Bucs May Involve Payne Durham More
July 27th, 2025
“C’mon Todd, unleash this Payne Durham. You got somethin’ here!”
Last year, just a little, Joe noticed that Bucs backup tight end Payne Durham start to spread his wings.
When the Bucs first drafted the big man out of Purdue, Joe thought maybe he was a bit too slow to make a real impact.
So Joe just assumed Durham would be used as a big ol’ blocking tight end. That’s what Joe gets for assuming.
In 2023 and 2024, Durham showed flashes that he is more than just a blocker. And with his big size, it helps that he is a wide target.
“Payne is a heck of a blocker for us and he has a big catch radius,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said last week. The Bucs are “just getting him more involved in the offense.”
Bowles suspects when the Bucs get Chris Godwin back, defenses will be so focused on receivers — as they should — that the Bucs can sneak-attack defenses with their tight ends.
“They should be singled up a lot with all of the receivers that we have, so they should be able to make some plays that way,” Bowles said.
And Bowles isn’t the only coach in the area who has a Super Bowl ring to have noticed something with Durham. Last week, JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman dropped into the FFCA headquarters to talk to Chucky.
And Chucky confessed to Ira there is something about Durham that intrigues him.
“I’m anxious to see this Durham guy,” Chucky told Ira. “There is something about him that interests me.”
Perhaps Bowles has seen that too. And the Bucs plan to show the football world more of it this fall?
uhhh is that Payne Durham or GRONK?!?! pic.twitter.com/77U7splcUF
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 26, 2023
July 27th, 2025 at 10:04 am
Durham made some amazing catches last season. This is good news.
July 27th, 2025 at 10:11 am
That would be a great addition to an already stocked offense!
July 27th, 2025 at 10:18 am
No need to over pay Otton when the time comes. Especially when you consider the TE isn’t a focal point of this offense.
July 27th, 2025 at 10:25 am
Ko Keift’s days are numbered.
July 27th, 2025 at 10:33 am
That catch at Indy looks like a TD to me??!
July 27th, 2025 at 11:52 am
Man lost his footing 4 yards from the goal and still broke the goal line falling down.
Drag him across the formation a few times a game and let’em be Bakers panic button opposite of Cade.
Especially in the redzone.
July 27th, 2025 at 11:58 am
Like this.
July 27th, 2025 at 12:20 pm
That is an awesome pic!!! 2 of the 4 winning HC’s in Tampa Bay history.
They seem to be sporting genuine smiles as in truly feeling some affection/respect for each other and not just posing for the camera.
Chucky smiles easily, Todd far more reserved, but in this pic they both seem genuinely happy!
July 27th, 2025 at 1:45 pm
They could have shown the play ▶️
July 27th, 2025 at 9:54 pm
Dude can catch.
But…Culp
July 28th, 2025 at 3:41 am
I have been in the monority on Gron…err Durham since he was drafted. May be slow but he catches the ball and blocks. His size is Gronk like too soo…
Go Bucs!