Latest news with #MikeEvans
USA Today
5 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
How open is the Buccaneers' Super Bowl window ahead of the 2025 season?
For the past five years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been a postseason fixture. Now, entering the 2025 season, the question is no longer whether they're good. It's whether they're great enough to win another Super Bowl. And, just as importantly, how long their window to do so might stay open. The short answer is yes; the window is still open. But it's not wide, and it may not be for long. What keeps the window cracked is stability and stars. Baker Mayfield has emerged as a reliable franchise quarterback, playing the best football of his career under the Buccaneers' system. He's under contract through 2026. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. remain one of the most productive wide receiver duos in the league, and the offense returns all 11 starters for 2025. If new coordinator Josh Grizzard can maintain offensive efficiency, Tampa Bay should again be in the top tier of NFC offenses. Defensively, the Bucs have made smart moves to remain competitive. Antoine Winfield Jr. is in his prime. Vita Vea anchors the line. Veteran Haason Reddick was signed to help with edge pressure. And in the 2025 draft, they added young difference-makers in Jacob Parrish, Elijah Roberts, and Benjamin Morrison, hoping to accelerate a soft transition on that side of the ball. But here's the catch: many of the players keeping the window open are aging, nearing the end of their contracts, or both. Lavonte David is on what may be his final deal. Evans is signed through this season, but his long-term future is uncertain. And Mayfield, while currently cost-effective, could quickly shift into high-end cap territory if his performance justifies it. Financial flexibility will be tested by 2026. Roster turnover is inevitable. And unless young players like Cade Otton and Emeka Egbuka take star-level steps, the talent gap between Tampa Bay and elite NFC teams could yes, the Super Bowl window is still open, but it depends on how well the Bucs draft, manage the cap, and develop a new generation of Buccaneers.
Reuters
7 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Bucs WR Chris Godwin no guarantee Week 1
July 23 - Slot receiver Chris Godwin is on the physically unable to perform list and it's too early for Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles to declare his status for Week 1 of the regular season in September. Godwin, 29, is itching to get back on the field. He spent the past nine months working to be ready, rehabbing from a dislocated ankle and additional damage in his lower leg. He was lost for the season in a 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the team's seventh game of the season while on pace for another 100-catch season. He wrapped up 2024 with 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns. "He's coming along great," Bowles said. "He's on track. We've got to see what the process is for him to get out on the field and do some things," Bowles added. "We'll continue to listen to the doctors and the trainers. He's in great spirits, as well. Again, I don't have a timeline on that, but hopefully it'll be soon." The offensive system in Tampa is likely to be largely the same but there is a transition at offensive coordinator for the third consecutive year. Josh Grizzard was promoted from passing game coordinator to replace new Jaguars head coach Liam Coen. Coen was hired before the 2024 season, replacing 2023 offensive coordinator Dave Canales. Canales was hired as head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2024. Mike Evans is back as the No. 1 receiver for the Bucs. Rookie Emeka Egbuka and 2024 rookie Jalen McMillan are vying for snaps with Godwin's return date uncertain. Grizzard said last week in an interview on WFLA that McMillan was in a "good spot." "I think that where (McMillan) left last season and the progress he showed on and off the field, and you could see that carry over into the spring with not having Chris out there and bringing Emeka along and him showing Emeka the ropes -- then his ability to just do that and be himself and really just take off where he left off, then I think that would be huge if we were just going to actually circle one," Grizzard said. "But you know how it is: At the end of the day, it takes all 11. And he's in a good spot." --Field Level Media
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buccaneers have lofty goals as they kick off training camp for franchise's 50th season
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The four-time defending NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lofty goals entering the franchise's 50th season. They want to celebrate their golden year with their third Vince Lombardi trophy. Every team hopes to win the Super Bowl, of course, but it's more realistic for some than others. Count the Buccaneers among those who should be considered legitimate contenders even though they don't get much attention. Tampa Bay is tied with Chicago for the 14th-best Super Bowl odds, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. 'I know we can get it done,' veteran linebacker Lavonte David said Wednesday. 'I feel like we fell short last year, I feel like we would have had a great run at it last year, honestly. We just fell short, and definitely unfortunate, but probably one of the main reasons why I came back, and I know what we are capable of and I know what we can do. We have the talent to do it, and we have the mindset to do it. So, we just got to put it all together and I always say, 'Offense just do their thing, defense we just have to take care of it.' We have just got to do a better job defensively, and I think we'll get to the promised land if we do that.' With Baker Mayfield turning into a top-tier quarterback and dynamic playmakers like Mike Evans and Bucky Irving around him, the Buccaneers have an offense that can compete with the best. Mayfield last season became just the fourth player in NFL history to have 4,000 yards passing, 40 touchdowns and a completion percentage over 70. Evans flashed midseason form when training camp kicked off with a morning practice. But with Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders watching from the bleachers, Antoine Winfield Jr. and the defense made more big plays for a unit that's looking for more takeaways. 'It's just good to see him healthy,' coach Todd Bowles said of Winfield, an All-Pro in 2023 who missed eight games last year. 'I'm not going to put too much into the first day — we're in shorts and T-shirts getting acclimated. He made some plays in shorts and a T-shirt that I know he can make in pads. I was just happy to see him moving around.' Sanders, who is the head coach at Colorado, was in town to see his son Shilo. The Buccaneers signed safety Shilo Sanders as an undrafted free agent to add depth in the secondary. His younger brother, Shedeur, was selected in the fifth round by the Browns. He's competing for the starting quarterback job in Cleveland. The Buccaneers finished 10-8 last season, including a 23-20 home loss to Washington in the playoffs. The Commanders ended up reaching the NFC championship game. General manager Jason Licht upgraded the offense in the offseason by re-signing wide receiver Chris Godwin, who is still recovering from a severe ankle injury, and drafting Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka 19th overall. He bolstered the defense by signing veteran edge rusher Haason Reddick and drafting cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison (second round) and Jacob Parrish (third round) and edge David Walker (fourth round). Tampa opened camp with All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs sidelined after having knee surgery earlier this month. Bowles is optimistic about Wirfs and Godwin returning sooner than later. ___ AP NFL:
