The countdown to the Bucs’ 2026 season is on. Proper now, we’re:
73 days away from Bucs common season kickoff43 days away from Bucs preseason kickoff27 days away from Bucs coaching camp
Within the lead-up to coaching camp, Pewter Report’s Bailey Adams will probably be diving into storylines for 26 key figures who will probably be essential to the Bucs’ success in 2026.
In the present day, the sequence continues with left guard Ben Bredeson.
26 For ‘26: Ben Bredeson Bucs Storylines In 2026
Is Ben Bredeson Enjoying For His Bucs Future In 2026?
Bredeson’s journey to changing into the Bucs’ beginning left guard was a reasonably distinctive one. He spent 10 video games (no begins) with the Ravens as a fourth-round draft decide in 2020, then the group traded him to the Giants in August of the very subsequent yr. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound inside lineman then performed eight video games with one begin for New York in 2021, 11 with eight begins in 2022 after which made 16 begins for the Giants in 2023. From there, he signed a one-year take care of Tampa Bay.
Initially, the plan was for Bredeson to compete with fellow veteran Sua Opeta, one other free agent signing, for the left guard job after the Bucs struggled to discover a regular reply on the place all through 2023. However Opeta tore his ACL in the course of the first week of coaching camp and identical to that, Bredeson was thrust into the function. From there, he began all 17 video games for the Bucs in 2024 after which signed a three-year deal to stay with the group within the following offseason.
Bucs LG Ben Bredeson and LT Tristan Wirfs – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
It’s that three-year contract that comes into focus in a giant manner this season. It’s an inexpensive deal by any measure, so this may very well be a whole non-factor because the Bucs are proud of their left guard and would hardly appear to be in any hurry to interchange him. Nevertheless, it’s value noting that the group does have a possible out after this season with a useless cap hit of $3,798,000. So, ought to Bredeson have an injury-riddled season or falter not directly, it might set off Tampa Bay to discover that out and go in a brand new route in 2027.
Conversely, what if Bredeson performs at an exceptionally excessive stage and continues to be one half of a dependable duo on the left facet of the road with Tristan Wirfs? Would Jason Licht, Mike Greenberg and Co. then discover a possible extension given the truth that Bredeson is barely going to be 29 heading into the 2027 season?
Greater than possible, although, Bredeson stays Bredeson. He’s a serviceable participant, one which the Bucs can fairly depend on to supply satisfactory play alongside one of many league’s greatest left tackles. And if he does keep his stage in 2026, it’s onerous to think about the group eager to do something in any respect concerning his contract. He’s at the moment set to depend solely $8,266,000 towards the cap subsequent yr, and probably the most lifelike plan is to have him play that out.
Bucs LG Ben Bredeson and RG Cody Mauch – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
The one complication? It stays to be seen what is going to occur with proper guard Cody Mauch. Will he return from damage in 2026, play at a excessive stage and worth himself out of Tampa? Is there a state of affairs the place the Bucs want to save lots of round $4 million in an effort to scrape collectively sufficient cash to offer new contracts to Mauch, Baker Mayfield and Yaya Diaby, costing them Bredeson? It’s all fluid proper now, which is the purpose right here. There’s a world the place Bredeson is enjoying for his Bucs future this yr, as weird as that sounds.
Can Ben Bredeson And The Bucs’ Inside O-Line Trio Keep Wholesome In 2026?
The inside of the Bucs’ offensive line was an unmitigated catastrophe final yr, and it was fully because of accidents. It actually fell on the guard place, as Graham Barton began all 17 video games for Tampa Bay, first at left deal with out of necessity after which again at his regular middle place.
Proper guard Cody Mauch suffered a season-ending knee damage in a Week 2 win at Houston, resulting in one thing of a revolving door at his spot. That damage the Buccaneer offense sufficient, however an eventual damage to Bredeson solely made issues worse.
