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INTRO: Are you ready for some football? Well, I am – and I’m ready to offer up my Pewter Predictions for the Bucs 2026 season in this edition of SR’s FAB 5. What do I think the Bucs’ record will be this season? Who will be Tampa Bay’s MVPs? Who will be the team leader in sacks and interceptions?

You’ve got questions, I’ve got answers. Enjoy!

FAB 1. Pewter Predictions – Bucs MVPs, Pro Bowlers

The Buccaneers kick off their 2026 season at Cincinnati on September 13 versus the Bengals, and Todd Bowles is 4-0 in season openers – including three wins on the road. Let’s kick off my Pewter Predictions for 2026 with the team’s MVPs and projected Pro Bowlers.

2026 Bucs Offensive MVP
QB Baker Mayfield

If Tampa Bay is going to have a bounce-back season in 2026 from last year’s disappointing 8-9 record, then the Offensive MVP must be Baker Mayfield. He has every incentive to have his best season in a contract year with a future average salary of $50 million or more riding on the line. Mayfield will have to play without the legendary Mike Evans this year, but does have a quality stable of receivers headlined by Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and rookie Ted Hurst to throw to, in addition to tight end Cade Otton and running backs Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell.

Bucs C Graham Barton and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The hope in Tampa Bay is that new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson can get Mayfield to play at the same level that Liam Coen did in 2024 when he threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns while completing 71.4% of his passes and guiding the Bucs to 10 wins. Robinson and Coen are best friends dating back to their days together in Los Angeles under Sean McVay and both coached Mayfield at the end of the 2022 season.

Pencil Mayfield in for at least 4,000 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2026 with a completion percentage at or above 68%.

2026 Bucs Defensive MVP
OLB Rueben Bain Jr.

I’m tempted to buy into the hype of inside linebacker Josiah Trotter, the team’s second-round pick because of the fantastic training camp he had. He’s set to win the starting middle linebacker job this season and unseat SirVocea Dennis. There’s a chance that Trotter records 100 tackles as a rookie, which would be impressive, but I could also see him struggling a bit in coverage as he adjusts to the speed of the NFL. That’s why Bain is a much safer pick – because he’s likely to make less mistakes up front as an edge rusher and edge defender.

Bucs OLB Rueben Bain Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bain could have a five-sack rookie season or a double-digit season in his first year in the NFL. Either way he’s going to be a force multiplier up front and a chaos agent and create plays for other Tampa Bay defenders. Bain is going to be a disruptor and make his presence felt by how hard he plays and how physical he is.

Other contenders are Trotter, nose tackle Vita Vea and new Mo’ linebacker Alex Anzalone, but Bain was drafted to be a difference-maker on defense and that’s exactly what he’ll be as a rookie.

2026 Bucs Special Teams MVP
K Chase McLaughlin

Special teams took a huge step back in 2025 under former coordinator Thomas McGaughey, who was fired and replaced by Danny Smith. But the one constant on special teams has been the stellar kicking from McLaughlin, whose field goal accuracy dipped from over 93% over the two previous seasons to just 84.2% (32-of-38) in part due to a few blocked kicks.

Bucs K Chase McLaughlin – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Still, McLaughlin proved to be a reliable long-distance weapon, drilling 11-of-12 field goals from beyond 50 yards, including a career-long 65-yard field goal. McLaughlin is entering a contract year with the chance to earn a lucrative, multi-year extension. It’s a money year for “Money” McLaughlin and he’ll deliver for the Bucs once again as their Special Teams MVP.

2026 Bucs Pro Bowlers

Tampa Bay only landed two players in the Pro Bowl last year in left tackle Tristan Wirfs and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Neither had their best seasons in red and pewter in 2025, and Winfield’s selection came as a bit of a surprise because he did not have an overwhelming statistical season – although he did bounce back after a down year in 2024 due to injuries.

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

As long as he’s healthy, Wirfs seems like a lock for the Pro Bowl again, which would be his sixth honor. And if Baker Mayfield’s contract year resembles his 2024 campaign where he set personal bests under Liam Coen, expect Mayfield to return to the Pro Bowl during the 2026 season. That might be it on offense as new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson will spread the ball around to a myriad of weapons. The Bucs may not have a 1,000-yard receiver or a 1,000-yard rusher, but could have several weapons with over 600 yards.