Al Arabiya
7 days ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Buccaneers have lofty goals as they kick off training camp for franchise's 50th season
The four-time defending NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lofty goals entering the franchise's 50th season. They want to celebrate their golden year with their third Vince Lombardi trophy. Every team hopes to win the Super Bowl of course, but it's more realistic for some than others. Count the Buccaneers among those who should be considered legitimate contenders, even though they don't get much attention. Tampa Bay is tied with Chicago for the 14th-best Super Bowl odds according to BetMGM Sportsbook. 'I know we can get it done,' veteran linebacker Lavonte David said Wednesday. 'I feel like we fell short last year. I feel like we would have had a great run at it last year honestly. We just fell short, and definitely unfortunate, but probably one of the main reasons why I came back, and I know what we are capable of, and I know what we can do. We have the talent to do it, and we have the mindset to do it. So, we just got to put it all together, and I always say, Offense just do their thing, defense we just have to take care of it. We have just got to do a better job defensively, and I think we'll get to the promised land if we do that.' With Baker Mayfield turning into a top-tier quarterback and dynamic playmakers like Mike Evans and Bucky Irving around him, the Buccaneers have an offense that can compete with the best. Mayfield last season became just the fourth player in NFL history to have 4000 yards passing, 40 touchdowns, and a completion percentage over 70 percent. Evans flashed midseason form when training camp kicked off with a morning practice. But with Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders watching from the bleachers, Antoine Winfield Jr. and the defense made more big plays for a unit that's looking for more takeaways. 'It's just good to see him healthy,' coach Todd Bowles said of Winfield, an All-Pro in 2023 who missed eight games last year. 'I'm not going to put too much into the first day – we're in shorts and T-shirts getting acclimated. He made some plays in shorts and a T-shirt that I know he can make in pads. I was just happy to see him moving around.' Sanders, who is the head coach at Colorado, was in town to see his son Shilo. The Buccaneers signed safety Shilo Sanders as an undrafted free agent to add depth in the secondary. His younger brother Shedeur was selected in the fifth round by the Browns. He's competing for the starting quarterback job in Cleveland. The Buccaneers finished 10-8 last season, including a 23-20 home loss to Washington in the playoffs. The Commanders ended up reaching the NFC championship game. General manager Jason Licht upgraded the offense in the offseason by re-signing wide receiver Chris Godwin, who is still recovering from a severe ankle injury, and drafting Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka 19th overall. He bolstered the defense by signing veteran edge rusher Haason Reddick and drafting cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison (second round) and Jacob Parrish (third round) and edge David Walker (fourth round). Tampa opened camp with All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs sidelined after having knee surgery earlier this month. Bowles is optimistic about Wirfs and Godwin returning sooner than later.
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Buccaneers have lofty goals as they kick off training camp for franchise's 50th season
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The four-time defending NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lofty goals entering the franchise's 50th season. They want to celebrate their golden year with their third Vince Lombardi trophy. Every team hopes to win the Super Bowl, of course, but it's more realistic for some than others. Count the Buccaneers among those who should be considered legitimate contenders even though they don't get much attention. Tampa Bay is tied with Chicago for the 14th-best Super Bowl odds, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. 'I know we can get it done,' veteran linebacker Lavonte David said Wednesday. 'I feel like we fell short last year, I feel like we would have had a great run at it last year, honestly. We just fell short, and definitely unfortunate, but probably one of the main reasons why I came back, and I know what we are capable of and I know what we can do. We have the talent to do it, and we have the mindset to do it. So, we just got to put it all together and I always say, 'Offense just do their thing, defense we just have to take care of it.' We have just got to do a better job defensively, and I think we'll get to the promised land if we do that.' With Baker Mayfield turning into a top-tier quarterback and dynamic playmakers like Mike Evans and Bucky Irving around him, the Buccaneers have an offense that can compete with the best. Mayfield last season became just the fourth player in NFL history to have 4,000 yards passing, 40 touchdowns and a completion percentage over 70. Evans flashed midseason form when training camp kicked off with a morning practice. But with Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders watching from the bleachers, Antoine Winfield Jr. and the defense made more big plays for a unit that's looking for more takeaways. 'It's just good to see him healthy,' coach Todd Bowles said of Winfield, an All-Pro in 2023 who missed eight games last year. 'I'm not going to put too much into the first day — we're in shorts and T-shirts getting acclimated. He made some plays in shorts and a T-shirt that I know he can make in pads. I was just happy to see him moving around.' Sanders, who is the head coach at Colorado, was in town to see his son Shilo. The Buccaneers signed safety Shilo Sanders as an undrafted free agent to add depth in the secondary. His younger brother, Shedeur, was selected in the fifth round by the Browns. He's competing for the starting quarterback job in Cleveland. The Buccaneers finished 10-8 last season, including a 23-20 home loss to Washington in the playoffs. The Commanders ended up reaching the NFC championship game. General manager Jason Licht upgraded the offense in the offseason by re-signing wide receiver Chris Godwin, who is still recovering from a severe ankle injury, and drafting Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka 19th overall. He bolstered the defense by signing veteran edge rusher Haason Reddick and drafting cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison (second round) and Jacob Parrish (third round) and edge David Walker (fourth round). Tampa opened camp with All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs sidelined after having knee surgery earlier this month. Bowles is optimistic about Wirfs and Godwin returning sooner than later. ___ AP NFL:
