The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter September with plenty to sort through, and that’s exactly why they’re still being treated like a middle-of-the-pack team. On paper, the roster looks strong. In reality, the noise around the team has kept the ceiling from feeling quite as high as it should.
Tampa’s offseason had no shortage of movement. The Bucs brought in several notable free agents and added a rookie class headlined by Rueben Bain Jr., who is already being talked about as the team’s most anticipated rookie in years and a Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite. But the early buzz didn’t last long before contract tension took over the conversation.
The biggest issue has been the standoff involving quarterback Baker Mayfield and defensive tackle Vita Vea. Vea and the team eventually reached a deal, but Mayfield is still unsigned after this season, leaving his future in Tampa Bay unsettled.
That uncertainty has helped keep the Bucs in a tough spot in the league’s eyes. They have a talented roster and a soft NFC South schedule, which usually gives a team a real path to success. But last season’s collapse, the distractions around the contracts, and Todd Bowles beginning the year on the hot seat have made it hard to buy into the idea that Tampa is ready to surge.
ESPN’s latest preseason power rankings reflected that skepticism. The Bucs landed 18th in the final preseason list, keeping them firmly in the bottom half of the league even while they sit as the division favorite.
Rather than offering a full breakdown of each club, ESPN’s rankings leaned into one reachable goal for every team this season. For Tampa Bay, Jenna Laine focused on Bowles’ place in franchise history and what a strong season could mean for him.
"With 10 regular-season wins, Bowles can pass Buccaneers Ring of Honor member McKay, who had 44 wins from 1976 to 1984. Bowles would still trail Jon Gruden (57) and Tony Dungy (54), but he could move to No. 1 if he stays until the end of his contract in 2028.
Bowles already became the first coach in franchise history to begin his stint with three consecutive playoff appearances and three consecutive division titles (2022, 2023, 2024). However, last season tied 2022 for Bowles' lowest number of wins in charge of the Bucs (eight). -- Jenna Laine"
That makes the start of the season especially important. If Bowles can get the Bucs rolling early, he has a chance to strengthen his standing and push closer to McKay on the franchise wins list. If the team stumbles out of the gate, the pressure only grows.
With less than two weeks before the regular season kicks off, Tampa Bay still feels like a team with two very different futures in front of it. If the roster performs the way it’s capable of, the Bucs should be right back at the top of the NFC South. If they don’t, another frustrating season could be waiting, and that could bring major changes if the playoffs are missed again.
The source’s own outlook leans optimistic, pointing to Mayfield’s mindset as a reason to expect more. The belief there is simple: when Mayfield feels overlooked, he tends to respond. And after being described as "disrespected" and "undervalued" by the organization, he has plenty to prove.
In Other News...
Bucs Suddenly Have A Week 1 Concern They Can't Ignore
The Buccaneers have spent most of camp trying to build momentum for their offense, but the receiver room added an uneasy wrinkle late in the preseason. Jalen McMillan and Emeka Egbuka both sat out the teams recent practice because of injuries, which naturally puts a little more pressure on the build-up to the season opener against the Bengals.
There is still optimism both players could be available, but the situation is enough to keep Tampa Bay on alert this early in the week. Todd Bowles said he will take another look at their status next week, and until then the Bucs are left waiting to see whether two important pieces of their passing attack can get back on the field in time. [Read more 🡒]
Shilo Sanders Just Pulled The Buccaneers Back Into His Latest Controversy
Shilo Sanders quick run with the Buccaneers ended as abruptly as it began, after the undrafted safety was waived following an ejection for throwing a punch in a preseason game. The son of Deion Sanders had signed a three-year deal in Tampa Bay, but his NFL opportunity was cut short before he could make much of an imprint on the roster.
Since then, Sanders has turned his attention to music, releasing a rap album called World of Headache that leans into the incident and even includes appearances from his father and brother. For a player who spent five college seasons at South Carolina, Jackson State and Colorado, the football side of the story may have paused for now, but his name is still finding a way back into the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Just Added A Quarterback Twist To Their Practice Squad
The Buccaneers filled out their practice squad with a familiar group Tuesday, bringing back 15 players who were with the team in training camp and adding one notable name at quarterback. Easton Stick, most recently waived by the Indianapolis Colts, joined Tampa Bays 16-player unit as the club continued sorting out its developmental depth heading into the next stretch of the season.
Stick brings some NFL experience to the room after appearing in six league games, and his path also includes a long run at North Dakota State. The only addition who does not count against the practice squad limit is Paul Rubelt, the International Player Pathway Program member, giving Tampa Bay a little extra flexibility as it rounds out the back end of the roster. [Read more 🡒]