Two games into the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense has given the same answer in a few different ways: not enough.
The group came into the year with hopes of getting back to 2024 form under Liam Coen’s old influence and with Zac Robinson now calling the shots, but that hasn’t translated on the field. Instead, the Bucs have been stuck dealing with throws behind the line of scrimmage, shaky play up front, and a receiver room that was supposed to be one of the league’s best but hasn’t played like it.
At the center of it all is Baker Mayfield, who signed a three-year deal worth $55 million on average right before the season and has not looked like the player Tampa Bay needed. He has already turned it over four times and sits 28th in passing yards with 398, 28th in passing touchdowns with one, and 25th in yards per attempt at 6.4.
Mayfield’s issues have shown up everywhere the Bucs need him most. He has struggled to hit receivers on intermediate throws, hasn’t protected the ball well, and hasn’t been able to finish drives. Red-zone problems and seven sacks have only added to the damage, draining whatever rhythm the offense has managed to build.
Emeka Egbuka was the popular pick to step into the WR1 role after Mike Evans left, but that hasn’t happened either. The passing game as a whole has had trouble creating separation, and Egbuka has been part of that problem in his sophomore year. He has the Bucs’ only passing touchdown so far, but through two games he has just six catches for 58 yards and hasn’t even reached 50 receiving yards in either contest against questionable secondaries.
The offensive line has its own issues, and Ben Bredeson has been one of the biggest disappointments there. He had been solid since arriving in Tampa Bay, but early in 2026 he has been overwhelmed, giving up pressure and hits on Mayfield over and over. That has played a role in the seven sacks and has also limited what the running backs can do when trying to attack the A-gap on the left side.
Cade Otton is another player who has not taken the expected step. Like Mayfield, he was extended this offseason, but the production hasn’t followed. The former safety blanket has only 64 yards on eight catches despite a heavy snap load, and he still hasn’t become the seam threat Tampa Bay hoped for in Zac Robinson’s offense, the same system that helped Kyle Pitts thrive in Atlanta.
At this point, the Buccaneers may need to start carving out snaps for rookie Bauer Sharp.
In Other News...
Leonard Fournette Just Turned Up The Heat On Todd Bowles
The frustration around Todd Bowles has only grown as Tampa Bay has stumbled out to an 0-2 start, and now a familiar former face has added more fuel to the conversation. Leonard Fournette said on his podcast that he believes the Buccaneers should move on from the head coach, a pointed critique from someone who spent time in the building and has seen the expectations that come with it.
It is the kind of public comment that lands harder when the record already invites scrutiny. Bowles is 35-35 in the regular season and 1-3 in the postseason with Tampa Bay, and while fans and media have been sharpening their criticism, there has been no official decision about his job. For now, the noise is building faster than any resolution. [Read more 🡒]
Todd Bowles Just Got A Public Warning Bucs Fans Will Feel
The Buccaneers rough opening has already turned the heat up on Todd Bowles, and now the noise is coming from a familiar voice. Former Tampa Bay running back Leonard Fournette said on his podcast that he believes it is time for the head coach to move on, a blunt public critique that lands in a week when the Bucs are still trying to steady themselves after an 0-2 start.
Tampa Bay has not helped its own cause, with Baker Mayfields turnovers adding to the early-season frustration and a tough matchup against the Minnesota Vikings next on the schedule. Fournette did acknowledge Bowles past success, but he pointed to the current struggles as a sign that the coachs tenure may be nearing its end, a familiar kind of pressure for a team that suddenly needs answers fast. [Read more 🡒]
Warren Sapp Is Taking A New Tampa Fight Public
Warren Sapp has taken a fresh fight with the city of Tampa into federal court, filing a civil rights lawsuit over an incident at City Hall during a Tampa City Council meeting. The former Buccaneers star says he was there lawfully to obtain paperwork, but the complaint alleges city officials overreacted and had him removed, turning a routine visit into a confrontation with public consequences.
The lawsuit argues that the city violated Sapps First Amendment rights and says he was also hit with a trespass warning. Sapp is seeking nominal damages, and the case is being handled by attorney Anthony Sabatini, adding another layer to a dispute that now stretches well beyond City Hall and into the public eye. [Read more 🡒]