3 Buccaneers who have great chance walk away with top NFL awards in 2026

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have historically been overlooked by the national media and therefore shafted when it comes to recognition and awards. 

But things have changed for the better, with players like Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr. earning All-Pro honors in recent seasons. The Bucs are no media darlings, but they’re no longer the forgotten franchise they once were. 

With strong performances in 2026, there are a few Buccaneers who could find themselves in the running for some of the NFL’s most prestigious awards. 

3 Buccaneers with a shot at winning hardware in 2026

Rueben Bain Jr. -  Defensive Rookie of the Year 

The Buccaneers are expecting big things out of their first-round rookie. The team has been desperately searching for a dominant pass rusher, and hasn’t had a player reach double-digit sacks since 2021.

Bain could be the savior in Tampa Bay, and a standout rookie season would not only completely transform the Bucs defense, but it would catapult him into consideration for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. 

Chase Young won the award back in 2020 with 7.5 sacks. Will Anderson won it with seven sacks in 2023, and Jared Verse was crowned Rookie of the Year with only 4.5 sacks in 2024.

Bain is more than capable of replicating those numbers recorded by past winners. If he can prove to be a disruptor and generate pressure the same way he did in college, he’ll be a front runner for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. 

Tristan Wirfs - Protector of the Year

The NFL Protector of the Year award was only established last season. The first ever winner was Bears guard Joe Thuney, but Wirfs was essentially ineligible after missing five games. 

If Wirfs can stay healthy and play the entire season, he’s a lock to be a finalist for the award. It’s an honor that has his name written all over it. 

Through six NFL seasons, Wirfs has been named to five Pro Bowls. He’s earned two First-Team All-Pro nods along with a Second-Team All-Pro nod. 

He’s universally heralded as one of the NFL’s most dominant and reliable blockers, and as long as he continues to perform at the Hall of Fame level we’ve become accustomed to, he’s sure to take home this award at some point in his career. 

Baker Mayfield - MVP

Baker Mayfield was a mainstay in MVP conversations through the first half of last season after leading the Bucs to a 6-2 record. 

The team collapsed down the stretch, inexplicably missing the playoffs with an 8-9 record, and Mayfield’s individual performance suffered as he played through multiple injuries. 

But Mayfield is more than capable of replicating, if not surpassing the elite play he flashed early last season. To do so, he’ll need better injury luck across the roster. Last year, he didn’t play a single game with his full offensive line intact, and the wide receiver room was decimated by injuries as well. Most importantly, he’ll need to avoid the injuries that plagued him last season. 

If that happens, Mayfield could easily return to MVP-caliber form and become the first Tampa Bay Buccaneer to ever be named the NFL MVP.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow