3 Biggest Offseason Questions Still Looming for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Now fully healthy once again, Mayfield heads into a contract year looking to return to his early-season form from 2025. If he can be the version of himself that threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2024, it's likely the Bucs will get back on top of the division and return to the playoffs, while he gets a massive extension to remain Tampa Bay's franchise quarterback.

But if injuries and inconsistency drag him down like they did last year, both he and the Bucs could find themselves at an uncomfortable crossroads next offseason after another disappointing season.

How will they replace Mike Evans and Lavonte David?

Losing one franchise legend is hard enough, but the Bucs will be replacing two iconic figures this year, one of each side of the ball.

Wide receiver Mike Evans left in free agency this offseason after 11 seasons in Tampa Bay, signing a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, while linebacker Lavonte David retired after 14 years, all with the Bucs. Both future Hall of Famers, replacing both Evans and David in the same offseason will be a tall task, both on and off the field.

As a receiver, Evans' rare combination of size and athleticism consistently forced opposing defenses to roll coverages to his side of the field. Even when he wasn't getting the ball, Evans' mere presence opened up the passing game, giving every other pass-catcher more 1-on-1 opportunities. That kind of on-field impact won't be easily replaced, but the Bucs spent a third-round pick on Georgia State's Ted Hurst, who brings a size/speed combo that gives the passing game some upside despite Evans' departure. This potential scenario also played into the Tampa Bay's decision to spend last year's first-round pick on Emeka Egbuka. A healthy Chris Godwin will assume the elder statesman role as the veteran leader in the room, while the team still has high expectations for young talents like Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson.

David was one of the few bright spots for an underachieving defense over the past few seasons, still proving to be one of the league's best off-ball linebackers despite being well into his 30s. Signing Alex Anzalone in free agency should help fill his on-field absence in the short-term, and will bring valuable experience and leadership David is taking with him. Second-round pick Josiah Trotter is the long-term investment Tampa Bay hopes will pay similar dividends to David, who was a second-rounder himself back in 2012.

Other veteran leaders like DL Vita Vea, OT Tristan Wirfs, and S Antoine Winfield Jr. will need to elevate their impact in the locker room, on the practice field, and in the huddle to replace what the Bucs are losing in Evans and David.

Will we finally see Todd Bowles' defense at its best?

Bowles is widely known as one of the defensive masterminds among NFL coaches, but outside of a few flashes, Bucs fans haven't seen that kind of impact on a consistent basis since he was promoted from coordinator to head coach following Bruce Arians' oddly timed retirement.

Injuries have obviously contributed to some of Tampa Bay's defensive struggles, but despite the fact that Bowles has been calling the shots on that side of the ball since 2019, communication errors and fundamental problems have continued to plague the entire unit, holding the entire team back in the process. After some key absences this offseason (David, CB Jamel Dean, OLB Haason Reddick), the Bucs knew they had to load up on that side of the ball this offseason.

In addition to veteran additions like Anzalone, OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL A'Shawn Robinson and others, the Bucs attacked their two biggest needs with their top two picks in the 2026 NFL Draft . They were gift-wrapped the best pass rusher in the entire draft when Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. fell into their lap at the No. 15 overall pick, and Trotter was a solid second-round selection to help fill the void left by David's retirement. They further bolstered their depth on that side of the ball by stealing Miami DB Keionte Scott and Clemson DL DeMonte Capehart on Day 3 of the draft.

They're still banking on some key players to bounce back from disappointing performances in 2025 (CBs Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison), and high-impact players like DL Calijah Kancey staying healthy makes a huge difference for the entire unit. But in what should be a make-or-break year for Bowles, it's time for him to prove he's one of the league's best defensive coaches after all of the investments the team has made on that side of the ball this offseason.