] to do that. The false starts, that stuff, can't happen, and [you] cannot shoot yourself in the foot in a close game with everything on the line like it is."

(On T Tristan Wirfs making his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance after missing the first three weeks of the season)

"It's Tristan Wirfs. [He is the] only person to ever be an All-Pro on both sides [of the offensive line]. To be honest with you, it's not really surprising -- it's just Tristan."

(On QB Philip Rivers coming out of retirement to play for the Indianapolis Colts)
"He's an ultimate, ultimate competitor. I got to see first-hand my rookie year -- the Chargers came to town -- just how dialed in he was. [He was] talking trash -- no curse words ever. Now you fast forward and he's got a whole suite filled with his family. It's exciting to see; you love to see that. You can see the energy he brought back to the team. It's fun to watch, got a ton of respect for Philip [Rivers]."

(On how he maintains his mental fortitude going through a rough stretch of losses)
"It's a long season. Everything we want is still right in front of us despite everything that's going on. We can win out, make the playoffs and still have our goals ahead of us. You have to endure the storm. It's the ups-and-downs of it and that's just how it goes."

(On the mentality going into Week 17 after this late-season struggle)

"Yeah, listen, we would love to be -- and I would love for us to be in a different spot than we're in right now, don't get me wrong. We've been here before, and you can always rely on those experiences and take what you've learned and go from there, but I trust this group. It hasn't been our best play by any means, I know that, we all know that, but we can still accomplish everything we want to."

(On what is preventing the team from capitalizing late in the game)
"It's what I've hit on multiple times, you talk about how we were able to finish early on in the season, executing, doing the little things right. Whether it's penalties or different things here and there. It hasn't been one thing consistently or else it would've been fixed. You just try and tell guys, 'Listen, you don't know when this play is going to come up, but you have to be on your P's and Q's. It's all little details, do your job at a very high level in critical moments, do the little fundamentals and details right and good things will happen.'"

(On if there is anything additional being said around the locker room regarding the losses)

"You just hear the chatter in the locker room. I can speak for the offense about our meetings and the accountability aspect of it. You call people out when they need to be, but then also just saying this is how important this is, where we're at, laying it on the line for the guys that haven't been in the position before and go from there."

(On sticking behind Head Coach Todd Bowles)

"Yeah, and my narrative is not going to change. Like I said, our goals are still right in front of us. Would we like to be in a different position? Yeah, we would have liked to close this thing out by now, but that's not where we're at, we have to win at Miami and then come back home. Our focus right now is doing everything we possibly can to find a way to win in Miami and see what happens from there."

(On what he has seen from the Dolphins defense, and what challenges they face)
"Obviously, a lot of different looks. Jordyn Brooks [is an] unbelievable player, obviously his number of tackles speak for itself, he's flying around the field. [He is a] true effort guy, kind of sets the tone for the defense and you have guys in the secondary with a lot of experience -- have seen a lot of ball. We'll see if Minkah [Fitzpatrick] plays or not, but obviously he is the type of player [who is] extremely versatile, great blitzer, good in pass coverage, and then obviously, [Bradley] Chubb on the edge. He's got an incentive, a sack and a half, almost a million dollars, so we know we'll get his best when it comes down to the money."

(On the greatest Christmas gift he's ever received)
"Wow... in the feels. Greatest Christmas gift ever? You caught me off guard there, I don't know. The holidays, it's time to spend time with family and enjoy that. I enjoy giving gifts and seeing the smiles that it brings to peoples' faces and seeing that rather than receiving. For me, a good Christmas will be a great week of practice, go get a win on Sunday and hit the reset button."

(On which teammate deserves coal in their stocking and which teammate does not)

"Oh, that's good... No coal in the stocking, let's go Mr. Lavonte David himself. All the coal in the stocking, Sterling Shepard."

