The Bucs began offseason workouts this past week, and one message was clear from the press conferences that were held. This is a team that recognizes they need improvement from within.

No one embodies that mindset more right now than center Graham Barton.

From defensive tackle Calijah Kancey to safety Tykee Smith, the message was the same — get better. For Barton, his primary objective is to get stronger and more technical. Entering his third season, how much progress he makes anchoring the interior offensive line will be critical for how much the offense can turn things around.

Graham Barton Is Looking Within To Improve As Bucs Center

Heading into 2026, the Bucs looking to put what happened in 2025 completely behind them. For the players, the only thing they are using a disappointing end to last season for is fuel.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and C Graham Barton – Photo by: IMAGN Images

For Graham Barton, he had a front row seat to Tampa Bay’s offensive struggles. The unit experienced quite a regression from 2024, with injuries mounting and forcing Barton to begin the season at left tackle. Even when he returned to man the pivot, he was without right guard Cody Mauch and later left guard Ben Bredeson. Operating with backup guards next to him, it was a challenge to protect quarterback Baker Mayfield and provide adequate running lanes for running back Bucky Irving and Co.

Recognizing this, Barton spoke about the strides he wants to make from a strength and technical standpoint.

Bucs C Graham Barton and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“To continue to get stronger,” Barton said when asked about his objectives for this season. “[To] just hold the depth of the pocket is an important thing to me, getting technically better. To just continue to improve [and] just try to see — I think from year one to year two, I think there were a lot of things I did in year two that you could not go back to my year one tape and find. I think I made a lot of improvements in a lot of areas, but then I think there’s areas where I didn’t see a whole lot of improvement.

“So, [I’m] just trying to get better, trying to improve technically, trying to continue to get stronger. Core strength is always a big part of that… I’ve been training back home in Nashville for a couple months. I spent some time here, spent time there and got on the field a little bit and worked out. I am just trying to get better.”

Graham Barton Eager To Realize His Potential Under Bucs OC Zac Robinson

One can already see the Bucs offensive line improving by leaps and bounds in 2026.

As it stands, a starting five of Tristan Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch, and Luke Goedeke is one of the best frontlines in football — if healthy. Taking into account that many of them, including Barton, are on a positive trajectory, and there is a path for this group to become dominant.

Bucs C Graham Barton and the O-line – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

With an All-Pro left tackle and a Pro Bowl-caliber right tackle, the foundation is there. If Mauch gets back to being a quality starter following his injury and Bredeson is solid enough, there is a lot to like. The X-Factor in the equation is what kind of player Barton develops into.

Getting there means putting the work in, and that is exactly what the team’s 2024 first-round pick is doing. After playing primarily at tackle throughout college and serving as Mayfield’s blindside protector for a brief time to begin 2025, Barton is still developing as a center.

“Yeah, it’s what I’ve been working really hard on all offseason,” Barton said. “[I am] just trying to get better because it’s such a different game. At tackle, you’re worried about the width of the pocket, so it’s like I have to go get out on this guy and match this guy, whereas inside, it’s like I have to brace and strain for every inch and step to keep myself as far away from the quarterback. It’s just a different mindset and I understand that but just trying to get better in that area.

“I think if you go back and every player stood up on this podium, I don’t think anyone would stand up here and be like, ‘I kind of did what I wanted to do last year. I did my thing, played my best.’ I think we’ve all kind of got to look within ourselves for this offseason and going forward, and how can I be better? If you’ve got 50-something guys doing that, we’re in a good spot. I think that’s a big part of it.”

Bucs C Graham Barton – Photo by: Gregory Fisher – IMAGN Images

Operating with that mindset will serve the offense well, but it also helps having a new offensive mind. With Zac Robinson taking over the playcalling duties, there is optimism surrounding how Robinson can bring the most out of the group. Working under Liam Coen with the Rams offers hope that they can get back to their 2024 levels under him. Barton detailed his interactions with him so far.

“I got to have lunch with him in passing a couple times in the cafeteria earlier this spring,” Barton said. “He’s a great dude, first of all, the guys that have come along with him seem like great guys. It seems like we’re going to have a good unit this year. [There are] a lot of similarities between him and Liam [Coen] as you guys know. Listening to him talk… it sounds like there’s going to be a lot of similarities in that aspect, but obviously, it’s Zac’s [Robinson] offense.

“There’s going to be different concepts he wants to introduce, different schemes, different principles and we’re ready to learn. I think eagerness is a big thing this year… There’s definitely an eagerness to improve this offseason and really take advantage of this OTA time to get better. I’m excited about the energy all those guys bring and I’m excited about Zac and his offensive mind and trying to go win it all this year.”

The cavalry is not coming to save the Bucs’ offense this season as many of the team’s offensive starters are the same from last year.

That means improvement has to come from within, and seeing young players realize their potential. If Tampa Bay’s offense is going to bounce back in 2026, it will start in the middle, with Graham Barton holding the pocket and taking a real Year 3 leap.