Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2026 Training Camp Preview: It's All up to Baker Mayfield

With several teams kicking off their organized team activities this week, the NFL offseason is in full swing.

Teams have OTAs sprinkled in over the next three weeks before a month-long break until training camp begins in mid-to-end July.

We'll be reviewing the major offseason changes for all 32 teams in addition to previewing what to expect from each team as they head into training camp. Below is our 2026 training camp preview for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Key Offseason Dates

Voluntary OTAs: June 2-4, June 9-11

Mandatory minicamp: June 16-18

Training camp: mid-July

NFL Hall of Fame game: Aug. 6

Key Additions:

Jake Browning, QB

Kenneth Gainwell, RB

David Sills, WR

Justin Skule, OT

Scott Daly, LS

A'Shawn Robinson, DT

Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT

Al-Quadin Muhammad, ED

Alex Anzalone, LB

Christian Rozeboom, LB

Kemon Hall, CB

Chase Lucas, CB

Miles Killebrew, S

Re-Signed:

Cade Otton, TE

Ko Kieft, TE

Dan Feeney, C

2026 NFL Draft Class:

Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Round 1

Josiah Trotter, LB, Round 2

Ted Hurst, WR, Round 3

Keionte Scott, CB, Round 4

DeMonte Capehart, DT, Round 5

Billy Schraugh, OG, Round 5

Bauer Sharp, TE, Round 6

Key Losses:

Rachaad White, RB

Mike Evans, WR

Charlie Heck, TE

Logan Hall, DT

Markees Watts, DE

Jamel Dean, CB

Kindle Vildor, CB

Christian Izien, S

J.T. Gray, S

Analysis:

The Bucs just missed out on making the playoffs, losing their spot in the final week of the regular season to the Carolina Panthers, who finished with matching 8-9 records and despite losing to Tampa Bay in Week 18 won the NFC South because of their season sweep over the Atlanta Falcons that gave them the tiebreaker over the Bucs.

The challenge for Tampa this season will be avoiding a late-season meltdown like they had last year. The Bucs started 6-2 and quarterback Baker Mayfield was the MVP frontrunner, then injuries hit and the team lost seven of its last nine games.

Tampa Bay has a giant hole on its offense to fill with receiver Mike Evans leaving to join the 49ers. Chris Godwin Jr. should ease that blow once fully healthy, and Tez Johnson should see more of an expanded role in 2026.

The Bucs' defense got a big boost in poaching linebacker Alex Anzalone from the Detroit Lions, and first-round edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and second-round linebacker Josiah Trotter should make the front seven more formidable.

If they can avoid injuries, and Mayfield can carry the offense to respectability, the Bucs should return to double-digit wins next season. They will have competition from the Panthers and Falcons for the NFC South crown, but with Mayfield being the best QB in the division, Tampa Bay should be favored to get back to the playoffs.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published May 30, 2026 at 8:26 PM.