Familiar Bucs strive for more in 2025 than another division crown
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
First-round rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka could boost the Bucs offense this year. Photo: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Coming off a fourth straight division title, the Bucs enter the 2025 season as favorites to win the NFC South again. But it's unclear if they're ready to aim higher.
Why it matters: Feasting on hated rivals is fun. However, fans eventually expect their team to compete for Super Bowls, not just division crowns.
State of play: This year's squad will look familiar. Head coach Todd Bowles returns, as does quarterback Baker Mayfield and last year's entire starting offense.
- Departed offensive coordinator Liam Cohen's replacement was also found in-house: Josh Grizzard, who led the passing game last year.
What they're saying: Mayfield, who'll play for his third offensive coordinator in three years, sees value in promoting from within, in terms of continuity.
- "I'm not meeting [Grizzard] for the first time. He was in all the meetings last year, and it also helps going into the same system."
Yes, but: After an era of continuity, change looms on the horizon.
Case in point: For the second year in a row, the Bucs used an early draft pick on a wide receiver, selecting Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka in the first round.
- Jalen McMillan, drafted last year, finished 2024 strong and should take on a larger role this season.
- This comes as receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the Bucs' longtime top weapons, are entering the twilight of their careers.
The intrigue: Bucs players, coaches and executives have been raving about Egbuka as a player with savvy beyond his years, per ESPN.
- "His football IQ is far beyond a guy coming out of college," Bowles said.
Friction point: Godwin and left tackle Tristan Wirfs — one of the league's best, who anchors the offensive line — are recovering from surgery to repair injuries.
- Wirfs is expected to miss the start of the season, per reports, and it's unclear if Godwin will suit up in Week 1.
What's next: The Bucs head to Pittsburgh this weekend for their second preseason game. Saturday, 7pm on WFLA.
- They'll start the season on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. Sept. 7, 1pm on FOX.