Rumors of the Buccaneers’ demise had been drastically exaggerated. That was the story of the 2024 NFL season as Tampa Bay ran it again within the NFC South regardless of shedding offensive coordinator Dave Canales and broad receivers coach Brad Idzik to the Panthers.
What we noticed was nothing in need of exceptional from this workforce. Proving Baker Mayfield wasn’t a flue, Liam Coen stepped in flawlessly into the OC position and stored this workforce surging on the again of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and the breakout dashing efficiency of rookie Bucky Irving.
This was a workforce that managed to pivot from profitable the Tremendous Bowl with Tom Brady to turning into a staple of the playoffs. So how did they do total in the case of the offseason?
Teaching workers
For the second straight yr the Bucs’ offensive coordinator was pilfered with Coen taking the job as head coach of the Jaguars. Together with him went a portion of his workers, which means that is the third consecutive yr with an offensive workers rework.
Usually that might be a recipe for failure, however this workforce has such a strong basis that they’ve earned the good thing about the doubt at this level. Josh Grizzard enters his first yr as OC after serving as passing sport coordinator in 2024, however brings the familiarity of conserving the identical operating again and receivers coach. That needs to be sufficient to pay dividends.
The limiting issue on this workforce is Todd Bowles. He’s a strong, but unremarkable coach nonetheless using the excessive of the Tremendous Bowl win. This isn’t a case the place the Bucs win as a result of or in spit of him, it’s extra that Bowles is … simply sort of there. To his credit score he’s an amazing defensive organizer, however the workforce doesn’t have an offensive id cast by its coach.
That would open up the door for this countless stream of offensive coach adjustments to meet up with the workforce, however they’ve earned some belief for another yr.
Grade: B
Free company
The Bucs made some strong strikes in free company to strengthen their depth, however actually that is all about two main strikes. With the ability to work a deal to maintain WR Chris Godwin may need been one of many greatest boons any workforce noticed this era.
Godwin was the top-rated receiver within the class, and it felt like a foregone conclusion that he’d go away for both greater cash, or the possibility to play for the Tremendous Bowl contender. As an alternative he re-upped in Tampa Bay on a three-year, $66M deal that neither breaks the financial institution for the group, nor brief adjustments Godwin. There’s a particular component of hometown low cost right here, particularly taking a shorter workforce deal, however this was nonetheless mutually useful.
Then the workforce made its greatest new acquisition with the signing of EDGE Haason Reddick. I don’t actually know the way Reddick retains getting underrated, but it surely’s a perennial occasion at this level. There have been numerous ideas that he would possibly return to the Eagles, however as an alternative bought a deal the place he may be the function rusher on a workforce in want of strain off the sting.
Vita Vea is an absolute power within the center, it’s simply been a disgrace there hasn’t been a high-tier edge rusher to reap the benefits of the strain he creates. That adjustments now with Reddick, and it’s going to be enjoyable to look at.
Total this workforce didn’t make numerous strikes, however they didn’t have to both. Protecting Godwin and including Reddick had been huge.
Grade: A
NFL Draft
It’s actually fascinating to see two groups within the NFC South with comparable defensive wants each shake issues up within the first spherical. Just like the Panthers earlier, the Bucs shocked folks by selecting Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka with the No. 19 decide as an alternative of touchdown an EDGE or bolstering their secondary.
That transfer was about conserving the cabinets stocked for the long run, realizing that 31-year-old Mike Evans can’t maintain going perpetually. It prioritizes this workforce’s offensive plan of overloading the sector with weapons and trusting Baker Mayfield to make performs. Initially I didn’t love the decide, however the extra I’ve had time to suppose on it, the extra I prefer it.
I actually favored the second spherical decide of Benjamin Morrison, who’s sneaky good. He fell within the draft attributable to damage at Notre Dame, however he’ll bounce again and will simply develop into a plus-level starter on this workforce.
The opposite decide value giving props to was one other WR, Tez Johnson. Large worth within the seventh spherical, and brings one other stage to the receiving corps.
Total this was an excellent class, even when it didn’t gown the workforce’s most speedy wants.
Grade: B+
Closing grade
The Buccaneers had been good in 2024, they usually’re staying good. No person is able to confuse Tampa Bay with a Tremendous Bowl contender, not but — however there’s rather a lot to love right here. If this workforce can maintain up offensively regardless of its adjustments we’ll see them again within the playoffs and simply profitable the NFC South.
Closing offseason grade: A-
