After the Eagles steamrolled the Chiefs, 40-22, in Super Bowl LIX, it will be a long time before more meaningful football is placed.

That opens up discussions of how this offseason will go for each NFL team and how teams stack up against one another. ESPN recently went through such an exercise, and after making the playoffs for five straight seasons, where do the Bucs rank?

Bucs In The Middle Of The Pack Of ESPN’s Early 2025 Power Rankings

Bucs GM Jason Licht and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

After barely squeezing into the playoff picture this past season, the Bucs placed 16th in the first 2025 NFL power rankings. ESPN’s Jenna Laine had this to say about the team’s current state and how they can improve.

With the offensive coordinator situation solidified (Josh Grizzard), the Bucs really need to shore up their defense. They’ve had only three double-digit sack edge rushers since 2005 and none since 2021. They also had only seven interceptions in 2024 after almost double that in 2024 (13). They gave up an average of 22.6 points in 2024, which is middle of the pack and not necessarily bad, but they’re trying to go from playoff contender to Super Bowl winner.

It’s hard to argue that what is holding Tampa Bay back from being higher on the list stems from the issues on the defensive side of the football. They boasted a top-five offense last year, and even with Josh Grizzard replacing Liam Coen, there should not be much if any, dropoff. The focus shifts to the defense and how they can upgrade the unit for the team to reach another level in 2025.

Not to continually beat on the proverbial drum, but the team’s needs are as pronounced as they have been since winning the Super Bowl with Tom Brady under center in 2020. Before Brady’s historic arrival, general manager Jason Licht formed the nucleus of the roster around the defense as he signed, traded for, and drafted plenty of high-end talent. With the nucleus being slowly ripped apart and becoming less and less intact each year, head coach Todd Bowles’ defense must add some difference-makers at each level to be in a similar spot.

That is the biggest way the Bucs can prove these power rankings wrong next season.

Is 16th A Fair Placement For The Bucs Going Into 2025?

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Right now, it’s hard to pinpoint the most exact slotting for each team with the start of free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft just around the corner. Still, it is worth pondering – just how good will the Bucs be in 2025 knowing what they need to address and the question marks surrounding the roster? Some other teams have bigger ones of their own.

One has to wonder about the future of the Vikings, who placed 10th. They might slide down the list if quarterback Sam Darnold leaves in free agency. The Rams placed 12th and have a looming quarterback question of their own with Matthew Stafford nearing the end of his career at 37 years old. Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp could be trade pieces if Los Angeles decides to build around a younger core.

Other teams just ahead of Tampa Bay include the 49ers (13th), Broncos (14th), and Seahawks (15th). San Francisco and Seattle have plenty of free agents and paydays to handout, while Denver plays in the league’s toughest division and will be relying on Bo Nix to take the next step.

It’s fair to say they are somewhere in the middle of this group as a playoff contender, but not a true juggernaut – yet.

Where the Bucs have an edge over the other teams mentioned is having quarterback Baker Mayfield playing the best football of his career. If the team wants to hoist up another Lombardi Trophy with him leading the way though, he will need more support from the defense to become a serious postseason threat.

Maybe Jason Licht can learn a bit from how Eagles general manager Howie Roseman constructed his latest Super Bowl winner.