After three weeks of voluntary OTAs, the Bucs had been again collectively on the AdventHealth Coaching Middle Tuesday morning for the primary of their three obligatory mini-camp practices this week. Below sizzling situations – even with occasional cloud cowl and the odd breeze – Tampa Bay obtained about two hours of labor in earlier than calling it a day (on the apply fields at the least).
The Bucs might be again at it Wednesday and Thursday morning to wrap up mini-camp earlier than having fun with a while off forward of their return for coaching camp in late July.
Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera and Bailey Adams had been readily available at One Buc Place for Tuesday’s apply. Listed below are their observations and takeaways from Day 1.
Two Returns, One Absence And A Host Of Bucs Sidelined
The Bucs noticed incredible attendance for his or her voluntary OTAs over the last week of Could and the primary two weeks of June, so there was by no means going to be a large inflow of recent faces exhibiting up Tuesday for obligatory mini-camp. However after they weren’t seen throughout OTAs, veterans Vita Vea and Al-Quadin Muhammad had been each in attendance as mini-camp opened up.
Bucs DT Vita Vea – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Whereas Vea watched on from the aspect all through apply, Todd Bowles mentioned afterward that there’s no damage with Vea. Relatively, they simply don’t have to see the 31-year-old nostril sort out do a lot of something throughout this a part of the offseason program. In between intervals, Vea gave the impression to be transferring simply effective, plus he confirmed up wanting nice after extra offseason exercises with former Bucs defensive sort out Ndamukong Suh.
For Muhammad, it was his first likelihood to get on the sphere along with his new teammates. He informed the media after apply that he didn’t take part in OTAs final 12 months with the Lions and went on to have his finest 12 months, an 11-sack marketing campaign. So he took the outdated “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” strategy this summer season. He was within the constructing all through the precedent days of the offseason, collaborating in conferences and getting acclimated to his teammates and Bowles’ scheme. Now, he’s comfortable to be again out on the sphere.
Al-Quadin Muhammad says he didn’t do the OTAs final season and he had his finest season, “so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” He’s been right here within the assembly rooms all through the summer season and it was nice to be out on the sphere along with his teammates in the present day.
The one participant who missed time in OTAs who didn’t present up Tuesday – making him the one absent participant for mini-camp – was new linebacker Christian Rozeboom. Bowles mentioned after apply that Rozeboom’s absence is excused, as he’s coping with a private matter and won’t be right here this week. Nonetheless, he’s anticipated to be in attendance and able to go as soon as coaching camp rolls round.
The Bucs had another gamers sidelined for the beginning of mini-camp, although all of them had been in attendance Tuesday morning. Tight ends Cade Otton and Devin Culp, defensive sort out Haggai Ndubuisi, cornerbacks Benamin Morrison and Chase Lucas, security JJ Roberts and security/particular groups ace Miles Killebrew had been all watching from the sidelines. Ndubuisi, who was sidelined all of OTAs with an damage, was sporting a forged on his left hand for the primary time.
Bucs DT Haggai Ndubuisi – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Bucs’ First Mini-Camp Observe Highlighted By Staff’s New Power
There’s been numerous discuss this offseason in regards to the Bucs having a brand new edge, angle and power about them heading into 2026. And that’s factor contemplating the group simply went by means of a season that noticed a 6-2 begin flip right into a 2-7 end that ended its reign atop the NFC South and snapped its at-the-time NFC-best playoff look streak.
So, did that new angle and power present up as the total group got here collectively for mini-camp? It positive did, with quarterback and captain Baker Mayfield spoke after apply in regards to the new faces, new power and elevated degree of competitors the Bucs are seeing on the sphere already this summer season.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
“When you lose guys that have been here for a long time like Lavonte [David] and Mike [Evans] and [Jamel] Dean and just others… People kind of wait around and wait for those guys to make a play or say something,” Mayfield mentioned. “You get new faces – and clearly Nacho (Rakeem Nunez-Roches) has been right here earlier than – however you get guys that are available and spark a brand new power, perhaps it’s trash discuss or simply the way in which they strategy the sport.
“It uplifts everybody, so it’s been really fun to see. Obviously all the new pieces on defense, that in itself brings a lot of energy. It’s made every single practice competitive. Obviously, we had a day taken away. That’s the type of energy and competition that we’re having right now, which is really good for the Bucs.”
