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Buccaneers | Chris Godwin returning to form? Mon Aug 10, 12:58 AM
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin is 'a lot healthier right now' than he has been in recent years, according to head coach Todd Bowles. 'He is still a playmaker for us, and he makes big plays in the passing and blocking game,' Bowles said. 'He is peaking at the right time.'
| Footballguys view: In addition to being healthy, ESPN's Jenna Laine reports that Godwin has looked "energized: throughout practices, and we've seen him show some versatility in lining up all over the formation. According to Footballguy Matt Waldman, Godwin will likely be Baker Mayfield's favorite red-zone target and contend for the team lead in touchdowns. Waldman added, "The danger of a decline is near," but at Godwin's price -- he's WR40 -- the risk isn't great. |
Chris Godwin Jr. player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Dennis Houston has impressed the coaching staff with his speed, and members of the staff believe Houston may be the fastest player on the roster.
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers OG Billy Schrauth (knee) will be sidelined for a few days because of a knee injury, according to head coach Todd Bowles.
Link to storyFree-agent WR Romello Brinson (Cowboys) recently worked out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers WR Tez Johnson (groin) left practice early Tuesday, Aug. 4, to receive treatment for a groin injury, according to head coach Todd Bowles.
| Footballguys view: Jalen McMillan is also dealing with a knee issue that has him sidelined indefinitely, so rookie third round pick Ted Hurst will get more work with Baker Mayfield and the starters for now. He could move onto our late round target list with strong performances in practice. Johnson was having a great summer before his injury. As long as he gets better soon and goes into the season as a primary backup receiver for the Bucs at multiple positions, we should keep Johnson on our waiver wire watch list. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR David Sills (knee) exited practice early Tuesday, Aug. 4, and was seen icing his knee.
Link to storyDavid Sills V player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Vita Vea (back, contract dispute) and OT Tristan Wirfs (hamstring) did not practice on Tuesday, Aug. 4, according to a report.
Link to storyVita Vea player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka (undisclosed) participated in only positional drills on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Egbuka did not participate in team periods. The star receiver did not participate in practice Monday because of soreness, according to head coach Todd Bowles.
Link to storyTampa Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan (undisclosed) did not practice on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Link to storyTampa Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin did not practice on Tuesday, August 4.
Link to storyChris Godwin Jr. player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers are on a 'collision course for franchise tag' which would pay him at least $47 million in 2027, in the opinion of ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
| Footballguys view: The past three Bucs who received the tag -- Antoine Winfield Jr., Chris Godwin Jr., and Shaquil Barrett -- all got long-term deals eventually. Mayfield knows this is a possibility and isn't afraid of it. Fowler notes the tag could also be a way for the Bucs to facilitate a trade to a QB-needy team, acquiring draft capital to select the quarterback of the future. Until then, the Bucs know Mayfield has been at his best when slighted, highly motivated, and riled up. It's worked for them in the past, and Mayfield definitely has something to prove this year. |
Baker Mayfield player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Monday, Aug. 3, because of soreness, according to head coach Todd Bowles.
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Monday, Aug. 3, because of soreness, according to head coach Todd Bowles.
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers DE David Walker (knee) resumed practicing at training camp after missing all of last season with a knee injury. 'He's got his quickness and his speed back,' head coach Todd Bowles said. 'So as a pass rusher, he's looked very good as far as his movements and everything else.'
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) is dealing with a left hamstring injury, according to head coach Todd Bowles. Morrison missed time last season with a right hamstring injury. 'Hopefully he gets some work in this coming week,' Bowles said. 'I would like to see. He was out here moving around better, but I'll see what the trainer says.'
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers DT Haggai Ndubuisi (undisclosed) was moved to the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list Friday, July 31, after being waived because of a failed physical.
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin was given the day off Thursday, July 30.
Link to storyChris Godwin Jr. player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) was limited during practice Thursday, July 30, because of a hamstring injury. He did not practice Wednesday, July 29, because of the injury.
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield said he is disappointed that the Buccaneers only offered him a two-year contract extension and that the team did not offer anything close to the $50 million per season he was looking for in the negotiations.
| Footballguys view: Mayfield is coming off a down season, and without a new contract he's got a chance to break the bank with a bounce-back year. The Buccaneers were unwilling to commit to Mayfield in terms of annual salary and contract length. Anything is possible, but it seems like this could be Mayfield's final year with the Buccaneers. Mayfield has a current ADP of QB18 (11.06) in 12-team PPR leagues. |
Baker Mayfield player page
Free agent S Ifeatu Melifonwu (Dolphins) agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year deal on Wednesday, July 29. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Link to storyIfeatu Melifonwu player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers DL Vita Vea 'tweaked something' and will miss some time, according to head coach Todd Bowles.
