The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to rebound after a miserable 2025 season. Losing the NFC South to the Panthers was bad enough, but doing so with an identical record of 8-9 made the sting a lot worse.
The Bucs had quite a few injuries last season, but that didn't sway Jason Licht to make a coaching change. Despite the cries from fans to get rid ofTodd Bowles, he remains for this season.
This offseason may not have produced a lot of free agents, but the draft class looks phenomenal, and with players coming back from injury, Baker Mayfield having another year with Emeka Emuka, and the addition of Reuben Bain, Tampa could be a force.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers must control these division players to find success in 2026
Tua Tagovailoa - Atlanta Falcons
There is no guarantee that Tagovailoa will start, but so far, he is looking like the better option over Michael Penix. Tagovailoa is good, but inconsistent. He needs a specific style of offense to succeed, but the Falcons' running game will help offset his deficiencies.
It's hard to imagine Tagovailoa not starting at least one of the two games this year against the Falcons. His quick release is hard to defend, and his accuracy is incredibly good. Regardless, Bain could be the key here. When pressure collapses the pocket, Tagovailoa struggles in every aspect of a QB's game. He can't run the ball, can't throw accurately on the fly under pressure, and it can get in his head to a point where he can't shake it.
If Tampa faces Tua, the best way to beat him is to get to him early and often. Tagovailoa is not the kind of quarterback who can lead a team to a win after trailing, at least not anymore.
Jaelan Phillips - Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have had a good offseason, but adding Phillips in free agency may have been the best move they could make. Phillips is the ultimate workhorse. He simply doesn't quit, and when you think you have him stopped, he finds a way to get around you.
Phillips' biggest problem may be finishing the play. He struggles to consistently get QBs to the ground. One-on-one is a problem. While he can handle open -field tackles alone, he can't seem to get the QB to the ground by himself. This was a problem in Miami and Philadelphia.
The other thing with Phillips is his injury history. After missing most of two consecutive seasons with an ACL and Achilles tear, Phillips was healthy all of last season. He made an immediate impact on the Eagles' defense last season and will do the same with Carolina in 2026. He signed a 4-year deal worth up to $120 million. Unlike some players who get big contracts, Phillips doesn't quit playing at the same level.
Mayfield is going to see enough of the Panthers' new edge rusher, and he needs to be ready to roll out to the opposite side and make him work to catch him.
Travis Etienne - New Orleans Saints
The Saints have relied on Alvin Kamara for nearly a decade, but this year the long-in-the-tooth veteran will see his carries reduced with the arrival of Etienne. The former Jaguars joined the Saints this offseason and are looking to make an immediate impact.
Etienne wants to prove the Jaguars made a mistake. Jacksonville was never truly all-in on the runner, often splitting carries with other backs. In reality, he simply didn't fit neatly enough into their system. That won't be the case in New Orleans.
The running back should make the impact they are hoping for. He is versatile out of the backfield as a runner and pass catcher. He knows how to pick up blitzes and can impact a game despite poor quarterback play.
The Saints are not expected to be good this year. They have problems on defense and on offense. Etienne won't make that big of a difference in their win/loss totals, but he can help steal a game. The Buccaneers can't let that happen.
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