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Updates from Week 4
Quarterbacks
The quarterback debate for the Buccaneers has been resolved, and Baker Mayfield will take the helm as the starting quarterback. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales explained the choice: “Thinking about what Baker has been able to do…[for] a little bit there in the middle of camp, Kyle showed he’s the real deal. Baker felt the heat and had a couple of days where it wasn’t quite sharp. He turned it around, had a fantastic first preseason game with a couple of drives – took us down, had a touchdown, and the communication was smooth. Then he kind of settled right in for that following week leading up to the Jets, showing up in that practice, and [it was] just like a good feeling like, ‘We’re settled here with this guy.’ Everything felt like it was running smoothly.” However, this doesn't mean Kyle Trask's efforts went unnoticed. He made a significant impression during camp. Canales commended Trask's efforts, sharing, “We’re fortunate, going into this thing, that we didn’t just name a starter going into it without giving Kyle a chance to show what he can do because I think he earned a lot of respect in the locker room, on the coaching staff, in the fanbase for Bucs fans out there to see Kyle is real – he is the real deal.”
Running Backs
Rachaad White had a relatively uneventful preseason, but he's going to be a crucial piece of the offense. White admires Canales's approach, noting, “The new scheme, honestly, is just amazing,” White said. “We’re running things out of different formations. There’s a lot of eye candy on stuff. There’s a lot of motion and things like that. I just really like it. We’ve got good run plays and good run schemes, I think it’s just a great offense. The track record of the offense shows, and you’ve seen the running backs that have thrived in it.” While Chase Edmonds missed practice for a week, he should be ready for Week 1. Filling the void left by Giovani Bernard, Edmonds will primarily focus on passing downs and stand as an able backup to White. Sean Tucker had a standout preseason and could have a bright future.
Wide Receivers
Mike Evans has a groin injury. However, the expectation is that Evans will be fit and ready for the season opener. Evans remains a key contributor, although his ability to extend his 1,000-yard season streak is in jeopardy, given the quarterback situation. With his contract due to conclude, he's eager for an extension that ensures he can finish his career in Tampa. His enthusiasm this summer has been palpable, particularly about participating in Canales’s offensive scheme. “It’s a different offense, and he’s happy to be in it,” Todd Bowles remarked. “He’s happy to learn it, and he’s full of energy right now. He’s playing like a rookie, which I appreciate because he’s engrossed in it and executing well. [Bucs wide receivers coach] Brad Idzik has been instrumental in prepping those guys. Mike's vigor and readiness for a new challenge are commendable.” Meanwhile, Chris Godwin showcased his form in the recent preseason game against the Ravens. He’s in sync with Mayfield. If both stay fit, the combination of Evans and Godwin promises to pose a formidable challenge to opposing defenses. In the wake of Russell Gage’s absence, Trey Palmer and Rakim Jarrett have risen to the occasion, positioning themselves as vital cogs.
Tight Ends
Despite just a single season of experience, Cade Otton has rising expectations. Throughout the camp, he's cemented his role as a prominent red-zone threat and has quickly become a favorite among the quarterbacks. Reflecting on his growth, Otton remarked, “It’s funny looking at my film from last year, you grow, and you watch more film of what you should be doing. It makes me think, ‘What was I doing last year?’ There's this natural evolution in the game, but I'm focusing on those minute details — especially with the new offense. This means adapting to new footwork, new hand placements.” Coach Bowles lauds Otton's performance, “He's a football player and a heady football player. He’s been solid all the way around. He has been having a good camp.” Meanwhile, Ko Kieft is secure as the No. 2. He’ll mainly contribute as a blocker.
Kickers
Chase McLaughlin had a standout night in the win over Baltimore in the preseason finale, making all four of his field goal attempts, including a long of 48 yards and another from 47, as well as both of his extra-point attempts.
Defense
Safety Antoine Winfield Jr has been absent from practice for over two weeks, raising concerns about his availability for Week 1. Despite the uncertainty, Bowles remains “hopeful.” Defensive Tackle Calijah Kancey sat out the preseason due to a calf injury he sustained early on. While he has been present at practice, he hasn't participated fully, leaving his status for the season opener in question. Meanwhile, Christian Izien's commendable performance in the preseason has secured him the starting nickel position. The Bucs defense has an unexpected star in linebacker Markees Watts. He's made a significant impact in the preseason, earning the title of the second-highest-graded rookie by Pro Football Focus.
Returners
Deven Thompkins remains the leading candidate to field punts and kickoffs for the Buccaneers.