Link to storyVita Vea player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers OT Tristan Wirfs (hamstring) and DT Vita Vea (back) were held out of practice Wednesday, July 29.
Link to storyVita Vea player page
Updating a previous report, Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield and the team have not come to an agreement on a contract extension, according to a Tuesday, July 28 report. The sides are done negotiating and Mayfield will play this season under his current contract.
| Footballguys view: Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times and Greg Auman of FOX Sports both report that the talks have finished with the quarterback reporting to training camp on Tuesday. Mayfield will now have a cap number of $39.975 million in 2026 on the last year of his deal. Depending on how the season goes, the Buccaneers could franchise tag Mayfield in the 2027 offseason. That would put Mayfield in a position to earn $47.97 million on the one-year franchise tender. Whatever the case, Mayfield is once again betting on himself, a tactic that's worked well for him in the past. |
Baker Mayfield player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers S Ja'Quirous Conley was waived by the Buccaneers on Tuesday, July 28. Tampa Bay also placed DT Haggai Ndubuisi and CB Chase Lucas on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield and the team haven't made significant progress on a contract extension as his self-imposed deadline nears Tuesday, July 28.
| Footballguys view: Mayfield, who is set to report to training camp on Tuesday without a new contract, has publicly stated that he does not want to continue negotiations past the start of camp. After signing a three-year, $100 million deal during the 2024 offseason, there's one year left on his current contract. It was recently reported that Mayfield would be willing to play under the franchise tag in 2027, which would be a one-year deal worth $47.97 million. But that, of course, depends on the Buccaneers electing to tag him. We'll continue to monitor, but there's no immediate fantasy impact. |
Baker Mayfield player page
Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea has requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after talks on a contract extension have stalled, his agent, Collin Roberts, told ESPN on Monday.
| Footballguys view: Vea, 31, is entering the final year of a four-year, $71 million contract. He is set to earn $17 million this season, but none of it is guaranteed. He also is set to earn a per-game roster bonus that is capped at $1 million total. Last season, Vea appeared in all 17 games, finishing with 4.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits and 34 tackles. He has 35 sacks in eight seasons since the Buccaneers selected him with the 12th pick in the 2018 NFL draft. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2024. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield would like to have a contract extension finalized by the time veterans report to training camp Tuesday, July 28, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. However, Fowler believes this is an 'artificial deadline' and that intensified negotiations could continue beyond this point if necessary. Mayfield is entering the final season of a three-year, $100 million deal.
| Footballguys view: Most expect a deal to get done, but we shouldn't interpret a lack of a deal before camp opens as a bad sign for his future with the team. Mayfield has already had to bet on himself many times in his career and would probably look at going into the season without an extension as an opportunity to make even more on his eventual new deal with the team. |
Baker Mayfield player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving said he is 'good to go' for training camp at his youth football camp, according to a source on Monday, July 20.
| Footballguys view: Irving returned to the Bucs practice fields on the final day of OTAs, the first time he hit the field since shoulder surgery earlier this year. That's good news for Irving, who'll face competition for snaps from free-agent addition Kenny Gainwell. Irving is being drafted as RB21 in early Round 5. Gainwell is RB34 going in Round 8. Irving's ADP reflects last year's points-per-game finish and his 2026 Footballguys projection. Could Gainwell be a limiting factor? We'll be watching for more. |
Via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Baker Mayfield reveals in the upcoming season of Quarterback that, in 2025, he played with a sprained MCL and PCL in his knee from Week 2 on. Mayfield also had a "bad biceps contusion" in his throwing arm, and he injured the shoulder of his non-throwing arm.
| Footballguys view: As Profootballtalk.com notes, if Mayfield had a knee injury for that much of the season, it didn't show up in the injury reports. "Knee" wasn't listed at all until Week 8. It underscores the fact that the NFL's injury-reporting rules don't contain nearly enough information. Sometimes, players don't tell the team about their injuries. Sometimes, players get treatment away from the team's facility. Whatever the case, Mayfield finished last year as QB12 -- although his points per game ranked 19th. Mayfield is being drafted as QB20. |
Baker Mayfield player page
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield said early last month that he and the team were not close to an agreement on a new contract and that "we're not doing contract stuff" after the start of training camp. The Bucs report to camp on July 28, and there doesn't appear to be much change in where things stand for Mayfield. Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that "a lot of work needs to be done" before any agreement is reached with the quarterback.
