Trust me, I get it.

Through five games, the Bucs are one of the NFL’s most disappointing teams. At 1-4, the front office could decide to sell at the trade deadline if they don’t turn it around. That puts pressure on Tampa Bay to beat the Steelers in Week 6 and begin a mid-season win streak.

For a week, the team’s offensive struggles and longstanding defensive issues subsided as they entered the win column. That is why in this week’s Slivon’s Slant column, I wanted to share some positives from the first five games.

The Bucs Won A Primetime Game!

Yes, it’s true.

The Bucs won a primetime game.

Under head coach Todd Bowles, wins in these types of settings have been hard to come by. Since going 3-2 in primetime matchups in 2022, Tampa Bay has been just 2-9, which includes Thursday night’s 24-16 win over the Cowboys.

Not only was seeing a victory the biggest positive, but it was also how the team pulled it off. After seeing the Bucs’ point total slip every week, they had a 24-point effort thanks to the play of Jalon Daniels and Bucky Irving. Defensively, they easily won the turnover battle with interceptions from Yaya Diaby and Alex Anzalone, plus a forced fumble on special teams from Miles Killebrew.

There was a noticeable shift in the team’s energy levels on the field. They looked defeated coming off the field in Week 4 against the Packers despite only being down 10-7. Irving’s 72-yard run was the biggest instance where the team came to life, but when guys made plays, the reactions from teammates was jovial. They were amped and ready. The game preparations on a short week were noticeable and impactful.

For one game, they managed to put it all together.

Jalon Daniels Has Exceeded Expectations, Primed To Be Bucs’ Top Backup QB

No one expected Jalon Daniels to play much, if at all this season. A dislocated right thumb knocked Baker Mayfield out of action, forcing the Bucs to turn to Daniels after a 0-3 start. The undrafted rookie quarterback from Kansas gave an admirable effort in his first NFL game despite the circumstances.

He then provided quite an encore for his follow up start on a short week.

Bucs QB Jalon Daniels – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Daniels looked like an established veteran against the Cowboys defense, orchestrating long drives and helping the offense find the end zone. That came by playing within himself and getting into a rhythm with short passes, but there were also instances where he connected downfield for bigger gains, such as his bullet downfield to Tez Johnson for a 64-yard gain.

He finished the game by completing 19-of-25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown. It is not the most glamourous stat line, but his primetime performance showcases his efficiency, decision-making, and ability to move the chains without forcing anything. That says a lot about Daniels’ playstyle and confidence, only continuing his rapid career development in less than six months.

He went from being the likely third quarterback on the practice squad to beating out Jake Browning to be Mayfield’s top backup. Such a role spoke volumes about the team’s belief in him, and he has exceeded expectations so far through two starts. It remains to be seen how many more games Daniels gets in, but Tampa Bay must be pleased knowing they have a quality backup under contract that can come in and ball out.

Josiah Trotter Has Hit The Ground Running As One of The Bucs’ Best Defenders

The 2026 inside linebacker draft class is well on its way to become one of the best in recent memory. While led by Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, Jacob Rodriguez was viewed highly by many (including Pewter Report). When the Bucs selected Josiah Trotter 46th overall, many fans felt the team was getting a linebacker in the next tier of prospects.

Rather than feeling optimistic about the pick, there was plenty of criticism after taking Trotter. Now, he looks like one of the best linebackers from the entire class and is well on his way to becoming one of the Bucs’ best defenders.

Bucs ILB Josiah Trotter – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Comparing Top Rookie Inside Linebackers From The 2026 NFL Draft:

• Jacob Rodriguez (MIA): 4 games, 46 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 PBU
• Josiah Trotter (TB): 4 games, 40 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 interception (returned for a TD), 1 sack, 1 PBU
• Arvell Reese (NYG): 4 games, 34 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, one interception, 4 PBUs
• Sonny Styles (WAS): 4 games, 20 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 sack, 2 PBUs

Rather than just fitting in with the names above, Trotter stands out. His 72.9 Pro Football Focus defense grade ranks 13th of 74 linebackers, properly reflecting his overall impact within Tampa Bay’s defense. He quickly brushed off concerns about his pass coverage ability with a 38-yard pick-six in his NFL debut. A bruiser at 6-foot-2 and 237 pounds, Trotter has provided the middle of the defense with some much-needed physicality near the line of scrimmage.