Mayfield alluded to Tampa Bay having an OTA apply taken away final week by the league after the group had too many our bodies hit the bottom in a earlier apply. Regardless of that sanction, it didn’t result in a drop off in depth come time for mini-camp – not within the slightest.
The vibes had been excessive and the trash discuss was flying, significantly from the Bucs protection. Nunez-Roches is all the time one of many loudest, and he’s now joined by newcomer A’Shawn Robinson, whose edge has been nicely documented. Mayfield has taken observe of that, too.
“I think people have said it,” Mayfield mentioned. “We needed some assholes over there, and he’s one of those.”
#Bucs QB Baker Mayfield on his new teammate – DT A’Shawn Robinson:
“I feel folks have mentioned it. We’d like some a**holes over there. He’s a type of.
“Pretty happy I’m not having to go up against him anymore.” pic.twitter.com/PnmnOAwYyE
Even past the chatter between each side of the ball, there’s extra depth to the way in which the Bucs are approaching apply. Plenty of that has come right down to the newcomers, and it’s been a sight to see contemplating two rookies have usually led the way in which on that entrance. It’s the little issues, like first-round decide Rueben Bain Jr. working laborious and main the way in which as the surface linebackers transfer from one a part of the sphere to a different and the aggression with which second-round decide Josiah Trotter hits the sleds.
It is a group approaching 2026 with newfound depth and a brand new power. And as Mayfield mentioned, that’s factor for the Bucs.
Offense Outdoes Protection 3-1 In A Spirited Purpose Line Interval
Tuesday’s spirited mini-camp apply culminated with a prolonged 11-on-11 pink zone interval, after which a shorter 11-on-11 aim line interval. Throughout pink zone work, some our bodies hit the bottom on a swing go out to working again Sean Tucker, second-year linebacker Nick Jackson practically intercepted a Jake Browning go, second-year receiver Tez Johnson made had a pleasant catch and run and third-year cornerback Demarion Williams got here up with a go breakup in protection on rookie receiver Eric Rivers Jr.
Bucs WR Tez Johnson – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
However the actual motion got here subsequent because the group moved to the aim line interval. It obtained underway with best-on-best within the truest sense of the time period, as Baker Mayfield fired a go meant for Chris Godwin Jr. at the back of the tip zone. Solely proper there for the interception was security Antoine Winfield Jr., giving the protection an early edge.
Mayfield bounced proper again, although, discovering tight finish Payne Durham for a landing on the subsequent play within the entrance of the tip zone on the left aspect of the sphere.
After which, it was Jake Browning and the second-stringers who made it a decisive victory for the offensive aspect of the ball. First, the previous Bengals signal-caller tossed a landing go to rookie Ted Hurst, who made a fantastic toe-tap catch at the back of the tip zone. Then, off play-action, Browning fired a sidearm throw to a different rookie, tight finish Bauer Sharp, to complete off the aim line interval.
The protection has picked up its share of wins over the offense this summer season and gained a lot of the day on Tuesday, however the offense obtained the final chuckle contained in the pink zone.
Different Observations And Takeaways From Day 1 Of Bucs Mini-Camp
Listed below are another quick-hitting observations and takeaways from Day 1 of Bucs mini-camp:
Watching rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter learn, react and hearth towards the ball provider is numerous enjoyable. He has definitely regarded the half to date and might be probably the most intriguing rookies to look at when the pads come on in coaching camp.
Talking of which, the Bucs protection has been extraordinarily stingy in opposition to the run this summer season. Granted, the pads aren’t on, however they’re reacting rapidly and flying to the ball provider at or behind the road of scrimmage with regularity proper now.
Rookie exterior linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. had a go breakup on the line of scrimmage in opposition to Baker Mayfield throughout an early 11-on-11 interval.
Tez Johnson had himself a robust apply on Tuesday, catching a number of passes on the run and creating after the catch.
Bucs WR Tez Johnson – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
After apply, Todd Bowles mentioned that regardless of a crop of Bucs sitting out Tuesday, there are not any long-term considerations with accidents. Everybody needs to be good to go come coaching camp in late July.
Zyon McCollum obtained his arms on the soccer throughout a 7-0n-7 interval, however he couldn’t fairly provide you with the interception.
Rookie vast receiver Eric Rivers Jr. participated in Tuesday’s apply after lacking time throughout rookie mini-camp and OTAs.
