HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On QB Jake Browning's performance so far in training camp)

"Like I said, he's experienced. He's very good at knowing where to go with the football and learning a new scheme. He understands it quicker than the other two guys right now, so I'm very happy with what I'm seeing right now."

(On WR Tez Johnson's development going into his second season)

"Mentally, he's been outstanding. He's playing fast because he knows the system. He's getting it down a lot quicker. He's become a very good pro and a studious person, so that allows him to play even faster than he already played. He can get down the field and make plays, and he made them."

(On Johnson bouncing back after dropping a few passes in Wednesday's practice)

"I mean, it's day two. You're going to work on the things you were worse at yesterday. So, he got better today, and he worked on that and concentrated a little more. It's just got to be a steady progression for everybody."

(On DB Keionte Scott getting reps at outside cornerback, and how he's performed there thus far)

"For him, it's been great because he went yesterday for the first day after missing the whole spring. He played corner, he played nickel and he played safety. To process that kind of information and come out on your first day, then come out today and do what he's been doing has been phenomenal to see. It really helps him learn the defense, moving around and playing different spots. So, his mind is outstanding and we just look for him to keep getting better."

(On if it makes his job easier as a coach when his defensive backs are as versatile they are)

"It helps in case of injury and [when] things come up [because] you know you can juggle guys around that have done some things and you don't really have to panic."

(On what has stood out most about OLB Rueben Bain Jr.)

"He's a very smart player. His intelligence really shows when you see him – probably more than the toughness and the sack ability, and that's saying a lot because he's outstanding at that. But, picking up the system and just understanding things that a lot of rookies don't understand coming in, he's been great at that."

(On how much of DB Keionte Scott's intelligence comes from instinct versus preparation)

"I think it's both. It's all of that, plus the coaches he had formerly. It's a lot of credit to them too – the guys at Miami and the guys at his high school – because he came in here like that. We can't take credit for that after only two days of practice in training camp. He prepares, he understands, he asks questions and he's very bright."

(On WR Chris Godwin Jr. not practicing on Thursday)

"Yeah, it was a maintenance day. We have Chris on a schedule, and we know when we're going to practice him and when we're going to take him off."

(On T Tristan Wirfs and NT Vita Vea not being on the practice field on Thursday)

"They're inside."

(On T Tristan Wirfs' recovery timeline)

"I don't know. A hamstring is a tricky thing. I'm waiting to hear from the trainers and get a better idea on that. Right now, I'm really not sure."

(On the atmosphere during the first public training camp practice of 2026)

"I mean, it's great on a Thursday coming out when a lot of people are at work, but these guys come out all the time and support us. They've been outstanding over the years, and they've been outstanding today. Tez [Johnson] had a heck of a day, so everybody got to see that. That was fun."

(On QB Baker Mayfield's popularity with Buccaneers fans)

"I mean, they love him. Next to 'Bron' (LeBron James) going to [Philadelphia], Baker is probably the second most popular guy out here right now. He does a lot for the kids, especially in the community, and they really love when he comes out here and they support him a lot."

(On TE Bauer Sharp's receiving ability)

"The thing he is showing is his athleticism. That's what we're most excited about right now. I want to see him in pads, [because] I want to see what the blocking and everything else looks like. But, the athleticism out of pads has been great to see from him, so I'm really excited to see him when he gets in pads."

(On the competition at inside linebacker)

"They're all smart. Other than [Josiah] Trotter, [John] Bullock [had] been here last year. Nick Jackson has been here for a year. Other than the two free agent rookies, those guys are pretty much veterans. So, it's going to be a lot of competition. They're all savvy in their own right. They understand how to make plays. They understand how to put themselves in position, even though they're all different athletically. It's going to be a good battle. [John] Bullock had a great day today. He had a great read. He had an interception right there. He's a very heady player. He has a lot of recall from last year. So, he's just got to keep getting better."

(On CB Zyon McCollum's progress heading into this season)

"Yeah, day two, just working on little things for Zyon as far as reading the hip, moving his feet and press coverage, understanding when he can get picked and when he can't get picked. It's more of the tiny mental things that he's been working on day-by-day and not really trying to do the bigger things. He understands the picture, but he's expanding his game to see where all his help is around him so he knows exactly what he's doing."

(On LB Alex Anzalone calling a timeout late in practice)

"No, we talked about it. It's a game-plan situation. When you're down to the last play and the offense comes out and you have a chance to see what the formation is, then we have one timeout left. He's heady enough to make a timeout call so we can assess the situation and come back with a call that we think is going to defend what they're running."

