The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ' home opener ended with a loss to the Cleveland Browns . Late-game issues, defensive lapses, costly penalties and a stalled final drive all contributed to the defeat, leaving many fans to direct their frustration at head coach Todd Bowles.
Tampa Bay led 9-6 at halftime before Baker Mayfield found Emeka Egbuka for a touchdown to extend the lead.
The Browns answered with a field goal, and Deshaun Watson then connected with Denzel Boston on a 55-yard touchdown to tie the game 16-16 heading into the fourth quarter.
After a field goal from the Bucs, Watson led Cleveland on a 68-yard drive that ended with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Blake Whiteheart . Tampa Bay's ensuing possession was interrupted at the two-minute warning by a weather delay that lasted more than two hours.
Mayfield had one final chance, but his fourth-down throw into the end zone fell incomplete. The 23-19 defeat dropped Tampa Bay to 0-2 and immediately led to calls for Bowles to be fired.
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One fan demanded an immediate change, writing on X , "FIRE TODD BOWLES!"
The criticism also extended to general manager Jason Licht, who was named in some of the fan reactions.
"Fire Todd Bowles, Fire Jason Licht. Losing to the 2026 Browns, man. Should've hired Liam Coen as your HC," one user wrote .
The coaching complaints continued as another fan described Tampa Bay as the "worst-coached team in the NFL," while demanding Bowles be fired.
Another fan took aim at the Buccaneers' recent coaching decisions, calling for both Bowles and the front office to be held accountable.
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"Fire. Todd. Bowles. Into. The. Sun. You lost to the Browns?!?!?" they asked in disbelief .
Mayfield also took heat from fans, with one person questioning his newly signed three-year, $165 million contract.
The fan wrote , "Buccaneers, y'all are so (explicit). Fire Todd Bowles. Blow the whole organization up. Baker doesn't deserve his large contract."
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Another fan called the defeat against Cleveland "Rock bottom!" and urged Tampa Bay's front office to "Have a backbone and fire Todd Bowles immediately!"
Tampa Bay will remain at Raymond James Stadium in Week 3, hosting the 2-0 Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 27.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
