OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOSH GRIZZARD

(On facing the same opponent twice in three weeks, and what can be learned from the first meeting)

"It's definitely unique, just because it is so recent. It's not like we're going to change much of our scheme; they're not going to change much of their scheme. We know who they are in terms of the players and the scheme and really where they're going to be. You have to be able to dress things up and have different wrinkles when it comes to that. It's also nice because when you prepare for a team and it's the first time we've played them, there's a ton of tape and you're trying to catch up on how they want to play that season, where, now, you're really only getting the Seattle game to go through and see what kind of adjustments they make and then, ultimately, how they want to play us. It's really going to come down to execution from their end of it and our end of it, once you kick it off, to see how we've changed slightly and how they've changed slightly and then being able to adjust in-game to see what their plan is and what our plan is to ultimately go down there and score some points."

(On what he noticed about Carolina's improved run defense in the first meeting)

"Absolutely. That was one of the first things we noticed when we put the tape on a couple weeks ago, how different it was than playing them – I guess it was Week 17 last year – and being able to have [No.] 95 (Derrick Brown) and [No.] 94 (A'Shawn Robinson) in the middle…Those guys are hard to move whether it's in the run game or the pass game. They do an unbelievable job. Then, getting [Tre'von] Moehrig in free agency, he plays a hybrid linebacker/nickel [cornerback]/safety role and he is very physical. He sets edges in the run game. Those are the ones that stick out on tape, in terms of how much they've improved. Then, you're dealing with two corners in [Jaycee] Horn and [No.] 2 (Mike Jackson) where they also set the edge. These guys are really good in space and tackling – they're very physical in terms of DB's on a lot of the teams we play. They pose a lot of problems when it comes to that."

(On if Tampa Bay will utilize a run-heavy game plan against Carolina again)

"Really, with every week we play, we want to try to establish the run early. When it comes to how much that's going to happen, how efficient those are…We talked last time about earning the right to run the ball that many times – whether it's versus Carolina or anybody we play – where if you're able to be efficient and explosive then you earn the right to be able to keep the pressure on them by running it. We always want to be able to start the games like that and then be able to adjust as it goes. We'll see how it shakes out on Saturday."

(On the video of RB Bucky Irving and T Tristan Wirfs interacting on the sideline in Week 17, and what has contributed to Irving's rushing output during the 2025 season)

"When you see that on a sideline on game day, that's just passion. It's funny, they were actually just joking about it. It just comes down to the heat of the battle where everybody wants to win. Frustrated, in-game, we had a couple of good hits early, and then ultimately went backwards on a couple of them…So, he gets frustrated, the offensive line gets frustrated. Again, it's because they want to go out there and put something good on tape and ultimately win the game. Yeah, he's been through battles this year. There's been explosive plays and then there's been some where it could be a small detail of being more efficient when it comes to that…I can help him out with some of the scheme, we can block it better at times in terms of executing what's there. You see a couple of those runs in a game where it goes backwards and ultimately it's not really on 'Buck' (Bucky Irving) – you can put it on me, put it on the execution, put it on the scheme when it comes to that side of it. He's in a great space and it's just good to have him out there whether we're trying to hand it to him or throw it to him in the pass game."

(On if he would have preferred Irving to try and gain one more yard on his touch on third down against Miami in Week 17)

"Yeah, that one was close there. It was right at the sticks and ultimately turned into another down. It's always something we talk about – it can happen on a second-and-10 play where you're trying to get that first down, especially in that situation, to now create a new set of downs. It really opens up the playbook a little bit."

(On balancing trying to maintain an offensive identity while also being flexible when it comes to utilizing new players when injuries occur)

"It sounds like a little bit of a broken record in here, but it's trying to tailor it to their skill set. So, whatever Mike [Jordan]'s skillset is versus 'Breds' (Ben Bredeson); whatever [Dan] Feeney's skill set is versus having Cody [Mauch] in there…That could be in different ways. We try to tailor it to those guys and not say, 'Hey, we just run these set of plays and whoever is in there, we're going to run it.' So, who's in that week [and] how does that change [if] you run more inside zone, outside zone, try to get on the perimeter…Does it change the play [action] pass world? Does it change the drop back protections? Ultimately, we do that every week. Part of that is predicated on who we're playing that week, too. When it comes to this week where you're playing [No.] 95 (Derrick Brown) in there and the force that he is…That's what goes into the coaching side of it each week on a Monday and Tuesday to put those guys in a position to execute the scheme, block the guy across from them, and ultimately try to get some points."

