Buccaneers reportedly have major concern related to viral Todd Bowles rant

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles went viral when he went on an expletive-laden rant shortly after the Buccaneers fell to 7-7 via a disheartening 29-28 loss to the lowly Atlanta Falcons (5-9) on Dec. 11.

For a piece published on Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler revealed that Bowles' tirade "had been building." Fowler also shared why Bowles has been upset for some time. 

Some younger Buccaneers players "are still learning how to be pros"

"From what I'm told, part of Bowles' frustration that spilled over last week is related to the lack of total buy-in on parts of the 53-man roster," Fowler explained. "That's not a problem with players like (quarterback) Baker Mayfield or (wide receiver) Mike Evans, who was so visibly shaken by the last-second loss to Atlanta that he entered the tunnel toward the locker room before Zane Gonzalez's kick went through the uprights. Some of the younger players, however, are still learning how to be pros with an edge and killer instinct and need to shed the 'happy to be here' mentality."

For the third time in three years, the Buccaneers are going through an in-season swoon under Bowles. Specifically, Tampa Bay has lost five of six games since the club entered its Week 9 bye at 6-2. 

That said, the Buccaneers were given a gift when the Carolina Panthers suffered a 20-17 loss at the New Orleans Saints (4-10) that dropped Carolina to 7-7. The Buccaneers will play at the Panthers with first place in the NFC South on the line on Dec. 21. Those two teams will meet at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium in Week 18. 

Buccaneers still confident in Todd Bowles?

Following the loss to the Falcons, Mayfield seemed to agree with Bowles' fiery comments. According to Fowler, Bowles "addressed the team with even more scathe" in the locker room in an attempt "to wake up a team in a slumber." 

It appears Bowles' messages may have landed.

"The Bucs still believe they are better than the Panthers," Fowler added. 

As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Buccaneers as three-point road favorites for their upcoming game at Carolina's Bank of America Stadium.