Bucs Were An Offense Of Walking Wounded
January 27th, 2026
Offensive injuries killed the Bucs.
How badly were the Bucs banged up last year? It’s hard to imagine they could be worse this fall.
The Bucs earlier this month sent out a release with a lot of season-ending stats and facts. And one of the facts is very likely the reason the Bucs never made the playoffs.
Injuries on offense.
The Bucs never did have their projected starting-five on the offensive line start one game. Either Tristan Wirfs was out or Ben Bredeson or Cody Mauch or Luke Goedeke.
In the final games, an out-of-town reporter claimed the Bucs were starting two third-string guards. He likely wasn’t wrong.
How bad did the offense get hurt? The Bucs stated that of the preseason projected starting 12 on offense, a total of 90 starts were missed altogether.
Only two players on the projected starting lineup on offense didn’t miss a game. Center Graham Barton and quarterback Baker Mayfield.
And the way Mayfield played in the final nine games and everyone knowing he had at least one injury he was dealing with, Mayfield maybe shouldn’t have made all of those starts.
Joe understands a lot of folks blame Bucs trainers and medical staff. But for years, maybe a full decade, the Bucs regularly had one of the healthiest offensive lines in the game. So Joe isn’t sure that all of a sudden, these medical professionals got stupid overnight.
The 2026 season cannot be that bad, can it?
January 27th, 2026 at 12:08 am
While the defense needs a lot of attention this offseason, G TE & RB has to be addressed, no?
January 27th, 2026 at 12:27 am
So maybe Licht does need to go too!
If he is responsible for drafting fragile glass, twigs, brittle players then he is almost as bad as the HC/Dc being the architect of this dumpster fire!
January 27th, 2026 at 2:17 am
The strength and conditioning staff seriously need to be evaluated. Two years in a row where we have a team that’s faced injuries far beyond the norm. I also think Bowles constant walkthrough practices has something to do with it as well.
January 27th, 2026 at 2:43 am
At least Bowles went soft on them in camp to keep them healthy.
January 27th, 2026 at 2:55 am
The strength and conditioning staff seriously needs evaluation, but really, blame the Players Association. Their insistance on easier off season work is why they are suffering now.