(On if QB Baker Mayfield is "wearing down" physically towards the end of this season, and if that's affected his play)

"I wouldn't necessarily put [that] on a couple of the interceptions as of late. He plays the game very hard, as we see…He practices hard, he's in the meeting rooms, he conducts himself like that in the meeting rooms as well. Ultimately, you don't want to see him take those shots. Being able to get hit in a game like that is not something, of course, we want to see. But, at this point in the season, everybody is so banged up. I know he's been at the point where he was banged up and he's gotten a little healthier [then] got hit again. With it being the last week of the season – the last week of the regular season – it kind of is what it is when it comes to a bunch of different positions on that side of it. Ultimately, [we are] trying to protect him from him, at times."

(On if Mayfield's aggressive play style can be problematic for him, physically)

"We talk about it. We want to be able to extend the play if it's there, and if it's not there, try and be able to avoid a hit. It's not like he's taking some of these hits on purpose. There are times where if we're beat in protection or if we don't see something in terms of a blitz pick up where he takes an unnecessary shot…But, it doesn't really change it. We don't go into any game with the intent, outside of a couple of times this year, where there's been true zone read plays where he might keep it that could put him, potentially, in harm's way. Any of the ones where he takes a shot on a drop back protection or moving outside the pocket is just really in the nature of the flow of the game."

(On if any of QB Baker Mayfield's recent interceptions can be attributed to a physical issue)

"I still wouldn't say it's injury related when it comes to that. We've had big time drives this year where he's gone down with the execution of the [offensive] line, the [wide] receivers and [has] won games in the two-minute [situations]. He hit on it on one of the interceptions in the game, where it was just not a great decision when it came down to the red zone area. Then, the one to 'J-Mac' (Jalen McMillan) where if he just puts a little more on it…Really, 'J-Mac' had a step on him. He's done an unbelievable job of battling on those. You all have seen him win two-minute drives this year. Like we talk about in here at times, it is what it is on some of the other interceptions where it could have been that the ball was taken from us, or the route might not have been exactly where we needed it to be. He knows, when it comes down to it, trying to eliminate those when the game is on the line. You deal with that a little bit [on] the one with Mike [Evans] versus Carolina where it's not really a coaching point when it comes to that because of the nature of, 'Is it a scramble or is he staying in the pocket?' He has all the confidence in the world. We're ready to rock. We know it's a big week. Having the receivers there, he's ready to roll."

(On if any of QB Baker Mayfield's recent interceptions can be attributed to not having much practice time with the wide receivers, due to their injuries this season)

"Not at all. His timing with 'J-Mac' (Jalen McMillan) is fantastic. He found J-Mac – and we've talked about pure progressions in here a little bit – to start the game. The one and two reads were not open on a couple of those concepts. J-Mac is really third and fourth in the progression, where he's going right across the board and throwing it to J-Mac and had really two big-time conversions, whether it was second down or third down to continue those drives and get seven points. J-Mac came back from being out for, what, two months? More? That one we threw versus Atlanta on the sideline is the best timing you can have on that route from really anybody throwing it in the NFL. The timing is great on that one. On the one that he threw the interception on, that turned into a scramble drill. Once you're in a scramble drill, the timing mechanism of [having] footwork, depth, the landmark of the throw, is really off because it's turned into a scramble. He's playing on time [and] J-Mac is in the right spots on a lot of those. It just turned into a scramble drill on that one."

(On WR Jalen McMillan not touching the Miami Dolphins defender down following an interception in Week 17)

"He's got to touch him, absolutely. Yep…When that guy ultimately catches the ball, which is unfortunate, we've got to tackle him – hit him."

