- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,253,166
- Reaction score
- 59
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have spent the offseason retooling their roster, but Bleacher Report believes no team in the NFC South lost more proven talent than Tampa Bay.
In its preseason breakdown of every NFL division, Kristopher Knox highlighted the Buccaneers' departures as the most significant losses within the NFC South. Knox pointed to the retirements and free-agent exits of longtime linebacker Lavonte David and franchise receiving legend Mike Evans as the biggest offseason departures in the division.
Those are two players who helped define one of the most successful eras in franchise history. David spent 14 seasons anchoring Tampa Bay's defense, while Evans became the organization's all-time leader in receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns over his 12-year career.
Replacing that level of leadership and production won't fall on one player. The Buccaneers signed veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone, added Christian Rozeboom in free agency, and selected Josiah Trotter in the second round to reshape the middle of their defense. On offense, they'll look to Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, and the rest of a deep receiving corps to collectively offset Evans' departure.
Knox also noted that Tampa Bay addressed another major weakness by signing Al-Quadin Muhammad and drafting first-round edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., giving the defense more firepower after an inconsistent pass-rushing season in 2025.
Despite the significant losses, Knox doesn't believe the Buccaneers are out of the NFC South race. He pointed out that Tampa Bay remained alive for the division title until the final week of last season despite injuries derailing what had once looked like one of the NFL's hottest starts.
The challenge now is proving the franchise can turn the page after saying goodbye to two cornerstones. If the Buccaneers can successfully replace David's leadership and Evans' production, they'll have a chance to reclaim the NFC South crown after watching Carolina end their four-year run atop the division.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs considered to have biggest offseason departure in the NFC South
Continue reading...
In its preseason breakdown of every NFL division, Kristopher Knox highlighted the Buccaneers' departures as the most significant losses within the NFC South. Knox pointed to the retirements and free-agent exits of longtime linebacker Lavonte David and franchise receiving legend Mike Evans as the biggest offseason departures in the division.
Those are two players who helped define one of the most successful eras in franchise history. David spent 14 seasons anchoring Tampa Bay's defense, while Evans became the organization's all-time leader in receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns over his 12-year career.
Replacing that level of leadership and production won't fall on one player. The Buccaneers signed veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone, added Christian Rozeboom in free agency, and selected Josiah Trotter in the second round to reshape the middle of their defense. On offense, they'll look to Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, and the rest of a deep receiving corps to collectively offset Evans' departure.
Knox also noted that Tampa Bay addressed another major weakness by signing Al-Quadin Muhammad and drafting first-round edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., giving the defense more firepower after an inconsistent pass-rushing season in 2025.
Despite the significant losses, Knox doesn't believe the Buccaneers are out of the NFC South race. He pointed out that Tampa Bay remained alive for the division title until the final week of last season despite injuries derailing what had once looked like one of the NFL's hottest starts.
The challenge now is proving the franchise can turn the page after saying goodbye to two cornerstones. If the Buccaneers can successfully replace David's leadership and Evans' production, they'll have a chance to reclaim the NFC South crown after watching Carolina end their four-year run atop the division.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs considered to have biggest offseason departure in the NFC South
Continue reading...
