Football can be a cruel, confusing game. Honestly, if you’d told a Bucs fan back in October that this team would be sitting at home during the playoffs, they’d have called you crazy. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started the 2025 season looking like world-beaters, jumping out to a 6-2 record and basically owning the NFC South. Then the wheels didn't just wobble—they fell off and rolled into the Tampa Bay.
Seven losses in eight games. That’s how the middle and end of the season looked.
It's one of those collapses that leaves a city scratching its head. You’ve got Baker Mayfield putting up decent numbers, a defense that looks terrifying on paper, and yet, they finished 8-9. They even beat the Panthers in Week 18 to try and salvage things, but thanks to a weird three-way tie with Atlanta and Carolina, they were out. The Panthers took the division at 8-9. Yeah, the NFC South is still the NFC South.
What Actually Happened to the Bucs?
Most people think a losing record means the team was "bad." That’s not really the case here. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were actually historic in the first month. They became 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 was working.
Then the injuries hit.
Losing Calijah Kancey for 14 games to a pectoral injury was a massive blow to the interior rush. By the time he came back for the season finale, the damage was done. Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan also spent time on the shelf, leaving Mayfield with a depleted cabinet of weapons during that brutal November stretch where they lost to the Patriots, Bills, and Rams in consecutive weeks.
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The Mayfield Factor
Baker is... well, he’s Baker. He threw for 3,693 yards and 26 touchdowns this year. Not exactly 2024 MVP-level stuff, but solid. The problem? 28 turnover-worthy plays.
He was pressing. With the run game struggling at times and the defense giving up 24.2 points per game, Mayfield felt he had to win every snap. Sometimes that resulted in a "Big-Time Throw" (he had 28 of those, top 10 in the league), but other times it was a back-breaking pick.
The Todd Bowles "Hot Seat" and the Coaching Purge
Right now, everyone is talking about the staff. Todd Bowles is staying—the Glazer family confirmed that—but he’s essentially standing in a house he just gutted.
They fired offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard. They fired the special teams coordinator. They even let go of the quarterbacks coach and the defensive line coach. It’s a total reset.
Interestingly, as of mid-January 2026, the Bucs are interviewing some huge names for the OC spot. We’re talking about Mike McDaniel (formerly of the Dolphins) and Todd Monken (Ravens OC). Bringing in someone like McDaniel would be a massive shift in philosophy. It’s the kind of move that says "we aren't rebuilding, we're retooling."
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A Quick Look at the 2025 Roster Stats
- Final Record: 8-9 (2nd in NFC South)
- Offense: 22.4 points per game (18th in NFL)
- Defense: 24.2 points per game (20th in NFL)
- Top Rookie: Emeka Egbuka (WR) - signed his rookie deal and showed flashes of being the future #1.
- The Standouts: Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr. both made the Pro Bowl. Again.
The "Krewe" 2026 Outlook
What most people get wrong about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is the idea that the window is closed. It isn't. They have 14 players already signed to futures contracts for 2026, including guys like Mohamed Kamara and Marcus Banks.
The core is still there.
But there’s a massive "if" hanging over Raymond James Stadium. If they don't find a way to stop the late-season bleeding that has defined the last two years, it won't matter who the OC is. The defense, which Bowles still treats as his "baby," has to get back to being a top-10 unit. Ranking 20th in points against is simply not going to cut it in a division that is getting more competitive by the minute.
What Should Fans Watch For?
First off, keep an eye on the OC hire. If it’s McDaniel, expect this offense to get a lot faster and more creative with Rachaad White and Bucky Irving.
Second, the draft. The secondary was a sieve at times last year. Even with Benjamin Morrison coming in as a rookie corner, they need more depth.
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Third, the schedule. The Bucs played a "gauntlet" in 2025. They won't get any favors in 2026, especially finishing second in the division.
Actionable Insights for Bucs Fans
If you're following the team this offseason, here's what you actually need to do to stay ahead of the curve:
- Monitor the Special Teams Hire: Don't ignore this. The Bucs lost at least two games in 2025 due to poor field position and kicking miscues. Names like Michael Clay (Eagles) are in the mix.
- Watch the Salary Cap: Jason Licht has been a wizard with the "void years," but eventually, the bill comes due. See how they handle the extensions for the 2022 draft class.
- Check the UDFA List: The Bucs have a knack for finding gems in the "8th round." Keep an eye on guys like Ben Chukwuma, who has the physical tools to be a rotational tackle.
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster that ended in a ditch. But with a new offensive mind coming in and a healthy Kancey/Winfield duo, 2026 has the potential to be the "bounce back" year. Or, it’s the end of an era.
Either way, it won't be boring in Tampa.
Next Steps:
I can break down the potential impact of Mike McDaniel's scheme on Baker Mayfield's 2026 projections or analyze the specific cap implications of the recent Zyon McCollum extension.