History Takes The Field In 2025
June 6th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Let’s hear it for the grunts.
Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield and Bucky Irving put on quite a show for the Buccaneers last season, but it didn’t happen in a vacuum.
Bucs OL coach Kevin Carberry.
Coached by Kevin Carberry, Tampa Bay’s offensive line got the dirty job done, time and again.
Continuity helped, as Tristan Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, rookie Graham Barton, Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke combined to miss only six starts in 2024.
Jason Licht, the former 260-pound guard at Nebraska, has a knack for drafting good players up front. He selected Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet in the second round in 2015 to support rookie Jameis Winston — and both were still around blocking for Tom Brady in the Super Bowl five years later,
Wirfs, only 26, is building a credible case for Canton while Goedeke has excelled at right tackle after a disappointing stint at left guard.
There are many reasons why the Bucs were the only team in the league to rank in the Top 5 last season in both rushing and passing offense. The guys in the trenches deserve much of the credit and this emerging group has few peers among the other 31 teams.
This franchise is celebrating its 50th season and let’s face it — Buc fans aren’t used to seeing an elite offensive line.
At times, you’d have a Pro Bowl representative like Davin Joseph (2008, 2011), Donald Penn (2010) or Logan Mankins (2015), but for the most part, the brutes up front haven’t stepped forward.
That changed in a big way in 2024.
“I’m going to have to give the offensive line a lot of credit here,” Licht says. “I think we have one of the better offensive lines. We have a lot of cornerstone players up there, if not a future Hall of Fame player in Tristan and other Pro Bowl-caliber players.”
Irving’s arrival provided juice for a listless ground game that provided offensive balance for Liam Coen. The Bucs ran on 44 percent of their offensive snaps last season, in marked contrast to the 33 percent rush rate in 2022 with Tom Brady under center.
While Irving enjoyed a remarkable rookie year, let’s not forget that Rachaad White averaged a very healthy 4.3 yards on his 144 carries.
Coen proved to be a crafty play caller, but the holes were bigger and this offensive line played with more cohesion.
With Coen now calling all the shots in Jacksonville, it’s up to Josh Grizzard to capitalize on Tampa Bay’s formidable offensive talent. His top priority should be getting to know the bullies that make everything go.
Best O-line in Bucs history, writes Ira.
Somehow, someway Licht has fashioned the best offensive line in franchise history. This group is tough, physical and tight. Best of all, this group is young.
Bredeson is the old man of the line at the age of 27.
Veteran tackle Charlie Heck, who started 21 games for the Texans, is the swing tackle in reserve while Elijah Klein and Sua Opeta are the primary backups in the interior.
“That room is like the central command of this organization,” Licht says. “If you can protect the quarterback and run the football, your quarterback has a fighting chance.”
Some observers are dismayed by Mayfield’s 40 sacks, but you’ve got to put that number in perspective. Because Mayfield is willing to take a hit before delivering a pass, he tends to hold onto the ball much longer than Brady. Even so, Mayfield’s 6.56 percent sack rate pales in comparison to Jalen Hurts (9.52) or C,J. Stroud (8.90).
Wirfs, Goedeke, Barton and Mauch were drafted by Licht while Bredeson signed as a free agent. Nobody is more proud of the group than Mayfield, who treated his protectors to luxury watches in March to show his appreciation.
Yes, it all starts up front with a special group just hitting its stride. You know why it’s so important to synchronize all those fancy watches?
It’s winning time.
June 6th, 2025 at 3:24 pm
Carberry and Picucci deserve more credit for our run game and O-line improvement than Coen imo. Very glad we kept them around.
June 6th, 2025 at 3:42 pm
I think we have a special group of big nasties on the Bucs.
Not just skill wise but a lot of these guys have a lot of personality as well. I can remember not knowing much about anybody on the offensive line for years. Some of these guys are real characters… who have character.
Licht’s “I am That Man” personnel aquisition process is paying dividends.
June 6th, 2025 at 3:59 pm
The offense is nearly bulletproof this season. I feel there is only 1 injury that could really derail us… Wirfs. Mayfield a close 2nd but with this OL and group of weapons, I think Trask could come in and win some games.
We have WR insurance now, we have 3 solid backs… I feel nearly the same on D about the depth. ILB is weak depth wise, losing David, Vea or Winfield would be real tough. But there is secondary depth now and decent depth along the front line.
No excuses this season… unless injuries are ridiculous, always the 1 excuse but here’s hoping for a healthy 2025 !
June 6th, 2025 at 4:00 pm
It all starts up front!
Can’t wait to see this OLine improve in 2025 and become the best OLine in the league. They were very very good last year and will continue to get better.
Bucs offense this year is bound to be fun to watch….
A top 10 defense which I believe we will have makes this team a serious contender.
June 6th, 2025 at 4:13 pm
Well sure they have an outstanding OL. They should. JL spent a lot of draft capital to bring these guys in here. Some might argue that if JL is the OL draft master he is billed as then he should have been able to accomplish the same for less.
June 6th, 2025 at 4:23 pm
“While Irving enjoyed a remarkable rookie year, let’s not forget that Rachaad White averaged a very healthy 4.3 yards on his 144 carries.”
AND…while just 50 carries is not perhaps large enough to be a representative sample Sean Tucker average 6.2 yards! The Bucs are 3 deep in the backfield, especially with THIS OL!
“Some might argue that if JL is the OL draft master he is billed as then he should have been able to accomplish the same for less.”
Indeed! Couldn’t agree more IF the “some” are incredibly negative. And we get our fair share of negative nellies here that’s for sure.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds COULD HAVE DONE THEM BETTER. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming.”
