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Chase McLaughlin Chase McLaughlin Entering contract year
Tue, Jul 21, 2026, 4:06 PM
McLaughlin is slated to play out the 2026 season on the final year of his contract with the Buccaneers, Logan Robinson and River Wells of SI.com report.
Analysis: McLaughlin suited up for all 17 regular-season games for Tampa Bay last season and made the most field goals of his career (32), though he also logged a career-low conversion rate on field-goal attempts (84.2 percent). Nonetheless, after he wen 11-for-12 on field-goal tries from 50-plus yards last season, McLaughlin is a solid candidate to bounce back in terms of accuracy in 2026. If he does so, McLaughlin will be primed to hit the open market in 2027 as one of the league's top available kickers. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Says he'll be ready for camp
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 4:40 PM
During his annual youth football camp, Irving (shoulder) told Mark Skol, Jr. of FOX13News on Sunday that he will be good to go for training camp.
Analysis: Irving is bouncing back from offseason shoulder surgery, but it looks like the running back will be ready to go once training camp begins, with the Buccaneers potentially easing him back into the mix. Once Irving is deemed full-go, he'll have a chance to reestablish his standing as the top option in a Tampa Bay backfield that also includes Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Jr. Maintains key role in WR corps
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 11:53 AM
Ahead of the coming season, Godwin is projected to work primarily out of the slot in a WR corps that also features Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan, River Wells of SI.com and Andrew Harbaugh of USA Today report.
Analysis: During the 2025 regular season, Godwin -- who was limited to seven contests in 2024 -- put up a 33-360-2 line on 51 targets in nine games. The 30-year-old reportedly was a standout during OTAs and heads into training camp with no lingering injury concerns, which sets him up to maintain a key role in a Tampa Bay WR corps that no longer includes Mike Evans, who is now a member of the 49ers. In his continued role out of the slot, Godwin should provide fantasy lineup utility in 2026, particularly in PPR formats, while Egbuka -- a 2025 first-rounder who can line up all along the formation -- brings intriguing upside to the table in his second pro season, which is reflected in his current average draft position. Meanwhile, Jalen McMillan -- who will look to rebound from a 2025 campaign that was abbreviated by a neck injury -- is a candidate to see his share of targets on the outside, with Ted Hurst and Tez Johnson also in the mix to carve out roles in the passing game. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Battled multiple injuries in 2025
Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 2:15 PM
Mayfield says he played through knee, biceps and shoulder injuries during the 2025 season, River Wells of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Mayfield recently revealed that he suffered a sprained PCL, sprained MCL and bone bruise in Week 2, a Week 3 tendon injury in his biceps and an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder in Week 12. The spate of injuries correlated with a statistical decline, as Mayfield threw for just 217.2 passing yards per game in 2025, down from 264.7 passing yards per game in the 2024 regular season. Having recovered from all of those injuries, Mayfield is looking to regain form and stay healthier in 2026. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Looking for middle ground on deal
Mon, Jun 29, 2026, 9:28 AM
Mayfield reiterated Saturday to Steve McGehee of KWTV that he wants to remain in Tampa Bay on an extension, but the quarterback added that there is still work to be done to reach a middle ground in negotiations.
Analysis: "I would love to be there," Mayfield said of Tampa Bay. "I think both sides want to get it done. Now it's a matter of finding that middle ground and what makes both sides happy." He previously said that he wants a new deal before training camp opens July 27. The two sides reportedly weren't close to a deal earlier in June, and Mayfield didn't provide an update on the progress, though he made it clear that he hopes to remain with the Buccaneers long-term. |
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Chris Godwin Chris Godwin Jr. Entering camp as WR1?
