The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will head to New Jersey to face the New York Jets for joint practice this week ahead of their preseason opener on Friday, Aug. 14.
It’ll be the first opportunity this summer for the Buccaneers to see how they stack up against another team, creating an exciting opportunity for several position groups to measure themselves against outside competition.Â
Despite the Jets’ lack of success in the win column in recent years, they’ve quietly built a talented roster that will provide a challenge for the Buccaneers as they prepare for the 2026 season.
3 key matchups to watch at Buccaneers-Jets joint practice
Bucs edge rushers vs. Jets offensive tacklesÂ
It’s no secret that this is the headline matchup when the Bucs take on the Jets.Â
New York has a talented pair of first-round offensive tackles in left tackle Olu Fashanu and right tackle Armand Membou.
Tampa Bay’s pass rush is expected to be the team’s most improved unit and this will be an excellent opportunity to measure how much progress has been made. First-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. will get his first taste of competing against a top-tier tackle duo (that aren’t his teammates), and Yaya Diaby will look to prove he’s taken the next step heading into a contract year.Â
David Walker has been the biggest standout of Buccaneers training camp, recording a sack in eight straight practices. Can he keep that momentum going against the Jets’ pass protectors?Â
Buccaneers cornerbacks vs. Jets wide receivers
Tampa Bay’s cornerback room remains a quiet concern heading into the season. Â
The team is counting on a bounce-back year from CB1 Zyon McCollum, while Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison, if healthy, are competing for the other outside cornerback job. Rookie Keionte Scott is expected to take on the nickel role.Â
The Jets have a talented group of wide receivers headlined by Garrett Wilson, with Adonai Mitchell and rookie first-round pick Omar Cooper Jr. also providing quality competition.Â
This will be an important test for the Bucs’ young cornerback room. If Tampa Bay’s defensive backs can hold their own against a dangerous group of pass-catchers, it could provide some much-needed confidence heading into the regular season.Â
Buccaneers offensive tackles vs. Jets edge rushersÂ
Luke Goedeke and Tristan Wirfs, assuming he returns to practice following a hamstring injury, will have their hands full with David Bailey, the No. 2 overall pick, and Will McDonald IV, who is coming off an eight-sack season.Â
Tampa Bay has one of the best starting offensive tackle duos in the NFL, but even the best players need to shake the rust off in preparation for the season.Â
Getting valuable reps against the Jets’ edge rushers will be a great early test for Goedeke and Wirfs while giving the Buccaneers a chance to see how their offensive line holds up against legitimate external competition.
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