While the Bucs’ offensive line has set the tone in recent weeks, Tampa Bay’s tight ends have, too.

Cade Otton, Payne Durham, and Bauer Sharp might not make the biggest dent in the passing game, but they have played like extra offensive linemen, enforcing their will at the line of scrimmage to create run lanes for running backs Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. While each deserves credit for the dirty work, Sharp has caught my eye as well as the attention of coaches and quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Bauer Sharp Is More Than Just An Athlete; He Is A Blocking Bulldozer

It is starting to make sense why the Bucs traded up on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Bauer Sharp in the sixth round. It wasn’t just to end the last day of the draft early; it was about acquiring a developmental tight end who has quickly become a piece of Zac Robinson’s offense. Sharp has played offensive snaps in each game this season, but his playing time has seen a noticeable spike over the past two games.

Bucs TE Bauer Sharp, ILB Josiah Trotter and ST coordinator Danny Smith – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

That coincidentally correlates with Tampa Bay’s historic success running the football, of which he has been heavily involved with in 12 and 13 personnel sets. Over the past two games, he has played 16 and 19 offensive snaps, respectively. After failing to play 10% of the snaps in any of the first six games, he saw the field on 25.4% of snaps against the Panthers and a season-high 31.7% of the time against the Falcons.

His best play going in motion to lay a dude out was one of the most impactful moments from the block party held at Raymond James Stadium last Sunday.

Head coach Todd Bowles views Sharp as more than just an athlete, but someone who has already proven his worth.

“Bauer came in and did a great job,” Bowles said. “I think all of them – Cade [Otton], Ko [Kieft], Payne [Durham] – all of them [are] doing a great job. Bauer came in, played a lot of snaps the last game [and] he did an excellent job fitting up in there and understanding that he’s more than just an athlete and a pass [catcher]. If he can do those types of things, it really helps us.”

Zac Robinson Alludes To Expanding Bauer Sharp’s Role In The Passing Game

If there is one area for the Bucs’ offense to improve, it is bringing a dead-last passing game to life. Zac Robinson made it clear this past week that he wants to see someone step up as a pass-catching playmaker.

Robinson complimented Sharp’s physicality while being optimistic about getting him more opportunities with the ball in his hands.

Bucs TE Bauer Sharp – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“You would never know he was a former quarterback, probably the toughest former QB I’ve been around,” Robinson said about Sharp. “He’s done a great job. He’s really smart, really intentional, has that level of physicality. He just keeps getting better, and he’s into it. He loves it. He’s done a great job. We’ll continue to expand his role because he is talented in the pass game as well. He can run and catch it really well.”

Baker Mayfield is under more pressure than in recent weeks, as he will actually have to throw the football. Should the Bears’ defense prove capable of slowing down the run game, Robinson will have to get creative finding ways to catch them off-guard and to set Mayfield up for success.

Versatility is a word often tossed around when talking about NFL schemes, but that is exactly what Tampa Bay must do on Sunday night.

“We thought Bauer [Sharp] was kind of going to be more of a receiving tight end,” Mayfield said. “Obviously, he’s proven that he’s a physical player for us and can do the execution on the run plays and do some of the dirty work for us. Obviously, the last couple of weeks we’re riding the hot hand with the run game, and it’s been great with the 12, 13 personnel and the heavier sets. So, yeah, just being able to be versatile is great for us. Yeah, just [have] to continue to grow it.”

Leveraging the Bucs’ offensive talent means adding wrinkles within the playbook.

Finding ways to unleash Bauer Sharp and carve out a bigger role for him as a pass-catcher will be something to monitor.