Category: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucs’ Raymond James Stadium set to host NHL game in 2026

Turns out, the NHL and Raymond James Stadium feel like achieving the impossible in 2026.

The game of hockey has had quite a run in recent years in the state of Florida. The Florida Panthers are the defending Stanley Cup winners, and the Tampa Bay Lightning have won back-to-back Stanley Cups from 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. Despite all that success, neither the Panthers nor Lightning have played in an outdoor game because how can you in Florida?

Turns out, the NHL and Raymond James Stadium feel like achieving the impossible in 2026.

The NHL announced this week that the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Raymond James Stadium, will play host to the Lightning as they take on the Boston Bruins on February 1, 2026. The game will be the first outdoor game played in the state of Florida under the NHL banner.

The NHL is not unusual in playing in a warm state. In the past, they have played in California and Texas and had the games go smoothly. It is worth noting, though, that the average high in Tampa Bay in February is 75 degrees, so the NHL and Raymond James Stadium will have their work cut out for them. 

Bucs OC Liam Coen ready to take on Baker Mayfield for HC interviews

The Bucs offensive coordinator was asked about Mayfield’s comments on Thursday and gave a fun response. 

When the Bucs season was coming to a close, speculation began around offensive coordinator Liam Coen and his potential to interview for head coaching spots that may open up. Fast forward a few weeks and there are now six head coach openings, all of which could be fits for Coen.

While everyone wants Coen to succeed, Baker Mayfield has joked it would come down to “one-on-one at Sawgrass to decide whether he actually takes the interview.” The Bucs offensive coordinator was asked about Mayfield’s comments on Thursday and gave a fun response.

“He doesn’t want to see me [laughs]. That’s not really part of the mindset right now. That’ll be next week after this stuff is done. The No. 1 mindset is to go win this game and then I’ll beat him in golf at some point.”

Coen has been requested to interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which could take place next week, as he eludes to. He would remain in Florida and become a preseason regular for the Bucs due to them and the Jaguars always playing each other in August. 

Before any games of golf can be played or interviews conducted, Coen is right in that the team has to focus on the Washington Commanders.

Bucs breakout rookie seen as X-factor heading into playoffs

Ian Valentino wrote up his choices for X-factors for each NFL playoff team, and the rookie wide receiver was his choice for the Bucs.

Jalen McMillan has emerged in recent weeks, and people are noticing. The Bucs offense was explosive in 2024, and that was without Chris Godwin for most of it. McMillan allowed this team to keep going and growing as the season went on, and that isn’t being lost on anyone.

Ian Valentino of The 33rd Team wrote up his choices for X-factors for each NFL playoff team, and the rookie wide receiver was his choice for the Bucs.

Valentino writes, “. . .a switch was flipped in McMillan. He’s been a more prominent feature within the offense, and his role in beating New Orleans to win the NFC South already capped off a great finish to the season. . .Evans will always be the alpha in Tampa Bay, but McMillan now has Baker Mayfield’s trust. They must continue leaning into their emerging star to survive in the playoffs.”

McMillan looks to be a long-term option for the team alongside Mike Evans. If the team brings back Chris Godwin, the three of them could compliment each other with their roles. The playoffs will be very telling for what the Bucs future plans could hold for him.

Bucs’ Yaya Diaby named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 18

Yaya Diaby had a week to remember, and for his performance, the NFL named him their NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense has struggled to find consistency in 2024. Some players, like Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, and Yaya Diaby, have shown growth and flash moments. All three had good weeks in Week 18 against the Saints, but one stood out above the rest.

Yaya Diaby had a week to remember, and for his performance, the NFL named him their NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

 

Per the Bucs’ press release on the award, Diaby became “. . .1-of-4 players this season with four-or-more tackles for loss and four-plus quarterback hits in a single game, joining Aidan Hutchinson (Week 2), Trey Hendrickson (Week 9) and Nick Bosa (Week 17).”

The defense has been better since their Week 11 bye, and Diaby has played a critical part in that. They still have a long way to go and will be tested in the Wild Card against the Commanders in Jayden Daniels.

A repeat performance from Yaya Diaby wouldn’t hurt.

One Bucs player is named to the NFLPA All-Pro team for 2024

On Wednesday, the NFLPA put their media hat on and announced their All-pro selections, and one Tampa Bay Buccaneer made the cut.

The NFLPA loves to lift up its members, who are the players that bring us the game of football every Sunday, and Monday, and other days for that matter. The NFLPA creates guidelines for the players, the league, and the media in some cases.

On Wednesday, the NFLPA put their media hat on and announced their All-pro selections, and one Tampa Bay Buccaneer made the cut.

Franchise cornerstone Tristan Wirfs earned the honor from the NFLPA when they announced the team on Wednesday. He played in 16 of the team’s 17 games in the 2024 season and earned a PFF pass-blocking grade of 93.7 in the process.

 

 

PFF also didn’t credit Wirfs with surrendering any sacks this season and only allowed 11 pressures on 638 pass-blocking reps. His consistency has paved the way for this team to be in the state it is, as well as quarterback Baker Mayfield turning his career around.

On Friday, the NFL writers will announce their All-Pro selection, we can expect to see Wirfs listed there as well.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving makes The 33rd Team’s All-Rookie team

Tyler Brooke of The 33rd Team wrote up his selection for the 2024 All-Rookie Team, and one Buc from the 2024 class made the cut.

