Buccaneers safety Miles Killebrew credits team 'calmness' for turnaround
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The gist
Buccaneers safety Miles Killebrew said the team stayed calm through a 0-4 start and is now seeing success.
The 10-year special teams veteran's account explains how Tampa Bay steadied after early losses.
Background
Miles Killebrew is a Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety and long-time special teams ace, in his first season with the team after signing as a free agent on March 12, 2026, following five years each in Detroit and Pittsburgh. The Buccaneers started 0-4 and stood at 3-5 when he spoke on the AP's "Football Unfiltered" podcast hosted by Rob Maaddi. He described expecting finger-pointing in the building but instead finding calm from leadership down.
How it unfolded
- Mar 12, 2026The Buccaneers signed Killebrew, who had played 151 career games over 10 seasons with Detroit and Pittsburgh, mainly on special teams.
- Oct 8, 2026Tampa Bay (3-5) began its turnaround with a 24-16 win at Dallas.
- Nov 6, 2026An AP story ran in which Killebrew described the "calmness" behind the turnaround on the "Football Unfiltered" podcast.
Key terms
- special teams
- The group of players on a football team who play during kicking situations.
- free agent
- A professional athlete who is not under contract with any team and is free to sign with another.
- offensive line
- In gridiron football, the linemen of the team with the ball, who protect the quarterback and block for plays.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Player
- Killebrew said he expected chaos and finger-pointing after the 0-4 start but found the opposite, a calm from leadership down, and is not surprised the team is now seeing success.
- Player
- On the 16-0 win over Atlanta, Killebrew called it "electric" and enjoyed watching the offensive line "put on a clinic."