Updates from Week 3
Quarterbacks
Kyle Trask started the second preseason game and completed 13-of-17 passes for 74 yards. Even though Baker Mayfield was dressed and ready, it was No. 3 John Wolford who took over from Trask. Unfortunately, Wolford had to leave quickly with a neck injury. The coaches oddly put Trask back into the game instead of Mayfield. Impressively, Trask finished the game 20-of-28 for 218 yards and a touchdown to Trey Palmer. Wolford was evaluated at a local hospital but managed to travel back to Tampa with the team. “He’s feeling better,” shared Head coach Todd Bowles. “He’s moving around, so that’s the best we can offer right now. The tests came out pretty [well], so we’ll just see how he recovers.” Does Mayfield’s absence mean he has the edge to start the regular-season opener? Not necessarily, as the coaches remain coy about the quarterback competition. On Mayfield's absence, Bowles clarified, “We were going to play Baker at the end of the half, but we wanted to see Kyle in the two-minute period, so we kind of left him when it went down. We wanted to play John [Wolford] in the second half. It wasn’t fair to put Baker in there without the line he had. Trask was already warmed up, so when John got hurt, we just put him back in to finish up.”
Running Backs
The ground game could have been better this preseason. But, in Saturday's clash with the Jets, Sean Tucker added some spark to the rushing attack. He ran the ball seven times for 37 yards. Additionally, he showcased his receiving skills, catching three passes for 18 yards. While Tucker is currently third on the depth chart, if Chase Edmonds isn't available, he might be the immediate backup for Rachaad White. Ke’Shawn Vaughn was less impressive, losing eight yards on four carries. Patrick Laird and Ronnie Brown managed to gain ground; Laird with 20 yards on nine carries and Brown with 19 yards on seven attempts. Although White took a few snaps during joint practices, the reserves played most of the snaps. New offensive coordinator Dave Canales is committed to lifting the rushing offense up from last year’s basement.
Wide Receivers
Russell Gage is set to miss the entire 2023 season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his right knee during a practice session against the Jets. Gage was locked into the No. 3 role behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Coach Bowles commented, "I think someone has to step up fairly earlier than probably normal, but we still have our top two guys, and we have Thompkins, who's played a lot. Palmer [Trey] made some plays, and Rakim [Jarrett] needs to get fit. David Moore has shown promise, and we have several others vying for positions. We're hoping someone will stand out soon." Answering Bowles's call to action, Trey Palmer, David Moore, Deven Thompkins, and Rakim Jarrett have all risen to the occasion to fill the void. Among them, Palmer is standing out, most evidenced by a highlight-worthy touchdown against the Jets. He cleverly tipped the 33-yarder to himself over a defender. Bowles appreciated Palmer’s effort, noting, “He made some fantastic catches. I'm not sure about his attempt to leap over an opponent — that’s not something we coach — but his catches were commendable. He showcased his athletic mettle, and we're pleased with his performance.” Such efforts by Palmer place him firmly in the running for the third spot. Jarrett also had moments, recording three catches for 84 yards. Moore (two receptions for 18 yards) and Thompkins (two receptions for 13 yards) had a more subdued presence but managed to contribute.
Tight Ends
During the preseason, Cade Otton has established himself as a consistent and reliable receiver. Both Mayfield and Trask have thrown to him often. Otton caught two pivotal third-down passes against the Jets. If Otton keeps up this momentum, he could factor as a key target to make up for Russell Gage’s season-ending injury. Backups Ko Kieft, David Wells, and Payne Durham had a quiet week.
Kickers
Rodrigo Blankenship's chances at the kicking job were jeopardized when he missed two field goal attempts in the win over the Jets. Chase McLaughlin successfully converted his lone field goal attempt from 48 yards and an extra point. When asked if Blankenship’s misses decided the competition, head coach Todd Bowles said, "I'll look at the tape. You've got to make them to be in it. You've seen what you've seen, but we've got one more game, and we'll go from there." Where they went was waiving Blankenship.
Defense
Logan Hall is the only starter to play against the Jets. The backups struggled to defend the run, especially when Jets quarterback Zach Wilson broke free for a 35-yard run. But for all the struggles, there were highlights, too. They secured three turnovers that contributed to the victory. In the second quarter, J.J. Russell set the tone by forcing a fumble, which outside linebacker Anthony Nelson promptly recovered. During the third quarter, Cornerback Dee Delaney showcased his skills with a crucial interception in the red zone. Outside linebacker Charles Snowden forced a fumble on the Jets' final push as the game neared its end. This was recovered by cornerback Anthony Chesley, sealing the win. Coach Bowles remarked, “We want to keep getting turnovers. That gives our offense a chance. Tackling must improve in the preseason. Hopefully, it gets better next week. It was better, but it can be even better than that. You want the turnovers – always want the turnovers – and we took care of the football, so that’s important for us.”
Offensive Line
Center Ryan Jensen suffered a severe knee injury last year and opted for rehab over surgery. Jensen shockingly returned for the team's Wild Card loss against Dallas in January. Since then, Jensen has not taken any reps in practice or played much at all. The odds are increasing that Robert Hainsey will get the start in Week 1. The line ranks 18th with a healthy Jensen but falls to 26th without him.
