On this episode of the Bucs MinuteCast with Dan Holmi, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head into the 2025 NFL season with a mix of optimism and caution.
While Baker Mayfield is coming off a career year and the offense returns all 11 starters, a major blow hit just before training camp: All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs is set to miss at least four games after undergoing knee surgery.
That absence looms large for an offense that excelled in quick passes and yards after catch (YAC) in 2024 but now wants to push the ball downfield under new play-caller Josh Grizzard.
The challenge? Grizzard has never called plays in the NFL, and Mayfield must adjust without his best protector in a brutal early-season slate that includes road trips to Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Buffalo. Defensively, the Bucs retooled a unit that struggled with pressure last season by adding depth at linebacker and in the secondary—but opted against drafting a marquee edge rusher.
If the front seven can gell by midseason, Todd Bowles’ aggressive blitz scheme could reignite. In a weakened NFC South, Tampa Bay still looks like the frontrunner, but the margin for error is razor-thin. Health, rookie contributions, and Bowles’ in-game management will determine whether the Bucs secure a fifth straight division crown or watch the playoff window start to close.
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