Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2025 Preview: Key Insights

Greg Kajewski
Sep 3
4 min read

Updated: Sep 20

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2025 NFL season with high expectations, following four consecutive NFC South division titles. Despite a strong showing last season, their playoff run was cut short in the Wild Card round, leaving fans and analysts questioning whether this team can sustain its success. What lies ahead for the Bucs? Let’s break down their strengths, weaknesses, and overall outlook for the 2025 season.

Offensive Firepower: The Bucs’ Winning Formula

Baker Mayfield's Evolution

Baker Mayfield, the Buccaneers’ quarterback, has been the backbone of their offense. Last season, despite dealing with a revolving door of offensive coordinators, Mayfield delivered top-five numbers in key metrics. This year, he’ll be working with yet another new coordinator, Josh Gazard, who was promoted internally from passing game coordinator. The big question is whether Gazard can replicate the creativity of his predecessor, Liam Cohen, who excelled in designing unique screen plays and route concepts.

Mayfield’s ability to adapt to new coaching philosophies has been remarkable. With a healthy offensive line and supporting cast, the Bucs’ offense has the potential to remain prolific. However, the absence of Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs for the first few weeks of the season could disrupt their early rhythm.

Rising Stars in the Spotlight

Rookie wide receiver Mecca Egbuka, a first-round pick out of Ohio State, is already generating buzz. While he may not be a flashy playmaker, his solid possession-game skills could provide Mayfield with a reliable target. The return of Chris Godwin, although delayed due to an ankle injury, will further bolster the receiving corps.

Running backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White were standout performers last year, ranking among the league’s best in success rate metrics. Irving, in particular, excelled in red-zone opportunities, making him a key figure in Tampa Bay’s third-down and scoring efficiency.

Defense: A Growing Concern

Questionable Offseason Decisions

Tampa Bay’s defense was the Achilles’ heel of the team last season, particularly their pass defense, which ranked near the bottom of the league in most advanced metrics. Despite this glaring weakness, the Bucs made minimal efforts to improve their defensive personnel in the offseason. The only notable addition was Hassan Reddick, a pass rusher whose recent performance has been inconsistent.

The defense’s statistical shortcomings were masked in part by a favorable schedule that included numerous matchups against backup quarterbacks. But when facing starting-caliber QBs, the Bucs ranked 26th in EPA (expected points added) per dropback. With a tougher slate of quarterbacks on the horizon, the unit risks being exposed.

Depth Issues

One of the most alarming aspects of the defense is the lack of depth. Any injuries to starters could result in significant performance drop-offs. Linebacker KJ Britt's departure further weakens the unit, and head coach Todd Bowles - known for his defensive acumen - will need to find creative solutions to keep the defense competitive.

Special Teams: The Unsung Heroes

Special teams have quietly been a major asset for Tampa Bay. Kicker Chase McLaughlin has been a revelation, maintaining a field goal success rate of over 93% across the past two seasons. His clutch performances in late-game situations have given the Bucs an edge in tight matchups. Interestingly, opposing kickers have struggled immensely against Tampa Bay, converting at some of the lowest rates in the league. While this may be chalked up to chance, it’s a trend worth monitoring.

Schedule Analysis: A Mixed Bag

Tampa Bay faces one of the league's easiest schedules on paper, thanks largely to their weak divisional opponents in the NFC South. However, the first 12 weeks present a challenging stretch, with matchups against powerhouses like Philadelphia, San Francisco, Detroit, and Buffalo. The final five games, by contrast, are significantly easier, setting the stage for a strong finish if the team can weather the early-season storm.

Key Trap Game

One potential stumbling block is Week 7, when the Bucs face a daunting back-to-back road game sequence. After a Monday night showdown in Detroit, they’ll have a short turnaround to play the Saints in New Orleans. Historically, this type of schedule setup has been a recipe for disaster, and Tampa Bay will need to avoid complacency in such a scenario.

Key Takeaways

Baker Mayfield's Adaptability: Mayfield’s ability to thrive under yet another new offensive coordinator could make or break the Bucs’ season.
Offensive Depth: The return of Chris Godwin and the emergence of rookie Mecca Egbuka will be instrumental in maintaining the team’s offensive success.
Defensive Woes: The lack of offseason upgrades on defense could leave the Bucs vulnerable, especially against high-powered offenses.
Special Teams Advantage: Chase McLaughlin’s consistency as a kicker and opposing teams’ struggles in this area have been a quiet but critical factor in Tampa Bay’s success.
Schedule Dynamics: A front-loaded schedule with challenging opponents may test the Bucs early, but their soft closing stretch could help them secure another division title.

Outlook for 2025

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers possess the offensive firepower to remain contenders in the NFC, but lingering defensive vulnerabilities and early-season challenges could hinder their progress. Much will depend on the health of key players like Tristan Wirfs and Chris Godwin, as well as the ability of the defense to overachieve despite its shortcomings.

While the Bucs are likely to benefit from their weak divisional competition, their prospects of making a deep playoff run will hinge on addressing their defensive flaws and navigating a tricky schedule. For sports bettors, Tampa Bay games may offer plenty of opportunities in the form of overs, given their potential to both score and concede points in high volumes.

The Buccaneers may not be a perfect team, but they’re still a force to be reckoned with in the NFL. With a bit of luck and continued offensive cohesion, they could once again make noise in the postseason. However, their margin for error is slimmer than in years past, making the 2025 season a pivotal chapter in Tampa Bay’s journey.

Outlook and Source from Lefty of The Betting Network: "2025 NFL Team Preview | Tampa Bay Buccaneers" - Live Dog Lefty, YouTube, Sep 1, 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cAxJ9IDt6Q

Use: Embedded for reference. Brief quotes used for commentary/review.