The 2024 NFL season has come to an end after the Eagles dominated against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, winning 40-22 in a game that was never close. Many teams, including the Tampa Bay Bucs, have already moved on to the 2025 season and are preparing for what’s to come.

Bucs OC Josh Grizzard – Photo by: Matt Matera/PR

The Bucs, in particular, have been busy this offseason finding yet another offensive coordinator, this time promoting pass game coordinator Josh Grizzard to the role as Liam Coen’s replacement. It’s the fourth year in a row that they’ll have a different offensive play-caller. Tampa Bay also had to find a new defensive line coach, hiring Charlie Strong to fill that position that was vacated by Kacy Rodgers’ departure to Detroit back in January.

Why is this important to bring up? Because it all factors in to the Super Bowl odds for the Bucs heading into next season. As soon as the Super Bowl is over, the odds for next year’s winner comes out shortly thereafter. Of course the Eagles and the Chiefs are near the top, as they just played in the big game.

But where do the Bucs fare in all of this, according to the sports books in Las Vegas?

Bucs Don’t Get The Best Odds For Next Super Bowl

Several gambling companies came out with respective odds for which team is going to win next year’s Super Bowl, and while the odds slightly vary from site to site, one thing that is in common is that the Bucs aren’t being taken as a favorite to win it all. In other words, Tampa Bay is not being considered as a serious threat.

According to Bet MGM that Bucs are listed at +4000 to win Super Bowl 60, which takes place in San Francisco next season. That means if someone bet $100, they would win $4,100 and profit $4,000. There are slightly lower odds on ESPN Bet, as they have the Bucs at +3500.

Either way, each site has several teams in front of Tampa Bay. There are 14 teams in front of them on Bet MGM, and 13 in front of them on ESPN Bet. They have the same exact odds as the Bears, which won five games last season. Out of all the teams to reach the postseason last year, and by the way, the Bucs have reached it five seasons in row, Tampa Bay has the worst odds out of anyone besides just the Steelers.

Why Isn’t Las Vegas High On The Bucs?

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Admittedly, it comes as a surprise that the Bucs aren’t hovering around the top seven to eight range around a similar spot with the Commanders, Packers and Bengals. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is coming off of his best year with 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns. Mike Evans had another 1,000-yard and double-digit touchdown season.

The biggest issue for them heading into last season on offense was the team’s problematic running game, but that eventually became the Bucs’ strength by season’s end, as Bucky Irving rushed for 1,122 yards and made the All-Rookie team. Tampa Bay’s offensive line is also a top five group in the league with every starter under contract next season except for left guard Ben Bredeson.

The only other free agent question the Bucs have going into next month is wide receiver Chris Godwin, but if that feels like he’ll be back.

If there are any doubts about the Bucs, it has to be on the defensive side of the ball. It’s understandable to have concerns with Todd Bowles’ troops only recording seven interceptions on the season while being egregious in pass coverage this year. But don’t the Bucs get the benefit of the doubt that they’ll bring in new pieces? Why is Tampa Bay overlooked when it has a great duo at defensive tackle with Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey and a cornerstone player with Antoine Winfield Jr. at safety, who was only slowed by injury last season?

Bucs DTs Logan Hall and Vita Vea and OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

There’s an argument to be made that the Bengals had a far worse defense than the Bucs did, and they didn’t even reach the postseason. Plus, there’s no guarantee that Cincinnati can re-sign wide receiver Tee Higgins and they might have to trade edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to get under the salary cap. And Hendrickson was one of their few good defensive players.

Some of the factors that are likely contributing to Tampa Bay’s lower expectations are that Josh Grizzard is a first time play-caller and it might take time to find his footing. There could be some questions about head coach Todd Bowles as a game/clock management coach, and if his defense can truly get back on track.

But, the Bucs have been consistent over the last five years in making the postseason, including four straight NFC South division titles, and talent tends to prevail at the end of the day. This Tampa Bay team is used to proving others wrong and will have to do so again in 2025.