The 2025 season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be vital for the team as a whole and some specific players.

The team has won four straight NFC South division titles, yet they remain with an empty belly regarding success. Not many teams would feel that way but when you have won a Super Bowl in the last six years, expectations remain high, especially when so many players from that team were young at the time and remain on the team. Veteran experience is invaluable and the 2025 version of the Bucs remains loaded with it so they know what is at stake based on the build of this team.

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As they are aware, so are we, which is why we wanted to point out some players who need to step up to help the Bucs secure a Super Bowl in 2025.

SirVocea Dennis, Linebacker

The Bucs sent a message to their linebacker group during the NFL Draft when they decided not to draft any; it was “we trust you.” Whether or not that is the right approach remains to be seen; the one player who will dictate that answer will be SirVocea Dennis. The former Pittsburgh Panther linebacker is coming off an injury-riddled 2024 season, but the team is optimistic about his potential in 2025 and beyond. If he can be healthy and play to that potential alongside Lavonte David, this linebacker group could be reaching its peak.

Calijah Kancey, Defensive Lineman

Calijah Kancey missed the beginning of the 2024 season, but once he got onto the field, he played like a man possessed. He made the most of every rep he had on the field, and as a result, the Bucs defensive front became one of the more dominant and entertaining groups in the entire league. Kancey is now thinking he can hit 10 plus sacks in 2025, which, if he does, could have the Bucs defense cooking with gas for the first time in a long time.

Ben Bredeson, Guard

Ben Bredeson’s contract was extended this Spring when he was brought back to the Bucs after briefly hitting the market. The Bucs guard is going to have to step up as the Bucs schedule has them facing a lot of teams with tough defensive fronts, especially on their interior. This offense is now just pass happy anymore; they are looking to establish the run. Bredeson will have to be at his best to help Bucky Irving and Rachaad White; otherwise, the pressure falls back on Baker Mayfield and his receivers, as defenses can drop back.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 3 Bucs players who need to bounce back from a tough 2024 season