In a Thursday column on PewterReport.com, two Pewter Reporters will debate a Bucs topic with different viewpoints. Which Pewter Reporter wins the debate? You get to decide in the comments section below.

This Week’s Topic: Are Bucs Really Top Contenders In The NFC?

Point: Bucs Have Promise, But They Are Not Yet Ready To Be An NFC Juggernaut

By Adam Slivon

This week’s topic was inspired by what ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky had to recently say about how far the Bucs could go in 2026. The former NFL quarterback believes Tampa Bay is a legit contender in the NFC.

Now, Orlovsky outlines a lot of the points the Pewter Report staff touched on in this week’s PR Roundtable. It was in that discussion that I shared my thoughts about why I see Tampa Bay having a 12-win ceiling. If that is the case, why are they not ready to take the next step? Well, this team has capped out at 10 wins during Todd Bowles’ four seasons at the helm. Even with Liam Coen calling offensive plays in 2024, all that led to was a Wild Card round appearance and subsequent playoff elimination. One can point to the defense being a large extent of the team’s problems, but how much better will things really get?

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

That looming question casts doubt on whether the Bucs will hit their ceiling. Plenty of tough games are on the schedule, especially facing top NFC teams such as the Rams, Packers, and Lions. Those teams are better-coached and better-equipped to go on deep playoff runs and control the conference. Not to mention, the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks remain formidable, with other teams such as the Eagles and 49ers being playoff contenders themselves. It is hard to say that Tampa Bay is unequivocally better than any of them. Those are six teams mentioned, which already knocks them down a peg in a potential playoff picture.

The Bucs have the promise and potential to be one of the NFC’s best teams. Should Baker Mayfield return to his 2024 form with a strong supporting cast around him, it could be a top five offense again. On defense, a slew of reinforcements has been added, and the special teams already looks to be upgraded. The million-dollar question is whether Bowles can keep the ship headed in the right direction. Things have gone astray in recent seasons during mid-season losing streaks muddied by questionable decision-making. The issue has been a lack of aggression and being too conservative in key situations. Periods of stagnation and a lack of adjustments are all it takes for things to go awry.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and S Tykee Smith – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

There is enough improvement across the board to not be wrong in thinking the Bucs can be a 10-win team in 2026. That projects to be enough to win the NFC South with a chance at winning a home playoff game.

When it comes to being a threat to make the NFC Championship game and compete for a Super Bowl, too many “ifs” get in the way of that scenario, no matter how rose-colored your glasses might be. The conference features several teams more proven, and while anything can happen, I would pump the brakes on buying 2026 NFC Champion t-shirts and hats.

Counter-Point: Bucs Absolutely Have The Pieces To Be An NFC Title Game Contender

By Bailey Adams

As negative as the vibes got early on in the 2026 offseason, we enter the summer with there being real reason to back Dan Orlovsky’s claim that the Bucs can be an NFC Championship Game contenders. A lot will have to fall in their favor, as is the case with just about any team that contends for the right to play in the Super Bowl. But Tampa Bay has all the pieces.

On offense, the Bucs have a quarterback who is just two years removed from a 4,500-yard, 41-touchdown Pro Bowl campaign. Under Zac Robinson, Baker Mayfield is set to take command of an offensive system more like the one he thrived in under Liam Coen two seasons ago. That, combined with a healthy offensive line that is one of the league’s best when at full strength, is a great foundation for an NFC title-contending team. And that’s before you factor in a three-deep backfield of Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Jim Dedmon -IMAGN Images

There’s also the fact that even without Mike Evans, this is a wide receiver room that looks to be at least five deep with Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson and Ted Hurst all in the mix to produce week in and week out. Having a tight end who does everything well like Cade Otton is also a plus for this offense. Put all of those parts together and you have a unit that has a ceiling that will rival almost any other offense’s in the NFC.

So, what about the defense? Because it was that side of the ball that has held the Bucs back the most in recent years, and especially in 2024 when they had a top-five offense. Well, the front looks a lot more potent. Rueben Bain Jr. was an absolute steal at No. 15 in the first round of the draft not just because of the pass rush juice and production he brings and the way he sets the edge and plays the run. It’s also about his ability to be a force multiplier in this defense, creating opportunities for Yaya Diaby, Al-Quadin Muhammad and David Walker off the edge and Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey and A’Shawn Robinson up the middle.

Alex Anzalone was a key addition at inside linebacker, and he and Josiah Trotter give that position group a higher ceiling than it had in recent years. The secondary is the defense’s big question mark, but the players are in place for it to be a good group. A return to form for Antoine Winfield Jr. and the continued ascension of Tykee Smith will help.

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

So now, what about everyone’s biggest hangup with the Bucs? That would be head coach Todd Bowles. It remains to be seen whether Bowles can take a team to the cusp of Super Bowl contention as a head coach, but the fact is that for the first time in a long time, he has the pieces he needs to field a great defense. An improved defense and an offense nearing its 2024 levels would make Tampa Bay one of the teams to beat in the NFC, no?

Think back to 2023 when this team was a quarter away from making the NFC title game. Is this year’s team better than that one? I think it can be, and that’s why there’s a real chance that this squad can make a seemingly improbable run in 2026.