On defense, there is a chance Vita Vea or Calijah Kancey could make the Pro Bowl if either gets seven sacks or more. Vea has already been to the Pro Bowl twice. And if either Yaya Diaby or Rueben Bain Jr. get to double-digit sacks, they’ll be in contention. But the only Bucs defender that might make the Pro Bowl could be one of the safeties – either Winfield or Tykee Smith. Both have Pro Bowl ability, but it will come down to how many splash plays they make and takeaways they create.

FAB 2. Pewter Predictions – Other Top-Notch Bucs

I’ve named the Bucs MVPs and Pewter Pro Bowlers, so let’s take a look at who the best rookie and free agent acquisition will be. And let’s examine which Tampa Bay players will be the most improved on offense and defense.

Best Bucs Rookie
WR Ted Hurst

This could very well be outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr., who I have as the Bucs Defensive MVP, or inside linebacker Josiah Trotter. But I really want to put the spotlight on Hurst, Tampa Bay’s third-round pick. With Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan dinged up heading into the season and Chris Godwin Jr. not as explosive as he once was at the age of 30, Hurst could be the Bucs’ new big-play weapon on offense.

At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, Hurst is “Mike like” in that he can be that big X receiver that can go up and high-point jump balls and win contested-catch situations. While he has a long way to go before being in Mike Evans’ realm, he can help replace all of the touchdowns that Evans produced in the lower red zone catching fades in the end zone. He might not lead the Bucs in catches or yards as a rookie, but Hurst could lead the team in touchdowns with six, or eight or even 10 due to his size and play-making ability.

Best Bucs Free Agent Acquisition
ILB Alex Anzalone

I’ll give a nod to new running back Kenny Gainwell, who very well could lead the Bucs in all-purpose yardage this year when including rushing and receiving yards. But Bucky Irving will be the starter and likely lead the team in rushing, as Gainwell will be the 1B to Irving being the 1A running back in Tampa Bay. But Anzalone is the obvious pick here, as he’s replacing the legendary Lavonte David, who retired this offseason.

Bucs ILB Alex Anzalone – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Anzalone’s role as the primary coverage linebacker on the weakside of the defense is crucial in Todd Bowles’ scheme. And with rookie Josiah Trotter expected to start at middle linebacker, Anzalone’s veteran presence will be vital to helping the defense get set and make the necessary checks and audibles to thwart opposing quarterbacks. While getting a handful of splash plays from the 31-year old Anzalone would be great, just his steady hand at the controls of the defense and the ability to erase tight ends and backs out of the backfield will suffice.

Most Improved Offensive Player
WR Chris Godwin Jr.

While the Bucs need quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Bucky Irving to bounce back after an injury-riddled season in 2025, the player who really needs to be the most improved player on offense is Godwin for a few reasons. First, at age 30 and now a full year back from his fractured and dislocated ankle, Godwin needs to prove he’s worth his $22 million salary this year – and next, which will be the final year of his three-year deal.

And second, Godwin needs to step up and be a reliable target for Baker Mayfield with Mike Evans’ departure for San Francisco in free agency. Godwin can’t replicate Evans’ big-play ability or his penchant for racking up touchdowns. But he needs to be a constant chain-mover on offense, racking up first downs and converting third downs on the regular. Godwin doesn’t need to be a 1,000-yard receiver, but he needs to double last year’s production of 33 catches for 360 yards and two touchdowns.

Most Improved Defensive Player
CB Zyon McCollum

With big contracts come big expectations, and McCollum clearly didn’t live up to those last year when he signed a lucrative, three-year extension worth $16 million per season. McCollum didn’t ascend to being a No. 1 shutdown cornerback despite being paid like it. Instead, he gave up a career-high five touchdowns and only came away with one interception. The Bucs absolutely need him to bounce back and show a lot of improvement in 2026.

