The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have finished first in the NFC South in each of the last four seasons. During the last two seasons, they have benefitted from the emergence of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has become his best self after a rocky first five seasons in the NFL.
This offseason, they have re-signed star wide receiver Chris Godwin and veteran linebacker Lavonte David, and they also brought in pass rusher Haason Reddick, a two-time Pro Bowler.
Many outside of Florida would scoff at the notion that Tampa Bay could compete with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles this coming season. But Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports feels there is at least some chance that it could happen.
In an article listing the NFL’s five biggest challengers to the Eagles, Tampa Bay didn’t make the list, but it did get an honorable mention.
“Maybe it’s time we start giving Baker Mayfield some legitimate respect, now that he’s thrown a combined 69 (!) touchdowns in two seasons with the Bucs,” Benjamin wrote. “Yes, he’s also gutsy in a dangerous way, with 26 picks over that same span. But he elevated an injury-riddled lineup in 2024, and if Chris Godwin can stay on the field this time, maybe they can steal the NFC South yet again.”
Even after Godwin suffered that gruesome ankle injury at midseason, the Bucs won six of their final seven regular-season games to clinch the division. They were fourth in scoring but 16th in points allowed and 18th in total yards allowed, and if they get their defense into the league’s top 10, perhaps they could have at least an outside chance of clipping the Eagles’ wings.
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It is very hard to repeat as Super Bowl champs, or to even get to the Super Bowl in back-to-back seasons, and if Philly suffers any sort of letdown or injury issues, Tampa Bay could be one of a handful of teams that could push through the resulting opening and battle for NFC supremacy.
