Based on how the 2023 season went for the Bucs, there should be a fair amount of optimism 2024, if certain things can bounce their way in terms of player personnel. Besides some key re-signings that have to be made, there’s a young core that is primed to lead this team into the future.
That’s why former Bucs’ Super Bowl winning coach Bruce Arians is highly confident in how Tampa Bay can be next season should everything fall into place. Arians had an interview with Pewter Report’s own Scott Reynolds where he discussed their potential.
Bruce Arians Expects A Lot From Bucs In 2024
“I think it’s outstanding,” Arians said. “If we get those guys back – and hopefully we can – I think most of them will want to be back. Continuity… Again, new offense, but there’s going to be a lot of continuity in it. So I don’t think we’re starting from scratch again. The guys all know each other, they know the quarterback now, they know how to feed off each other. So I think the expectations should be high.”
Of course “getting those guys back” as Arians stated are four very important pieces to the Bucs’ success. One could say they’re the Mount Rushmore of Bucs’ free agent priorities this offseason. In no particular order that’s quarterback Baker Mayfield, wide receiver Mike Evans, safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and inside linebacker Lavonte David.
Getting them to return is important because they’re good players, but it also fits another point Arians made in his response – continuity. That word is what keeps good and great teams successful year after year. It’s what Mayfield has been looking for during most of his career. And even though Dave Canales left, hiring Liam Coen as the new offensive coordinator helps keep the continuity together. This goes for the defense as well that unit heavily rode the coattails of Winfield and David throughout the season.
Continuity also helps lead to consistency. When it comes to the playoff runs, no team has been more consistent in the NFC than the Bucs in reaching the postseason. They’ve made it four years in a row, including three straight NFC South championships. The first year when they got in as a wild card was when Arians and the Bucs won Super Bowl LV.
Consistency Has Been Big For Bucs
Winning the division in 2024 may be a bit trickier this time around. The Falcons have new coach Raheem Morris and seem to be just a quarterback away from truly making noise. The Saints hired a new offensive coordinator in Klint Kubiak to reshape their weaker side of the ball. Even though New Orleans struggled at times last season, they were only a tiebreaker away from reaching the postseason. The Panthers are still in a rebuild, but Dave Canales has right correct attitude to help pick up the pieces.
The previous two seasons that Tampa Bay have come with Todd Bowles at the helm. Arians abruptly stepped down in March of 2022 so that Bowles could become the next head coach of the Bucs while Arians took a front office role. Bowles has had two very different seasons in getting Tampa Bay to the playoffs.
How Does Arians Believe Bowles Has Done?
Arians gave his opinion on how his mentee has done since taking over.
“I think fantastic, the way he weathered through the storms this year and kept that team together,” Arians said of the job Bowles has done. New quarterback, new system, new play-callers, it takes time. He kept it going. Winning the division, being the only NFC team that’s been in the playoffs for four straight years, that’s pretty strong.”
Arians and his family will be in Tampa on March 23 for the 10-year anniversary of the Arians Family Foundation. A special event featuring a concert set from country star Jason Aldean will take place at the Hard Rock Casino along with the yearly golf outing at Innisbrook resort. Check out more information and how to get tickets for this great cause.
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