The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit the sector on the AdventHealth Coaching Middle on Tuesday for the primary of 9 OTA practices to be performed over the three weeks. This part of the offseason program is voluntary. As such, the large non-injury associated absences had been proper sort out Luke Goedeke, defensive sort out Vita Vea, and the skin linebacker trio of Yaya Diaby, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Chris Braswell.
Diaby, Muhammad and Braswell all missed the voluntary observe to look at the Day of Arafah, which is without doubt one of the most sacred days within the Muslim faith.
Bucs RB Bucky Irving Stays Out Till The Summer season – Or Fall?
Working again Bucky Irving (shoulder surgical procedure), cornerback Keionte Scott (wrist surgical procedure), defensive sort out DeMonte Capehart (wrist surgical procedure), security JJ Roberts (knee), and particular groups ace Miles Killebrew (knee) had been all current, however didn’t participate in observe. Irving was not dressed out in uniform, and that was not a shock given his restoration and rehab from shoulder surgical procedure this offseason.
However Bucs head coach Todd Bowles made some waves after observe when discussing precisely how lengthy Irving could be out.
“He’s coming along fine and he’s working out,” Bowles stated. “We expect him sometime back in the summer or fall and we look forward to him when he gets back.”
There’s an enormous distinction between summer time, which might imply coaching camp – as in July or August – and fall, which might imply the common season – as in September. The latter is actually 4 months from now.
After observe I requested Bowles if he meant to say simply “summer,” suggesting a return round coaching camp, or if he certainly meant “the fall,” and his reply was, “We’ll see.”
It’s secure to recommend that Irving gained’t be collaborating in any work this offseason, which incorporates the remaining OTAs and the necessary mini-camp, which is about for June 16-18. All eyes can be on Irving at the beginning of coaching camp in late July to see if he’s able to take part at the moment.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles says Bucky Irving is recovering nicely and is anticipated again someday through the summer time or fall. pic.twitter.com/50CI6kNTg6
Bucs’ Passing Assault Got here Out Firing On Tuesday
This time of the 12 months, it’s the protection which often holds the sting over the offense; that was largely flipped Tuesday on the primary day of Bucs OTAs. It was the offense which had the higher hand, with the quarterback room led by Baker Mayfield main the best way. Mayfield was on time with most of his tight-window throws, and second-year professional Connor Bazelak, in addition to possible backup Jake Browning, routinely acquired the ball out fast and on time.
Nevertheless, it was maybe Mayfield’s worst throw of the day which supplied essentially the most noteworthy second of a scorching – albeit windy – day in Tampa. Dropping again to cross and looking out within the route of second-year wideout Emeka Egbuka, Mayfield let one free over the center of the sector. The cross was excessive and behind Ebuka, however the 2025 first-round choice went up for it, snagged it out of the air with one hand, and blazed throughout the sector for a would-be landing.
Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
It was a very “wow” play that confirmed the uncooked expertise Egbuka possesses. With Mike Evans having moved out west to San Francisco, the Bucs may definitely use extra of what they noticed from Egbuka on the observe area on Tuesday.
“That was crazy,” fellow vast receiver Jalen McMillan stated after observe.
Sure, it was, and it actually set the tone for the day on offense. Apart from Egbuka, 2026 third-round choose Ted Hurst had a robust displaying, working primarily with the second-team offense. Throughout one interval of observe, Hurst hauled in 4 consecutive passes whereas working a wide range of completely different routes. Coming from small faculty Georgia State, Hurst appeared like he belonged on an NFL area.
Bucs WR Ted Hurst and WRs coach Bryan McClendon – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Earlier, I discussed that Mayfield had an general good day. One throw he want to have again was a late throw to his left in search of Egbuka close to the sideline. Cornerback Benjamin Morrison was enjoying good protection and jumped the route. Morrison, nevertheless, dropped a straightforward interception. In a sport setting, it may have gone again the opposite means for a rating. Largely, although, PBUs had been few and much between for this Buccaneers protection.
