3 key storylines to watch at Buccaneers OTAs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering a pivotal 2026 season.

The team missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2019, and the pressure is on to get back into contention. 

Todd Bowles is on the hot seat, and Baker Mayfield is entering a contract year, so this could be a franchise-altering year.

There are plenty of questions surrounding the team, and OTAs are the first chance to get some of them answered. 

Biggest questions Bucs must answer during OTAs

Will rookie draft picks Keionte Scott or DeMonte Capehart return from injury and make their debuts?

The Bucs drafted cornerback Keionte Scott and defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart with their fourth and fifth-round picks, respectively. 

Both missed rookie minicamp due to wrist injuries, so they’re already behind the 8 ball. The team knew about these minor injuries, so it’s not a huge concern, but every rep counts for incoming rookies. 

It’ll be interesting to see whether either one of them can get on the field and start getting their first valuable snaps in the pros. 

What will Zac Robinson’s offense look like?

This year will be the fifth new offensive scheme in as many years for Tampa Bay, and fans are dying to know what the offense will look like this season.

Admittedly, there likely won’t be an in-depth look at the new scheme this early in the offseason. But OTAs will be used for basic installs, which could at the very least give a sneak peek into what to expect from the Bucs new-look offense.  

Something as minor as where the receivers are lining up would give some major insight into the roles that Baker Mayfield’s weapons will step into for the upcoming season.

It’s worth keeping an eye on for any potential hints or revelations about Robinson’s scheme, which is expected to be reminiscent of Liam Coen’s in 2024.

 How will Danny Smith’s special teams unit perform?

The Bucs hired one of the NFL’s most respected special teams gurus in Danny Smith, who spent 13 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Special teams has been a disaster in Tampa Bay for years, while Smith has overseen some of the league's best units.

From 2017 through 2025, the Steelers blocked 17 kicks, tied for the most in the NFL during that span.

Pittsburgh ranked in the top 10 in kickoff coverage in 2025, while the Bucs ranked at the bottom of the league. It got so bad that Bowles gave up on his kickoff coverage and asked his kicker to kick through the end zone for a touchback on every kickoff.

It’ll be interesting to see how Smith approaches fixing one of the league’s worst special teams units, which would make a huge difference for the Buccaneers.

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