(On how beneficial it is to have a quarterback that can be as mobile as QB Baker Mayfield)

"We're not really designing it to have him scramble, but in the timing of the play, if whatever route concept it was did not come open… A lot of times that people play man[-to-man] coverage and you see – we talked about it earlier in the year – the bracket on 'Mek' (Emeka Egbuka) or they're doubling Mike [Evans], then those two defenders are looking at him. If they're not open, there's one less person that's looking at him unless they're spying him. So, now, the [defensive backs] are down the field and he's able to have big-time scrambles. They're not designed to do that. We want to throw the ball past the sticks and get the conversion on third down, but, if they do glove it up, then it is very nice to see him run down the sideline and get out of bounds."

(On what he's learned the most as an offensive coordinator this year)

"Being able to adjust each week, whether that's new people being in the game based on whatever position – O-line, halfbacks, wide receivers – and trying to tailor it to them. Then, really, the in-game adjustments as much as anything. If somebody were to get banged up and what that means…Taking some of the ones from earlier in the season on, like we're talking about, protecting 'Bake' (Baker Mayfield) and playing that gane between getting eligible [receivers] out in the route concept versus protecting a tackle when it comes to that. It's been fun. It's been different each week. It's definitely different in game – you can never replicate the game speed and how fast things happen and how much you need to adjust. We've got a great staff and players around me, so that has made my job a little bit easier because they speak the same language and they know what we're trying to get out of it."

(On if there should have been a chip block on the strip sack of QB Baker Mayfield in Week 17 versus Miami)

"I thought 'Chuk' (Benjamin Chukwuma) played well versus [Bradley Chubb] for the vast majority of the game. That's the exact question right there – if you have someone that's chipping, which is normally Cade [Otton], then he's not out on the route. There's now more people covering your eligible [receivers]. If you get him out, then you are one-on-one with the tackle. [Bradley] Chubb – hell of a player. It's unfortunate that he got those sacks right there, but like I said, I thought for 'Chuk' (Benjamin Chukwuma) and what he was able to do, really, versus Chase Young and then to go out there versus another premier rusher is very impressive for an undrafted rookie."

(On his assessment of RB Rachaad White's performance this season)

"I thought he's played well. Definitely, having the adjustments on when 'Buck' (Bucky Irving) was out and then he comes back in – carries up, carries down…The way he's conducted himself and stayed even-keeled and taking opportunities when he gets [them]…What he's able to do for us in pass protection – I've said it ad nauseam in here, I think he's as good as there is in this league on third down. The time he puts into that and the blitz pickups [where] you might not even see him pick it up but he picked up this pressure that we talked about out here today, then 'Bake' (Baker Mayfield) is able to rip a strike right there on third down…He's truly a three-down [running] back and has really done a good job."

(On how he can help QB Baker Mayfield "put it all together")

"I think that it's on all of us – on the whole offense. He's doing that because we're down 10 points in the fourth quarter with eight minutes left. If we can run it better – I thought we had some good runs early on and then they dried up a little bit – but where if we can continue to put the pressure on the defense to be able to run it, to stay balanced, to have some of those third-down conversions, that way it's not a two-minute drive…That way, the two-minute drive is turning into three points and we're not down 10 [points]. [If] we can put all of that together, that way, ultimately, it's a team game – being able to run it, throw it, keep them balanced, keep the score where we want to be, and then ultimately get a lead in a couple of these games and being able to run the rock out."

PASSING GAME COORDINATOR GEORGE EDWARDS

(Opening Statement)

"The Panthers are coming into town this weekend. [A] divisional opponent, just played them a couple weeks ago, in the middle of [preparing] for them this week as we go through. There's really only one game separating [us] as far as the preparation of it but just going back and making sure we're familiarizing the players with the situational things that came up in the game and the things that we're predicting to come up in this one. So far, everybody's been working hard throughout practice."

(On if has seen an increase of energy in the locker room this week)
"Yeah, I think today was a very energetic practice. Yesterday was more of a walk-through-type practice for us, but today, getting out there and being competitive. I think the attention to detail was there and looking for that to carry on throughout the course of the week."

(On the challenges of having a short time between their last matchup against the Panthers to prepare)

"Fortunately, it's not a big window. Where it really is tough is when there's been a lot of games in between on a common opponent and it's a short week. Fortunate for us, we just played those guys not too long ago -- a week ago. From that aspect of it, the preparation in the previous game and then what we got in that game and then the game in-between, you can kind of correlate what you project certain things are going to happen in situations, the matchups that they tried to create then and the things that they tried to do in those situations. Hopefully, looking at it, we think it will be very similar between them. They've really done a good job throughout the year of running the football and finding ways to run the football, and us being able to go up and stop the run will be critical in this game."