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 9:14 AM
Godwin appears the favorite to emerge as Tampa Bay's top wide receiver during training camp, River Wells of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Godwin was a standout during OTAs and minicamp, consistently drawing targets while working from the slot. Following Mike Evans' departure to San Francisco, the 30-year-old is the clear veteran leader of Tampa Bay's receiving corps and could remain Baker Mayfield's most trusted target even if Emeka Egbuka takes a step forward in Year 2. Behind Godwin and Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, rookie third-round pick Ted Hurst, running backs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell, and tight end Cade Otton are all competing for targets. Injuries limited Godwin to seven games in 2024 and nine in 2025, but he remains positioned for a prominent role after signing a three-year, $66 million deal last offseason. |
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Holding in
Thu, Jun 18, 2026, 4:07 PM
Vea did not practice this week as a minicamp hold-in, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Vea is entering the last year of his contract, during which he is scheduled to receive up to $17 million in non-guaranteed funds for play throughout the 2026 season. The defensive tackle played a full season's worth of games for the first time in 2019, and with consistent production leading the defensive line, he likely feels he is entitled to an extension before putting his body on the line another year. If Vea continues to hold in without a trade or extension, Elijah Simmons could develop an increased role in the Buccaneers' defense heading into the 2026 regular season. |
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Practicing during OTAs
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 8:06 PM
Nelson (knee) is participating in OTAs.
Analysis: The linebacker missed the last two regular-season games of 2025 with a knee injury, but he appears to be ok. Nelson recorded 38 tackles (21 solo), including 3.0 sacks, two pass breakups, including an interception, and two forced fumbles last year. |
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Participating in OTAs
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 8:02 PM
McCollum (hip) is participating in OTAs.
Analysis: The cornerback was placed on IR in December of last season after suffering a hip injury. Now that he's back, he should be able to resume his role as a starter. McCollum started all 30 regular-season games he was available for over the last two campaigns. |
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Dealing with leg injury
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 7:12 PM
Morrison missed Thursday's OTA session due to a leg issue, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Quadriceps and hamstring injuries limited Morrison to 10 games during his rookie season in 2025, though it's unclear if this is a similar issue. Morrison was selected in the second round of the draft last year and projects as a starter if he's available. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Spotted at OTA practice
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 11:59 AM
Irving (shoulder) was on the field for Thursday's OTA.
Analysis: A clip posted by the Buccaneers showed the running back getting in some on-field work Thursday, which included catching passes. It remains to be seen when Irving will be cleared for full contact as he bounces back from offseason shoulder surgery, but his participation in Thursday's session, in any capacity, supports a previous report by ESPN's Adam Schefter that the 2024 fourth-rounder was likely to be ready at some point during training camp. Next up for Irving and his teammates following their current OTAs will be mandatory minicamp from June 16-18. |
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B.T. Potter B.T. Potter Picked up by Tampa Bay
Mon, Jun 8, 2026, 3:57 PM
The Buccaneers signed Potter on Monday, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Potter initially signed with the Steelers after going undrafted in 2023, but he was later dropped and has never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Across his final two seasons at Clemson, the 26-year-old converted all 97 of his point-after tries and 41 of 52 field-goal attempts. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Wants new contract before camp
Fri, Jun 5, 2026, 9:56 AM
Mayfield said Friday negotiations with the Buccaneers on an extension are ongoing and he would "love to have a long-term deal" beyond 2026, but talks are currently "not anywhere close" and he considers the start of training camp a firm negotiation deadline, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Mayfield suited up for all 17 regular-season games with Tampa Bay in 2025 despite playing through biceps, shoulder, knee and oblique injuries, factors which help explain the step back his in production (3,693 passing yards, 26:11 TD:INT) compared to 2024 (4,500 passing yards, 41:16 TD:INT). While Mayfield will need to adjust to the departure of Mike Evans (signed with 49ers) in 2026, new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson could provide a schematic upgrade, and the Buccaneers have added pass-catching playmakers in rookie third-rounder Ted Hurst and RB Kenneth Gainwell. It would be encouraging for Mayfield's long-term fantasy value if he were to ink a new multi-year deal with Tampa Bay -- where he has displayed a QB1 ceiling -- but the 31-year-old would be highly sought after if he were to hit the free-agent market in 2027. Mayfield is heading into the final season of the three-year, $100 million deal he signed in March 2024. |
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Returns from injury
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 9:10 PM
Bredeson (knee) participated in Tampa Bay's offseason training activities Tuesday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Timesreports.
