Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles walks around the field during warmups prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are at a crossroads heading into the 2026 season. This may be QB Baker Mayfield's last ride with the Buccaneers given his contract standoff with the team. That will put a lot of pressure on him, and the entire organization, to finally make a deep playoff run this year.
The preseason is almost over, which means NFL teams around the league will soon need to make their final roster cuts. Tampa will be faced with some difficult decisions to assemble their best group of 53 players.
Which players will make the final cut and represent the Buccaneers during the 2026 season?
Here is one version of what Tampa's 53-man final roster could look like entering the regular season.
Quarterbacks (2)
Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning
Some fans may be surprised to see that only two quarterbacks make the final roster.
Mayfield is entering what could be his final season in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers will be heavily relying on him to have a big season. If Mayfield does get hurt, Browning will be the team's next best option.
Remember, the NFL's Emergency Third-Quarterback Rule allows teams to dress a third QB on game days without using a normal roster slot for him.
In this scenario, the Buccaneers will make full use of this rule. They will likely keep Jalon Daniels on the practice squad for such a situation.
Running backs (3)
Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell, Sean Tucker
It could make sense to keep four running backs, but the Buccaneers opt for a trim depth chart at the position. That decision will allow them to add more depth at other positions.
Irving enters his third season as Tampa's starter with big expectations. Hopefully he can stay healthy after last year's injury-plagued season.
Meanwhile, Gainwell will take over the Rachaad White role and Tucker should reprise his usual duties.
If the Buccaneers do need to add more depth, they can simply elevate someone from the practice squad. Or grab a veteran free agent.
Wide receivers (6)
Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson, Ted Hurst III, Kameron Johnson
No big surprises here.
Godwin and Egbuka are two excellent targets for Mayfield. But depth at wide receiver is one of Tampa's most underrated strengths.
Both McMillan and Johnson have flashed potential during the NFL careers. Hurst should fit right into that group, as he's looked good during training camp. Tampa can do a little bit of everything with all of these receivers.
Meanwhile, Johnson keeps his roster spot as a return specialist.
Tight ends (3)
Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft
In this scenario, the Buccaneers decide to cut both Bauer Sharp and Devin Culp at the roster deadline.
Both players have a shot at making the final roster, but keeping extra tight ends takes away roster spots at other positions.
Tampa would likely bring at least one of them back on the practice squad, if not both.
Offensive linemen (9)
Tristan Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch, Luke Godeke, Benjamin Chukwuma, Justin Skule, Dan Feeney, Billy Schrauth
No big surprises on the offensive line either.
Tampa has an excellent group of starters and solid depth at every position. Upgrades could be coming in the future, but Tampa should be fine with this group for the 2026 season.
If the Buccaneers did keep a 10th offensive lineman, it would likely be Ben Scott.
Defensive linemen (6)
Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, A'Shawn Robinson, Elijah Roberts, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DeMonte Capehart
The Buccaneers look solid on the defensive interior, especially now that Vea is happy with his new contract.
Tampa has enough talent to do line shifts on the interior if they wanted to. Their incredible depth should bring some consistency to the defense and limit huge runs up the middle.
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Edge rushers (6)
Rueben Bain Jr., Yaya Diaby, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Anthony Nelson, David Walker, Mohamed Kamara
Tampa has slowly been building an excellent group of edge rushers. That group now looks talented at the top and deep behind the starters.
Bain should change the entire complexion of Tampa's defense. The talented rookie is a monster both defending the run and getting after the passer. If he can adapt to the NFL quickly, he could be a force multiplier for the Buccaneers on defense.
Meanwhile, the combination of Diaby, Muhammad, and Nelson gives Tampa plenty of options on the edges. And if they want to get creative, they can always kick Bain or Muhammad inside and lean on their reserve players in Walker and Kamara.
Former second-round pick Chris Braswell is the most surprising roster cut in this scenario.
Linebackers (4)
Alex Anzalone, Josiah Trotter, SirVocea Dennis, Christian Rozeboom
Tampa is throwing all of their chips behind newcomers Anzalone and Trotter, their projected starters in Week 1.
Meanwhile, Dennis and Rozeboom should serve as high-level depth pieces and special teams contributors.
None of the Buccaneers' other depth players at the position received any consideration here. Both due to their talent level and because there simply isn't any additional room left on the 53-man roster.
Cornerbacks (6)
Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish, Keionte Scott, Damarion Williams, Ayden Garnes
Tampa decides to keep six cornerbacks here, and for good reason. Morrison is dealing with a hamstring injury, which makes his availability an open question before the regular season.
Fortunately, McCollum and Parrish are solid all-around starters. Plus the Buccaneers added Scott in the draft, who can play almost any position in the secondary. He should get on the field quickly during his rookie season, even if just in a reserve capacity.
The Buccaneers opt to keep Garnes over Josh Hayes here. Hayes is a great special teams contributor, but that depth can come from other positions like safety and wide receiver.
Safeties (5)
Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Miles Killebrew, Rashad Wisdom
The most shocking decision on this list may very well be keeping five safeties. But it isn't as crazy as it may look at first glance.
Winfield and Smith are locked and loaded as starters. Wisdom can serve as depth at free safety and Killebrew at strong safety. Meanwhile, Melifonwu is capable of playing both positions, and could contribute on special teams as well.
Cutting J.J. Roberts may also be a controversial decision. But his injury history is a concern, and the addition of Keionte Scott makes it easier to keep him off this list.
Special teams (3)
Chase McLaughlin (K), Riley Dixon (P), Evan Deckers (LS)
It should be no surprise that Tampa is expected to return their three specialists on special teams.
The Buccaneers may look to upgrade over Dixon eventually, but that can wait for the offseason.