| Footballguys view: That is also reportedly the case for defensive tackle Vita Vea. Mayfield is in the third year of a three-year, $100 million deal, while Vea is set to make $17 million during the 2026 season. Garafolo adds that the Bucs feel "no rush" to wrap up negotiations with either player at the moment. That urgency could grow with the window before camp getting shorter, but it remains to be seen if all involved will find the middle ground needed to reach the finish line. Meanwhile, based on his QB20 ADP, fantasy investors are also lukewarm on Mayfield. |
Baker Mayfield player page
This won't shock a lot of people, considering WR Tez Johnson was pressed into action extensively last year in his rookie season and had five touchdowns, but in arguably the most competitive room on the team, Johnson stood out. He had two touchdown catches from Jake Browning in their final practice and caught several others.
| Footballguys view: Johnson is one of the smallest players in the NFL. But Footballguy Matt Waldman notes that Johnson is also a tough and dynamic receiver in the middle of the field who can turn a short play into a long gain. The second-year man will compete for the fourth spot on the WR depth chart and should earn a role as a return specialist and big-play slot option who can become a fantasy factor if injuries to Chris Godwin and/or Jalen McMillan occur. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan will have an opening for a larger role after WR Mike Evans left in the offseason.
| Footballguys view: McMillan suffered a serious neck injury last preseason that limited him to just four games during the 2025 season. McMillan returned to action in Week 14. Two games later, he recorded the first 100-yard game of his career. He finished the final two weeks of the season with 12 receptions for 178 yards. But the Buccaneers' confidence in McMillan is also based on what he accomplished before the injury. During his rookie season in 2024, he totaled 37 receptions for 461 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games. We'll be watching for more here. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (shoulder) should be fine for the regular season and would be available to play if the team had a game in a few weeks, according to general manager Jason Licht.
| Footballguys view: Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles raised some concern about Irving's fitness when he said he thought the running back would be ready to return from a shoulder injury in the "summer or fall." Still, developments in June have painted a better picture. Irving practiced before the end of the offseason program, and Licht's comments add to the more positive outlook. Irving missed seven games in 2025. He'll likely share with free agent pickup Kenneth Gainwell, but a healthy Irving has been very effective for fantasy investors. |
Tampa Bay Bucs DT Vita Vea attended minicamp on Tuesday, June 16 but did not participate. According to the report, Vea's decision not to get on the field was contract-related.
Link to storyVita Vea player page
Undrafted free-agent CB Jarod Washington (South Carolina State) is working out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tuesday, June 16.
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers WR Ted Hurst has impressed with his ability to make plays 'at all three levels,' according to Scott Reynolds of PewterReport.com.
| Footballguys view: Hurst is similar to George Pickens in terms of body type and physical gifts, and it sounds like the Georgia State product is translating against NFL players - at least in practice. If Hurst is ready for significant work as a rookie, it will likely come at the "X" position vacated by Mike Evans when he signed with San Francisco in free agency. That would put Hurst on our fantasy radar, but his snaps would come at the expense of one of the three established receivers - Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan. It's a good problem to have if you're Baker Mayfield, who is undervalued coming off of a season when he and a lot of his offense suffered injuries. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Kenneth Gainwell has been referred to as 'running back 1B' by head coach Todd Bowles.
| Footballguys view: Between Bucky Irving's injury issues in 2025 and Gainwell's big moments as a receiver and runner for the Steelers last yaer, this just makes sense. The Bucs giving Gainwell a two-year, $14 million also indicates that they don't see him as a backup or change of pace option. Irving has more juice than Gainwell, but their ADP's should not be 50 picks apart. |
Kenny Gainwell player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Devin Culp (hamstring) has been sidelined by a hamstring injury but is expected to be ready for training camp.
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield has been 'all business' amid contract extension talks, according to head coach Todd Bowles, and Bowles said there is 'absolutely no question' that he wants Mayfield to stay with the Buccaneers long term.
| Footballguys view: This is a story worth monitoring because Mayfield has been good as a Buc, but $50+ million a year good? Mayfield is 31 and if his play is declining (he had a rough second half of the season, but the whole offense did, including with his and other key players suffering injuries), then committing to him long term would be a mistake. The Bucs don't have a quarterback they have bene developing on the roster, but they did sign UDFA Jalon Daniels, who is a favorite of NFL Films legend Greg Cosell. |
Baker Mayfield player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Benjamin Morrison (leg) did not participate in the voluntary workout Thursday, June 11.
