GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 17: Baker Mayfield #6 and Robert Hainsey #70 both of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrate after Mayfield's touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 17, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a roller coaster of a season, starting the season 4-6 before turning it around and making the playoffs at 10-7. The Buccaneers won their division for the fourth consecutive season before suffering a crushing loss to the Commanders in the playoffs, 23-20, on a game-winning field goal. The season still had a lot of great highlights, like the breakout of rookie running back Bucky Irving and another great season from quarterback Baker Mayfield.
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The Buccaneers’ offseason was quiet, but the team made many key moves, like re-signing linebacker Lavonte David as well as wide receiver Chris Godwin. Both players were on the roster since the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl run in the 2020-2021 season and continue to be key pieces of the team. The Buccaneers also brought in free agent defensive end Haason Reddick on a one-year deal. Reddick struggled last season with the Jets, but in 2023 had 11 sacks on the season. Adding Reddick to the defense gives the Buccaneers a shot at improving an already solid unit. The Buccaneers did, however, also have some offseason departures like defensive lineman Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, linebacker K.J. Britt, cornerback Tavierre Thomas and safety Dee Delaney.
Heading into the NFL draft the Buccaneers held the 19th overall pick and selected wide receiver Emeka Egbuka out of Ohio State. The pick was a bit surprising since the Buccaneers already had a crowded wide receiver room, but with Godwin’s injury from last season and Mike Evans turning 31, the Buccaneers knew they would need a successor. The Buccaneers also drafted cornerback Benjamin Morrison, cornerback Jacob Parrish, edge rusher David Walker, edge rusher Elijah Roberts and wide receiver Tez Johnson.
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The Buccaneers enter 2025 as the favorites to repeat as the NFC South winners, but will have their work cut out for them with the 18th hardest schedule in the NFL. Tampa Bay opens its season against its biggest divisional competition, the Falcons, whom it lost to twice last season. Their most difficult games this season will come against the Texans, Eagles, Seahawks, Lions, Bills and Rams.
The Buccaneers open the season with +2800 odds of winning the Super Bowl for the first time since 2020. They also have +1300 odds of winning the NFC championship and are -2.5 favorites in week one in Atlanta vs the Falcons.
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