Updates from Week 2
Quarterbacks
The team shared its depth chart this week but didn’t shed light on who will be the Week 1 starter at quarterback. Both Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask were listed as QB1. Trask’s momentum had been rising in the days leading up to the Steelers' preseason game, but Mayfield may have clawed back into the race. Both had uneven weeks of practice leading up to the game, as they combined for five turnovers on Tuesday, but neither turned the ball over on Wednesday. Mayfield got the start against Pittsburgh, completing 8-of-9 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown to Trey Palmer. Mayfield praised Palmer stating, “[It was] kind of one of those balls that [there is] a lot of trust right there. We’ve hit on the fact that our young guys are playing well at receiver, and Trey did his thing tonight, and a lot of other young guys did as well.” Trask took over midway through the 2nd quarter, finishing 6-of-10 for 99 yards with an interception and three sacks. The coaches are giving Trask the start against the Jets, so he has a chance to work with the starters after a poor effort with the backups this week.
Running Backs
Rachaad White is one of a few healthy scratches against Pittsburgh, signaling he’s the clear-cut No. 1. Chase Edmonds is adjusting well to the new offense and his role as the No. 2 tailback. Edmonds shared, "It’s a learning experience for everyone on offense, especially with [offensive coordinator] Dave Canales introducing a new system. Our primary focus is grasping the fundamentals and details, understanding the offense's structure, and progressively deepening our comprehension week by week.” With White sitting, Edmonds, Sean Tucker, and Ke’Shawn Vaughn played the majority of snaps. Unfortunately, they combined for just 32 rushing yards. Head coach Todd Bowles pinpointed the issue: "We had promising runs, but penalties, especially holding calls, thwarted our momentum. Consistent holding penalties, like those which negated Sean Tucker’s touchdown, hinder our rushing game. We need to address and eliminate these infractions."
Wide Receivers
Russell Gage is nearly recovered from his injury and is eager to contribute. "I’m feeling really good," said Gage. "The training staff has been excellent, easing me back in. It feels great out on the field, and I'm really enjoying it." Coach Bowles elaborated: "He’s [Gage] moving at full speed. We're just working on getting him acclimated to the camp's intensity. While he's active, he doesn’t run continuously like others. Recovering from an injury takes time, but we anticipate he'll be fully participating in about a week." On Friday night, Trey Palmer got the team on the scoreboard with a contested catch from Baker Mayfield in the second quarter. Reflecting on the moment, Palmer noted, “The moment wasn’t overwhelming. This is what I train for, those contested catches. I focused solely on the ball, ensuring I caught it and got my feet set. That's exactly what I executed.” Fans should anticipate seeing more from Palmer in the upcoming weeks. David Moore also had a good night, with 66 yards on three catches. He's an ideal fit in Canales' offense. Backup Kaylon Greiger had 50 yards in the game but is unlikely to make the final roster.
Tight Ends
Cade Otton stood out this week, especially near the goal line. He secured consecutive touchdowns from Trask in red zone drills. David Wells flashed game-breaking open-field skills on a deep pass from Mayfield. Dominique Dafney added to the scoreline, rounding out Wednesday's practice, grabbing a touchdown pass from Mayfield. In the game, Payne Durham caught a touchdown pass from John Wolford. Otton is secure as the No. 1, Ko Kieft is a lock as the blocking specialist, but Wells, Dafney, Durham, and Tanner Taula all have eyes on the No. 3 spot.
Kickers
Chase McLaughlin successfully made both of his extra point attempts, and Rodrigo Blankenship's field goal attempt from 35 yards was also successful. Consequently, the preseason loss to the Steelers did little to clarify the kicking competition. McLaughlin has been better in camp and should win the job if both continue to perform as they did Friday night.
Defense
Rookie defensive lineman Calijah Kancey will miss the remainder of the preseason with a right calf sprain. The defense was disruptive in practice this week, forcing multiple turnovers. Devin White, Zyon McCollum, Keenan Isaac, Jamel Dean, and Nolan Turner each grabbed an interception on Tuesday. In Friday's game, the defensive standouts were McCollum and J.J. Russell. McCollum remarked, “It lets me know that a lot of the work that I’ve been putting in is coming to fruition, and it’s just the first step. It’s just the first game. It’s encouraging to see we're on the right track, and it fuels my motivation to maintain this momentum and work harder.” Additionally, Cam Gill notched 1.5 sacks, while Will Gholston led the Bucs with five tackles.
Returners
Undrafted rookie Deven Thompkins was a surprising success story for the Buccaneers last year, stepping in for incumbent return specialist Jaelon Darden late in the year. Darden has subsequently joined the Browns, making Thompkins the clear favorite.
