The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading into Sunday’s season opener with a tough assignment: a road date with the Cincinnati Bengals, one of the most dangerous offenses on the schedule.
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase headline a Cincinnati attack that’s already among the league’s most intimidating, and the Bengals added to their defense this offseason to go with that firepower. That’s why Tampa Bay’s margin for error is so slim in Week 1. If the Buccaneers are going to walk out of Cincinnati with a win, they’ll need to check a few specific boxes.
The first one is simple enough: Baker Mayfield has to take care of the ball.
This matchup has the look of a shootout, which means every possession matters. Tampa Bay cannot afford to hand the Bengals extra chances.
Last season told the story pretty clearly: the Buccaneers went 7-1 when Mayfield did not throw an interception and 1-8 when he did. If the Bucs are going to spring the upset, they need a clean game from their quarterback.
The second key is controlling the ground game.
If Tampa Bay can run the ball well, it can shorten the game, stack long drives and keep Cincinnati’s offense on the sideline. That matters even more against a team that had the NFL’s worst rushing defense last season, though the Bengals did bring in Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen this offseason to help reshape the middle of that front.
If the Buccaneers can attack outside effectively, Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell could be in line for a big day.
The final piece is putting pressure on Burrow.
It’s impossible to ignore the Bengals’ receiving talent. Ja’Marr Chase is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, and Tee Higgins is no easy cover either. That makes life especially hard for Tampa Bay’s young cornerback group.
So the best answer for the Buccaneers is to speed up Burrow’s clock and make him uncomfortable. Tampa Bay overhauled its defensive front this offseason, with Rueben Bain Jr. and A’Shawn Robinson projected as new starters up front. Al-Quadin Muhammad, David Walker and Elijah Roberts are also expected to give the pass rush some punch off the bench.
On paper, this looks like Tampa Bay’s best pass rush in years. If that group shows up immediately in Week 1, the Buccaneers can make things very difficult for Burrow and the Bengals.
In Other News...
Bucs Backfield Depth Suddenly Looks Shaky Before Bengals Opener
Todd Bowles said the Buccaneers are waiting until game time to know whether Tucker will be available for Sundays opener against the Bengals, a late development that adds a little more uncertainty to a backfield already built around Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. Tucker was expected to be the teams RB3, so Tampa Bay still has its top two options intact, but the depth chart behind them suddenly looks thinner with kickoff approaching.
If Tucker cannot go because of an undisclosed injury, the Buccaneers may need to turn to Josh Williams from the practice squad to fill the role. It is not the sort of wrinkle the Bucs wanted heading into Week 1, especially with the offense trying to settle into a rhythm right away, and it leaves one more roster decision hanging until the final injury call comes in. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Just Sent A Clear Message About Their Backup QB Plan
The Buccaneers have already made one notable adjustment to their quarterback room, releasing Jake Browning after guaranteeing part of his salary and turning the backup job over to undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels. It is the kind of move that says plenty about how the team views Daniels, especially with general manager Jason Licht pointing to the way he earned the role despite having so little experience.
Tampa Bay also brought in Easton Stick, adding a passer who knows the offensive coordinators system and can offer a steadier hand behind Daniels if needed. The setup leaves the Bucs with a young, unconventional depth chart and a clear willingness to trust upside, even if the more proven insurance option is now sitting right there in the room. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Week 1 Depth Chart Settles A Key Rookie Battle
The Buccaneers first official depth chart of the 2026 regular season answered one of the teams more closely watched camp questions before the opener against Cincinnati. Josiah Trotter is listed as the starting middle linebacker, a sign that the rookies summer push was enough to move him ahead of SirVocea Dennis in the middle of the defense.
Tampa Bays initial lineup also gives a clearer look at how the rookie class fits around the roster, with Rueben Bain Jr. listed as a starting outside linebacker and Jalon Daniels slotted behind Baker Mayfield at quarterback. The chart also includes several rookie receivers and tight ends in notable spots, leaving a few more young players with an early chance to carve out roles once the season begins. [Read more 🡒]