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BY IRA KAUFMAN
It’s been six weeks since the Buc season ended with a whimper. The next six weeks need to provide a few whoppers.
This franchise has reached a tipping point in its arc and the Glazers are scrutinizing every move in what shapes up to be a momentous offseason. The Bucs can go two different ways and the next six weeks will be critical in returning a bent arrow to an upright position.
The Indy combine is coming up next week and the heartland of America is where Buc scouts need to find the heartland of a crop of young, dynamic players to lead Tampa Bay through the rest of the decade.
Free agency begins March 9 and Jason Licht should take an aggressive approach, patching holes with veterans who can still play.
Make no mistake — lots of jobs are on the line at One Buc Place. If things go south, or even if they stay the same, Todd Bowles will likely be the first out the door. And if Bowles departs, a new head coach may not want to retain Zac Robinson.
Without an influx of talent through the draft, trades and free agency, Licht could also be in jeopardy. He’s already survived the dismissals of Lovie Smith and Dirk Koetter. Can he weather another change at the top?
Should the 2026 Bucs fail to make the playoffs, Baker Mayfield’s future under center would be tenuous — especially if he doesn’t sign a contract extension. Vita Vea, who just turned 31, would likely move on after his ninth season of drawing double teams in Tampa. Chris Godwin’s future would be uncertain.
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
That’s a lot of changes and ownership could decide to implement a full rebuild, similar to the 2009 overhaul following the firing of Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Suppose this offseason ushers in legitimate QB hunters and speedy linebackers who can tackle in space? That would reduce the burden on a young secondary scrambling to cover for four seconds instead of two.
And for those of you who suggest Bowles doesn’t know how to generate an elite pass rush, let’s not forget the sight of Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes running for their lives in the NFC title game and the Super Bowl. Shaq Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh led the charge as the 2020 Bucs registered eight sacks in their final two postseason games.
It’s been quite a while since the Bucs entered an offseason amid all this uncertainty. There are reasons for optimism, however.
The offensive line, when healthy, ranks as one of the best units in the league. Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson are talented young targets who have earned Mayfield’s trust. Chase McLaughlin is an elite kicker. Jacob Parrish always seems to be around the football. Calijah Kancey looks like a difference-maker if he can stay healthy.
Still, you can’t camouflage mediocrity.
This roster needs an immediate upgrade and this coaching staff needs to do better. Mike Evans and Lavonte David were foundational players, but they don’t represent the future. That future will be shaped in the next six weeks because in the NFL, the middle of the road usually leads to a dead end.
