Mandatory Minicamp has commenced for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as all players were required to report for the three-day training period beginning on Tuesday. Minicamp is the final phase of the NFL offseason workout program, devised to bring the team together – rookies and veterans – prior to training camp at the end of July. During minicamp, live contact is not permitted but clubs can partake in 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, including live situational periods. This time allows teams to fine-tune the playbook and implement strategies before training camp begins. The ramp-up generated excitement and several players, along with Head Coach Todd Bowles, spoke with media following practice.
### **Secondary Overview**
Like many players in a Todd Bowles' defense, Tykee Smith has cross-trained at multiple positions, in his case strong safety and nickel. He has predominately lined up at safety opposite Antoine Winfield Jr. with the first-team and on Tuesday during practice, he showcased his effort and aggression in coverage versus Jalen McMillan. Smith made his mark at nickel last season, accumulating two interceptions, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, 54 tackles, four tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. He displayed his prowess in coverage at jumping routes and endeared himself to the Bucs' coaching staff with his cerebral approach to the game.
"He's a very smart player, so he understands football," described Todd Bowles. "He fits in the spot well. When we get in pads, you'll see a lot more of the physicality and the things that take place with the linemen. Right now, I'm very happy with him."
With Christian Izien on the sideline, third-round pick Jacob Parrish saw significant time at nickel during the club's practice, showcasing his versatility. For Kansas State, Parrish was adept at disrupting releases and transitioned to nickel on third-down packages.
### **Baker Mayfield Praises Tez Johnson**
The Bucs' bolstered the receiver room in the draft with first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and seventh-round acquisition Tez Johnson. Johnson, who finished top-five in Oregon history in career catches (169) and who ranked No.2 in the FBS with 35 catches behind the line of scrimmage in 2024, has flashed during rookie minicamp and OTAs. On Tuesday, he once again showcased his explosive speed and redirection skills. He is electric in space with the ball in his hands and Baker Mayfield praised his ability to bait defensive backs with leverage.
"Tez Johnson is a guy that is obviously a later draft pick but a guy that has a lot of talent," said Mayfield. "Little guy, but he is really explosive and understands how to win on leverage and he is one of those guys that you really cannot touch in a phone booth. He is fun to watch when he releases off press coverage, so we are just trying to get as many people involved. Last year, we learned you are going to need a lot more than your starting 11 so we are trying to get everybody to elevate their standard."
Whether screens, motions, crossers or go's, Johnson can do it all.
### **Building Off Offensive Foundation**
Last season, Tampa Bay's offense became an NFC juggernaut. The Bucs' offense was the only team in the NFL to rank in the top five in both passing yards (third, 250.4) and rushing yards (fourth, 149.2) per game in 2024. Tampa Bay also ranked third in net yards per game (399.6) and fourth in points per game (29.5). The 2024 Bucs' squad was the first team in NFL annals to complete at least 70% of its passes while also averaging at least 5.0 yards per carry.
This past season, Mayfield set a new franchise single-season record for passer rating (106.8) and completion percentage (71.4%). He ranked fourth in the NFL in passer rating, third in completion percentage, tied for second in touchdowns, third in yards (4,500) and second in touchdown percentage (7.2%). Under the direction of Liam Coen, Josh Grizzard specifically tracked the utilization of shifts/motions and how to use them to attack zones, which paid dividends in the offense's efficiency down the stretch. Grizzard was tasked with strategizing for third-down situations during preparation for games and Tampa Bay led the NFL with a team-record 50.9% third-down conversion rate in 2024. Entering 2025, the Bucs will look to build off the foundation set a year ago. While there may be carryover in terminology and scheme, an emphasis on communication has revved up the unit's proficiency. Mayfield has placed an emphasis on making sure that everyone is on the same page at the line of scrimmage, and his teammates can anticipate what he will do based on the defensive coverage.
"Yeah, if you look at the foundation that we tried to instill last year – we obviously evolved throughout the year and the season, so it's nice for guys to not have to learn it from scratch," noted Mayfield. "There's obviously a few tweaks and things – motions that 'Grizz' (Josh Grizzard) wants to get done, which is great. If you're not trying to get better, you're not going to survive. We're doing that right now. For me, it's continuing to overcommunicate at the line of scrimmage. That was a big step last year – the responsibility at the line of scrimmage…But, take it to the next level: really, really take ownership \[and\] overcommunicate to where if we get a certain pressure or coverage, guys know what I'm going to check to. That's the part that I have to continue to try and elevate everybody else around me and take that ownership."