June 6th, 2025 at 4:44 pm
Jason Licht … ‘“If you can protect the quarterback and run the football, your quarterback has a fighting chance.”
BINGO! Quote of the day Sage.
June 6th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds COULD HAVE DONE THEM BETTER. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming.”
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Oh the drama. Not sure that fits what I pointed out. Perhaps I’m not as refined as I should be. But, it would be interesting to see what other teams have spent to build their lines and how that compares to what he has done. I am glad to see that you approve how much JL has spent. I’m going to assume that you have no qualms about the defensive talent and its depth and that you won’t point to a lack of talent should the defense stumble going forward.
June 6th, 2025 at 5:04 pm
A tantalizing article!
June 6th, 2025 at 5:37 pm
There is only so much draft capital and money available in any given year and depending on what happens it can be a tricky balancing act, JL and staff has been really good at it. When Jensen went down we had Wirfs on the right, Goedeke outta position, Hainsey thrust into the starting roll and I can’t remember the other 2. We had Marpet retire. Then we draft Mauch, move Wirfs & Goedeke, add 2 new guys, 1 goes down and Bredneson fills in great. That was a hell of a lot of work to be done. We do Defense 3 years ago and come away with Kancey, SVD and a few others. Trying to juggle the cap, resign our own players, FA’s, filling in during the year due to injuries, etc, etc, it hasn’t cost us nearly what others have spent and we’ve built a solid team and continue to through the draft, smart FA, Gregory not withstanding and didn’t cost anything anyways.
June 6th, 2025 at 5:39 pm
So JL and staff have spent Glazer money wisely I would say. A few misses, sure, but thats life.
June 6th, 2025 at 5:46 pm
“I think we have one of the better offensive lines. We have a lot of cornerstone players up there, if not a future Hall of Fame player in Tristan and other Pro Bowl-caliber players.”
I do remember critics of our current OL early on. The guys have come together under excellent coaching it seems. Another reason to look forward to the next few seasons.
June 6th, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Durango
You missed the point. Three of our OL are on rookie contracts. 1 is on a reasonable salary (~7 mil/year). 1 is highest paid and deserves every bit as the best OL in football and he’s been performing at that level since his rookie year (several years on the cheap).
How could it be better than that?
June 6th, 2025 at 6:09 pm
OL is the strength and heartbeat of our offense, not sure who has been critical of it lately, we all know that’s JL drafting strength. Would have been the strength for the last 6 years if Jensen didn’t get injured and Marpet didn’t retire.
I was critical a couple years ago when they insisted on cross training everyone and trying to stick square pegs in round holes… aka Goedeke at LG when he was a RT and Mauch at RG (which has worked out fine) when he was… a LT (?) I think. I already forget the former LG name in Mauch rookie season but he had plenty of RT snaps at his previous stop so the flip flopping was insane to me.
June 6th, 2025 at 6:23 pm
Wow! Jalen Hurts had a 9.52% sack rate. I’ll bet he really HURTS!
June 6th, 2025 at 6:36 pm
I have been so busy thinking about our skill positions on offense that I totally forgot that we have a top 3 offensive line!!Imagine the defense being able to rest as we go on a 12 play time consuming scoring drive. And if the defense is great enough to get off the field our offense can quickly wear a defense down. This is what undefeated teams are made of.
June 6th, 2025 at 9:10 pm
Excellent article Sage. The trenches are paramount. The OL is there, and the coaching has been solid to improve performance.
The same cannot be said about the DL, or any unit on the defense for that matter.
The OL is the strength of the team.
June 6th, 2025 at 9:30 pm
Bravo Ira!!
Thank you for giving our O-line some well-deserved props!
June 6th, 2025 at 9:41 pm
Durango
“I’m going to assume that you have no qualms about the defensive talent and its depth and that you won’t point to a lack of talent should the defense stumble going forward.”
D you know what they say about ASSUME right? I’ve spent the past months mounting a battle for RESPECT for Todd. I’ve conceded his clock management errors and conservative play calling but also considered HIS LACK OF TALENT on D. They had NO depth and when injuries, especially to Winfield and SVD the D was helpless in the middle with a good runstopping slow as a snail Britt.
But that isn’t a slam at Jason. After the SB win with Cap hell and the retirement of virtually all the stars save a couple there was a giant rebuild needed. Todd did it first on Offense with the OL and Bucky and White and Tucker. He resigned ME and CG all the while surviving cap hell.
This year is a new season. I remain optimistic the Bucs draft has upgraded the D with those two DB’s and some LB helps as well as Reddick. We’ll see what happens. But I won’t blame Jason for the team the Bucs field this year. He has already done a fantastic job. Now the onus is on Todd.
June 6th, 2025 at 11:48 pm
Last year PFF had our O-Line ranked in the top 3 routinely
June 7th, 2025 at 12:01 am
“The onus is on Todd.”
Yes. As it has been, should be, and were it not for Anthony Nelson’s strip fumble against Carolina in OT, the onus on Todd would be at the Temple University faculty.
June 7th, 2025 at 5:53 am
I wonder if Nelly will even stick this year. I hope so.
June 7th, 2025 at 6:01 am
“The guys in the trenches deserve much of the credit and this emerging group has few peers among the other 31 teams.”
Nailed it Ira! Yes it is…Time To Win!
Great stuff as allways sir!
Go Bucs!
June 7th, 2025 at 7:36 am
AL
Good play to remain on the dark negative side.
“were it not for” Who besides a negative human being takes a POSITIVE play and somehow manages to turn it into a negative. As Mr T used to say. “Pity the fool”.