Bucs starter has gone from Todd Bowles' doghouse to the NFL's best in a key area in a matter of weeks

McGlaughlin has responded to Todd Bowles' early season comments about making kicks

McGlaughlin's season started off a bit shaky, as he had misses in each of the Bucs' first two games. That drew some comments from Bowles the week after the team's narrow 20-19 win in Houston in Week 2 in which McGlaughlin missed from 38 yards.

“[It’s] a bit [of] a sore topic with me,” Bowles said reporters. “I don’t believe none of that other stuff – just make the damn kick…

“… [He’s] gotta make them. They’re concerning. They’ve happened two weeks in a row. Obviously, we have to get better there. We gotta block it better, we gotta kick it better, and we gotta make them. It’s really cut and dry.”

Since that game, McLaughlin has been good on all field goals and extra points with the exception of two kicks, one of which wasn't his fault. Against the New York Jets, McLaughlin had a field goal blocked late in the fourth quarter where a Jets player leapt over the line, blocked the kick, and returned it for a touchdown. And to his credit, McLaughlin drilled a 36-yarder to walk off a win for Tampa Bay. Against the 49ers, McLaughlin missed one from 49 yards, which is not a chip shot.

McLaughlin now holds some incredible franchise marks - longest field goal in franchise history of 65 yards, which he booted against Philadelphia this year, and, per Auman, the most kicks made and best make percentage among the franchise's leaders in 50+ yard field goals.

McLaughlin has had as quick of a turnaround from embattled to elite about as quickly as anyone could have imagined. And the Bucs should be in good hands when they need a crucial kick down the stretch this season.