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones

New cornerbacks coach Rashad Johnson seems to be getting through to McCollum and has helped him improve his technique and his confidence. McCollum led the Bucs with three interceptions in camp and showed better coverage skills. Team sources shared with me that Jacob Parrish has probably been the best and most consistent cornerback in camp, but if McCollum can be the most improved player on defense, that will help Todd Bowles’ unit immensely in 2026.

FAB 3. Pewter Predictions – Bucs Stats Leaders

Tampa Bay’s offense is looking to return to its 2024 form – or get close to it – when Liam Coen’s scheme produced a top 5 running game and a top 5 scoring offense. The team hopes new play-caller Zac Robinson, whose playbook has some similarities, can deliver those results.

Todd Bowles’ defense will have as many as five new starters, including three rookies, this season. Can those newcomers mesh well together and assimilate with the holdovers to form a more cohesive and deadly defense? Bowles wants to see the team reach 50 sacks this season, become a top 5 run defense once again and produce more takeaways. Here are my predictions.

Bucs Leading Rusher
RB Bucky Irving

Bucky Irving ran for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Part of the reason he was so successful during the 2024 season was because he didn’t start until halfway through that year. Irving only had more than 10 carries twice in the first nine games in 2024, and the high point during that stretch was a 14-carry, 81-yard, one-touchdown game at New Orleans where he averaged 5.8 yards per carry.

The Bucs want Irving to be more effective in 2026 than he was in 2025 when he averaged just 3.4 yards per carry. That actually could happen with fewer carries as newcomer Kenny Gainwell will handle some of the workload with Sean Tucker getting mixed in as well. Running behind an offensive line that is now healthy again, Irving may reach 1,000 yards again or he may fall short and finish around 800. But he should still lead Tampa Bay in rushing.

Bucs Leading Receiver
WR Emeka Egbuka

The Bucs’ 1,000-yard machine, Mike Evans, failed to hit that number in an injury-riddled season in 2025. Now Evans is gone and many are expecting Egbuka to step up and be the primary receiver in Tampa Bay. I think that could happen, but I think of Egbuka more as a really good No. 2 receiver along the lines of a younger Chris Godwin Jr. than I think of him as a the second coming of a dominant receiver like Evans.

Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Egbuka played a lot last year due to injuries to Evans and Godwin and nearly finished with 1,000 yards on 63 catches for 938 yards and six touchdowns. He led the Bucs in all categories. But before I’m ready to anoint him as the next 1,000-yard receiver in Tampa Bay I remember that he’s dealing with turf toe and is coming off a good, but not great training camp where he failed to separate from man coverage like he gets open in man coverage. Egbuka leads the Bucs in yardage with around 800, but Godwin leads the team in catches and rookie Ted Hurst is the touchdown leader.

Leading Sacker
OLB Yaya Diaby

The last NFL rookie to lead a team in double-digit sacks was Micah Parsons, who had 13 in Dallas in 2021. Tampa Bay has only had one rookie reach 10 sacks in team history and it wasn’t Warren Sapp, Gerald McCoy or Vita Vea. It was former defensive tackle Santana Dotson in 1992. Having said all this, I’m not going to suggest that Rueben Bain Jr. can’t lead the Bucs in sacks as a rookie or even reach double-digits. But it will be unlikely given that he’ll be playing mostly on the left side of the line against right tackles, which will make him more susceptible to getting double-teamed with tight ends.

Opposing offenses will likely go with max protect schemes against Tampa Bay’s front four in nickel situations, doubling Bain and defensive tackles Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea. That should free up Diaby with more one-on-ones against left tackles and he’ll see fewer chips from backs and tight ends as a result. Diaby has proven that he can get seven sacks per season essentially on his own like he did last year when he led Tampa Bay in sacks. This year he’ll add three or four more clean-up sacks due to Bain, Kancey or Vea flushing the quarterback in his direction and finish with around 10.

Bucs Leading Interceptor
CB Jacob Parrish

Cornerback Jamel Dean led the Bucs in interceptions last year with a career-high three before departing in free agency. I expect the player who took his place in the starting lineup, Parrish, to lead Tampa Bay in interceptions this season. Parrish had two picks during his rookie season – one in the slot against Buffalo’s Josh Allen and another one playing outside cornerback against Carolina’s Bryce Young – which was tied for second on the team.

