The 2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to defend its Super Bowl XXXVII title of 2002. Despite high expectations, several last-minute losses led to locker room tension and front-office struggles. The Buccaneers finished 7-9, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1998. Combined with the Oakland Raiders' dismal 4-12 performance, neither Super Bowl team reached the playoffs that year.