Analysis: Bredeson is healthy again after having recovered from a knee injury that held him out of the final four games of the 2025 campaign. The 28-year-old is expected to serve as the Buccaneers starting left guard once again during the upcoming season. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Likely healthy for training camp
Tue, May 26, 2026, 5:03 PM
Irving is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, and while he isn't expected to take part in mandatory minicamp June 16-18, he'll likely be healthy during training camp, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Irving was present for the Buccaneers' first OTA on Tuesday but was merely a spectator, and afterward coach Todd Bowles said that the third-year running back is in line to return in "summer or fall," according to River Wells of Bucs Gameday. Last season, Irving sat out Weeks 5-12 due to a shoulder subluxation and sprained foot, but after getting back in the fold Week 13, he took on a normal workload down the stretch (113 touches for 435 yards from scrimmage and two total TDs over the final six games). Tampa Bay let Rachaad White move on in free agency and replaced him with Kenneth Gainwell, who, along with holdover Sean Tucker, will handle most of the first-team reps during the offseason program and even into training camp until Irving is good to go. |
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Back to full health
Tue, May 26, 2026, 2:11 PM
Mauch told reporters Tuesday that he's fully recovered from his knee injury, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Mauch appeared in just two games during Tampa Bay's 2025 campaign due to a knee injury, but it now appears he's moved past the issue. The 27-year-old is expected to operate the Buccaneers' top right guard during the 2026 season. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving May not be ready until 'summer or fall'
Tue, May 26, 2026, 1:48 PM
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday that Irving (shoulder) is expected back in "summer or fall," River Wells of Bucs Gameday.
Analysis: This is less optimistic than the team's stance just a few weeks ago, when it was reported that Irving could be limited during the offseason program. He watched from the sideline Tuesday at the first on-field session of OTAs, and Bowles' comments afterward suggest Irving won't be ready for practice until training camp -- if then. Irving missed a chunk of last season with a dislocated shoulder, eventually undergoing surgery at an undisclosed date this offseason. While Bowles' comment isn't necessarily cause for panic, it does seem like the Bucs want to be cautious with Irving after his injury-riddled 2025. The team signed Kenneth Gainwell and re-signed Sean Tucker, both of whom figure to see plenty of first-team reps while Irving finishes up his rehab this summer. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Not practicing yet
Tue, May 26, 2026, 12:28 PM
Irving (shoulder) is present at OTAs but isn't participating in on-field work yet, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Irving watched Tuesday's practice from the sideline before heading inside with a member of the training staff. He's recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, temporarily leaving Tampa's first-team backfield reps in the capable hands of fellow veterans Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker. Reports from earlier in May suggested Irving was unlikely to do much at the offseason program, with training camp being the real target. For now, he'll focus on finishing up his rehab and mastering schematic changes under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. |
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Bucky Irving Bucky Irving Shoulder injury still lingering
Wed, May 13, 2026, 11:00 AM
The Buccaneers announced Tuesday that Irving (shoulder) may not be fully cleared for the start of OTAs, Andrew Harbaugh of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Irving missed seven games from Week 2 to Week 12 due to a combination of shoulder and foot/ankle injuries in 2025. Though he returned for Tampa Bay's final six regular-season games, the 2024 fourth-rounder shared snaps with Sean Tucker (re-signed) and Rachaad White (signed with Commanders) and never quite looked fully healthy. The shoulder injury required an offseason procedure to address and Irving isn't yet cleared to practice, though Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports that his rehab is proceeding on schedule. Per Auman, Irving is expected to be limited during OTAs, which will take place between late May and early June, before being fully cleared for the start of training camp in July. Presumably, he will also be limited at mandatory minicamp from June 16-18. Tampa Bay added Kenneth Gainwell to the backfield via a two-year, $14 million contract in free agency, positioning Irving to face increased competition for touches, especially for change-of-pace work and third-down scenarios. |
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Ted Hurst Viewed as true X receiver
Tue, May 12, 2026, 1:39 PM
Speaking with the media Tuesday, new Bucs OC Zac Robinson said third-round rookie Hurst is viewed as a "true X" receiver in Tampa Bay, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Analysis: Hurst has the size at 6-foot-4 and 206 pounds and the long-range speed (4.42-second forty) to run the downfield routes vacated by Mike Evans, who is one of this generation's prototypical X receivers. The Bucs used the 84th overall pick on Hurst, who likely would've gone sooner if he'd faced stiffer college competition instead of playing at Georgia State. Hurst drew some Nico Collins comparisons in the pre-draft process. His main competition for playing time in three-wide sets figures to be Jalen McMillan. |
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