Simply because the Bucs will look a lot completely different once they take the sector in 2026, Raymond James Stadium can even have a a lot completely different look later this summer time and into the autumn. No, I’m not speaking about stadium renovations, as all has gone quiet on that entrance (for now) and any work remains to be a methods off as negotiations between all events proceed.
What I’m speaking about – as I normally am round this time of yr – are the murals on every nook of Raymond James Stadium. Up to now, it’s usually been fairly simple to select which gamers can be featured on these murals. Even forward of the 2025 season, the group’s fiftieth anniversary season, I wrote about the potential for pairing one present Bucs participant with a Bucs legend for every nook of the stadium, and that’s precisely what the group did.
Linebackers Lavonte David and Derrick Brooks have been on the northwest nook, quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Doug Williams adorned the southwest, whereas defensive backs Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ronde Barber and offensive stars Mike Evans and Jimmie Giles have been on the southeast and northeast corners, respectively. It was a incredible nod to the franchise’s historical past for its fiftieth season, and people murals have remained up ever because the season ended.
So, that’s what sparked the query in my mind: Who will get featured on these murals this season? Each time I’ve pushed by Raymond James Stadium on my method to One Buc Place for the draft, OTAs or mini-camp (and even on the day I headed as much as the stadium to observe the England Nationwide Crew in a pre-World Cup pleasant), I’ve begun to marvel.
As a result of whereas the locks have been comparatively apparent previously, that doesn’t actually really feel just like the case this yr. Let me clarify.
With Two Bucs Icons Gone, Two Mural Spots Are Up For Grabs
Yr in and yr out, Mike Evans and Lavonte David have been absolute locks to be featured on completely different corners of the Bucs’ residence stadium. Two of the longest-tenured gamers in Tampa Bay historical past and two of the most effective, Evans and David have been foregone conclusions every time this subject got here up previously.
Bucs ILB Lavonte David and WR Mike Evans – Photograph by: USA Right now
However in 2026, there’ll be a altering of the guard. Evans left in free company, signing with the 49ers to finish his 12-year tenure with the Bucs. Not lengthy after, David retired from the NFL after 14 seasons – all of which have been spent in Tampa Bay’s pink, white and pewter.
So, with two Buccaneer icons departing in a single offseason, that leaves two main spots open each by way of group management and the group’s advertising and marketing methods. Who fills these roles on a management entrance is one thing we’ve already begun to see because the offseason program has gone on, and people solutions will proceed to solidify throughout coaching camp and into the common season.
So far as who replaces Evans and David as two of the principle faces of the franchise? That’s a solution we’ll solely get when the stadium crew begins putting in these murals in July.
Two Bucs Are Locks, However Who Joins Them?
Even with Mike Evans and Lavonte David gone, there are nonetheless a few locks – one sturdy, one comparatively sturdy – so far as who might be featured on the corners of Raymond James Stadium this yr. On the one hand, Baker Mayfield is an absolute lock. He’s the franchise quarterback and a $100 million man who will presumably be signing a good larger deal to stay in Tampa Bay in the end. He’s the unquestioned face of the franchise now that two longtime Bucs are gone, and he’s a straightforward choose to characterize the group on the stadium.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. and QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: Jeffrey Jones/PR
The opposite participant who appears to be a reasonably sturdy lock for a stadium mural in 2026 is broad receiver Chris Godwin Jr., as he has lengthy been in Evans’ shadow and now turns into the chief of the broad receiving corps on his personal. Godwin is coming off a down yr, however the hope is that one other yr faraway from the season-ending ankle harm he had in 2024, he’s again to being extra of himself in his age-30 season.
Even when he isn’t, he’s a straightforward choose for a stadium mural contemplating he’s definitely established himself because the second-best receiver in franchise historical past – behind solely Evans – and he deserves his personal shine now that Tampa Bay’s all-time main receiver is elsewhere.
So, if Mayfield and Godwin are locks, who joins them? It finally comes right down to the format the group goes with this yr. If the Bucs stick to 2 gamers per nook, that opens up a number of extra spots than in the event that they’re sticking to at least one participant per.
The main candidates after Mayfield and Godwin would doubtless be Professional Bowl-caliber defenders from the Tremendous Bowl LV season in Antoine Winfield Jr. and Vita Vea, proper? And should you’re sticking to at least one participant per nook, that offers you a good cut up of two offensive and two defensive gamers.
Maybe there are some darkish horse candidates as effectively, together with All-Professional left sort out Tristan Wirfs, fan favourite operating again Bucky Irving, rising younger security and potential captain Tykee Smith and one other potential defensive captain and marketable younger cross rusher in Yaya Diaby.
Inside linebacker Alex Anzalone, signed this offseason as a free agent, is also in consideration. Though with so many acquainted faces to decide on over him, maybe he’s a longshot.
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby and NT Vita Vea – Photograph by: USA Right now
As at all times, my most popular plan of action for the Bucs can be to pair gamers up and have two on every nook of the stadium. If that’s the way in which they go together with it, my pitch can be one thing like Mayfield and Godwin on one and Irving and Wirfs on one other to characterize the offense, with Vea and Diaby as one pair and Winfield and Smith as one other pair to characterize the protection.
Quickly sufficient, we’ll know. Hawk-eyed followers and the always-vigilant Greg Auman will definitely have their eyes out because the murals start to pop up in July, and Pewter Report (particularly yours really) might be looking out as effectively.
However for now, who’re your picks to characterize the Bucs outdoors Raymond James Stadium this season, Pewter Folks? Tell us within the feedback.
