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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of the toughest teams in the NFL to forecast for the upcoming season.
The Bucs have enough talent all through the roster to not only get to the playoffs, but also to make some noise once they're there.
On offense, the team has a solid franchise quarterback in Baker Mayfield, who has a strong group of wide receivers to throw to. Tampa also has a potentially electric running back duo in Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell. The o-line is expected to be one of the best in the league, led by phenomenal left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who may be the best tackle in the NFL.
The defense looks much improved after the team poured resources into it this offseason. The Bucs added multiple high-profile free agents, then followed with a defense-heavy draft class, headlined by potential superstar Rueben Bain Jr.
The pieces are all there.
Belief in this team is not.
Last season's spectacular collapse, head coach Todd Bowles' shaky job security, and contract standoffs, which are getting less optimistic by the day, with both Mayfield and star defensive tackle Vita Vea, are making it very difficult to have faith in the Bucs having a successful season.
That is why Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports only placed Tampa 20th in his newest NFL power rankings.
Vacchiano admits that the Bucs have potential. He is just unsure they will play up to it this season, though he does note the defensive additions and hopefully improved health for an offense that was ravaged by injury last year.
"The Bucs improved their defense in the offseason, but they seem to be relying most on improved health on offense. The tools could be there, though, especially if they can extend QB Baker Mayfield’s contract and get that distraction off his plate."
Well, it looks like the Mayfield ship has sailed. Unless an unexpected breakthrough happens, Tampa's QB will be playing out the last year of his contract and hitting free agency next offseason, though the Bucs could always hit him with the franchise tag to keep him for 2027.
The organization squandered the opportunity to ensure Mayfield's contract status would not be a distraction all season, and hopefully, Mayfield won't let it affect him.
Now the team also has to navigate another possible contract-related disaster with Vea, whose trade request on Monday seemed to come out of nowhere. Even though Vea staged a "hold-in" during minicamp last month, it was reported that there was no tension between the two sides.
The Bucs were already almost impossible to trust this season, making it easy to see why they are being ranked so low in offseason power rankings.
Mayfield and Vea are two of Tampa's most important players, and now both of their futures with the team have been brought into question. Confidence in the Bucs should only sink even further after the recent developments in their situations.
The Bucs have a ton to overcome this season if they want to make it back to the postseason. Even though the roster is filled with talent, there is plenty of doubt surrounding the team. That doubt will only continue to grow if the Mayfield and Vea dilemmas persist into the season.
Will the Bucs be able to handle their problems and succeed on the field? Or will they prove that their low power rankings were right all along?
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The Bucs have enough talent all through the roster to not only get to the playoffs, but also to make some noise once they're there.
On offense, the team has a solid franchise quarterback in Baker Mayfield, who has a strong group of wide receivers to throw to. Tampa also has a potentially electric running back duo in Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell. The o-line is expected to be one of the best in the league, led by phenomenal left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who may be the best tackle in the NFL.
The defense looks much improved after the team poured resources into it this offseason. The Bucs added multiple high-profile free agents, then followed with a defense-heavy draft class, headlined by potential superstar Rueben Bain Jr.
The pieces are all there.
Belief in this team is not.
Last season's spectacular collapse, head coach Todd Bowles' shaky job security, and contract standoffs, which are getting less optimistic by the day, with both Mayfield and star defensive tackle Vita Vea, are making it very difficult to have faith in the Bucs having a successful season.
That is why Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports only placed Tampa 20th in his newest NFL power rankings.
Can The Bucs Play Up To Their Potential?
Vacchiano admits that the Bucs have potential. He is just unsure they will play up to it this season, though he does note the defensive additions and hopefully improved health for an offense that was ravaged by injury last year.
"The Bucs improved their defense in the offseason, but they seem to be relying most on improved health on offense. The tools could be there, though, especially if they can extend QB Baker Mayfield’s contract and get that distraction off his plate."
Well, it looks like the Mayfield ship has sailed. Unless an unexpected breakthrough happens, Tampa's QB will be playing out the last year of his contract and hitting free agency next offseason, though the Bucs could always hit him with the franchise tag to keep him for 2027.
The organization squandered the opportunity to ensure Mayfield's contract status would not be a distraction all season, and hopefully, Mayfield won't let it affect him.
Now the team also has to navigate another possible contract-related disaster with Vea, whose trade request on Monday seemed to come out of nowhere. Even though Vea staged a "hold-in" during minicamp last month, it was reported that there was no tension between the two sides.
Final Thoughts
The Bucs were already almost impossible to trust this season, making it easy to see why they are being ranked so low in offseason power rankings.
Mayfield and Vea are two of Tampa's most important players, and now both of their futures with the team have been brought into question. Confidence in the Bucs should only sink even further after the recent developments in their situations.
The Bucs have a ton to overcome this season if they want to make it back to the postseason. Even though the roster is filled with talent, there is plenty of doubt surrounding the team. That doubt will only continue to grow if the Mayfield and Vea dilemmas persist into the season.
Will the Bucs be able to handle their problems and succeed on the field? Or will they prove that their low power rankings were right all along?
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
