Bucs coach Bowles jokes he's Payne Durham's 'secret lover' after win over Jets
Postgame moment drew laughs as Tampa Bay stayed undefeated; Durham has not commented on the remark.
After Tampa Bay's late-field-goal win over the New York Jets that preserved an undefeated start, Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles added an offbeat moment to the postgame scene by telling reporters that he and tight end Payne Durham are 'secret lovers.' The remark came as Bowles wrapped up his availability following the game in which Durham, while participating, did not record a catch.
Durham did not factor into the stat sheet in the outing, but he did share a lengthy hug with Bowles as he left the field. A video of the moment quickly circulated on social media, drawing laughs from reporters in the room and prompting few, if any, follow-up questions about the quote.
Durham has played a largely supporting role this season, contributing mainly on special teams and without a catch through the current game. He had 11 receptions and two touchdowns in 2024, after a rookie season in 2023 in which he did not reach the end zone. The Buccaneers now turn their attention to a tougher test, as they prepare to host the Philadelphia Eagles, another undefeated club, next Sunday.
Durham has not commented publicly on Bowles's quip, and the exchange did not prompt any further questions in the postgame room. Team officials and players generally avoided delving into the topic beyond the coach’s lighthearted moment, and the interaction has become a passing note in what remains a bright start to the Buccaneers' season.