Is the Tremendous Bowl window open for the Bucs? That’s a sizzling subject amongst followers, analysts and everybody that enjoys the sport of soccer. Not many groups within the NFC have been as constant as Tampa Bay has during the last 5 seasons. The Bucs have a Tremendous Bowl title (2020), 4 division championships (2021-24) and 5 playoff appearances (2020-24), which is the longest energetic streak within the convention.
That gives proof to imagine that the Bucs are knocking on the door of one other Tremendous Bowl, which might the third look in crew historical past and the second with Jason Licht and Co. operating the group.
Or has Tampa Bay’s postseason run success really run its course, and can the Bucs fall out rivalry after 5 straight postseason appearances?
Bucs Weren’t Thought Of Too Fondly
Whereas many others and I imagine that the Bucs have a greater probability on the former slightly than the latter, not all people feels that manner. ESPN just lately printed an article with their NFL specialists answering a lot of questions and predictions for an early take a look at the 2025 season. These predictions included what the Tremendous Bowl LX matchup shall be, who’s going to win the MVP honors, predictions within the draft and free company and what crew would possibly take a step again subsequent season.
Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Picture by: USA In the present day
Two reporters, Kayln Kahler and Eric Moody, selected the Bucs because the crew that may take a step again. Right here’s what they needed to say about it.
“Kahler: Buccaneers. Carolina could be building something with Bryce Young, and Michael Penix Jr. is ready to boost the Falcons, so competition in the NFC South will take a step up this season. Will Baker Mayfield have the same success with Josh Grizzard as his third offensive coordinator in Tampa?”
“Moody: Buccaneers. The NFC South won’t be as easy for the Buccaneers in 2025 like it was in 2024. Mayfield will have another new offensive coordinator, and hitting on three straight OC hires is rare.”
Including insult to harm, Moody additionally predicted that broad receiver Chris Godwin wouldn’t solely be signing elsewhere in free company apart from Tampa Bay however go to the crew that has already poached the Bucs this offseason. He has Godwin teaming up with the Jaguars and Liam Coen. He does at the very least give a hat tip to the development of Jalen McMillan and the affect Cade Otton had on the offense.
“Moody: Wide receiver Chris Godwin signs with the Jaguars. The breakout of wide receiver Jalen McMillan and tight end Cade Otton makes Godwin expendable if the Buccaneers want to improve other areas of the team, especially given his injury history. I could see Godwin joining his former offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, and playing alongside Brian Thomas Jr.”
Will The Bucs Get Higher Or Decline In 2025?
Although some might disagree that the Bucs will worsen subsequent season, it’s at the very least honest to query that premise. It’s the fourth 12 months in a row they may have a special offensive coordinator and the second time in three seasons with a primary time play-caller in Josh Grizzard. Tampa Bay has struck gold when discovering new offensive coordinators with Dave Canales and Liam Coen, every getting a head teaching job after one season. Can Tampa Bay proceed to have success with these coordinators? Finally one might not hit.
Bucs go sport coordinator Josh Grizzard – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
These arguing for the Bucs could be fast to level out that Grizzard was with Tampa Bay final 12 months, so the continuity and system continues to be there from a season in the past. It’s additionally very cheap to say that the Bucs’ offense is significantly better off now with expertise than it has been within the final three season.
Baker Mayfield is coming off of a profession 12 months. The operating sport is the very best it’s been in a decade. Tampa Bay has a high 5 offensive line with each starter underneath contract in 2025 aside from left guard. And the development of Jalen McMillan at receiver places the passing sport in a great place with Chris Godwin doubtless returning.
That’s additionally why a lot of the priority over the Bucs taking a step again has to do with Todd Bowles and the defensive aspect. Many are understandably crucial of the in-game administration that Bowles has had in his teaching profession. From time administration points to being too late on personnel changes, many marvel if Bowles will ever enhance in that space.
The 2024 season was one of many worst years that the Bucs have had defensively, particularly within the passing sport. They had been fourth worst within the league permitting 243.9 yards per sport whereas they solely recorded seven interceptions. Together with that, the Bucs didn’t get a lot assist from their edge rushers, as Yaya Diaby couldn’t replicate his rookie season when it comes to sacks and no person else stepped up. If the inside defensive position wasn’t attending to the quarterback, no person was exterior of inside linebacker Lavonte David blitzing.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and LB Lavonte David – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
The counterpoint to all of this could be the accidents, significantly within the secondary. All-Professional security Antoine Winfield Jr. missed a major period of time and was an enormous letdown after signing an enormous contract extension final spring. Beginning cornerback Jamel Dean had his fixed accidents pop up as soon as once more. Reserve cornerback Bryce Corridor was out for the season after Week 1 and powerful security Jordan Whitehead, who was re-signed this previous offseason, went on injured reserve twice throughout the season.
Even the largest supporters know they need to revamp the within linebackers room and certain some elements within the secondary. However Jason Licht and Co. deserve the good thing about the doubt that they will repair the protection by free company and the draft.
The final a part of this equation that we simply don’t know but is what the competitors within the NFC South shall be like. Tampa Bay has taken nice benefit of the NFC South being a weaker division as of late. Heading into 2025 the Saints will be the worst of the group, however how a lot progress did the Panthers make? They didn’t make it straightforward on the Bucs when the 2 groups performed in Carolina.
And naturally, many eyes shall be on final 12 months’s first-round choose, Michael Penix Jr., as the brand new beginning quarterback for the Falcons. Penix began three video games on the finish of the season, and this 12 months he’ll begin from the start. If he’s really the man for Atlanta, it causes a number of points for Tampa Bay. But when he struggles like some younger gamers do, the trail to successful one other division championship for the Bucs is probably not as tumultuous as others.
