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Buccaneers Gathering Momentum As Super Bowl Challengers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jul 19, 2025 10:15 AM ET

The longer the offseason goes, the longer the list of people who think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can win the Super Bowl grows.

Granted, we have been beating that drum for a while now, and no, we didn't have the Buccaneers as "genuine" challengers for the Super Bowl, but rather a team that had the potential to be.

With an offense that is, on paper at least, one of the best in football, plus a defense that, if the injury bug stays away, can be a solid unit, Tampa Bay is right in the thick of the conversation for top teams in the conference.

And Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr has listed the Buccaneers as one of 12 teams he thinks can genuinely win the Super Bowl in 2025.

"Yes, the Buccaneers," Orr writes. "Part of the reason this team has had so much success with offensive coordinators—both Liam Coen and Dave Canales were hired for head coaching jobs after just one season on post—is because of the vision laid out by Todd Bowles. He is crystal clear as to what kind of offense best helps the type of defense he has become known for."

Seen as a favorite for the NFC South, the Buccaneers are expected to have home-field advantage for the postseason and make their run from there.

Of course, that is provided the injury bug stays away, which nearly derailed the season last year when Tampa Bay suffered a handful of injuries on both sides of the ball, leading to a four-game losing streak midway through the year.

Now, with a new offensive coordinator in Josh Grizzard and weapons the envy of the league, coupled with an improved defense, there's every reason to think the Buccaneers can make some noise in 2025.

How much noise? Enough for people to think they are genuine Super Bowl contenders.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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