Full Breakdown
Buccaneers Lose OTA Practice After NFL Flags Excessive Contact
6/13/2026, 12:34:52 AM
Violation and Immediate Consequence
On Wednesday, the NFL reviewed footage from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ OTA and found the team had “too many guys on the ground,” violating the CBA’s no-contact rule. The league stripped the Buccaneers of one OTA, cutting the schedule from nine to seven sessions. Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed the cancellation.
NFL No-Contact Policy and Historical Precedents
The OTA no-contact rule in the CBA makes head coaches personally liable for contact beyond the “glorified flag-football” standard. Recent violations have hit the Detroit Lions (2024), Washington Commanders (2022), Dallas Cowboys (2023) and Chicago Bears (2022). Those teams faced fines and practice losses; the Buccaneers received only the loss, with spokesperson Brian McCarthy confirming no fine for Bowles.
Key Figures and Their Statements
Todd Bowles said the team had a Tuesday day off and that the league removed Wednesday’s practice after detecting excessive ground contact. He emphasized safety, saying the team cleaned up the issue and was not trying to hurt anyone. Running back Kenneth Gainwell stressed staying off the ground. NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy confirmed Bowles received no fine.
On-the-Ground Observations from Thursday’s OTA
Thursday’s final OTA proceeded with most players; Al-Quadin Muhammad, Christian Rozeboom and Vita Vea were absent. Bucky Irving took handoffs from Baker Mayfield before sitting out. Chris Godwin Jr. scored two red-zone touchdowns in a 7-on-7 series. Rookie defensive tackle DeMonte Capeheart debuted, while cornerback Benjamin Morrison missed the session with a leg injury. The practice concluded with the Buccaneers’ Cut and Color fundraiser for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
Conflicting Reports, Gaps, and Criticism
Bowles said the league cancelled Wednesday’s practice after reviewing the first session, while other outlets described the action as the NFL “cancelling” the OTA. He cited “three or four” plays as the trigger, but the exact threshold remains unclear. Fan commentary noted the Buccaneers pursued “edgier, more intense practices” after offseason personnel changes, a stance that may have contributed to the violation. The league offered no explanation beyond the phrase “too many guys on the ground.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Wednesday, by the league, looking at the first practice, we had too many guys on the ground, so they took a practice from us.” — Todd Bowles, Head Coach
- “We cleaned it up after that. We understand. We're not trying to get nobody hurt,” — Todd Bowles, Head Coach
- “League spokesperson Brian McCarthy told ESPN that Bowles was not fined for this violation.” — Brian McCarthy, NFL Spokesperson
- “He’s coming along fine and he’s working out,” — Todd Bowles, speaking about Bucky Irving
What’s Next
The Buccaneers will report to mandatory minicamp next week and resume OTA sessions without further penalties. Coach Bowles said the staff will keep a “safety-first” approach while pursuing the desired physical intensity.
