The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a high-flying offense in 2024, and many expected more of the same from them in 2025.
Baker Mayfield was coming off a season where he was top-five in the league in passing yards, as he had great connections with his teammates throughout the year.
The Buccaneers didn’t start as strongly as they would have liked this year, with Mayfield only throwing for 167 yards in the debut.
He did have three touchdown passes and did enough to win the game, but this team’s firepower was noticeably different from what it was last year.
One of their newest additions, Emeka Egbuka, had an outstanding debut, which might cover up for any misfortunes the Buccaneers encountered.
As the “Rookie Watch” account pointed out on X, Egbuka’s first game was better than anyone could have expected.
He finished the game with four catches and 67 receiving yards, turning two of those receptions into touchdowns.
Emeka Egbuka just made a STATEMENT in his NFL Debut.
Egbuka already looks ready to enter his name into the elite WR conversation.
• 4 receptions
• 67 receiving yards (led team)
• 9 rushing yards
• 2 receiving TD’s (led team)
And he did it against names like AJ Terrell,… pic.twitter.com/XEcM9D6Wew
— Rookie Watch (@RookieWatxh) September 7, 2025
The Buccaneers used a first-round pick on Egbuka for a reason, and he certainly didn’t disappoint them.
He looks to be a strong addition to this offense alongside Mike Evans, and when Chris Godwin comes back into the fold, they’ll have a three-headed monster at the position.
The Buccaneers needed this win to start the year off on the right foot, and they did just that.
Any kinks that they might have had on offense could get worked out over the next several weeks, as they hope to repeat as champions of the NFC South.
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