(On giving up long touchdown receptions in consecutive weeks)
"Well, the first situation you were talking about I think was lack of awareness in the situation or where we were or what was called. The other one was really a bust on a routine play that has happened numerous times to us. From that aspect of it, it's in the moment, the timing, when it happens, we have to be focused and that's been a battle cry for guys, especially when you get into the two-minute end of the half, end of the game because a lot of games boil down to that. The scores are so close that that is a pertinent time in which you have to really focus in on what we're calling, what we're doing and what we're asking you to do."

(On if the long touchdown receptions this late in the season come as a surprise)
"Yeah, you wouldn't like for those things to happen, you wouldn't think -- I mean, those are situational things that I know we cover and we try and emphasize as we go through as far as preparation for those situations. Like any Sunday, anything can happen. We've had a lot of guys that we've had to move around and those kinds of things due to injuries, but there's still no reason. Everybody, when their opportunity is called and being able to be in those situations, should be able to handle those situations."

(On how LB Lavonte David has helped within the locker room as a leader and continue to play at a high level in year 14)
"He's a unique player without a doubt. I just think back over my time in this league, and I've had the fortune of being here with him for the last three years. Just seeing his day-to-day preparation on the field, off the field, taking care of his health, his preparation for the game, interacting with younger players. I mean, without a doubt, he is somebody you want to build a foundation [around], and [I've] been fortunate here that he's a part of this foundation. I cannot say enough good things just through my experiences of being around unique players of that caliber, he's right there at the top of the list as somebody that you want to build a foundation with. Whatever he needs, I think he'll go out and you know you're going to get every bit of energy and every concentration to get done to get the win, number one, because he's not a selfish guy, but number two, to get accomplished with what we need to get accomplished."

(On if he notices any generational difference between how guys prepare between the veterans and young players and how LB Lavonte David's work ethic stands out)
"Let's face it, college football has changed a lot. You look at it over the last 10 years, and what players have been exposed to in college and then coming to this league and learning a whole different way of doing things, another way of matchups, offensive systems and the different feels. There's a lot of differences from college football to pro football. I think it takes a little bit longer for some of those guys to grasp all the different concepts that we try to get taught to them in a short period of time. Like I said, Lavonte is a unique player -- a guy that approaches it the right way, has had a good foundation with it. Every player is different; every player's experience is different. When you get someone that unique and that different and he's a part of what you've built over the years, I think his experiences with those players definitely help because I'm sure that they've prepared -- I wasn't here with him -- I'm sure that they've prepared and practiced the exact same way from everything anybody has ever told me in the building. Having leaders and having him as a leader is important for as you bring your team along during the course of a year."

(On how the Seattle Seahawks' defense made Panthers' QB Bryce Young uncomfortable in the pocket during their Week 17 matchup, and how their defense can replicate it)
"I think they did a very good job of creating pressure and keeping him in the pocket and forcing him into tough decisions. When he was making throws, I think they did a great job tackling which when you look at the tape, even when he was dumping it out to a flat and those kinds of things where they were bang-bang plays. Looking at them and forcing him into those situations will be critical, that's for sure."

(On how the defensive back room prepares to play against the Panthers wide receivers)
"Well, we're preparing just like we prepare every week. We've got some guys that aren't as tall as others, but from that aspect of it, I don't think that's been a major problem for us as we progress through the course of the season. I think the major thing is we'll just have to see from day-to-day how guys are doing health-wise and how the matchups unfold as we go into this game for this week. That's definitely something, they are big receivers, young receivers, but just like in the first contest, I think guys -- Zyon [McCollum], he wasn't able to play in that one, so our guys matched up pretty decent we thought against them."

(On his message to fans about the coaching staff and their preparation going into Week 18 to correct mistakes)
"I think what we're continually doing is we want to continue to see growth of the young players that we have that are playing significant minutes now. [We] just want to see them continue to get better, compete throughout the course of it, understand the situations that we're in and hopefully this week we'll be able to go out and be able to see those things throughout the course of the game and be able to come back with the win."

-BUCCANEERS-