While the 2025 season has been one with plenty of ups and downs, here are five things the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.
Coming off a stretch where the team lost four of its last five games, it's hard to be happy about anything that's going on. But that's getting a little lost in the weeds; it's objectively awful to be playing the way the Bucs are but subjectively the team is in a better spot than we've historically seen them in this time of year.
Usually, the losing is coupled with utter misery, where the Bucs are once again well within reach of a fifth straight NFC South title. That's nothing to be ashamed of, and it's a reminder that there's plenty to be thankful for even if it feels like the world is crashing down around us.
No more QB purgatory
For years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were stuck in QB purgatory. The years of Josh Freeman, Mike Glennon, Josh McCown, and Ryan Fitzpatrick are finally over. Baker Mayfield not not be in the MVP conversation anymore, but he's a franchise QB and will be in the Bay longterm. It's something all Tampa Bay should be thankful for, especially considering the history of the team and what Tampa Bay has been through in years past.
Talent all over the field
Although a lot of them have dealt with significant injuries this year, Tampa Bay has tremendous talent across the field. Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, and Chris Godwin at wide receiver, not to mention Tez Johnson and Sterling Shepard. Cade Otton at tight end has been solid. Running backs Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker are all capable of having great games, as we just saw against Buffalo last week. There is so much talent on this Tampa Bay squad.
The NFC South is a joke
If there is one thing Tampa Bay should be incredibly grateful for, it should be the NFC South. Why? Because it's been so easy for them to dominate! The Saints, Falcons, and Panthers have all been in the dumps for the past few seasons, giving the Buccaneers an easy path to the postseason every year.
While the division won't always be this easy (we're already seeing the Panthers begin to improve), it's been a nice few years, with Tampa Bay taking advantage of an easy schedule and no pressure from the division to cruise to four straight division titles.
Light schedule ahead
The middle of the schedule has not treated Tampa Bay well, but fans can rest easy knowing their next six games offer a chance for the Bucs to get back into the mix for a top seed and a fifth-straight division title.
They play the Panthers, Saints, Falcons, Cardinals, and Dolphins to close out the season, which makes it realistic for Tampa Bay to run the table the rest of the way. They should at least be able to reach double-digit wins with ease, for the second year in a row after their 10-7 finish in 2024.
Baker Mayfield's heroics
Baker Mayfield has provided Tampa Bay with some true heroism in 2025, especially in the first month of the season. He led the Buccaneers on game winning drives against the Falcons, Texans, Jets, and Seahawks, and was a big reason why Tampa Bay started 5-1 despite the injuries all over the field.
If Tampa Bay is going to make noise in the playoffs this year (or in future years), they are going to need to see the version of Mayfield that is leading game-winning drives and putting on the superman cape. That version of Mayfield has showed up multiple times this season, and it's good to know he can do it.