OFFENSIVE TACKLE TRISTAN WIRFS

(On how it feels to be a Pro Bowler for the fifth time in his career)
"I mean, it feels amazing. It's a goal I have every year, obviously just a personal goal. Getting to just hang out and talk with a bunch of guys around the league that we don't necessarily get to have conversations with and spend time with during the season, I think it's a great time, that's my favorite part."

(On getting the recognition from players around the NFL)
"I mean, that might be what I'm most proud of. Guys around the league giving me a vote or however it may be, because that's how I look at guys. It just means a lot, it really does."

(On missing the first three weeks of the season and getting back to Pro Bowl-level)
"That was a big thing for me. This one means a lot just because of all that. I was really skeptical, like will I be able to play like myself? I think these past couple of weeks I've felt more like myself than I have all year. So yeah, getting this honor means the world to me. It's been an up-and-down year, it's been a frustrating year. A lot of stuff has not gone how I wanted it to injury-wise, but yeah, to keep fighting through and keep battling, all the guys in here have my back and keep pushing me to get better and better, what more can you ask for?"

(On the Buccaneers controlling their own destiny)
"Yeah, it's crazy to keep saying that, but it's still ours for the taking. We just [have] to do everything we can to get it done. Like I said last week, we just [have] to get to the dance. It's honestly that simple; it doesn't have to be pretty, it doesn't have to be anything at this point. We're 7-8, like just get there, you know? Let's get there and make some noise."

(On saying he feels more like himself over the last few weeks)

"I think there's a combination of everything, like the injuries I've had this year and then missing out on all those reps in training camp. That's when you get your timing down, your footwork down, your hands, your eyes, your feet, everything. I started practicing and then I think it was the next week I was playing the Eagles. I was rehabbing then they're like you can start practicing and I was like, 'Alright, let's go,' and then it was on to the Eagles. So, just not having all those reps for me mentally was like... just [to] get that comfortability and that confidence back, coming off -- I didn't have a major knee surgery, but was on crutches for six weeks, then basically started playing. So yeah, just trying to find my set again during the middle of the season was tough, but the whole line had my back, Graham [Barton] had my back, Ben [Bredeson] had my back, Cody [Mauch], everybody. They mean the world to me, and to get a Pro Bowl this year, I got a little emotional about it this morning because I had those thoughts like, 'How are you going to be? How's it going to go? Are you going to be yourself?' I think everyone does after surgery, but yeah I was excited."

SAFETY ANTOINE WINFIELD JR.

(On being selected to the 2026 Pro Bowl games)
"Yeah, it means a lot. That's what I work for every year. I have goals, have them on my phone, I don't really show too many people, but it's one of them. I'm just blessed to be in this position to achieve one of those."

(On how it would feel to make the playoffs)
"That's the number one ultimate goal is to get to the playoffs. So, these next two games, we [have] to bring it and that's the most important thing to me right now. I know the team knows it as well, so we're just trying our best to make sure that happens."

(On going up against Dolphins' QB Quinn Ewers in his second career start)
"They're a little different between him and Tua [Tagovailoa]. We only have the last game to watch on them, so I've been able to look at them a little bit. They're different play styles, obviously he's right-handed to [Tua's] left-handed, so that's a little difference in there, but he can play. We have to make sure we do our job."

(On the challenges the Dolphins' offense gives them)
"Everybody has to do their job and read your keys this week. A lot of motions, a lot of flash and a lot of people moving. You [have] to make sure you're detailed on your guy and what you're supposed to do within the scheme of how they're running things. So, it's going to be tough, but we [have] to make sure we get it done."

(On how the team can maintain positivity going through a tough stretch of losses)
"That's the league. That's playing in the NFL. You just keep showing up, keep putting the work in and just make sure that when you're stacking these days, make sure this should carry through if we can make it to the playoffs. These days, we [have] to remember what it's like being like this so we can use that energy and motivation when we're out there on the field to make things happen at the end of the day."

-BUCCANEERS-