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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Let’s not lose sight of what really happened to the 2025 Buccaneers.
The defense, while still lousy, wasn’t much worse than the 2024 unit. It’s easy to forget the 2024 team won 10 games, despite yielding an average of 22.6 points, which ranked in the middle of the NFL pack. Tampa Bay allowed an average of 24.2 points last year, ranking 20th out of 32 teams, yet the franchise slid to 8-9.
Neither of those numbers inspires confidence, especially for a defensive-minded coach like Todd Bowles. But if you’re looking for the No. 1 reason for the dropoff, focus on an offense that cratered when it counted the most.
You can blame injuries, you can point to the inexperience of Josh Grizzard or you can single out Bowles, but there’s no denying the 2025 Bucs fell off the map with the ball in their hands.
Baker Mayfield
Instead of averaging 29.5 points under Liam Coen in 2024, the Buc offense dropped more than 7 points per game (22.4). Instead of topping 20 points in 14-of-17 games, last year’s team forgot how to score after the bye week.
During their 6-2 getaway, the Bucs topped 20 points six times. The final nine games? Not so much, topping 20 points only three times.
Buc fans are counting on improvement with Zac Robinson calling the offensivfe shots this fall.
You can challenge for a championship by virtue of a prolific attack. The top six scoring offenses last season — the Rams, Patriots, Seahawks, Bills, Lions and Jaguars — went a combined 74-28. All posted winning records while only Detroit (9-8) failed to make the playoffs.
Getting it done on third down is another key metric.
The top clubs in third-down conversion rate were the 49ers, Packers, Chargers, Bills, Bengals, Patriots and Bears. They combined for a 75-43-1 mark, with only the Bengals missing the postseason.
Even without Mike Evans, the Bucs have the makings of a potent offense, especially if Bucky Irving recaptures his spectacular rookie form. Few teams boast a better starting five up front and Baker Mayfield should be hitting his prime. The wide receiver corps, young and talented, will receive a major boost if Chris Godwin plays like Chris Godwin can.
Adding Kenneth Gainwell was a smart move and don’t be shocked if Jason Licht decides to give Mayfield another speedy weapon next month with the 15th pick in the draft.
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq.
Although the Bucs just re-signed Cade Otton, Kenyon Sadiq could be sitting there, primed for the taking. He posted the fastest 40 time in Combine history for a tight end (4.39) and if the Bucs deem Sadiq the best player available at that point, Licht needs to pull the trigger.
Otton is a solid player, but he’s not special. He has 11 TD catches in four seasons, averaging 9.7 yards per reception. Sadiq has a chance to be special — but only if he wants to be great.
O.J. Howard offers a cautionary tale.
In 2017, Howard had the look of a special tight end prospect, so Tampa Bay selected the former Alabama standout in the opening round. He underachieved, then was out of football at age 28 because he didn’t love the game enough.
Sadiq has drawn comparisons to Vernon Davis, who ran a 4.4 time in 2006, when the 49ers chose him with the sixth overall pick. Davis went on to earn two Pro Bowl berths. From 2009-13, he averaged 9 TDs per season and finished a long career averaging 13 yards per catch.
Will Sadiq match that kind of production? Nobody knows, but you can bet Tampa Bay’s scouting staff has done a deep dive into Sadiq’s passion for football.
When Howard was coming out for the 2017 draft, one scouting service quoted an anonymous NFC GM: “I don’t worry about the talent at all. He could be an All-Pro. I just need to know if he loves football.”
Licht shouldn’t shy away from Oregon’s intriguing tight end just because Howard didn’t work out. Sadiq could end up being the missing piece that turns a good offense into an elite one.