The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came into the offseason reeling after a historic collapse in the second half of the 2025 NFL regular season, as the Bucs managed to go from being called Super Bowl contenders to missing out on the playoffs entirely despite playing in the NFC South, the easiest division in the entire league.
That the Bucs blew it in direct competition to rivals like the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and Carolina Panthers when all three teams had inferior rosters made it all feel even worse, but Todd Bowles, despite a prevailing belief from the fan base that he should go, managed to keep his job.
So Bowles has his work cut out for him this offseason heading into 2026, but while there is drama regarding the futures of Baker Mayfield and even star nose tackle Vita Vea, the overall vibes are more positive at One Buc Place. Sure, legends Mike Evans and Lavonte David are gone, but there are many more quality players coming into the fold, such as rookies Josiah Trotter, Ted Hurst, Keionte Scott, and, of course, edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
Todd Bowles said the Bucs are ready
In a way, Bowles sealed the positivity around the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and all the great progress being made by the players who are driven, pushed by last season's horrible finish, and working hard by cancelling the final day of minicamp practices.
While some people will argue that the Buccaneers need all the practice they can get and should not be taking days off, the message Todd Bowles is sending to his players is a pretty powerful one. Not only is he rewarding them for their hard work, but he is implictly telling them that they are ready. That he is seeing the excellent work they are putting in, rewarding the blood and sweat, and giving a clear sign that this Buccaneers team has been making real progress on the field.
This feels like a totally new team with a new group of leaders, and maybe there was some complacency even from the bigger names and a lack of team spirit. Lavonte David even admitted to getting complacent on the field, and Mike Evans made disparaging comments to the fans on the way out - maybe it was time for the Bucs to move to a new era and have new faces.
Whatever the case, there is more fire in the Bucs at training sessions, and everyone is raving about the energy and attitude of the newcomers. Something is different in the air in Tampa Bay, and Bowles is feeling it, too.
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