It’s a work day at One Buc Palace today. The players have returned for the march to Cincinnati on Sunday.
Opening day!
One minor but interesting nugget on today’s docket is the Bucs are scheduled to vote for 2026 captains.
Todd Bowles is expected to announce the winners this afternoon.
Joe wants to see significant change in the captains. At least some guys who presided over last year’s meltdown/quit job/embarrassment should be replaced. If not, then Joe will perceive all the chatter and focus on wanting to add tough guys in the offseason to alter the culture to be little more than hot air (you know, the culture that was supposed to be legendary).
Lavonte David has retired and his captain spot will be taken. Vita Vea was a captain last season and asked to be traded. Should he be voted in again? Antoine Winfield is the third and final returning defensive captain.
Joe would love to see all the defensive captains replaced. How about Alex Anzalone, Calijah Kancey and Rueben Bain?
On offense, Mike Evans will be replaced, obviously, and Baker Mayfield and Tristan Wirfs return as captains.
For years, Todd Bowles has passed on having a special teams captain. (Perhaps he realized nobody was worthy?)
Captains are nearly meaningless at the end of the day. But some fans are into it and it certainly means a lot to the team. Joe would enjoy seeing the captain vote reflect how soft the Bucs defense was last year.