(On Anzalone matching up with RB Bucky Irving in coverage)

"Alex is a hell of a man-cover guy, and Bucky is a heck of a receiver. He doesn't panic out there like most guys do being at the [linebacker] spot. He kind of covers like a safety. So, he has very good awareness and headiness about that. You're looking at two good athletes play, and Alex just won that one."

(On whether WR Ted Hurst's versatility could 'force him on the field early')

"No, it doesn't force him on the field early, but 'J-Mac' (Jalen McMillan) and Emeka [Egbuka] can do that as well, so we don't have a problem there. We just started him out there. He's the tallest, and when you get a rookie like that in here, you usually try to concentrate on one position right there. So, that's kind of where we have him at."

QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

(On not reaching a contract extension before his self-imposed deadline)

"Yeah, obviously I've told you guys I've been pretty upfront and honest about my feelings about Tampa, it being home for our family now and raising kids here. We love it here. I wanted the deal done, and I set the deadline and told them it was going to be all ball after that. I did mean that. I don't know if they thought I was just going to take some of the offers they gave, but I'm at the point in my career and understanding what I've brought to this franchise…One, I'm very, very thankful for the chance they gave me – do not get me wrong on that. But I also know what I've brought to this franchise, leadership-wise and even play-wise. It's been some of the best years of my career, and I think it's only going to trend upward, just being comfortable and feeling that. So, it's disappointing in that regard, to feel disrespected a little bit. That's really the disappointing part – to feel undervalued after thinking you've earned it. This is not a poor-me thing. There are a lot of other people that have it way worse off, but I can sit here and look at other quarterbacks and peers and evaluate myself based on that and put myself in certain categories that I deserve to be compensated for that. I think I'm a franchise quarterback. I've been told I'm a franchise quarterback. It's been said publicly from ownership down, here. So, to not have a deal done is very disappointing. I said the deadline was the deadline, and I addressed the team to let them know I meant that. It's all ball. I'm with these guys. I think all the guys that have been here know exactly who I am. The guys that are new here, I wanted to address that because they might have had a notion prior to coming here about who I am as a person. It's all team. It's all about winning here now and what we're going to do. Hopefully Vita [Vea] gets his back fixed and gets his deal done. He's the second-longest tenured [Buccaneer] behind 'C.G.' (Chris Godwin Jr.), and Vita [Vea] deserves that. He's the anchor of our defense, and I hope they take care of him. It's disappointing, to say the least, but it's all ball here. I know I'm going to have a good year. I know this team. The things that we went through last year put us in a good spot for this year, depth-wise. A lot of guys have been thrown into the fire to be able to grow and learn fast. It didn't go the way we wanted, but it's a new season, and it's going to help us in the long run this year. We added some new pieces, and so I'm excited about it. It's all ball from here. I'll answer a few more questions about the contract, but after today I'm not answering anymore because I'm not negotiating anymore."

(On what the lack of a contract extension does to his relationship with the organization)

"It's disappointing. I'm not the first one to go through it like this. This is kind of historically how they've done negotiations, which is disappointing when you think you're a cornerstone of the franchise to be treated like that. It's disappointing. I'm no dummy – I know the contract and salary cap and what's going on…[The] franchise tag isn't exactly in play for them [because] it'd be a lot of dead money. So, it is what it is. Like I said, it's unfortunate, but I'm excited. I'm in the best shape I've ever been in, in a really good place, and I'm feeling really confident with the staff that [Head Coach] Todd [Bowles] put together that we're going to have a really, really good team."

(On whether he has faith that he and the Buccaneers will eventually get a deal done)

"I mean, obviously, yes, but I've been on the other side of the nasty business that is the NFL. So yeah, I have hope, but expecting and hoping [are] two different things. Yeah, I hope so. But all I can control is how I play this year and how the team does this year. For me, that's wins. Good things happen when the team wins, and the rest should take care of itself. But, yeah, I've sat here and watched these guys go through it, even Tristan [Wirfs]. You're talking about the best tackle in the league, the only person in NFL history that's been an All-Pro at right tackle and left tackle, and he had to have a hold-in during training camp to get it done. So, it's disappointing. You hope they take care of their guys. But, like I said, it's going to be a good year."

(On if he set his original deadline because he thought ongoing contract negotiations might be a distraction during the season)

"Yeah, like I told you guys, it's all ball, and I don't want to talk about it. If you've waited this long to take care of your franchise quarterback, that's too bad because it's only going to get worse from here. I'm going to have a really good year."

