The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped up their preseason opener with a strong finish against the Tennessee Titans, with several depth players stepping up late in the game. While some fans may be calling for more reps for those standouts, head coach Todd Bowles made it clear he’s not deviating from his plan.

“No. We have a system where we play guys, and they’ll get that chance coming up. We get them better competition in practice as well, so they get to go against everybody. That doesn’t change how they play. If you make plays in practice, you make them in the game. A couple of guys made some plays late, but they’ve been practicing well, too.”

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Bowles’ response reflects his consistency-driven approach. While preseason games are important, they’re just one part of a broader evaluation. Practice remains just as critical, especially when it comes to determining who earns roster spots and playing time.

Rather than overreact to a few late-game highlights, the Bucs coaching staff is sticking with a plan that prioritizes consistent performance over time. A strong fourth quarter in August might catch attention, but it doesn’t automatically move someone up the depth chart. Bowles also emphasized that several of the players who stood out against the Titans have been performing well in practice, too, reinforcing that the game wasn’t a fluke; it was a reflection of steady development. With position battles still underway at receiver, cornerback, and offensive line, evaluations will continue through practices, joint sessions, and the final two preseason games.

Heading into Saturday’s game against the Steelers, the Bucs will stay focused on execution and consistency, not short-term hype. For Bowles, every snap matters, but what players show Monday through Friday carries just as much weight as anything they do on game day.

Bowles isn’t chasing highlights. He’s looking for habits, and the players who can repeat them.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs HC isn’t shying away from his plan despite success against Titans