With coaching camp simply across the nook, the Buccaneers are embarking on a brand new journey. They went via a whole lot of adjustments this offseason from the teaching workers to the roster. With a whole lot of change comes a whole lot of questions. Let’s check out a few of the largest questions the Bucs have to search out their reply for in 2026.
Which model of Baker Mayfield are the Bucs getting?
That is presumably probably the most essential query needing to be answered. By the primary six weeks of the 2025 season, Baker Mayfield seemed like an MVP candidate, and he was backing it up. Tampa Bay was 5-1 and Mayfield was dominating even with out a few of the Bucs high weapons out there to him. Nonetheless, pretty much as good as these first six video games have been, the second half got here and Mayfield’s performed dipped.
Was he the only motive the Bucs collapsed late within the yr? No, however he was a number one trigger in a few of these losses. Mayfield’s play in 2026 additionally has long run implications because it may decide his destiny with the crew past this season. He’s scheduled to be a free agent after this yr so it’s secure to say this might actually swing two drastically other ways. If Mayfield bounces again, Tampa Bay possible turns again right into a playoff crew who might be harmful in January. If he doesn’t, the Bucs may look to hit the reset button on this complete factor.
So which model of Baker will they get this fall? Quickly sufficient they may have their reply and relying on what it’s, the way forward for the franchise may look lots totally different.
How do the Bucs exchange Mike Evans?
Large receiver Mike Evans left Tampa Bay in free company for the San Francisco 49ers in a transfer that left Bucs fan’s hearts damaged. It’s comprehensible, Evans has been a Tampa staple since he was drafted in 2014. He’s the perfect offensive participant in franchise historical past and arguably the perfect participant in franchise historical past. So with him now not within the image, how do the Bucs exchange that manufacturing?
They did add to the room this offseason, drafting Ted Hurst who they hope could be a X receiver for them however the expectations for the third-round decide are clearly to not exchange Evans, however it could sign that the Bucs need to do that by committee.
Tampa Bay’s receiver room remains to be fairly deep regardless of such a gifted participant leaving. Chris Godwin is one other yr faraway from a significant harm and hopefully has knocked the rust off. Emeka Egbuka is getting into yr two after a rookie season with a lot of highs but in addition some lows. Maybe a giant x issue for them is the return of Jalen McMillan, who missed a lot of the 2025 season with a neck harm is again wholesome and seeking to construct on the flashes he has proven. So can the Bucs exchange Evans one for one? Most likely not and that’s okay, they’ve loads of depth and loads of methods to assault defenses this fall.
Did they do sufficient to repair the protection?
Let me state the plain… the Buccaneers protection in 2025 was not good and at instances was downright embarrassing. The teaching workers knew it. The entrance workplace knew it. This offseason they determined to try to do one thing about it. Now I did point out the teaching workers and make no mistake, Todd Bowles and his workers should do a greater job of getting this protection higher ready to play however in addition they wanted extra expertise.
This offseason the Bucs stated goodbye to a different legend as Lavonte David retired. They seemed to interchange David by signing veteran and former Detroit Lion Alex Anzalone in addition to depth participant Christian Rozeboom and to high all of it off they drafted Jeremiah Trotter Jr out of Missouri within the second spherical of the NFL draft. The reworked linebacker room ought to hopefully be improved but it surely was the general entrance seven that wanted enchancment, not only one unit.
TAMPA, FL – Might 26 02: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) goes through drills in the course of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers OTA exercise on Might 26, 2026 on the AdventHealth Coaching Heart in Tampa, Florida. (Photograph by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos) Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos
To deal with the trenches, they added one other veteran in A’Shawn Robinson so as to add some dimension up entrance, they usually signed Al Quadin Muhammad from Detroit and drafted Rueben Bain Jr after he fell into their laps within the first spherical of the draft. With these additions in addition to continued growth from gamers like Yaya Diaby, Calijah Kancey, Tykee Smith and Zyon McCollum in addition to others, they hope to kind a a lot better protection in 2026. Was it sufficient although? The protection wanted a whole lot of work, and the Bucs resolution was to throw a couple of darts in addition to tackle their high wants early within the draft.
We’ll see if it really works, Todd Bowles’ job could depend upon it.
What questions do you could have concerning the 2026 Buccaneers? Tell us within the remark part under!
