Every new NFL season offers players and teams a new chance to prove themselves. While some will have an easier time doing this, some will have to do it while backpedaling.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a fourth straight NFC South division title, but they had another early playoff exit. They want to see an extended playoff run to the Super Bowl, and to do that, they will need a few players to step up who have disappeared at times, or for the 2025 season. Jason Licht has done a great job of building this roster up yearly since that initial Super Bowl run in 2020. Since then, the team has been competitive, but there have been no more Super Bowl appearances.
Could this team be the one to change that streak? We have picked out three players with something to prove and given our reasons for making the cut.
Rachaad White, Running Back
The former Arizona State Sun Devil saw his role cut back in 2024 due to the arrival and emergence of Bucky Irving. Despite that, he is now set to be back in the rotation with a set role alongside Irving as the team looks to establish a thunder and lightning role that we have seen emerge around the league with various teams. The Bucs have the weapons in the passing game to be able to win games based solely on that, but playing with a lead is something they struggled with in 2024. Having a healthy dose of Rachaadf White back in the mix could help fix that and set him up nicely for what could be a big free agent cycle for him.
Chris Braswell, Linebacker
The former second-round draft pick enters his sophomore season with just 18 tackles to his credit after his rookie season. With the horizon coming on Lavonte David’s career, and no replacement being drafted, the time is now for the Bucs to start grooming him as the heir apparent. If he can show more responsibility, more assignments, and more playmaking, he could be the future of the middle of the Bucs defense. If not, we will see the Bucs start looking for a replacement in free agency or the draft in 2026.
Haason Reddick, Edge Rusher
Not often would it make sense for a $14 million free agent signing to have something to prove, but Haason Reddick is a unique case. The veteran edge rusher is a former All-Pro coming off a year where he missed an entire offseason as he held out for a better contract with the Eagles, only to be dealt to the Jets before hitting the market in March. He comes to Tampa Bay with a chip on his shoulder as he is on a one-year prove-it deal. If he performs, he could see big money coming to him from either Tampa Bay or beyond. Without it, though, his NFL career may be coming to an end sooner than many once thought.