Remembering the injury-plagued 2025 season of the Bucs’ offensive line made left guard Ben Bredeson grimace.
Emotions were all positive, if not giddy, yesterday at One Buc Palace.
Sure, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles and Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield were stoked about Mayfield’s new extension — no one as much as Mayfield, obviously.
But in the locker room, smiles were found all over the place. Players were very relaxed, willing to chat. Why? A new season is upon us.
The 2026 campaign kicks off for the Bucs in Cincinnati in three days.
For the offensive line, it’s an opportunity to wash away the memories of a nightmarish 2026 when the offensive line was banged up before the season even began.
Week 1 had the Bucs starting second-year center Graham Barton at left tackle for the knee surgery-recovering Tristan Wirfs. Ben Bredeson started at center for Barton and not that Michael Jordan played left guard for Bredeson.
It quickly went downhill from there with the injuries to the front line.
“Last year, [wasn’t] how we drew it up,” Bucs left guard Ben Bredeson said. “I don’t think we played one game with everybody healthy.”
Bredeson is correct. The Bucs didn’t have one game where the starting five up front all started the same game. Before you knew it, Cody Mauch was gone for the season against Houston in Week 2 with a knee injury. Luke Goedeke left the same game with a bum foot that had him on the shelf for the next six games.
“We lost Cody early, and then guys are in and out,” Bredeson said. “We’re just really excited [for the new season].
“It’s been a great fall camp so far. Going into Week 1 with everybody healthy, everybody clicking and ready to go.”
And for Bredeson, there is an itch to prove that once healthy again, the Bucs offensive line can be one of the best in the league.
“It’s good to have everybody back out there,” Bredeson said. “Obviously, very excited that we’re all back.”
And Joe is confident; so too is Mayfield.