The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have not usurped expectations by a significant margin during the 2024 season, but the standard in South Florida remained the same.
Todd Bowles team improved their win total once again, inching to a 10-7 record while claiming the NFC South for a fourth straight season. Despite two losses to the Atlanta Falcons, their divisional foe could not hold off Tampa Bay’s late season surge for the crown.
Altogether, there should be much optimism for the Bucs heading into next season. They return star receiver Chris Godwin while extending guard Ben Bredeson and signing linebacker Haason Reddick.
Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is pressured by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Leonard Floyd (56) in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The team saw quarterback Baker Mayfield post career-best stats across the board and witnessed major contributions from an influx of young talent. A heartbreaking NFC Wildcard loss to the Washington Commanders dampers these realities, but the Bucs are still poised to remain in the NFC mix.
However, Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd believes they will lose their ground next season. Cowherd predicts a changing of the guard in the South with Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons taking charge.
“The Bucs are getting old. They’re bringing back the entire offense — sometimes that’s good, sometimes that’s not. I’m a big fan of the trajectory of Atlanta and I’m a big Michael Penix fan.”
The first part of that assertion is simply untrue. Mike Evans’ age may be a deceiving oversight of the entire group, but Tampa Bay’s roster was the fourth youngest among postseason teams a year ago.
As for the offense, it is hard to continue doubting Mayfield after another sensational season despite the changes around him. Furthermore, the Bucs have found an identity running the ball with an upstart Bucky Irving rising to stardom out of the backfield.
In fairness, the Bucs will need to prove they can sustain this offensive renaissance without Liam Coen in the fold and new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard leading the way.
The defense certainly needs work as Tampa Bay lacked the consistent pass rushing presence many have come to know. But the return of Lavonte David and the signing of Reddick will hopefully alleviate those concerns.
Regardless of the Bucs’ changes though, there is plenty of reason to believe in the Falcons instead. Penix Jr. has the makings of a franchise quarterback and the team has placed weapons around him to help him be successful as the starter heading into next season.
Strengthening the case for the Falcons is that they beat Tampa Bay twice last season. Their own demise helped the Bucs hang on to the division title, but there is evidence that suggests they are more than capable of taking down the champs.
Such speculation and projection has swirled around these offseason conversations over the last few years. Even through coaching change and quarterback change, the Bucs have not conceded their place in the South.
Bucs fans should expect these same musings of doubt and concern about their team’s 2025 prospects. But whether it is the Falcons or any of the two remaining teams in the South, they will have to earn their way to the top.
