The off-season leading into the 2020 NFL season is going to look far different than in previous years, and the Buccaneers need to be ready.
Unique is likely the best descriptor that will define this offseason in the NFL. The entire league is struggling to retain some sense of normalcy leading into the season, and the Buccaneers are no exception.
Of all the teams in the league, the Bucs are the ones that have to want the season to go on the most. With all of the new talent and interest in the team, 2020 has the makings to change the future of the franchise completely.
Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, the current state of the country is not entirely conducive to sticking with the status quo of past NFL seasons. The offseason could be abbreviated or non-existent entirely, meaning the ramifications could be massive for the team.
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The place that the Bucs have to be concerned about is building chemistry between the old faces and the new ones. The defensive side of the ball is mostly safe, but Tampa Bay has several new options on the offense that would benefit from getting as many reps as possible before the start of the season.
Quarterback Tom Brady has to get comfortable with the new system if the Buccaneers have any hope of competing for a playoff spot, and the rookies like Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Tyler Johnson may not be locks for playing time early on if they never get a chance to prove themselves before the season starts.
The offseason is the time where most of these newer players earn their playing time, and a shorter/condensed offseason could see the majority of these newcomers playing less at the beginning of the season and some unlikely veterans getting more touches.
The Buccaneers certainly have the talent to compete in 2020. Still, there is a great chance that the starting lineup will look different than expected to start the season if the offseason continues on the current trajectory.