Bucs’ Huge D-Line Stymies The Floor Recreation
If there was one a part of the offense that struggled to face out, it was the working sport. The Bucs defensive linemen, which consisted of starters A’Shawn Robinson, Calijah Kancey and Rakeem Nunez-Roches, who was filling in for the absent Vita Vea, did an incredible job of clogging up holes, not permitting Kenneth Gainwell, Sean Tucker, or Josh Williams a lot room to create something on the bottom. Tucker even ran right into a lineman making an attempt to chop again after not discovering any holes and put the ball on the bottom.
This could please head coach Todd Bowles, who stated earlier this offseason they wished to get larger up entrance. Simply observing that room from the aspect, it’s clear that goal was met, even with Vea not on the market. Jayson Jones, listed at 6-foot-6, 335 kilos, was laborious to look away from. A’Shawn Robinson, (6-foot-3, 320 kilos), brings each measurement and veteran management to the desk. Nunez-Roches can also be over 300 kilos and brings numerous excessive vitality to observe.
Bowles stated that second-year defensive sort out Elijah Roberts additionally appeared noticeably larger this offseason and that he could be backing up Kancey on the 3-technique spot in addition to backing up Robinson on the 4i-technique spot.
Bucs DL coach Marcus West and DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Maybe essentially the most scrutinized unit on this Buccaneers staff in 2025 was the linebacker group. Lavonte David confirmed his age and subsequently introduced his retirement in March. SirVocea Dennis, stepping right into a beginning position for the primary time in his profession, struggled mightily. Dennis was notably poor in protection, incomes a protection grade of 30.5 (84th amongst 88 certified linebackers), in line with Professional Soccer Focus.
Veteran signee Alex Anzalone will occupy one of many two beginning spots. The query is whether or not Dennis, or 2026 second-round choose Josiah Trotter, will play alongside him. On Day 1 of OTAs, it was Dennis working with the first-team unit. In fact, that shouldn’t be a shock. Dennis is getting into his fourth season within the NFL and has spent the final three years entrenched in Bowles’ playbook, whereas Trotter simply turned 21 in April and is kind of uncooked as a participant new on the scene in Tampa Bay.
Danny Smith’s Excessive Octane Vitality Is Exhausting To Miss
One other space the place the Buccaneers should take a step ahead in 2026 is particular groups. It is a unit that struggled to defend towards kicks and punts final season, and it value particular groups coordinator Thomas McGaughey his job.
Enter Danny Smith, one of the vital revered coaches in all the league. The 72-year-old, who started his teaching profession in 1976 at Edinboro, spent the earlier 13 seasons working particular groups for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Regardless of the place you stood Tuesday at One Buc, you knew the place Smith was. His voice instructions a room – or on this case – a complete observe area. Take into consideration legendary Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin – and that’s what you get with Smith.
Smith was enthusiastic in his educating, however clear to his gamers that he wished issues completed a sure means. As such, the Buccaneers spent a notable period of time engaged on kick/punt return protection, together with blocking kicks. Tampa Bay clearly acknowledges it have to be much better there than they had been in 2025, and that begins with Smith.
Bucs Setting Up Joint Practices With Jets And Jaguars This Summer season
Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles stated that the staff is engaged on establishing a pair of joint coaching camp practices with the Jets and one joint observe with the Jaguars. The Bucs open the preseason towards the Jets in New York on Friday, August 14, so the groups would possible observe collectively on Tuesday, August 11 and Wednesday, August 12.
The Bucs finish the preseason towards the Jaguars in Jackonville on Friday, August 28 and would presumably have a joint observe on Wednesday, August 26. Bowles stated that his staff is not going to have a joint observe towards the Chiefs, whom the Bucs host within the second week of the preseason.
Pewter Reporter Nick Geddes contributed to this report
