​The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered this offseason with an understanding that they were stepping into a period of significant transition. After more than a decade of leadership from franchise icons Mike Evans and Lavonte David, the team faced the daunting challenge of filling two of the most recognizable and influential roles in the organization. Their departures left sizable gaps in both the locker room and on the field, raising questions about how quickly the Buccaneers could adapt and whether the NFC South would tilt toward a new hierarchy. Yet, not everyone shared the notion that Tampa Bay would instantly tumble to the back of the division.
Bleacher Report recently issued a set of predictions that framed the 2026 season by identifying the last-place finisher in each NFL division. In the NFC South, the outlet did not select the Buccaneers as the team finishing 4th. Instead, it projected the Atlanta Falcons to occupy the basement, a stance that suggests confidence in Tampa Bay’s ability to remain competitive despite losing two franchise pillars. The prediction implies that the Buccaneers possess enough remaining talent and organizational depth to weather the turnover and hold their own against the rest of the division.
At the heart of that belief is general manager Jason Licht’s long-running strategy: build a roster designed for sustainable success rather than race to a full-scale rebuild the moment veteran stars depart. This offseason tested that approach, but the underlying framework remains intact. On the quarterback front, Baker Mayfield arrives after a season marked by productive moments and some turbulence, continuing to benefit from one of the league’s more reliable offensive lines. Anchored by All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, the protection group provides Mayfield with a sturdy platform to operate from.
In the receiving corps, the plan includes Emeka Egbuka stepping into a more prominent role after Evans’ exit, bringing fresh potential and youthful upside to the offense. Chris Godwin remains a reliable veteran presence, offering continuity and leadership as the team rebuilds its target distribution and chemistry without Evans.
Defensively, head coach Todd Bowles still has ample talent to deploy. Vita Vea continues to be one of the league’s premier defensive tackles, while Antoine Winfield Jr. remains a cornerstone of the secondary. The hiring of Alex Anzalone and the addition of first-round edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. should bolster the front seven, helping to offset the void left by David and injecting more playmaking potential into the defense.
Of course, questions accompany any major turnover. Replacing the production and leadership provided by Evans and David won’t happen overnight, and there will be an adjustment period as the Buccaneers redefine their identity and roles under a new balance of veterans and younger players. Still, the roster’s composition—blending proven performers with ascending talent—offers a foundation capable of competing for respect within the NFC South.
Bleacher Report’s projection, if accurate, hints at a gradual transition rather than a collapse. It suggests Tampa Bay can maintain competitiveness and avoid a rapid descent to the bottom of the division, even as the organization enters a new era without two of its most historic players. The question remains how quickly the team can translate that potential into tangible results on the field, how seamlessly the new pieces will integrate, and whether the leadership and chemistry forged in prior seasons will persist amid the changes.
This assessment reflects a broader belief that the Buccaneers possess sufficient depth and direction to stay in the mix. While the expectation for a seamless continuation of past success is tempered by the losses and the adjustments required, the overall trajectory indicates a team poised to contend rather than crumble as it navigates the early stages of a new chapter in franchise history.