The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may feel good about their starting offensive line, but the depth remains uncertain. That concern became more apparent Friday night during Tampa Bay’s 19-0 shutout loss to Jacksonville.
With the starters resting, the preseason finale provided Todd Bowles and his staff another chance to evaluate the backups. The Buccaneers were looking for players capable of filling important depth roles before final roster decisions.
Instead, the group struggled against the Jaguars. Tampa Bay finished with just 87 net yards while surrendering five sacks. Those numbers offered little encouragement for a team preparing for the regular season.
Bowles Stands Behind Tampa Bay’s Starters
Bowles made an important distinction when discussing the offensive line after the game. His confidence in the starting five remains strong when the group is healthy. However, he acknowledged that Friday’s performance created legitimate concerns about the backups.
“I like the first five and when everybody’s healthy,” Bowles said. “I’ll look at the tape. If you judge by tonight, yeah there’s concern. I’ll look at the totality of the tape and see where it came from.”
The Buccaneers’ projected starting group features Tristan Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke. When healthy, that unit is expected to be one of Tampa Bay’s strengths.
The problem is what happens if one of those players misses time. Friday’s performance did little to strengthen Tampa Bay’s confidence in its options behind the starters.
Depth Becomes Especially Important After 2025
Health remains a major factor for Tampa Bay’s offensive line entering the 2026 season. The Buccaneers dealt with significant injuries across the unit during the 2025 campaign.
Those injuries forced Tampa Bay to repeatedly shuffle its personnel. The resulting instability contributed to offensive struggles and highlighted the importance of dependable depth.
Friday’s finale provided another reminder of that issue. The Buccaneers couldn’t establish much offensively while their starters watched from the sideline.
Jalon Daniels completed eight of 15 passes for 57 yards before leaving in the third quarter. The rookie quarterback had helped Tampa Bay rally for victories during its first two preseason games. Against Jacksonville, however, he was sacked three times.
The running game also failed to provide much assistance. Tampa Bay couldn’t establish consistent production on the ground and never found an offensive rhythm.
Jacksonville Game Gives Buccaneers More Film to Study
Bowles had already expressed concerns about the offensive line during the game. The Buccaneers needed more push up front and better protection for their quarterback.
Still, the head coach isn’t ready to make a final judgment based on one preseason performance. Tampa Bay will now turn to the film as coaches continue evaluating the entire offensive line room.
With roster cuts approaching, Friday’s performance will become part of that larger evaluation. The Buccaneers remain confident in their starters, but their depth has become a legitimate question heading into the regular season.
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