Graham Barton Believes Bucs Offense Can Be NFL’s Best

With pads coming on and a new voice in his ear, Graham Barton is emerging as the cerebral centerpiece of the Bucs’ evolving offense. Barton was the next to share his insight on Grizzard’s system, and you can pencil him down as someone who believes in what is being taught and implemented.

“Honestly, it is the same system,” Barton said. “[There are] tweaks here and there – what any offensive coordinator would do after some self-scouting. Where can we be more fluid in communication or where can we add an adjustment to this play? To change up some terminology to streamline some things, it’s the same principle. I thought we had a good day [Sunday], I think our communication through week one of training camp this year versus week one of training camp last year is light years different.

“I think that is just a testament to the guys we have coming back. Baker [Mayfield] is taking another step forward, myself being able to try and take another step forward and having two veteran guards playing right next to me in Cody [Mauch] and Ben [Bredeson]. Communication has been great through one week, do not want to jinx anything, but hope it continues to improve.”

Touted as a bright offensive mind, Grizzard spent some time at Duke, Barton’s alma mater. Between 2013-2016, he worked as a graduate assistant and quality control coach there before getting his big break with the Dolphins as an offensive quality control coach in 2017. His various experiences in the college and pro ranks have allowed him to see the game at multiple levels and offer a unique perspective.

As Grizzard continues to progress and set the tone, Barton took the chance to poke some fun at how his personality allows him to fit in. He did not just praise Grizzard’s coaching acumen but gave a glimpse into what motivates him.

“‘Grizz’ has been awesome,” Barton added. “He spent a couple of years at Duke, so we have already had that in common. We did not overlap, but it was good to talk to him about that every once in a while. ‘Grizz’ as a leader, he has been great. He just wants to win. He may not be the biggest guy ever, but he has got that meathead personality, he just really wants to get after it. He is always ready to kick butt.

That meathead mentality – part fire, part football obsession – is exactly the kind of energy Barton says the Bucs’ offensive line feeds off.

“‘Grizz’ brings energy, we feed off that, we all have a good time, and we work our tails off. I am excited to see ‘Grizz’ this year as a play caller, we are all ready to work with him and play hard for him.”

Graham Barton Embracing Leadership Role As The Bucs’ Center Of Command

Not only is Josh Grizzard looking to grow and improve throughout Bucs training camp, but so is Graham Barton.

After starting 16 games last season, Barton has built up confidence making line calls and reading defenses. With a full offseason at center, Barton is poised to take a second-year leap, one the team hopes is similar to the improvements right tackle Luke Goedeke and right guard Cody Mauch made in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Mauch already sees how Barton is settling in and not doubting his ability to hold it down.

“You could see it every single game, how much more comfortable he got last year,” Mauch said. “Graham handled his rookie year so much better than I did. Especially being the center, it’s such a bigger mental task, I think. He handled it so well last year. You could see coming into minicamp and OTAs everyone on the offense is confident with Graham in there as center. No one is second guessing anything, Graham is setting the points, Graham is making the mic calls, and no one is second guessing anything. We all have the most trust in him and I think he’s really starting to feel that trust.”

Circling back to Todd Bowles, he believes that Barton has improved on various levels and putting on the pads will bring the best out of him.

“Just [in] the experience and the intelligence that he’s getting,” Bowles said about how Barton is getting better. “Obviously, being a rookie, having to make calls at center is an extremely tough job. He did a great job at it last year. Going into year two, he kind of knows some things right off the bat and it comes easy to him. He loves to work to get better. There’s one thing about Graham – he loves to finish. He doesn’t like t-shirt and shorts. In pads [on Monday], I’ll look to see the Graham Barton that we drafted.”

When it comes to the Bucs, they are a team with elite standards and expectations. That much has been obvious hearing from all of the team captains when talking with the media. While the defense is hungry and setting its sights on returning to its prior form, the offense is in a different place. Already establishing itself as a highly efficient and high-scoring bunch, they have goals on being the best in the NFL.

Graham Barton does not see any reason why that cannot happen this season.

“There’s no reason it shouldn’t be,” Barton said. “We got all the talent in the world. We got the skill, the camaraderie, the effort, the work ethic. We have no excuse not to be. We have everything going for us, so it’s just about working hard, continuing to get better. Not being satisfied, ever. Just continuing to stay hungry, and play physical, play violent. Continue to have that mojo we had last year. Play with a chip on our shoulder. Like I said, we have no excuse not to be. That’s what we’re striving for.”