Bucs Have A Future Starter On Their Roster

Bowles came away impressed with the young lineman, praising both his performance against Carolina and the physical tools that could make him a fixture on Tampa Bay’s offensive line for years to come.

“I thought ‘Chuk’ (Chukwuma) did a great job. I mean, you know, 258 yards rushing – all those guys up front did an outstanding job. ‘Chuk,’ with his first start this year coming in, did an outstanding job. He’s got great size. He’s an athlete, and he’s very strong, so the run game kind of benefits him.

What Bowles said next was the biggest stamp of approval that one could get.

“He has a huge future in this league as a full-time starter.”

Ben Chukwuma Could Be More Than A Backup For The Bucs

At 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, Chukwuma has the physical profile teams covet at offensive tackle. His size and strength are especially valuable in the running game, where Tampa Bay showed what its offense can look like when the offensive line consistently wins at the point of attack.

The Bucs did not need Mayfield to carry the offense against Carolina. Instead, the offensive line helped pave the way for a dominant ground attack, with Bucky Irving rushing for 106 yards and two touchdowns, Kenny Gainwell adding 88 yards, and Sean Tucker breaking loose for a 46-yard touchdown run.

Chukwuma was part of that collective effort, earning an opportunity to demonstrate that he can handle an increased role when called upon.

Tampa Bay has seen him contribute on both sides of the offensive line, with his latest opportunity coming at right tackle. That versatility could be valuable as the team evaluates its offensive line depth and long-term options.

Of course, one strong start does not automatically make Chukwuma a future answer at right tackle. It’s a long way down the road before the team would even consider making a move at right tackle with Goedeke playing at a high level. Goedeke remains the established starter, and Chukwuma still has development ahead of him. But his performance against Carolina gives Tampa Bay another reason to feel encouraged about the depth behind its starting five.

Could Chukwuma Be The Bucs’ Right Tackle Of The Future?

Tampa Bay has invested heavily in building a dependable offensive line, with Wirfs anchoring the left side and Goedeke established at right tackle. Finding another young tackle who can develop into a starter would give them additional flexibility and potentially help the team maintain its standard up front as roster decisions approach.

Chukwuma’s immediate value is clear: He gives the Bucs a young, athletic option who can step into the lineup when injuries strike. His performance against Carolina suggests he may be capable of providing more than emergency depth.

The next step is proving that he can sustain that level of play against different defensive fronts and pass rushers. Consistency in pass protection, communication and handling NFL-caliber edge defenders will ultimately determine whether he can turn his physical potential into a starting-caliber career.

Still, Bowles’ endorsement carries weight. Coaches are generally careful when projecting a player’s future, particularly when discussing a backup lineman who has only recently begun receiving meaningful opportunities.

For Chukwuma, the Carolina game was an important audition. For the Buccaneers, it may have been a glimpse of a solution already developing inside their own building.

If Chukwuma continues to build on this performance, Tampa Bay could have more than a reliable swing tackle on its roster. It could have a legitimate candidate to become a full-time starter — exactly the kind of young talent every team hopes to uncover.