The Bucs look to improve in 2026 after an 8-9 losing season. Todd Bowles returns for his 5th season. Tampa Bay brings in a new offensive coordinator, Zac Robinson. Baker Mayfield returns as the starting quarterback. Bucky Irving returns as the primary running back. The Bucs brought in Kenneth Gainwell from the Steelers to replace the production lost when Rachaad White headed to Washington. Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, and Chris Godwin return as the starting receivers, along with tight end Cade Otton. The Buccaneers’ offensive line returns all five starters: Tristan Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch, and Luke Goedeke. Dan Feeney also returns, while Justin Skule comes over from the Vikings.  

Head coach Todd Bowles acts as the team’s defensive coordinator, which is pretty unusual at this level of football. Tampa returns eight of their top eleven tacklers from a year ago, but will miss the services of top tackler Lavonte David, who retired. Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, SirVocea Dennis, and Yaya Diaby return in the front seven, while Tampa added A’Shawn Robinson and Alex Anzalone in free agency. Christian Rozeboom joins the team after spending the last season with the Panthers. Zyon McCollum, Jacob Parrish, Tykee Smith, and Antoine Winfield Jr. return in the secondary.

Danny Smith enters his first season as special teams coordinator. Chase McLaughlin returns as placekicker after connecting on 84% of his field goals last year. Riley Dixon returns as punter. Kameron Johnson will again be the primary punt returner, and Sean Tucker will again handle the kick return duties. The NFC South is close in talent, keeping the division race open for all four teams. Tampa has the talent in the trenches to stay in the thick of the race at season’s end.