Bucs CB Jacob Parrish – Photo by: USA Today

Parrish is viewed as the team’s top cover cornerback due to a great training camp and he had four interceptions in his final year at Kansas State. He’s capable of notching three or four picks per year at the NFL with his sticky coverage and his ability to jump routes and break on the ball with his quickness and 4.35 speed. He’ll edge safeties Tykee Smith and Antoine Winfield Jr. for the team lead in 2026.

FAB 4. Predicting Bucs’ Wins And Losses In 2026

Now comes the fun part – the part of this SR’s FAB 5 that you all have been waiting for. How many games will the 2026 Buccaneers win? A year after accurately forecasting 10 wins in 2024, myself – and all of the Pewter Reporters – were wrong in 2025. I projected an 11-6 season and the team underwhelmed due to poor play and injuries and finished with an 8-9 record, missing the playoffs as Tampa Bay lost the division crown to Carolina.

This is the most talented team that Todd Bowles has had at his disposal and features a new, proven offensive coordinator and a revamped defense. Bowles, who has never won more than 10 games as a head coach in season seasons – four of which have been in Tampa Bay – needs a bounce-back season and his Buccaneers deliver.

With a game-by-game breakdown, here is how the Bucs get back to 10 wins in 2026.

WEEK 1: Buccaneers at Bengals – WIN

The Bucs are 4-0 in the last four season openers under Todd Bowles, including wins on the road at Dallas (2022), at Minnesota (2023) and at Atlanta (2025). Bowles typically has his team incredibly prepared for Week 1. This year is another challenge on the road to start the season in Cincinnati against Joe Burrow and Co. The Bucs’ young, remade secondary will be tested early by receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, which makes it imperative that Tampa Bay’s defense line destroys Cincy’s shaky offensive line and gets to Burrow multiple times. Zac Robinson’s offense will need to click out of the gate to win a shootout in Week 1. BUCS = 1-0

Bucs DTs Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

WEEK 2: Buccaneers vs. Browns – WIN

Not only has Todd Bowles started every season in Tampa Bay 1-0, he’s also won every game in Week 2. This year’s opponent is Cleveland in the home opener, and Todd Monken’s Browns team is in a rebuild mode featuring insistent quarterback play from DeShaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, not much firepower, and no Myles Garrett to worry about on defense. This game has the chance to be a blowout if Baker Mayfield and the offense is firing on all cylinders, but regardless, it’s a win. BUCS = 2-0

WEEK 3: Buccaneers vs. Vikings – WIN

The Vikings royally screwed up letting Sam Darnold leave in favor of first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy, who lost the starting job this year to newcomer Kyler Murray. Having Justin Jefferson always gives Minnesota a chance to score, but there is not enough firepower to match up against the Bucs offense. The Vikings did reel off five straight wins at the end of last year, largely due to the play of its defense. This one could be a slugfest, but the Vikings wear down in the second half due to the Florida heat and humidity. BUCS = 3-0

WEEK 4: Buccaneers vs. Packers – WIN

Tampa Bay is catching Green Bay at the right time. With Pro Bowl pass rusher Micah Parsons on injured reserve, he’ll miss this Week 4 contest, and running back Josh Jacobs likely will too due to a looming suspension. That’s a lot of star power missing out on Week 4 action in Tampa. The Bucs have some momentum with three straight wins and Baker Mayfield is becoming even more comfortable in Zac Robinson’s offense. BUCS = 4-0

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images

WEEK 5: Buccaneers at Cowboys – LOSS

How do the Bucs fare in primetime games under Todd Bowles? Not very well. And this is a Thursday Night Football game on the road coming off three straight games in the Florida heat. The Bucs are gassed in this one and lose to an improved Cowboys team, which may be the best team Tampa Bay has faced to date.  BUCS = 4-1

WEEK 6: Buccaneers vs. Steelers – LOSS

The Steelers defense is always formidable and tough to run on, and that could make the Bucs offense one-dimensional and put Baker Mayfield under siege against Blitzburgh’s pass rush. Pittsburgh fans will invade Tampa fill the lower bowl and will be there waving their yellow towels en masse, which will be embarrassing for the home team. That only adds insult to injury, as the Bucs lose to a team that could be an AFC powerhouse this year. BUCS = 4-2

