Honestly, being a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers feels like a fever dream sometimes. One year you're tossing the Lombardi Trophy across open water during a boat parade, and the next you’re watching a 6–2 start dissolve into a chaotic 8–9 finish. It’s a franchise defined by "all or nothing" energy. After the 2025 season saw the team miss the playoffs and lose the NFC South crown to—of all teams—the Carolina Panthers, the conversation around nfl teams tampa bay buccaneers has shifted from "perennial contenders" to "how do we fix this?"
What Went Wrong in 2025?
If you looked at the stats mid-October, you probably thought Todd Bowles had finally cracked the code. The Bucs started 3–0. They were the first team in NFL history to win their first four games with game-winning scores in the final minute. It was heart-attack football, but it worked. Baker Mayfield was playing like a guy who’d finally found his forever home, and rookie Emeka Egbuka was making the 19th overall pick look like a total steal.
Then the bye week happened.
Following the break, the magic just... vanished. Tampa Bay dropped seven of their last eight games. You can point to injuries—and there were plenty, with the offensive line looking like a MASH unit by December—but the defense was largely healthy and still struggled. Antoine Winfield Jr. and Vita Vea played every single game, yet the unit finished 19th in yards allowed and 20th in points. It’s hard to win in the NFL when your defense, the supposed calling card of your head coach, is giving up nearly 24 points a night.
The Baker Mayfield Paradox
Let's talk about the $100 million man. Baker Mayfield signed that three-year deal back in 2024, and in 2025, his cap hit was a manageable $26.4 million. But looking at 2026, that number balloons to over $51 million. That’s a massive chunk of change for a quarterback who, while gutsy, hasn't consistently dragged this team over the finish line when the running game stalls.
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Baker's 2025 stats weren't "bad" by any means. He threw for over 4,300 yards and 30 touchdowns. But the 13 interceptions always seemed to come at the worst possible moments. In the Week 18 loss to Carolina, a game that literally determined the division, the offense looked stagnant.
The question for 2026 isn't just "Is Baker the guy?" It’s "Can the Bucs afford for Baker to be the guy?" With $55 million in dead cap if they were to move on, he’s not going anywhere. The front office has to figure out how to build around that salary, which usually means hitting home runs in the draft.
Todd Bowles and the Hot Seat
Todd Bowles is staying. For now.
NFL insider reports confirmed in early January 2026 that Bowles would return for his fifth season. It’s a polarizing decision. On one hand, he’s won three division titles in four years. On the other, the NFC South has been historically weak during that stretch. Winning the division with an 8–9 or 9–8 record is a bit like being the tallest kid in kindergarten.
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Bowles himself admitted the defense needs a "deep-dive review." We've already seen the fallout: defensive quality control coaches and assistants like Kevin Ross and Charlie Strong are out. The team is also searching for yet another offensive coordinator after Liam Coen left for a head coaching gig. That’s four OCs in four years. For Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, that kind of turnover is exhausting.
Draft Strategy: The 2026 Blueprint
The 2026 NFL Draft is where the rubber meets the road. Most mock drafts, including recent ones from A to Z Sports, have the Bucs looking at linebacker or edge rusher early. With the legendary Lavonte David likely nearing the end of his Hall of Fame-caliber career, there is a gaping hole in the middle of that defense.
- Focus Area 1: Speed at Linebacker. Sonny Styles Jr. out of Ohio State is a name that keeps popping up. The Bucs need someone who can cover tight ends in the seam, something they failed at miserably in 2025.
- Focus Area 2: Offensive Line Depth. You can't have Baker Mayfield running for his life. Tristan Wirfs is a cornerstone, but the interior needs a massive upgrade.
- Focus Area 3: Secondary Youth. Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum had their moments, but the "bend-but-don't-break" style led to the Bucs ranking 27th in passing yards allowed per game.
The 2026 Schedule is Brutal
One silver lining of finishing second in the NFC South? The Bucs won't play a first-place schedule in 2026. However, "easier" is a relative term. Their 2026 opponents include road trips to Dallas and home games against both Los Angeles teams (the Rams and Chargers).
Because 2026 is an NFC-hosting year for the 17th game, Tampa will have nine home games at Raymond James Stadium. They’ll need every bit of that home-field advantage. The division is no longer a cakewalk; Bryce Young finally looked like a #1 overall pick in Carolina, and the Falcons are always a coaching change away from being dangerous.
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Real Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're betting on the Bucs or just trying to manage your expectations, keep an eye on these specific markers during the 2026 offseason:
- The OC Hire: If they bring in a "scheme-heavy" coach who wants to change everything, expect a slow start. Baker Mayfield thrives in systems that allow for quick RPOs and vertical shots to Evans.
- Post-June 1 Trades: Watch the cap space. General Manager Jason Licht is a wizard with the "void years" on contracts, but eventually, the bill comes due. They may need to restructure guys like Vita Vea or Chris Godwin just to sign their draft class.
- The "Creamsicle" Factor: It sounds silly, but the team’s energy during those throwback games is different. They wore them against Atlanta in late 2025, and while the result was a loss, the branding remains a massive part of the fan culture.
The nfl teams tampa bay buccaneers are currently in a state of flux. They aren't rebuilding, but they aren't "one piece away" either. It’s a delicate balancing act of honoring the veterans who won Super Bowl LV while acknowledging that the roster is getting older and slower in key areas.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
Check the official NFL calendar for March 11, 2026. This is when the new league year begins and the trading period officially opens. Between now and then, the Bucs must decide which of their 14 "futures contract" players actually have a shot at the 53-man roster and whether they will use the franchise tag on any impending free agents. Monitoring the Senior Bowl on January 31 will also give the first real look at the defensive prospects Todd Bowles is currently scouting to save his job.