Bredeson missed Weeks 11 and 12 with a hamstring damage, and whereas Tampa Bay managed to place up 32 factors in a loss at Buffalo with out him in Week 11, the group posted simply seven factors in a loss the subsequent week with fill-in Mike Jordan permitting three pressures and enjoying to a 36.3 offensive grade from PFF. Bredeson returned the next week after which performed in Week 14 as effectively, however then he suffered a season-ending knee damage of his personal, an damage that price him the final 4 video games of the yr.
Bucs LG Ben Bredeson – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Ultimately, Bredeson missed 5 video games, enjoying 12 of the Bucs’ 17 contests. And the offense felt the results of it, identical to the unit felt the results of Mauch’s damage. The Bucs have been 7-4 in video games with Bredeson and 1-5 with out him, as Scott Reynolds identified on this week’s Pewter Report Roundtable.
So, it’s vastly vital for each Bredeson and Mauch to be each accessible and wholesome this yr to type a powerful inside together with Barton. The Buccaneer run sport relies on it, as does quarterback Baker Mayfield. The offensive line as a complete is the energy of this group when it’s wholesome, and the well being of the unit will be the largest key to success for Tampa Bay in 2026.
How A lot Will Ben Bredeson’s Versatility Come Into Play This Season?
Over the past two years Bredeson spent with the Giants earlier than coming to Tampa Bay in 2024, he cut up his snaps at a couple of completely different positions alongside the offensive line. Granted, he solely performed eight snaps at proper guard in 2022 versus 30 at middle and 581 at left guard. However that was nonetheless a testomony to the flexibility he has alongside the inside of the offensive line. He stepped that up in 2023, his remaining yr with New York, by enjoying 189 snaps at left guard, 346 at middle and 479 at proper guard.
When Bredeson signed a one-year take care of the Bucs in 2024, the thought was for him to do battle with one other free agent signing, Sua Opeta, for the beginning left guard job. However on the identical time, the veteran who had beforehand spent one yr in Baltimore and three in New York was lauded for his versatility. Although Tampa Bay had Robert Hainsey on the time to again up then-rookie middle Graham Barton, there was additionally speak of Bredeson’s capacity to play middle in a pinch.
Bucs C Ben Bredeson – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
However that yr, there was no want. Sadly for Opeta, his season was over earlier than it started and Bredeson grew to become the group’s left guard. He would go on to play 1,172 of his snaps that season at left guard, along with his solely different snap coming as an inline tight finish. In 2025, although, Bredeson’s versatility proved to be a large assist to the Buccaneer offensive line, one which was ravaged by accidents early and infrequently.
After re-signing on a three-year take care of the group, Bredeson’s subsequent common season snap didn’t even come on the place he spent 1,172 snaps enjoying the yr earlier than. Slightly, he kicked inside to play middle to start out the season because of left deal with Tristan Wirfs recovering from offseason knee surgical procedure and lacking the beginning of the season. With Wirfs out, the Bucs made the shocking choice to maneuver Barton from middle to left deal with and transfer Bredeson inside to fill in for Barton at middle. By yr’s finish, Bredeson had performed 412 snaps at left guard to 210 at middle.
So, how a lot may Bredeson’s versatility assist Tampa Bay in 2026? The hope, in fact, is that the Bucs gained’t want it for something greater than a security internet. The most effective model of the group’s offensive line options Wirfs at left deal with, Bredeson at left guard, Barton at middle, Cody Mauch at proper guard and Luke Goedeke at proper deal with. The plan is clearly to have a a lot more healthy yr this yr alongside the O-line, which might imply Bredeson enjoying all (or at the very least most) of his snaps at left guard. However at the very least the group is aware of he can play all three inside positions each time wanted.
Catch Up On Earlier Installments Of Bailey Adams’ 26 For ’26 Collection
Baker MayfieldBucky IrvingKenny GainwellChris Godwin Jr.Emeka EgbukaJalen McMillanCade OttonTristan Wirfs