(On separating the business side from football)

"That's the business side of it. It's two separate things. We all come out here and we're playing the game of football for a job, so we do have to take a step back and realize that, but there is a business aspect to it. So, you separate that. When you come out here, like I said, if you win and you play well, good things happen, so that's what I'm focused on. That's how you compartmentalize it. That's in the past now. That's behind me. Right now, all I can do is focus on this year."

(On whether the recent contract situations with players could affect the locker room)

"Not at all. I think that's an easy scapegoat for the outside media to look at, but to be honest with you, inside the locker room, all that does is bring us closer together. The downstairs aspect of our building is really, really special, and our guys know that and they cherish that. So, it's only bringing our guys together. That might be a negotiating tactic on their part, but like I said when I got here in 2023, it's a really close-knit locker room. That's the leadership that was here prior to me getting here and just the way they carry each other, carry themselves and lead by example. When it comes to things like this, it's separate from the football thing. You take care of each other, you play on the field, good things happen, you take care of each other and go from there."

(On his mindset entering the season)

"I think if I hadn't gone through a couple of different situations earlier on in my career, I'd probably be in a different headspace. It also helps being a little more mature now and having different priorities in life. But yeah, I'm at peace. I think what I've done here is my résumé, and I think it spoke for itself so if that's not recognized, that's okay. I'm just going to continue to add to it."

(On whether the lack of a contract will serve as his motivation this season)

"No, money should never be the motivation in football. It's [about] how do I help this team win? It's never going to be the motivation for me. When it comes to having a chip on your shoulder and all that, for me it just puts me in the mindset of betting on myself. That's something I'm pretty familiar with, and it's a good place to be. As a highly competitive guy, sometimes you have to put yourself backed into a corner and fight your way out. I have a lot of guys and a lot of staff around me that are with me, so I'm not alone in it. We're fighting for the same goal, and that's to be playing in February."

(On whether negotiations are continuing behind the scenes)

"They're not talking to me, I know that. If my agent answers it, he's not going to bother me with it unless it's actually recognized for my value."

(On his connection with the Buccaneers fan base)

"Yeah, and that's going back to the first question when I opened up. Tampa has felt like home from the beginning. The community has embraced Emily and I. It's felt like home, and that's probably the worst part about it. We do want to spend the rest of my career here, however long, God willing, that is. This will always be home. We'll come back here. I've found a great routine, a great gym to train, the people that are here – it's an awesome community. We love this city. We love giving back to it, helping it become a great place to raise kids and families and just support each other. That's what good communities do. So yeah, when it comes to kiddos, it's the best."

(On his assessment of how his participation in Netflix's "Quarterback" series turned out)

"Yeah, to be honest with you, I didn't watch the full series. They sent all the clips of us in it just so I could give the final okay. Apologies to the families with little kiddos because the language on there is actually not very suited for them. I might be a little angry elf on the field every once in a while, so that's probably the part that I do regret a little bit, but that's the fire on the field, unfortunately, that comes out on TV. But yeah, I wanted to portray that I'm all ball. You can say what you want in the media. You can say I'm cocky and whatever, but it's all ball. I love my teammates. I love this game, and I love playing it."

(On if he rejected any scenes that didn't make the final cut of "Quarterback")

"There's a few things."

(On former Buccaneers DL Warren Sapp attending practice on Thursday)

"He just needs to figure out the Miami green on the [Buccaneers] red is a horrible look. It's July. It's not Christmas time. He needs to figure that out."

(On how easy it was to turn the page after contract talks ended)

"Yeah, really easy. When you're not presented with an offer that's appealing whatsoever, yeah, it's easy. It's easy to turn the page. But also, it's just that time of year where you're itching to get back on the field. You're itching to see how this team comes together, how the offense comes together in a new system with a new coach. It's just the exciting time of year [where], on paper, we've got a lot of potential, but it's just potential. So, we know we have to put that all together. So yeah, it's easy to put that in the past when you're coming together with a great group like this."

(On the outlook for the offensive line this season)

"I mean, it's a top-three unit in the league. Unfortunately, last year they didn't play one snap together, which stinks for me. For us as a group and for our young guys, it gave them a lot of experience and depth. Like I said, they were thrown into the fire. But when all five of those guys are out there rolling, and with some of those guys that got experience last year, it's a very freeing feeling to have those guys out there. They're savages up front. They're really good. Their chemistry is unbelievable. They know what we're trying to get done. When they're on the same page, our offense is just clicking. So, it starts with those guys and goes from there."