Rather than just complementing Alex Anzalone, the rookie has outperformed the veteran.

I have said it before, and I will say it again here. At just 21 years old, he brims with potential. While the offseason hype went to Rueben Bain Jr., it isn’t crazy to think that down the road, Trotter will be discussed as Tampa Bay’s best selection from his class.

Zyon McCollum And Jacob Parrish Are A Formidable Cornerback Duo

Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish deserve more flowers for just how well they played in Week 5. Going into the game, the concerns about how they would fare against CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were valid. Lamb is one of the best wide receivers in the league, while Pickens is coming off a 93-catch, 1,429-yard season with the Cowboys.

How McCollum and Parrish performed covering Dak Prescott’s best weapons was a key factor in determining how well the defense would hold up.

They more than held up – they shut them down.

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum and Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Starting with McCollum, the 27-year-old has quietly had a bounce back season in red and pewter. It appeared his contract extension before last season was a misfire after he regressed and struggled. He was exposed in his last primetime game against the Rams facing Davante Adams, but he responded by limiting Lamb to just two catches for nine yards. It was the kind of showing that gives hope he can still become a CB1. The physical tools are there, that has never been questioned. Seeing him start the year with more consistency is a positive development.

In Parrish’s case, he has leveled up.

The second-year player is playing a different defensive role this season, but it is hard to notice given how well he has played. Parrish is tied for the league lead with seven pass breakups, with four of them coming while covering Pickens, who had a five-inch height advantage on him. Moving from nickelback to outside cornerback has looked like a seamless transition for him, as Parrish is fearless against whoever he is covering on the perimeter.

Bucs CB Jacob Parrish and Cowboys WR George Pickens – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

There was an ongoing discussion this summer about how he was arguably Tampa Bay’s top corner, and there is no doubt he has the best ball skills in how he smothers his matchup.

I did not think the Bucs cornerback room was as much of a liability as it was made out to be over the offseason, but I also did not think it would be the defense’s biggest strength. With McCollum and Parrish, Tampa Bay has a quality cornerback duo that can get even better.

Bucky Irving Destined To Have Bounce Back Season In 2026

Guess who’s back … back again?

Bucky’s back … tell a friend.

Bucky Irving electrified as a rookie in 2024, taking over the starting job from Rachaad White and being the perfect running back for Liam Coen’s offense. Irving had a 1,122-yard season, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. It appeared he would get the bulk of the carries in 2025, but injuries and poor interior offensive line play led to a severe regression for him running the football, as he only averaged 3.4 yards per carry.

Playing under another new offensive coordinator in 2026, the jury was out about how Irving would bounce back. Fortunately for the Bucs, he looks more like the sparkplug he was as a rookie and is coming off a career game.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Tampa Bay went to Dallas desperate for a win, and one of the biggest moments was watching No. 7’s vision and elusiveness to find a hole and take off downfield for a 72-yard run. That was followed up with Emeka Egbuka’s 14-yard touchdown run that gave the Bucs a lead they would hold for the rest of the game.

Irving not only had 165 yards on the ground, but he added two touchdowns of his own and was a catalyst for Zac Robinson’s offense looking the best it has all year. Robinson has struggled to dictate games schematically, but the choice to ride the hot hand was the right one. Irving is already close to surpassing his numbers from last season and he is on pace for his second 1,000-yard season.

If this offense wants to turn things around, establishing the run and finding offensive balance is key. Irving will play a key part in accomplishing that.

Closing Slant

Watching the Bucs win just one out of their first five games has not made for an enjoyable watch, to say the least.

The negatives have understandably outweighed the positives, but there are glimpses of positivity peeking through gloomy skies. Many of these developments came in Tampa Bay’s last game against a 2-3 Cowboys team, but there are aspects that are pleasantly surprising.

Making Jalon Daniels the backup quarterback has quickly proved to be the right choice, and Bucky Irving made his life easier by running all over Dallas’ defense. Defensively, the team’s best defenders have been unexpected. That speaks to some underwhelming performances, but Josiah Trotter, Zyon McCollum, and Jacob Parrish are among the biggest bright spots on Todd Bowles’ unit. A’Shawn Robinson and David Walker deserve honorable mentions, too.

Obviously, the Bucs can’t just have a handful of players making a positive impact. While many are looking ahead to what 2027 holds for this franchise, there are still 12 more games left this season to see who else steps up as future building blocks.