The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue their dominance in the NFC South as they prepare for the 2025 NFL season, relying on quarterback Baker Mayfield to fuel their passing attack. Entering Todd Bowles’ fourth year as head coach, the Bucs hope to blend established talents with emerging players while navigating injury recoveries to maintain their position as a playoff contender.
With key players like Chris Godwin and Tristian Wirfs working back from injuries, Tampa Bay faces growing competition from younger NFC South teams such as the Falcons and Panthers. The Bucs’ success in 2025 will depend heavily on Mayfield’s performance under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and the ability to sustain one of the league’s most productive offenses.
Team Performance Metrics Highlight Buccaneers’ Offensive Prowess in 2024
In the previous season, Tampa Bay showcased a potent offense that ranked among the NFL’s best. The Buccaneers averaged 29.5 points per game, securing 4th place in scoring, while amassing 399.6 total yards per contest, earning 3rd in the league. Their offense consistently operated with 64.6 plays per game and managed 40.9 dropbacks each outing, demonstrating a strong passing focus with notable efficiency as reflected by a dropback EPA (expected points added) per play of 0.21 — ranking fifth overall.
The rushing attack complemented the aerial assault with 28.4 attempts per game and a solid rush EPA of 0.01, placing them 10th and 4th in those categories respectively. These balanced metrics underscore the Buccaneers’ versatility and make the offense a challenging unit for defenses to contain.
Stable Leadership Under Todd Bowles and Defensive Upgrades
After securing a three-year contract extension, head coach Todd Bowles has solidified his role as the Buccaneers’ leader, aiming to improve upon the team’s recent NFC South titles. Coming off a 10-win season—the first for Bowles as a head coach since 2015—he and general manager Jason Licht targeted defensive enhancements to complement their offense.
To address the team’s 18th-ranked overall defense and particularly the 29th-ranked pass defense, Tampa Bay added linebacker Haason Reddick and drafted defensive backs Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish. Strengthening the defense could slow opposing offenses and, in turn, impact the pace of Tampa Bay’s own offensive game.
Offensively, the Buccaneers have promoted Josh Grizzard to offensive coordinator, his third different coordinator role in as many seasons. Grizzard’s ascent from within maintains continuity for a top-five offense. His prior role as passing game coordinator equipped him with insight into the team’s weaponry, suggesting he will build on existing schemes while adding his own adjustments. There is speculation about whether Grizzard might follow previous coordinators Dave Canales and Liam Cohen in seeking head coaching opportunities in the future.
Key Contributors in Tampa Bay’s Passing Attack
Baker Mayfield remains the focal point of Tampa Bay’s aerial offense, supported by a dynamic receiving group. Alongside Mayfield, Kyle Trask offers depth at quarterback. Among wide receivers, Mike Evans continues as a reliable veteran presence, joined by Trey Palmer, veteran Sterling Shepard, emerging talent Jalen McMillan, and highly anticipated rookie Emeka Egbuka. The tight end position features Cade Otton, Payne Durham Pop, and Ko Kieft as options in the passing game.
Mayfield’s volume passing has been a defining trait during his tenure with Tampa Bay. Over two seasons, he has delivered career-best numbers, despite leading the league with 16 interceptions in 2023. Notably, he tied Lamar Jackson for second in touchdown passes with 41, driven by a high average of 33.5 pass attempts per game, placing him seventh in the NFL. This volume helped Mayfield secure a QB5 ranking in fantasy football.
Looking ahead, the offense is expected to maintain a similar structure with Mayfield distributing to a multi-pronged receiving corps. Egbuka enters the roster as a first-round rookie with the potential to quickly strengthen the wide receiver group. Following the draft of Jalen McMillan last year, both rookies reflect an organizational commitment to developing young talent in the passing game.
Chris Godwin’s absence due to injury left a noticeable gap in 2024. Before his Week 7 injury, Godwin was the second-highest scoring receiver in fantasy behind only Ja’Marr Chase. Mike Evans’ production notably increased during Godwin’s time off, rising from WR21 to WR3 in fantasy points per game from Weeks 8-17. While Godwin’s return timeline remains uncertain, Egbuka is expected to fill the WR2 role until then. McMillan will continue to serve as a reliable option, especially if injuries affect the veteran core again.
The tight end Cade Otton demonstrated potential to contribute significantly when Godwin went down. He posted fantasy performances of 18, 29.1, and 21.7 points across three games following the injury, compared to lower production when the receiving corps was healthy. Otton’s fantasy viability hinges on scoring opportunities, particularly touchdowns, within the offense’s distribution. The Buccaneers also plan to employ running backs in passing roles, adding another layer to their multifaceted attack.
Running Backs and Offensive Line Stability Provide Balance
The Buccaneers’ running back group is led by Bucky Irving, whose rookie season was marked by a dual-threat capability. Irving compiled 47 receptions for 392 yards and rushed for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. His fantasy production placed him 19th among running backs, despite playing just 45% of offensive snaps. Rachaad White, with a slightly larger snap share of 51%, was outpaced by Irving in recent games, partly due to Irving’s increased snap percentage after the mid-season point.
Sean Tucker also factors into the backfield rotation, posing a potential challenge to White’s role and receiving opportunities. Overall, Irving appears positioned as the lead back heading into 2025, with the upside to rank among the top 5 to 10 fantasy running backs if given expanded usage.
The Buccaneers return a young and highly effective offensive line that started nearly every game in 2024. Tristan Wirfs, a three-time All-Pro and rising Hall of Fame prospect, anchors the unit alongside key starters Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch, and Luke Goedeke. Despite Goedeke’s concussion-related absences, the line’s cohesion contributed to Tampa Bay’s top-four rushing offense last year, providing a strong foundation for both the run and pass game.
This offensive front’s consistency supports the Buccaneers’ goal of maintaining one of the NFL’s top offenses in 2025.
Outlook for 2025: Playoff Hopes Amid Rising NFC South Competition
Having won the NFC South for three consecutive years under Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay remains the division favorite entering 2025, but breaking past the 10-win plateau has been elusive. After finishing 4-2 against divisional rivals in 2024, the Buccaneers will face stiffer challenges as the Falcons and Panthers show improvements. The Buccaneers’ schedule outside the division features formidable opponents like the Eagles, 49ers, Lions, Bills, and Rams, all of which will test Tampa Bay’s playoff credentials.
Despite their offensive firepower, current projections suggest the Buccaneers may fall short of exceeding 9.5 wins in 2025, setting the stage for a tightly contested NFC South battle where every game will carry playoff implications.