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (shoulder) took part in the team's OTA session on Thursday, June 11.
| Footballguys view: He's a player who is coming back from an injury, but Irving is expected to be near full strength for training camp. Irving is a playmaker, but the Buccaneers might use a bit more from Kenneth Gainwell or Sean Tucker in what could be more of an RBBC than Irving's Fantasy GMs want. We see Irving as a low-end RB2/flex option for Fantasy GMs in 2026. |
Free-agent K B.T. Potter has reportedly signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to a source on Monday, June 8. The Buccaneers have also waived P Aidan Laros.
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin has been able to participate in the offseason program at full strength, according to head coach Todd Bowles. 'Obviously his knowledge of the game helps the younger guys but his route running is sharp, he looks smooth running his routes and he understands the offense very well,' Bowles said. 'We know the playmaker he's going to be for us.'
| Footballguys view: Godwin is needed now more than ever as the wide receiver room enters a new era without Mike Evans. A vintage Godwin performance as he works alongside Emeka Egbuka this season can really help get the Tampa Bay offense back to being a top-five unit like it was in 2024, which was the last time the Buccaneers had a winning season, made the playoffs and won the NFC South. Godwin is being drafted as WR40 in Round 7. |
Chris Godwin Jr. player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers OT Cody Mauch (knee) has completed the rehab process for his surgically-repaired knee and said that he is not experiencing any psychological or physical concerns. He is continuing to wear a knee brace for protection but claimed that its presence did not bother him while he worked out during recent OTAs. In addition, Mauch will be playing at a weight of 325 pounds this year, compared to a playing weight of 315-318 pounds for the 2025 season, but feels that it will not impact his mobility.
| Footballguys view: Mauch only played 138 snaps last year. He was one of four Bucs offensive linemen to miss significant time in 2025. With better injury luck, the offense should improve from the slump it entered after Baker Mayfield got banged up against the Lions in Week 7 last year. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield is not likely to stage a holdout from mandatory minicamp, which begins on June 16, even though the two sides are not believed to be close to finalizing a contract extension. According to ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler, discussions are in the early stages but Mayfield will not negotiate a long-term deal once training camp has started.
| Footballguys view: The two sides are not close on a contract agreement, and Mayfield seems to have a self-imposed deadline for negotiations to be done before training camp. With the deadline closer to August, there's no need for Mayfield to hold out during mandatory minicamp. While he may not be quite what he used to be, Mayfield is still an above-average starter, and he should get compensated as such. |
Baker Mayfield player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield said he and the team aren't close in contract negotiations, and talks will end once the season begins.
| Footballguys view: In the final year of his deal, Mayfield is looking for a new long-term contract. Mayfield is entering this season without WR Mike Evans, and he's coming off a season where he had 3,693 yards passing with 26 passing touchdowns. He may never get back to the 40-plus touchdown guy he was a couple of years ago, but Mayfield is a solid starter who should be able to get appropriate compensation. |
Baker Mayfield player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles announced on Tuesday, May 26, that the team will have joint practices in the preseason with the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Link to storyBucs HC Todd Bowles says he expects RB Bucky Irving to be back later "in the summer or fall" as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
| Footballguys view: While multiple reporters are indicating a summer return is more likely, the fact that Bowles mentioned this could carry into fall is an eyebrow raiser. After a 1,000-yard rookie season, Irving rushed for 588 yards with one touchdown and caught 30 passes for 277 yards with three TDs last season. There's still time before the season starts, but this is worth watching. Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker are the other primary backs on the roster. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers DL Rueben Bain Jr. has the trust of outside linebackers coach and run-game coordinator David Foote, who is predicting big things for the rookie. 'Off the film, if you had to bet, he's going to be a star,' Foote said. 'The way he plays the game, he's explosive, plays with great leverage and it's hard to block those guys.'
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers second-round draft choice Josiah Trotter signed a four-year contract with the Buccaneers Thursday, May 21. Financial terms were not disclosed.
| Footballguys view: Trotter is the second son of Philadelphia Eagles great Jeremiah Trotter to get drafted and play in the NFL. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2024 draft. His little brother could start at middle linebacker from day one, but he will have to improve in coverage to become a true three-down player and hit his ceiling in IDP leagues. |































