As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers make final preparations for takeoff on the franchise's 50th season, the team revealed its official captains, and there are no surprises.
All six of last year’s captains were voted back into the role by their teammates. The three offensive captains are wide receiver Mike Evans, quarterback Baker Mayfield, and left tackle Tristan Wirfs. The three defensive captains are linebacker Lavonte David, safety Antoine Winfield Jr., and defensive tackle Vita Vea.
It's not a shock at all to see these guys leading the charge once again, as each has grown increasingly important to the team's Super Bowl aspirations. Baker, rising from being mocked for signing with the Bucs to the rank of captain, perfectly embodies the identity and maturity of the team in the post-Tom Brady era.
The Bucs made the announcement of this year's captains official on Wednesday.
Your 2025 captains 🫡
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 3, 2025
Lavonte David, Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield will each don the gold "C" patch for being named a captain at least 5 times in their career 👏 pic.twitter.com/kafCO4yfSB
Evans, Mayfield, and David will also wear the prestigious gold captain’s patch, reserved for players named captain five or more times in their careers.
The locker room’s decision to run it back with the exact same group from a season ago demonstrates both their proven leadership and the team’s confidence in them.
These six players will lead the way as Tampa Bay chases a fifth straight NFC South crown, but their aspirations go far beyond the division. The Buccaneers are determined to bring a third Super Bowl title to Tampa Bay, and they have the veteran leadership to make it happen.
What happens next is yet to be seen, but it's hard to not feel confident given who is leading the way. David and Evans are elder statesmen, while Vea, Winfield Jr., and Wirfs, all represent the future of the franchise.
And then there's Baker, who has fully embraced the chip-on-the-shoulder mentality the team has made a core piece of its identity over the last few seasons. It hasn't always been pretty, but the Bucs enter this season with aspirations of winning a fifth-straight NFC South title, and it's the crew of captains who are a big reason why that's the case.
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