Tampa Bay enters 2026 on the brink of a rebuild after a 5-1 start in 2025 unraveled into a 3-8 finish, leaving the Buccaneers 8-9 and out of the playoffs.
Mike Evans’ exit to San Francisco and Lavonte David’s retirement stripped away two long-time pillars, forcing the Bucs to lean on younger pieces rather than clear one-for-one replacements.
Todd Bowles still has continuity in his fifth season, but Tampa Bay used early draft capital on Rueben Bain Jr. and Josiah Trotter to inject speed and youth into an aging front seven.
Baker Mayfield’s offense could remain viable if Chris Godwin Jr., Jalen McMillan and 2025 first-rounder Emeka Egbuka stay healthy, softening the loss of Evans.
The realistic ceiling is another NFC South push rather than a deep playoff run, with Tampa Bay’s roster caught between veteran inertia and an unfinished transition.