One season ago, Tampa Bay was juggling trying to find a quarterback after Tom Brady retired, and had to turn to 2022 backup Baker Mayfield. One year later, the Bucs are the reigning NFC South champions with a postseason win under their belts, and Mayfield is an $100 million quarterback. In this edition of ‘The Super Bowl Race In The Perspective of Chase’, we will preview the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 season.
2023 Season
Tampa Bay was one of the weirder teams in football last season. Because they were one of the more inconsistent squads. They started 3-1 thanks to an easy schedule, then went to 3-5 with losses to four 2023 postseason teams. And that was a pattern. Tampa Bay went 3-7 last regular season against teams with a .500 or better record. Nonetheless, after a 4-7 start, the Bucs turned it on with two straight divisional wins, and then wins over Green Bay and Jacksonville to finish with a 9-8 record, good enough to secure the toilet-title, otherwise known as the NFC South division win. Nonetheless, the Bucs ended up beating a really cold and disasterass Philly team before losing in the division round to Detroit. Nonetheless, Baker Mayfield balled out with one of if not the best season of his career, Mike Evans earned himself another long-term contract and the team overachieved as a whole.
Offseason Additions and Losses
Just like they’re regular season, Tampa Bay had a weird offseason. Many didn’t know what they wanted to do with an overachieving Baker Mayfield, so they paid him $100 million over the next three years to be their franchise quarterback. They also resigned Mike Evans, who was eyeing other teams in free agency. Though he ended up just coming back to his home. A huge part of Tampa’s offseason was also just extending some of their guys. OT Tristian Wirfs just recently signed a five year extension, same goes for CB Antione Winfield but for four years. So they have some of their franchise players locked up. And Graham Barton, their first round pick, is expected to make a huge difference on the O-Line. So Tampa kept everyone…but yet didn’t improve. And a fluky team who happened to get hot last year has just invested a ton of money long-term into their 10-9 ball club (including postseason).
X-Factor: Rachaad White
White is one of the stranger players in the NFL. Because last season, he had a near 1,000 yard year with six rushing touchdowns, both top 20 marks in the NFL. But at the same time, it took him an NFL second-most 272 carries to get there, putting his YPC at 3.6. Doesn’t exactly show dominance from a halfback. But this season, White will be a much more important part of the offense. He clearly made progress last year compared to his rookie year, and expecting him to take another leap isn’t far from realistic. If Mayfield and the passing game remains a threat to defenses, it will allow White to finally reach his full potential. And unlike last year, there will no longer be as much pressure on Baker. That could help Tampa build off of last season’s success. Maybe White’s season was a fluke last year, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he eclipses 1,000 yards efficiently in 2024.
Reason for Concern: Baker Mayfield
We’ve been singing the former Sooner’s praises all day. But let’s not staple Mayfield in with a successful season in 2024. Remember, after what was a career year in 2020, he fell back down to earth in 2021 with a high turnover rate and a lack of pocket presence. Not to mention in 2022 hopping from team to team as a backup, trying to find his way into a starting position. Last season was Mayfield’s last chance, and yes he proved himself. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to prove himself again. Last season, Baker had many games where he did not play up to par, and those games stack. Now with an $100 million contract, Baker may not be playing with that same pressure, and who knows? Maybe Mayfield won’t be that same quarterback he was lasts season or in 2020. I have high hopes for Mayfield, but would not be shocked if he disappoints.
Reason for Promise: Offensive Line
I’m not going to lie, this O-Line looks nasty in 2024. Obviously it all starts with Tristan Wirfs. The man is a 3x Pro Bowler and 1x All Pro recipient at just 25 years old. He’s also stayed relatively healthy. This is why Tampa just extended him for over $140 million over the course of the next five years. But it doesn’t end with Wirfs, as good as he is. At center, Tampa will turn to rookie sensation Graham Barton. It’s very rare a team will select a center in the first round, but Barton is a rare exception. I expect him to be productive this year. But even their other pieces; Ben Bredeson, Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke are all coming off of productive 2023 campaigns. I expect to the O-Line to live up to expectations this coming year.
Prediction
Look, I don’t view this Tampa Bay team as a Super Bowl contender. But I also believe they will win the NFC South. A ton of people have hype around Atlanta, but to me there are still question marks about their receivers and their defense. Tampa is perfectly fit in both of those categories. There is a chance this team falls apart if Baker goes back to his old ways, but I do expect Tampa Bay to be in a postseason position in 2024.
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