Reason For Hope
February 13th, 2026
“I’ll ride anywhere with you, Baker.”
Should the Bucs just say, “Aw, the hell with it. We’re going full-blown Don Coryell!”
Looking at the roster, the Bucs at most may have two holes on the offense. Maybe. That would be question marks at running back and maybe an upgrade at tight end (though Joe is beginning to think former Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard didn’t use Cade Otton right).
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN typed that few teams in the NFL have depth on offense like the Bucs, specifically at receiver.
The hope for a quick turnaround: Tampa Bay can score with anybody when healthy. Its receivers room is among the league’s deepest, and the offensive line has a clear identity. Baker Mayfield, 30, has shown he’s a quality NFL starter with whom Tampa Bay can win.
If a team can score points, at worst, that means the team can hang with anyone. So why not make that offense elite and dare teams to keep up offensively?
There is no doubt the defense has holes. Many holes. And if they let Jamel Dean walk, that’s yet another hole.
So since the Bucs are so close to having an elite offense, why go that route and see how far that offense can carry the Bucs?
The Bucs are one, no more than two players away from having a sizzling offense.
The Bucs may be six players away from having a strong defense.
At least with a powerful offense, Bucs games will become entertaining again. And who knows, maybe win a few playoff games?