For Bucs offensive lineman Luke Goedeke, he will be entering his second season in 2023 hoping to accomplish a few things. Not only is Goedeke looking to build off a rookie season in which he had a difficult transition to left guard after playing right tackle in college, but he also will be aiming to be more comfortable in a new Bucs offense and gain more confidence wherever he is asked to line up.

It could still be at left guard, although Nick Leverett took a hold of that position from Week 8 on for himself. After the trade of Shaq Mason to the Texans, the Bucs could also try him out at right guard, where he got some practice reps last season when he was a backup. Right tackle could even be an option if the team moves Tristan Wirfs to the blindside, as Goedeke had his best game of the season there in the Week 18 finale against the Falcons and played that position for two years at Central Michigan.

Regardless of where he plays along the offensive line, Luke Goedeke has room to improve and will look to make that crucial second-year leap.

Bucs Second-Round Pick Luke Goedeke Looking to Continue His Growth

Back in late December and early January, Pewter Report had a chance to talk to Luke Goedeke and one word stuck out: growth. Not only did he have to grow quickly after being an immediate starter, but he also grew in the weeks that followed when he was on the bench watching the guys in front of him.

Bucs LG Luke Goedeke – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I feel like I’ve grown immensely,” Goedeke said. “Just becoming comfortable, I’d say, at the left guard position. Switching sides is the thing I feel like I’ve grown [most] as the season’s gone on. Getting extra practice, whether it be in scout team or some fill-in reps and everything like that. I feel like I’ve grown immensely, getting a lot more comfortable on the left side.”

That versatility could be key in helping him compete for a possible starting role in 2023, but it also aids him long-term as well. However, the transition from one side to the other can be difficult for a young offensive lineman.

While there has been internal and external talk of moving Wirfs from right tackle to left tackle to replace Donovan Smith, his status as an All-Pro is one thing. For a rookie to come in and do so while being tasked with protecting Tom Brady in his first NFL season is another.

Talking about how it differs, Goedeke added that “the schemes and formations are the same – if you run to the right or left. It’s more your body movement and your coordination. It’d be like if you threw a football with your dominant hand and then tried throwing it with your non-dominant hand. That’s kind of what it feels like switching. People say, ‘Yeah, you just switch stance,’ but there’s a lot more that goes into it.”

“I’ve always felt comfortable on the right side, just playing the right side all throughout college. It’s kind of like riding a bike at this point. It was mainly the switch to the left side [that was difficult], but yeah, it’s feeling a lot more comfortable than it did.”

Could Luke Goedeke Be The Strongest Buc?

Luke Goedeke got a strong vote of confidence from Tristan Wirfs when Pewter Report talked to him late last season. When asked about the steps the rookie out of Central Michigan could take in year two, Wirfs did not understate how huge that could be.

Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I think it’s going to be huge,” Wirfs said. “It’s the same way in college – from your freshman year to your sophomore year, that’s when people grow the most; people gain the most confidence in whatever it is. I think it’s going to be great for him, being able to see film of himself throughout the whole season because it can be really tiring and really tough watching film of other people – [when it’s] not you on the tape.

“For me, that was huge, being able to see myself and see what I needed to do better, what different footwork I could take. It’s going to be awesome for him to get a whole season under his belt and go into this off-season training. He’s already strong as an ox – getting stronger; it’s crazy, he’s so strong.”

There will be a competition this offseason of who the strongest Buccaneer is, and Goedeke is a strong contender.

“Luke might say he’s got to be in the running,” Wirfs added.

Not just in bench presses or squats either.

“Everything – he’s strong. It’ll have to be an off-season thing because we don’t lift crazy heavy [during the season], but we’ll have to see this off-season. I got bigger arms than him, though; put that on a story. He hates that I have bigger arms than him.”

Other Bucs See Big Things for OL Luke Goedeke

One key phrase head coach Todd Bowles and other coaches and players used last season is “Iron sharpens iron.” This was echoed after practice, at press conferences, and even after games.

Bucs OT Josh Wells – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

For Luke Goedeke, former Buc and now Jaguar swing tackle Josh Wells filled that role for him as a role model on and off the field.

“I would say Josh Wells has [helped] a lot,” Goedeke said. “He’s helped me immensely, just football-wise and life-wise. Giving me advice and helping me along the way. I can’t thank him enough for the role model he’s been for me. He’s a phenomenal guy.”

Other Bucs also commented on Goedeke late last season and spoke highly about how he attacks the game and takes feedback.

“It’s awesome,” Bucs offensive lineman Robert Hainsey said on Goedeke having this offseason to develop. “It’s the first time you get a real offseason because in college, you don’t get a real offseason. It’s the first time you have a little bit of time to relax, take some time for yourself, that’s what everyone says. That’s hard to do the first time because you’re just ready to go.

“Now I understand too why you take that little bit of time, especially after playing this year. That is awesome because you just get that time to focus on yourself. Technique, fundamentals, football. Lift, get stronger, and then you get time off. You go train from 8-12 and you’re done. So then you get the whole day to relax, you can learn new things, and kind of use that time wisely as best as you can. It’s a good time. That’ll do wonders for him because I know the way he works and prepares; he’s going to attack it for sure.”

Bucs C Robert Hainsey and LG Luke Goedeke – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Hainsey has attacked this offseason himself, and Goedeke will also be putting in the work behind the scenes. While Hainsey had a season to develop and watch, Goedeke did not. He was thrown into the fire right away, which is not easy for anyone.

“There’s no way I could have went in and performed the way I performed this year last year,” Hainsey added. “Switching positions too, all of those things go into it, he did the same thing. Getting the chance to maybe step back, relax, come in, and be ready to play gives you the opportunity just to reset, be ready, work your technique throughout the weeks in practice, and be prepared whenever you got to go.”

Bucs defensive tackle Deadrin Senat added to what he likes about Goedeke as he has learned along the way.

“He’s coming along,” Senat said. “He’s very eager to learn; that’s what I like about him. He’s not a stubborn guy, he’s doing what a rookie does. He’s ready; I feel like once he gets his opportunity, he’s taking it and fulfilling it. He’s still learning – everyday he’s learning and he’s taking that on, and I like that about him. He listens to the guys around him and asks for feedback.”

Goedeke’s noted strength is a growing theme among Bucs players. After practice, Senat mentioned that he sees it and that when he gets his next chance, he will only be better.

“He’s naturally strong. He came in ready to play. He’s really, really strong. Just moving [from] tackle, doing everything a little differently, he’s trying to learn how to be a vet at it and learn some of the vet tricks to be kind of savvy with it and whatnot. Learning the tricks and schemes, but I think he’s doing really good, and he’s going to succeed when he gets his chance.”