WEEK 7: Buccaneers at Panthers – LOSS

Tampa Bay’s first NFC South game doesn’t come until Week 7 this year, which is odd. But it’s against a Panthers team in Carolina that always plays the Bucs close. Dave Canales edged Todd Bowles last year in Charlotte and that could happen again this season. The Panthers aren’t the best team in the division this year, but they are good enough to win at home and split the series with the Buccaneers and deal Bowles yet another three-game losing streak. You just knew that was going to happen at some point, right? BUCS = 4-3

Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka – Photo by IMAGN Images – Jim Dedmon

WEEK 8: Buccaneers vs. Falcons – WIN

The Bucs suffered a three-game losing streak and a four-game losing streak last year, and that contributed mightily to derailing the team’s hot 6-2 start down the stretch. Tampa Bay also lost to Atlanta at home on Thursday Night Football despite having a 14-point lead with 10 minutes left. This year, Zac Robinson can’t hurt Todd Bowles, as they’re on the same team. And Kirk Cousins is in Las Vegas and can’t hurt Tampa Bay, either. And Baker Mayfield gets his revenge against new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, who used to coach him in Cleveland. And the Bucs’ end their losing streak at three games. And 5-3 isn’t a bad record to start the season with. BUCS = 5-3

WEEK 9: Buccaneers at Bears – WIN

This game should be a loss, right? An improved Bears team hosting the Bucs on a cold and windy November night in a primetime game? Well, there is just something off about Chicago to me. I’m just not a believer in quarterback Caleb Williams. I think he’s a good quarterback, but not elite. This could be a showcase game for Todd Bowles to match wits with Bears head coach and offensive play-caller Ben Johnson. I don’t know why I think the Bucs will win this. Maybe Mayfield gets hot on a cold night? Tampa Bay heads into the bye week with a win and some momentum – again. BUCS = 6-3

WEEK 10: BYE WEEK

WEEK 11: Buccaneers at Lions – LOSS

There are two teams that the Bucs just don’t match up well with – the Lions and the Rams. And both are on the schedule this year after the bye week. For whatever reason, Todd Bowles’ teams don’t fare well after the bye, and have a 1-3 record, including a home loss to the Patriots last year. The fact that Tampa Bay draws this game at Detroit doesn’t help that stat. The Lions do what they usually do – beat the hell out of the Buccaneers. BUCS = 6-4

Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: USA Today

WEEK 12: Buccaneers vs. Panthers – WIN

Tampa Bay returns home to face Carolina and usually gets the job done against the Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. This one is in primetime on Monday Night Football. Could it be a shootout or a low-scoring slugfest? I’m not sure, but I’m expecting a close win by the home team either way in a game in where three rookies – Rueben Bain Jr., Josiah Trotter and Ted Hurst – shine. BUCS = 7-4

WEEK 13: Buccaneers vs. Chargers – WIN

The Bucs have wisely abandoned the creamsicle uniforms this year and will instead be featuring their all-white Bucco Bruce 1976 throwbacks. Tampa Bay was 2-0 in those uniforms there and that alone should help the team win a close one against Jim Harbaugh, Mike McDaniel and Justin Herbert to improve to eight victories and match last year’s win total with five games to go. BUCS = 8-4

WEEK 14: Buccaneers at Ravens – LOSS

Maybe the Ravens won’t be as good without John Harbaugh. Maybe they’ll be better. I don’t know. But what I do know is that this game is in December in Baltimore, and the Ravens still have Lamar Jackson, who is the kryptonite to Todd Bowles’ defense. The only way Tampa Bay wins this one is if it forces a bunch of takeaways and wins the turnover battle. BUCS = 8-5

WEEK 15: Buccaneers vs. Saints – LOSS

Last year I called it – the Bucs would lose their creamsicle game against the Falcons and the creamsicle curse would continue. So what does the team do this year? The Bucs retire the orange jersey and swap it out for the return of the alternate pewter jersey. But they decide to break it out against the Saints – a team that always seems to play the Bucs better in Tampa Bay than in New Orleans. Alas, the pewter-jersey Bucs take the “L” here just like they did last December at home in a Tyler Shough-led upset. BUCS = 8-6

