2025 NFL Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Season Outlook, Schedule & Prediction

2025 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS SEASON PREVIEW

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a bit of a roller coaster season. After a 4-2 start, the Bucs would lose four straight games heading into the bye week. After the bye, Tampa Bay put together four straight wins and six of seven to end the year. The season ended at the hands of the Washington Commanders on their home field.

OFFENSE

The Bucs will go through another change at offensive coordinator with Liam Coen landing the head coaching job in Jacksonville. It will be a similar cast of characters with a new leader.

Where there will be some changes is on the outside. Mike Evans returns as the top receiver, and one of the best in the league. Chris Godwin is making progress recovering from injury but there is a chance he can miss some time. This leaves targets open for the likes of rookie Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan.

Baker Mayfield has found a home in Tampa Bay and has looked as comfortable as ever during his career. He will have a strong ground game to work with as Bucky Irving has emerged. He was one of the top runners in the league last year and will only continue to get better.

Irving’s progression has been said behind an elite offensive line. Tristan Wirfs has become arguably the best left tackle in the league at 26 years old. Luke Goedeke made the move from guard to right tackle and has become rock solid.

On the interior, Cody Mauch proved to be a solid blocker but Graham Barton struggled in year one. He will need to take a step forward for the team this year.

DEFENSE

Tampa Bay has been in the bottom half of the league in yards allowed in recent years. This led to some changes on that side of the ball.

The Bucs added Haasson Reddick to bolster the pass rush.Reddick’s past decisions caused a decline in his career but he is looking to revitalize it in Tampa Bay. He joins YaYa Diaby as an outside linebacker who can get to the quarterback.

Tampa Bay could not generate a pass rush from the edges. It came mostly along the interior with Vita Vea. Logan Hall and Calijah Kancey combined for 13 sacks last season as well.

The secondary will get a boost from a healthy Antoine Winfield Jr. He missed time last year and this caused a lack in production from the safety position. Tampa Bay used draft picks on Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish to add some depth behind Jamel Dean and Tykee Smith.

SCHEDULE

Week 1: at Atlanta Falcons

Week 2: at Houston Texans (Monday Night)

Week 3: vs. New York Jets

Week 4: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 5: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 6: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 7: at Detroit Lions (Monday Night)

Week 8: at New Orleans Saints

Week 9: BYE WEEK

Week 10: vs. New England Patriots

Week 11: at Buffalo Bills

Week 12: at Los Angeles Rams (Sunday Night)

Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 14: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 15: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 16: at Carolina Panthers

Week 17: at Miami Dolphins

Week 18: vs. Carolina Panthers

Record Prediction: 9-8