CORNERBACK ZYON MCCOLLUM

(On getting off to a good start to training camp and getting an interception early)

"It's always good to touch the ball, but, you know, [in] this business you're judged by the present moment, so it's about what I do moving forward."

(On Head Coach Todd Bowles' message at the start of training camp)

"He was not expecting everybody to put everything together on day one. He has just been preaching getting better from day to day – focusing on the present moment, focusing on the now, and just finding one thing every day to get better at. By the end of the training camp we'll be where we have to be at. We're not starting over though – OTAs was a big moment for us to continue to come together as a team, build our camaraderie, and we have to take that momentum so that by the time we're going into the preseason, we're firing on all cylinders."

(On if he's surprised how quickly the defense has come together despite several new starters)

"[Head Coach Todd] Bowles has put a lot in, he's demanding a lot from these new guys, but the way that they came in during the offseason, during the OTAs, it doesn't surprise me because you could tell right off [that] these guys are professionals. The free agents that we got, and some of the new faces, you could tell right off their demeanor that they take things professionally, that they take things seriously, and, you know, they don't put too much on their shoulders either – they're here to have fun and smile, but when it's time to get in between those lines, it's all about football."

(On what the new veterans bring to the defense)

"It's been fun – seeing new faces, getting new energy – it's always fun, because they have so much to offer as well. They've been in other systems, they've played a lot of football, so they have experience. Being able to soak in some of that experience, being able to learn some of the way that they see things too, gives this new perspective that we can fit into our defense here, and put everything together."

(On facing QB Baker Mayfield and the offense in practice)

"If you start chirping at Baker [Mayfield], then it just turns him on. You know what I mean? It's fun to play with Baker, because you know he's going to give you his best every single day, and he's going to get his guys going, and then he is going to let us know about it. We will be eager to continue that battle tomorrow. I say we're probably even right now, so the defense has got to come out on top tomorrow."

GUARD BEN BREDESON

(On having a healthy offensive line)

"Obviously, we love playing with each other. This is going on year three now of having that group. Unfortunately, last year, with some poorly timed injuries and injuries altogether, we weren't able to get the unit out there. Being able to come out here and kind of see it all coming back together gets us all excited. Obviously, we had good success in [20]24 when everyone was healthy and hopefully, we can keep everybody on the field this year."

(On his impression of Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson's offense)

"Yeah, I'm very impressed with it. A little bit more of some wide zone stuff going in and it's something that I feel can work and it's obviously worked with Atlanta and his previous stops before that, so I'm excited for it."

(On the locker room mentality with QB Baker Mayfield's contract situation)

"Yeah, Baker hasn't missed a beat or changed one bit through anything that's going on. He's still our quarterback, he's still the same leader, friend, guy that we all love. When he says it's all about ball, he means it. He's probably one of the most consistent and locked in individuals I've ever had the chance to play with. It's an honor going to work with him everyday and no matter what's happening outside of the building, he has not changed one bit and is ready to go at all times."

(On how he supported G Cody Mauch through his injury last season)

"Yeah, it's tough anytime anybody get hurt. Cody's was obviously an interesting one. He finished the game in Houston, so nobody really had much information at the time, and then to get the news that he was out for the season was shocking at the time. For someone like Cody, who never really missed a snap [in] his entire life, I believe, not just his professional career, but his entire football career, that was a huge blow for him. He took it as well and [as] professional as you could. He went in there and did his rehab, kept his head up, helped us as well as he could. We had some good discussions about it, especially at the end of the season when we were both in the training room nursing some [sore] knees. We talked about it and he was in a good headspace at that point, but Cody is a tough guy, he is one of the toughest guys I've ever played with for sure. I mean, he's a farm boy from North Dakota, so [it] fits pretty well. He handled it as well as anybody could."

(On how G Billy Schrauth is fitting in with the offensive line)

"Yeah, he's going to fit in just fine in the room. I'm not concerned about personality wise fitting in. He's a great kid, works hard, good sense of humor, so he'll be fine there. Playing wise, he has good hands and he's a good athlete. He's a young guy and out there busting his [butt] every single day, working hard. We've [seen] improvement from when he first came in here right after the draft into the end of OTAs, and I think he's gotten better over the summer break. He's on the right track and [I'm] excited to see where he goes."

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