The NFL schedule for the 2026 season will be released in the coming weeks, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are waiting to see how their slate lines up.
The opponents have been set since the end of last season, but the order of games, kickoff times, and potential prime time matchups have yet to be revealed.
There are a few things Bucs fans will be hoping to see when the schedule drops.
5 wishes Bucs fans have for the 2026 NFL schedule release
Buccaneers get multiple appearances on Sunday Night Football
Sunday Night Football is the league’s biggest stage and is usually the most-watched game of the week, averaging 23.5 million viewers last season. It’s usually reserved for the biggest markets and the most premier matchups of the season.
Last year reflected that. The Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and Pittsburgh Steelers led the way in SNF appearances, while teams like the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, and New York Giants also had multiple showings. Ten teams didn’t get a single SNF slot, so if you’re not a contender or playing in a major media market, you likely won’t get the chance to play on SNF.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were scheduled just once last season, a humiliating 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and could use some redemption. They’ve played just 26 SNF games in their 50-year history, including a drought from 2008 to 2016, so these opportunities in the spotlight aren’t guaranteed. They’ve been lucky to have one in back-to-back years, and they’d love to keep the trend going.
This year’s schedule brings plenty of opportunities, with matchups against the Steelers, Ravens, Cowboys, and Packers. The last time Tampa Bay had multiple SNF games was in 2022 thanks to the draw of Tom Brady. Getting two Sunday night slots in 2026 would be a strong sign the Buccaneers are respected by the league and are welcomed back in the NFL spotlight.
Put the Buccaneers in the Thanksgiving Day spotlight!
Speaking of the spotlight, how cool would it be to see the Buccaneers get the nod on Thanksgiving? It’s the football holiday, with families coming together and spending the day watching the NFL triple-header. The team has only played once on Thanksgiving before, all the way back in 2006.
As is tradition going back decades, there are two teams that get to host games on Thanksgiving every year: the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. Well, the Buccaneers happen to have road games against both of those teams, so that’s two chances to be considered for a road bid on Thanksgiving.
The NFL seems to really like the Bucs vs Cowboys matchup, as they faced off in prime-time Week 1 games in both 2021 and 2022. They also faced off on Sunday Night Football in 2024.
Playing in “Jerry’s World” on Thanksgiving Day would be a great opportunity for the franchise to get some publicity and step into the national spotlight. Who knows just how many young Bucs fans could be created seeing the team for the first time on a holiday dedicated to family and football.
Keep the Bucs vs Rams game far away from prime time
A theme of this list so far has been me clamoring for the Buccaneers to get their shine in the prime-time spotlight, whether that be on Thanksgiving or in the marquee Sunday Night Football slate.
But if there’s one Bucs game that needs to be seen by as few eyes as possible, it’s the one against the Rams.
The Bucs are 2-8 against the Rams in their last ten meetings. That included a 27-24 loss on Monday Night Football in 2020, and a brutal 34-7 loss on Sunday Night Football last season.
The Rams simply have the Bucs’ number. With Tampa Bay only getting a few games in prime time each year, it’s for the best if one of those chances in the national spotlight won’t set them up to be embarrassed by the Rams once again. Let’s keep this one buried in the Sunday 1 p.m. slate.
Buccaneers get another well-timed bye week
The earliest possible bye week a team can have is Week 5, but that feels like an unfair disadvantage. It forces a team to play just four games, take an early and often unnecessary break, then grind through 13 straight to finish the season.
The ideal bye comes closer to midseason or later, with the sweet spot around Weeks 10–12.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drew a Week 5 bye in 2023, then got a much better spot in Week 11 in 2024 and Week 9 last season. Hopefully, Tampa Bay can land another late bye and avoid the early-season disadvantage.
No extended road trips for the Buccaneers
The Bucs have been fortunate in recent years to not be screwed over by the schedule makers. There was once a time you could always count on Tampa Bay to get the short end of the stick.
The Ravens, Titans, and Patriots all had a stretch with three straight away games last season. That kind of travel can really take a toll on a team, especially considering how grueling the Bucs’ away schedule looks this season.
Last year, the Bucs’ schedule was fairly balanced, never having more than two consecutive road games, and they did get a three-game home stretch. Hopefully, the schedule is similarly structured this year with Tampa Bay avoiding the dreaded extended road trip while even getting another long home stretch thrown in as a bonus.
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