WEEK 16: Bucs at Falcons – WIN

The Bucs wind up sweeping the Falcons this year and Baker Mayfield really sticks it to Kevin Stefanski. Tampa Bay blows out a bad Atlanta team at home to get to nine wins and show improvement over a year ago. After losing to the Saints, the Bucs needed to bounce back with a win over the Falcons to stay in the NFC South division race. BUCS = 9-6

Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

WEEK 17: Bucs vs. Rams – LOSS

Sean McVay. Aaron Donald. Myles Garrett. Kobe Turner. Matthew Stafford. Puka Nacua. Devante Adams. Kyren Williams. You know how this ends for the Buccaneers.  BUCS = 9-7

WEEK 18: Bucs at Saints – WIN

The Bucs have won the last three season finales under Todd Bowles. They’ll need to do that again this year to win the NFC South in New Orleans. Thankfully the Bucs are 4-0 in New Orleans under Bowles and come away with their 10th win of the season as well as the division title. After that it’s a home playoff game in Tampa. What happens next is a mystery. BUCS = 10-7

FAB 5. Preseason Buc Shots

The Bucs have concluded their 2026 preseason and are now preparing for their season opener at Cincinnati. Here are some of my observations about what to expect from the Buccaneers offense, defense and special teams this year.

• Here’s what I expect out of the Bucs defense this year. Tampa Bay’s run defense is going to be stout – likely a top 5 unit. Todd Bowles will look to play more 3-4 fronts when he can, and that will be a staple front against 12 personnel. And he’ll use rookie Rueben Bain Jr. in more ways than just an outside linebacker or edge rusher, lining him up in creative ways in different places.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

• On a recent appearance on the Rondé Barber Show, Todd Bowles confirmed he has a NASCAR sub package in nickel defense that features the top four edge rushers on the field together in a four-man front. This will likely be with David Walker on the edge, Al-Quadin Muhammad lining up inside and rushing over a guard, and either Rueben Bain Jr. or Yaya Diaby lining up inside too with the other being an outside edge rusher – likely in third-and-long or obvious passing down downs. This allows the Bowles to get as much speed and pass rush ability on the field at the same time.

• Offensively, look for the Bucs to get back to being a top 10 – and perhaps a top 5 – running team this season under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. His offensive philosophy is like Liam Coen’s in that it features a lot of play-action passes, as well shorter passes from Baker Mayfield when he’s in the pocket. The Bucs’ attack will be move-the-chains, ball control on offense this year. Less deep shots in the passing game, with more intermediate throws that should increase Mayfield’s completion percentage.

Bucs OC Zac Robinson – Photo by: Brian Collera/PR

• One concern is that Robinson’s offense features a good deal of quick screens as a staple. If blocked properly, a perimeter screen to a receiver on first down can pick up seven yards or more. But if it’s not blocked properly it can be blown up at the line of scrimmage or even see the pass get picked off down the line by an edge defender or a defensive back in press conference. Robinson’s over-reliance on screen passes will see Mayfield throw a pick on one at least once this year – hopefully not for a quick, cheap pick-six.

• Tampa Bay’s special teams will be a work in progress under Danny Smith, but new cornerback Kevin Knowles will help out in coverage. He’s a kick coverage demon as well as a top-notch gunner. The return game should be better with Kam Johnson and Sean Tucker receiving better blocking this year due to Smith’s scheme and attention to detail, and expect the Bucs to block a punt or two, which rarely happens in Tampa Bay. Smith has his special teamers practice punt blocks often in practice.

Hall Of Famer Rondé Barber Joined The Pewter Report Podcast

Hall of Fame Bucs legend Rondé Barber was our guest on Thursday’s Pewter Report Podcast and talked Tampa Bay football for over 45 minutes. Looking for a holiday weekend podcast to watch or listen to? Visit the PewterReportTV YouTube channel and hear what Barber had to say about the 2026 Buccaneers.