Bucs Face Familiar Odds, Unfamiliar Questions Heading Into 2026 Season
Super Bowl 60 is in the books, and it was the Seattle Seahawks who hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after a dominant 29-13 win over the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. For fans in Tampa Bay, the game carried a little extra intrigue - the Bucs faced both of these teams during the regular season and even walked out of Seattle with a win. But as the league turns the page to the 2026 season, the question becomes: where do the Bucs stand in the bigger picture?
According to the oddsmakers, not much has changed.
Same Odds, More Questions
Tampa Bay enters the offseason with +4,000 odds to win Super Bowl 61 - the exact same number they were handed this time last year. On the surface, that might suggest stability.
In reality, it signals hesitation. The Bucs sit with the 18th-best odds on DraftKings and are tied for 17th on Hard Rock Bet.
That’s a slight drop from last year, when they were slotted 15th overall. Same payout, less confidence.
And honestly, it’s hard to argue with the skepticism.
Last offseason, Tampa Bay was a bit of a dark horse. They were coming off a 2024 campaign where the offense was humming, and there was reason to believe they could build on that.
But 2025 told a different story. Todd Bowles’ defense struggled for a second straight year, and the offense couldn’t recapture its previous rhythm.
Injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of complementary football all played a role.
A New Look Offense Under Zac Robinson
Now, the Bucs are banking on a fresh offensive direction. Zac Robinson is stepping in as offensive coordinator, bringing with him a new vision and a few key assistants to help reshape the unit. The goal is clear: get the most out of Baker Mayfield and unlock the potential of a talented skill group that includes Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin Jr., Jalen McMillan, and Emeka Egbuka.
That’s a group with speed, versatility, and upside - but it’s also unproven in this new system. And there’s still the looming question of whether Mike Evans, the franchise’s all-time receiving leader, will return. His presence would go a long way in stabilizing the offense, especially for a quarterback like Mayfield who thrives when he has a big-bodied, reliable target.
Defense Still a Wild Card
On the defensive side, the uncertainty is even greater. The Bucs haven’t tipped their hand on how they plan to fix a unit that’s been inconsistent at best, and outright leaky at worst.
Whether it’s through free agency, the draft, or a bold trade, something has to give. Bowles is entering a make-or-break year, and he knows it.
If the defense doesn’t turn a corner, the pressure will only mount.
Buy Low, Hope High?
If you’re a believer in the Bucs - or just a fan who likes to roll the dice - this might be the time to place that Super Bowl bet. Odds like +4,000 won’t stick around if Tampa Bay makes a splash in free agency or pulls off a blockbuster move (say, for a pass rusher like Maxx Crosby). Every addition that moves the needle will tighten those odds and shrink the payout.
Of course, odds are just one piece of the puzzle. But they do tell a story about how the league views Tampa Bay right now - a team with potential, but one that still has a lot to prove.
NFC South Still Within Reach
Despite the national skepticism, the Bucs are still seen as the class of the NFC South - at least by the bookmakers. They’re well ahead of the Panthers and Falcons, both sitting at +7,500, and even further ahead of the Saints at +10,000.
That’s notable, considering all four teams finished with identical 8-9 records last season, and it was Carolina who took the division crown. So why the gap?
It could be a vote of confidence in Tampa Bay’s offensive pieces. Or maybe it’s a reflection of the other teams’ uncertainty - Carolina’s youth, Atlanta’s quarterback carousel, and New Orleans’ aging core.
Whatever the reason, the division feels wide open again. And that’s where the Bucs have a real shot to make noise. Win the South, get into the playoffs, and anything can happen from there.
The Road Ahead
Tampa Bay has work to do - on both sides of the ball and in terms of roster construction. But they also have a foundation to build on.
A quarterback who’s shown flashes. A young, dynamic group of playmakers.
And a new offensive mind tasked with bringing it all together.
The odds may not have changed, but the stakes certainly have. If the Bucs want to prove they’re more than a middle-of-the-pack team, it starts now.
The road to Super Bowl 61 begins in the offseason - and Tampa Bay has some serious navigating to do.