Rumors of the Buccaneers’ demise have been enormously exaggerated. That was the story of the 2024 NFL season as Tampa Bay ran it again within the NFC South regardless of shedding offensive coordinator Dave Canales and vast receivers coach Brad Idzik to the Panthers.
What we noticed was nothing in need of exceptional from this workforce. Proving Baker Mayfield wasn’t a flue, Liam Coen stepped in flawlessly into the OC function and saved this workforce surging on the again of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and the breakout speeding efficiency of rookie Bucky Irving.
This was a workforce that managed to pivot from successful the Tremendous Bowl with Tom Brady to turning into a staple of the playoffs. So how did they do total relating to the offseason?
Teaching workers
For the second straight 12 months the Bucs’ offensive coordinator was pilfered with Coen taking the job as head coach of the Jaguars. Together with him went a portion of his workers, which means that is the third consecutive 12 months with an offensive workers rework.
Usually that might be a recipe for failure, however this workforce has such a stable basis that they’ve earned the advantage of the doubt at this level. Josh Grizzard enters his first 12 months as OC after serving as passing recreation coordinator in 2024, however brings the familiarity of protecting the identical operating again and receivers coach. That must be sufficient to pay dividends.
The limiting issue on this workforce is Todd Bowles. He’s a stable, but unremarkable coach nonetheless using the excessive of the Tremendous Bowl win. This isn’t a case the place the Bucs win as a result of or in spit of him, it’s extra that Bowles is … simply form of there. To his credit score he’s an excellent defensive organizer, however the workforce doesn’t have an offensive identification cast by its coach.
That would open up the door for this infinite stream of offensive coach modifications to meet up with the workforce, however they’ve earned some belief for another 12 months.
Grade: B
Free company
The Bucs made some stable strikes in free company to strengthen their depth, however actually that is all about two main strikes. With the ability to work a deal to maintain WR Chris Godwin may need been one of many greatest boons any workforce noticed this era.
Godwin was the top-rated receiver within the class, and it felt like a foregone conclusion that he’d go away for both larger cash, or the prospect to play for the Tremendous Bowl contender. As a substitute he re-upped in Tampa Bay on a three-year, $66M deal that neither breaks the financial institution for the group, nor quick modifications Godwin. There’s a particular ingredient of hometown low cost right here, particularly taking a shorter workforce deal, however this was nonetheless mutually helpful.
Then the workforce made its finest new acquisition with the signing of EDGE Haason Reddick. I don’t actually know the way Reddick retains getting underrated, nevertheless it’s a perennial occasion at this level. There have been a whole lot of ideas that he would possibly return to the Eagles, however as an alternative bought a deal the place he might be the function rusher on a workforce in want of stress off the sting.
Vita Vea is an absolute drive within the center, it’s simply been a disgrace there hasn’t been a high-tier edge rusher to benefit from the stress he creates. That modifications now with Reddick, and it’s going to be enjoyable to observe.
Total this workforce didn’t make a whole lot of strikes, however they didn’t have to both. Retaining Godwin and including Reddick have been large.
Grade: A
NFL Draft
It’s actually attention-grabbing to see two groups within the NFC South with comparable defensive wants each shake issues up within the first spherical. Just like the Panthers earlier, the Bucs surprised individuals by choosing Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka with the No. 19 choose as an alternative of touchdown an EDGE or bolstering their secondary.
That transfer was about protecting the cabinets stocked for the longer term, understanding that 31-year-old Mike Evans can’t preserve going endlessly. It prioritizes this workforce’s offensive plan of overloading the sector with weapons and trusting Baker Mayfield to make performs. Initially I didn’t love the choose, however the extra I’ve had time to assume on it, the extra I prefer it.
I actually appreciated the second spherical choose of Benjamin Morrison, who’s sneaky good. He fell within the draft as a result of damage at Notre Dame, however he’ll bounce again and will simply grow to be a plus-level starter on this workforce.
The opposite choose price giving props to was one other WR, Tez Johnson. Great worth within the seventh spherical, and brings one other degree to the receiving corps.
Total this was an excellent class, even when it didn’t gown the workforce’s most rapid wants.
Grade: B+
Ultimate grade
The Buccaneers have been good in 2024, and so they’re staying good. No person is able to confuse Tampa Bay with a Tremendous Bowl contender, not but — however there’s so much to love right here. If this workforce can maintain up offensively despite its modifications we’ll see them again within the playoffs and simply successful the NFC South.
Ultimate offseason grade: A-
