The Buccaneers are heading into Sunday’s trip to Carolina with more than a divisional game on their hands. At 1-5, Tampa Bay is staring at a possible turning point, and a loss in Week 7 could push the team from buyer mode into deadline-seller territory.
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reported that if the Buccaneers fall to 1-6, people around the league expect the franchise to seriously consider selling ahead of the November 10 deadline. That’s the kind of record that can force a front office to change direction fast.
The NFC South still leaves Tampa Bay in the mix, which is why this matchup matters so much. A win would keep the door cracked on a postseason run. Another loss would only deepen the pressure to rethink the team’s approach and priorities.
Tampa Bay is coming off a rough 26-19 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, one that stung even more because the Buccaneers had built a 16-3 fourth-quarter lead before letting it slip away. The defeat stretched the losing streak and made the margin for error even thinner.
There’s still time before the deadline for the front office to sort through its options, but any move toward selling would hinge on what happens on the field and what kind of interest exists in the market. Veterans such as Chris Godwin and Kenneth Gainwell have been floated as possible trade pieces, and defensive tackle Vita Vea has drawn speculation after his earlier request.
Fowler’s report stopped short of saying Tampa Bay has put anyone on the block or committed to moving anyone. For now, the Buccaneers are still in the middle of the race. But if Sunday goes the wrong way, that picture could change quickly.
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Bucs Rookie Jalon Daniels Got A Moment Fans Will Want To See
Jalon Daniels has already had a stretch with the Buccaneers that most rookies only imagine, stepping into the starting role after Baker Mayfields injury and living through both an encouraging win and a tough loss in those early outings. So when the backup quarterback got the chance to line up across from Aaron Rodgers after Tampa Bays game against the Steelers, it was the kind of crossover moment that felt bigger than the scoreboard.
The postgame exchange added another layer to a night Daniels will remember, with the two quarterbacks meeting and swapping jerseys after the game. Rodgers also made a point to show respect for Daniels during the CBS broadcast, and for a young passer trying to settle into his place in the league, that kind of attention from an idol carries a little extra weight. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Just Caught A Huge Break For Baker Mayfield In Week 7
The Buccaneers got a helpful development ahead of their Week 7 matchup with Carolina, as the Panthers will be missing a key edge presence after Jaelan Phillips was officially ruled out because of a hamstring injury. Tampa Bay has been looking for every edge it can find in a division game on the road, and taking one of Carolinas more disruptive defenders off the board changes the picture a bit for Baker Mayfield and an offense that can use a cleaner pocket.
Phillips had already sat out the Panthers three practices leading into the game, and Carolinas final injury report offered more uncertainty beyond him. Thomas Incoom is also set to miss the matchup with a calf injury, leaving the Panthers thinner up front than they would prefer as they try to slow down Tampa Bay. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Suddenly Face A Week 7 Roster Crunch Vs Panthers
The Buccaneers are heading into Week 7 with some extra juggling to do, and linebacker Caden Fordham is back in the mix after being elevated from the practice squad. The rookie undrafted free agent out of North Carolina State already got a look in Week 4, and his role again should be centered mostly on special teams as Tampa Bay adjusts its depth for the Panthers.
Christian Rozebooms move to injured reserve opened the door for Fordham, leaving the Bucs to cover another spot in the front seven while also dealing with more absences elsewhere on the roster. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and right tackle Luke Goedeke have both been ruled out, while David Sills III was activated off injured reserve in a corresponding move, giving Tampa Bay a little more flexibility as it tries to patch together the right mix for Sunday. [Read more 🡒]