The rookie class for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is one that will shape the franchise for years to come. On offense especially, three players from the class emerged as established starters to give the team a strong youth infusion.

Tyler Brooke of The 33rd Team wrote up his selection for the 2024 All-Rookie Team, and one Buc from that class made the cut.

Brooke highlighted running back Bucky Irving and the emergence he had within the Bucs offense. Brooke writes, “Bucky Irving didn’t hear his name called until the fourth round of the draft, likely due to concerns about his sub-200-pound frame. However, Irving quickly eased any concerns about his ability to handle a heavy workload by dominating for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his first season.”

The former Oregon Duck was overlooked in a class where many lacked the vision to see a star running back in the fold. For Jason Licht and his front office staff, it was just allowing them to get another value in a loaded rookie class for the team.

Brooke ends his pitch for Irving earning the selection by giving him major credit for the Bucs season.

“The emergence of Irving took the pressure off of Tampa Bay’s passing game this year, and it’s a big reason why they made the playoffs and won the NFC South title.”

NFL analyst likes the Commanders chances against the Bucs

The changes we have seen from this team are what has The 33rd Team’s Tyler Brooke seeing an upset on the horizon.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders are just one of four regular rematches that we have on the schedule for the NFL’s Wild Card round. For the Bucs, it will be a very different Commanders team compared to what they saw in Week 1.

The changes we have seen from this team are what has The 33rd Team’s Tyler Brooke seeing an upset on the horizon.

Brooke wrote up and ranked each playoff matchup and the likelihood of an upset occurring and the Bucs were the team with the highest chance to fall victim to one. He writes, “Both teams have mediocre defenses but high-powered offenses led by exciting quarterbacks in Jayden Daniels and Baker Mayfield. That has the makings of a potential shootout, meaning that anything is possible. . .If the Commanders smell blood in the water, and Daniels can generate some explosive plays, this has the makings of an upset.”

He adds that the Bucs have looked “mortal” in recent weeks and they have. The defense is not going to be able to handle Jayden Daniels and is dual-threat ability if not everyone in the front seven is ready for it.

It will also be on the secondary to have one of their better games of the year or else this will be a short-lived playoff run.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles explains what makes Baker Mayfield different

On Monday, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles discussed how Mayfield and his competitive fire keeps the entire team in games no matter what.

The Bucs have found their leader for the future in Baker Mayfield. From his college days at Texas Tech and Oklahoma, Mayfield has always been a gamer, and that competitive mindset is serving him well in Tampa Bay.

On Monday, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles discussed how Mayfield and his competitive fire keep the entire team in games no matter what.

Bowles told the media, “He’s one of those quarterbacks that has that mentality in his head that he’ll do whatever it takes to win. He has a good knack for seeing where the rush is and when the pocket is open for him to run and get through. . .He’s determined to win. He’ll do whatever it takes to win, and a lot of guys have developed that mentality because of him and we really like that.”

The way Mayfield plays, the way Bowles describes it, is the best and worst part about him. All season long, we have compared the former Heisman Trophy winner to Brett Favre in terms of what he is like on the field.

It will lose you games sometimes, but it has also proven that it will win you more than not.

Bucs lead the NFL in the most important stat since the 2020 season

While the Bucs have found success in their own way, the NFL has not recognized Jason Licht and his work the way they should. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have proved that they can learn and adjust to anything that is thrown there way. When so many teams attempt to rebuild with rookie quarterbacks, the Bucs have done so with veterans and big-name free agents, which is not a path many find successful.

While the Bucs have found success in their own way, the NFL has not recognized Jason Licht and his work the way they should.

What is the most important thing in the NFL, or any sport for that matter? Winning. Jason Licht has built a winning roster for the Bucs consistently for the Bucs since becoming the general manager in 2014.

On Tuesday, ESPN’s infamous “Hembo” shared an interesting stat that puts how much winning the Bucs have done into perspective.

The only teams to have won a Super Bowl on that list in that time frame are the Bucs and Rams. They both did it with established veteran, but the Rams have struggled as their players get older. The Bucs hit the lottery somehow, going from Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield, but hitting on rookie draft classes also helps matters.

Not a bad job over the last five years for Jason Licht and his front office.

Bucs OC Liam Coen receives first HC interview request of 2025

The Bucs offensive coordinator has been expected to be interviewed for NFL head coach openings as they pop up.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported on Tuesday morning that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have received a request from the Jaguars to interview Liam Coen. The Bucs offensive coordinator has been expected to be interviewed for NFL head coach openings as they pop up, and now, with five available, Coen has his first one lined up.

Coen coached the Bucs offense through a rather unique season as they faced ups and downs. Through it all, Coen proved to be effective and coached the offense to a record-breaking year for several members of the offense. Baker Mayfield set career highs, Bucky Irving emerged as a superstar on the rise, and rookies Jalen McMillan and Graham Barton produced.

The way he develops young talent, especially quarterbacks, makes him a prime candidate and fit for the Jaguars. It would also allow Coen to avoid leaving Florida while setting up a preseason return to Tampa Bay if he gets the job.

Coen cannot officially interview for the job until after the divisional round of the playoffs.