For the past three seasons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the NFC South. This season they are looking to make it four years in a row. The last team to win four straight NFC South division titles was the New Orleans Saints from 2017-2020. The odds for the Buccaneers to win their division again this year are +300. Tampa has made some moves in the offseason to solidify their chances. Getting Wide Receiver Mike Evans and Safety Antonine Winfield Jr. to re-sign with the team was a start. Signing QB Baker Mayfield to a three-year contract was solid as well.
The Bucs did have some departures like Dave Canales as the OC, who took his skills to the Carolina Panthers to become their head coach. Center Ryan Jensen retired, CB Carlton Davis was traded to Detroit, and Shaquil Barrett was released. So the defense took a little of a hit. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did sign a one-year contract with LB Lavonte David, a two-year deal with S Jordan Whitehead, and re-signed DL Will Gholston for the upcoming season.
But how will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers make it to a fourth straight division title?
Different Bucs’ Same Goal
Tampa Bay did pick up some valuable players in the NFL Draft. In the first round they drafted C Graham Barton from Duke, in the second round they picked OLB from Alabama Chris Braswell, and in the fourth round they drafted RB Bucky Irving from Oregon. With the loss of Canales, the Bucs hired Liam Coen from the University of Kentucky to be the team’s Offensive Coordinator.
Coen spent time in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams. During that time QB Baker Mayfield was part of the offense and the two men got along well. Mayfield is quoted as saying, “He’s a guy that brings the knowledge and fire.”
The team also signed ex-Giant WR Sterling Shepard. Mayfield and Shepard played together in college at Oklahoma. Shepard became a free agent when the New York Giants didn’t re-sign him during the 2024 offseason. Shepard has 4,095 career receiving yards with 23 touchdowns. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the third wide receiver spot for WR is considered an open competition. Tampa Bay has ten receivers at their minicamp. Shepard who is going into a ninth season is looking for a fresh start. No place like Tampa right?
Bucs Will Make You Pick Your Poison
Some could say the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a triple threat situation now. A veteran WR like Evans, an explosive dual-threat RB in Rashaad White, and Mayfield’s willingness to win may put defenses in tough positions. Last season Mayfield and White were one of the best duos in the league toward the end of the season. White didn’t break 1,000 yards on the ground but did have over 1,500 yards from scrimmage. Tampa Bay drafted Irving at running back who the Bucs say is a smaller White with the same skill set. That will provide a nice 1-2 punch out of the backfield.
Mike Evans who the Bucs drafted in 2014 has ten seasons with over 1,000 yards receiving. Evans signed a two-year 52 million contract with the Bucs this offseason. Last season Evans had 79 rec for 1,225 yards receiving with 13 TDs. Evans had kind words for Mayfield heading into their second year together.
“Me and Baker, we played one season together. I feel like we can build on what we did last year. He’s a hell of a player.”
Mayfield completed 64% of his passes for 4,044 yards with 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Last season was one of Mayfield’s best seasons stat-wise. He and the Bucs organization will look to build off of the chemistry the team had at the end of the season. Adding pieces like Barton, Irving, Shepard, and OC Liam Coen may increase their chances. But the Bucs have plenty of time to work out the kinks.
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