Updates from Week 1
Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield, although recruited early this offseason, can't rest on his laurels just because of his experience in the league. His spot as the starting quarterback isn't a foregone conclusion. As a matter of fact, Kyle Trask is giving him a run for his money. Trask has been nothing short of spectacular, earning first-team reps with his red-hot performance. Notably, Trask's ability to make quick decisions and execute efficient passes, along with his impressive ball security of just one interception throughout the week (in stark contrast to Mayfield's five), certainly makes him a contender. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales offered an essential insight, suggesting that Trask’s outstanding recent performances have significantly leveled the playing field in the quarterback race. So, if Trask keeps up his current form, seeing him nab the starting spot wouldn't be beyond belief. Not to be overlooked, John Wolford also displayed admirable skill in the past week, particularly shining in red zone drills where he demonstrated outstanding efficiency.
Running Backs
Rachaad White had a fruitful week, showcasing why he is the primary choice among the roster of running backs. Canales spoke highly of him, stating, "I am just waiting to see some live bullet play from him, but I mean, he is just so natural. Everything he does, the run game, the pass game, pass protection, and routes. He is really a natural with both hands catching the ball…There really is not a run type that he has not shown to just kind of feel. He feels it really well. He does not restrict us in what we do in that regard." While Ke’Shawn Vaughn is slated for the No. 2 role, this doesn't mean his skills won't be put to good use. Canales spoke about Vaughn's value, saying, “The cool part about [Vaughn] is that he has enough experience right now where any run type you give him, he really knows what it is designed to do. He has patience on the ones where he needs to be patient. He hits it fast on the ones where he needs to. He is exciting.” Chase Edmonds is the favorite to round out the game-day roster.
Wide Receivers
Russell Gage has been carefully reintroduced to training camp following a lower leg injury. As the week unfolded, Gage was able to fully participate in practice, demonstrating a rejuvenated spirit and readiness to perform. Both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are in peak condition. Evans expressed his appreciation for OC Canales' contribution: "I love what Dave [Canales] has brought – a different type of energy. He’s a really interesting guy – really fun to be around. In the past, I've been moved around a lot, but in this offense, I’m going to be moved around even more. It’ll be harder to get a double team on me. I’m looking forward to seeing what we are able to do this year." Notably, both Evans and Godwin made significant catches from all three quarterbacks. David Moore maintained his consistent role in the Buccaneers' passing game, receiving several passes from Mayfield, which included a touchdown during the red zone practice. Canales praised Moore, stating, "Anytime someone is leaning on him, balls in the air, he really doesn’t get affected 'cause he’s so strong. He’s special with the ball, so a lot of perimeter screens and jet sweep type of things on the perimeter, he can really make yards in different ways as well." This week, Rakim Jarrett stood out with his performance. Mayfield complimented Jarrett, saying, "He is making a ton of plays in one-on-one situations. He has a really good ability to highpoint the ball. He has good body control when he is in the air. Those are guys that when you have the one-on-one matchups in third-down situations like that, you are going to try and find those guys who you know are going to make contested catches."
Tight Ends
Cade Otton is assuming his leadership position as the primary tight end. However, it is anticipated that the Bucs will be employing several tight ends within their system. David Wells has started to draw some notice after compiling a commendable week. Head Coach Todd Bowles praised his performance, saying, “He has shown to be a very good receiver. He has done surprisingly well at blocking and is efficient as well. I will be happy to see him in preseason games. He will be a guy we are watching because we really like the initial part of what we have seen."
Kickers
The competition between kickers Chase McLaughlin and Rodrigo Blankenship shifted on August 3. McLaughlin made all three of his kicks, while Blankenship missed two, one of which was a short miss off the upright, and another was significantly off from 53 yards. Most observers believe McLaughlin holds a clear advantage.
Defense
Calijah Kancey strained his right calf, which is expected to sideline him for a few weeks. Nonetheless, he is optimistic about recovering in time for the start of the season's first week. Safety Kaevon Merriweather has been making quite an impression this week, attributing his success to his strong understanding of the game. Bowles recognized his talent, saying, “He is very smart. He showed up in mini-camp, intelligence-wise. We know he can hit; we saw his tape. We saw some things out here tonight, he showed up a time or two. I think he is a very good athlete. He looks like a linebacker, but he plays safety. We will have to look for him to keep getting better and better.” Anthony Nelson has expressed admiration for the performances of rookies Yaya Diaby and Jose Ramirez. “On top of both of them – they have a lot of physical ability that is going to translate; it’s been cool to see them adjust so far and get better. I know in two weeks, after a couple more padded practices, I’m going to see those guys really humming. I can see them being really good players for us,” ​​said Nelson. Antoine Winfield Jr, Joe Tyron-Shoyinka, and Yaya Diaby notably made their mark on the offense, each recording sacks.
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