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As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gear up for the 2025 season, the offense looks to build on a surprisingly successful 2024 campaign. With new faces, emerging talent, and a few lingering questions, each position group has something to prove. Here's a breakdown of every offensive unit: what's locked in, what’s up for grabs, and the key question each group faces.
Starter: Baker Mayfield
Depth: Kyle Trask, Michael Pratt
Baker Mayfield is coming off a career-best season, throwing for over 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. But with offensive coordinator Liam Coen gone, the challenge will be maintaining that level of play in a new system. The quarterback room also features an intriguing battle behind him: veteran Kyle Trask and rookie Michael Pratt will compete for the backup role. Trask has system familiarity, while Pratt offers mobility and intelligence that could impress coaches early.
Key question: Can Mayfield maintain top-10 QB production under a new playcaller?
Projected starter: Bucky Irving
Other contributors: Rachaad White, Sean Tucker
Bucky Irving is expected to take over as the lead back after a dynamic rookie year. He brings vision, balance, and strong pass-catching skills. However, Rachaad White has carved out a niche as a reliable receiving back, and second-year player Sean Tucker is pushing for a larger role as well.
Key question: Will Rachaad White maintain his role on passing downs, or will Tucker push him out?
Starters: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin
Contenders for WR3–WR5: Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka (rookie), Trey Palmer, Tez Johnson (rookie)
Evans and Godwin remain fixtures of the offense, but the wide receiver depth chart behind them is wide open. Jalen McMillan showed promise late in 2024, while first-round pick Emeka Egbuka brings explosive potential. Speedster Trey Palmer and rookie Tez Johnson offer additional upside, particularly in the slot. With a young, hungry group, the WR3 spot could rotate throughout the early season.
Key question: Who emerges as the reliable third receiving option behind Evans and Godwin?
Starter: Cade OttonDepth: Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp
Cade Otton took a big step forward in 2024, becoming one of Mayfield’s favorite late-season targets. He has the size and hands to be a consistent red-zone weapon, but he needs to show more consistency over a full season. Rookie Devin Culp is an athletic prospect to watch, though he may need time to develop. Durham and Kieft remain primarily blocking options.
Key question: Can Otton become a true red-zone threat and establish himself as a top-tier TE1?
Projected starters:LT: Tristan WirfsLG: Ben BredesonC: Graham Barton RG: Cody MauchRT: Luke Goedeke
Tristan Wirfs anchors the offensive line as one of the NFL’s best tackles, but with Wirfs set to miss the beginning of the season with a knee injury that required surgery within the last week, the spotlight is on pick Graham Barton. A college tackle shifting to center, Barton taking the next step in his second year, will be crucial to the offense’s success. Bredeson is penciled in at left guard, but that position remains open to competition from younger players or possible in-season additions.
Key question: Can Graham Barton handle being the anchor in Wirf's absence?
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Key offensive battles to watch during the Bucs 2025 training camp
Continue reading...
Quarterback
Starter: Baker Mayfield
Depth: Kyle Trask, Michael Pratt
Baker Mayfield is coming off a career-best season, throwing for over 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. But with offensive coordinator Liam Coen gone, the challenge will be maintaining that level of play in a new system. The quarterback room also features an intriguing battle behind him: veteran Kyle Trask and rookie Michael Pratt will compete for the backup role. Trask has system familiarity, while Pratt offers mobility and intelligence that could impress coaches early.
Key question: Can Mayfield maintain top-10 QB production under a new playcaller?
Running Back
Projected starter: Bucky Irving
Other contributors: Rachaad White, Sean Tucker
Bucky Irving is expected to take over as the lead back after a dynamic rookie year. He brings vision, balance, and strong pass-catching skills. However, Rachaad White has carved out a niche as a reliable receiving back, and second-year player Sean Tucker is pushing for a larger role as well.
Key question: Will Rachaad White maintain his role on passing downs, or will Tucker push him out?
Wide Receiver
Starters: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin
Contenders for WR3–WR5: Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka (rookie), Trey Palmer, Tez Johnson (rookie)
Evans and Godwin remain fixtures of the offense, but the wide receiver depth chart behind them is wide open. Jalen McMillan showed promise late in 2024, while first-round pick Emeka Egbuka brings explosive potential. Speedster Trey Palmer and rookie Tez Johnson offer additional upside, particularly in the slot. With a young, hungry group, the WR3 spot could rotate throughout the early season.
Key question: Who emerges as the reliable third receiving option behind Evans and Godwin?
Tight End
Starter: Cade OttonDepth: Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp
Cade Otton took a big step forward in 2024, becoming one of Mayfield’s favorite late-season targets. He has the size and hands to be a consistent red-zone weapon, but he needs to show more consistency over a full season. Rookie Devin Culp is an athletic prospect to watch, though he may need time to develop. Durham and Kieft remain primarily blocking options.
Key question: Can Otton become a true red-zone threat and establish himself as a top-tier TE1?
Offensive Line
Projected starters:LT: Tristan WirfsLG: Ben BredesonC: Graham Barton RG: Cody MauchRT: Luke Goedeke
Tristan Wirfs anchors the offensive line as one of the NFL’s best tackles, but with Wirfs set to miss the beginning of the season with a knee injury that required surgery within the last week, the spotlight is on pick Graham Barton. A college tackle shifting to center, Barton taking the next step in his second year, will be crucial to the offense’s success. Bredeson is penciled in at left guard, but that position remains open to competition from younger players or possible in-season additions.
Key question: Can Graham Barton handle being the anchor in Wirf's absence?
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Key offensive battles to watch during the Bucs 2025 training camp
Continue reading...
