In a Thursday column on PewterReport.com, two Pewter Reporters will debate a Bucs subject with totally different viewpoints. Which Pewter Reporter wins the controversy? You get to resolve within the feedback part beneath.
This Week’s Subject: Are Bucs Actually High Contenders In The NFC?
Level: Bucs Have Promise, However They Are Not But Prepared To Be An NFC Juggernaut
By Adam Slivon
This week’s subject was impressed by what ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky needed to lately say about how far the Bucs might go in 2026. The previous NFL quarterback believes Tampa Bay is a legit contender within the NFC.
“On paper, I think the Bucs are NFC Championship contenders.”
Now, Orlovsky outlines numerous the factors the Pewter Report workers touched on on this week’s PR Roundtable. It was in that dialogue that I shared my ideas about why I see Tampa Bay having a 12-win ceiling. If that’s the case, why are they not able to take the subsequent step? Nicely, this crew has capped out at 10 wins throughout Todd Bowles’ 4 seasons on the helm. Even with Liam Coen calling offensive performs in 2024, all that led to was a Wild Card spherical look and subsequent playoff elimination. One can level to the protection being a big extent of the crew’s issues, however how a lot better will issues actually get?
Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Picture by: Jeffrey Jones/PR
That looming query casts doubt on whether or not the Bucs will hit their ceiling. Loads of powerful video games are on the schedule, particularly dealing with high NFC groups such because the Rams, Packers, and Lions. These groups are better-coached and better-equipped to go on deep playoff runs and management the convention. To not point out, the defending Tremendous Bowl champion Seahawks stay formidable, with different groups such because the Eagles and 49ers being playoff contenders themselves. It’s arduous to say that Tampa Bay is unequivocally higher than any of them. These are six groups talked about, which already knocks them down a peg in a possible playoff image.
The Bucs have the promise and potential to be one of many NFC’s greatest groups. Ought to Baker Mayfield return to his 2024 type with a powerful supporting forged round him, it may very well be a high 5 offense once more. On protection, a slew of reinforcements has been added, and the particular groups already seems to be upgraded. The million-dollar query is whether or not Bowles can preserve the ship headed in the proper course. Issues have gone astray in latest seasons throughout mid-season shedding streaks muddied by questionable decision-making. The difficulty has been an absence of aggression and being too conservative in key conditions. Intervals of stagnation and an absence of changes are all it takes for issues to go awry.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles and S Tykee Smith – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
There’s sufficient enchancment throughout the board to not be flawed in pondering the Bucs could be a 10-win crew in 2026. That tasks to be sufficient to win the NFC South with an opportunity at profitable a house playoff recreation.
Relating to being a menace to make the NFC Championship recreation and compete for a Tremendous Bowl, too many “ifs” get in the way in which of that situation, regardless of how rose-colored your glasses is perhaps. The convention options a number of groups extra confirmed, and whereas something can occur, I’d pump the brakes on shopping for 2026 NFC Champion t-shirts and hats.
Counter-Level: Bucs Completely Have The Items To Be An NFC Title Sport Contender
By Bailey Adams
As detrimental because the vibes bought early on within the 2026 offseason, we enter the summer time with there being actual cause to again Dan Orlovsky’s declare that the Bucs might be an NFC Championship Sport contenders. So much should fall of their favor, as is the case with nearly any crew that contends for the proper to play within the Tremendous Bowl. However Tampa Bay has all of the items.
On offense, the Bucs have a quarterback who’s simply two years faraway from a 4,500-yard, 41-touchdown Professional Bowl marketing campaign. Below Zac Robinson, Baker Mayfield is about to take command of an offensive system extra just like the one he thrived in below Liam Coen two seasons in the past. That, mixed with a wholesome offensive line that is without doubt one of the league’s greatest when at full power, is a good basis for an NFC title-contending crew. And that’s earlier than you think about a three-deep backfield of Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: Jim Dedmon -IMAGN Pictures
There’s additionally the truth that even with out Mike Evans, this can be a broad receiver room that appears to be no less than 5 deep with Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson and Ted Hurst all within the combine to provide week in and week out. Having a good finish who does every thing properly like Cade Otton can also be a plus for this offense. Put all of these elements collectively and you’ve got a unit that has a ceiling that can rival virtually every other offense’s within the NFC.
So, what concerning the protection? As a result of it was that facet of the ball that has held the Bucs again probably the most in recent times, and particularly in 2024 after they had a top-five offense. Nicely, the entrance seems much more potent. Rueben Bain Jr. was an absolute steal at No. 15 within the first spherical of the draft not simply due to the cross rush juice and manufacturing he brings and the way in which he units the sting and performs the run. It’s additionally about his means to be a pressure multiplier on this protection, creating alternatives for Yaya Diaby, Al-Quadin Muhammad and David Walker off the sting and Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey and A’Shawn Robinson up the center.
Alex Anzalone was a key addition at inside linebacker, and he and Josiah Trotter give that place group a better ceiling than it had in recent times. The secondary is the protection’s massive query mark, however the gamers are in place for it to be a very good group. A return to type for Antoine Winfield Jr. and the continued ascension of Tykee Smith will assist.
Bucs ILB Alex Anzalone – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
So now, what about everybody’s largest hangup with the Bucs? That might be head coach Todd Bowles. It stays to be seen whether or not Bowles can take a crew to the cusp of Tremendous Bowl rivalry as a head coach, however the truth is that for the primary time in a very long time, he has the items he must subject an incredible protection. An improved protection and an offense nearing its 2024 ranges would make Tampa Bay one of many groups to beat within the NFC, no?
Assume again to 2023 when this crew was 1 / 4 away from making the NFC title recreation. Is that this yr’s crew higher than that one? I believe it may be, and that’s why there’s an actual likelihood that this squad could make a seemingly unbelievable run in 2026.
