Offensive Line Woes Examined
January 5th, 2026
So the Carolina Panthers led the NFL this season in having the most offensive line combinations play at least 50 snaps together.
They win the no-continuity award with 10 combinations of O-linemen on the field playing at least 50 snaps.
Guess who had the second most? That would be your beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Bucs checked in with 9 combinations logging all those snaps. The data is from the NFL, via stats queen Cynthia Frelund on her Number Game series of podcasts.
The Panthers ranked 19th in rushing yards per carry this season. The Bucs checked in at a miserable 26th.
The offensive line blues were significant for the Bucs. Injuries happen, but backups let the team down and were misevaluated.
March free agent signing Charlie Heck spent all spring and most of the summer at left tackle but the Bucs were terrified to actually play him there in a game. Second-year guard Elijah Klein wasn’t good enough and was benched in a hurry. Backup guard Michael Jordan was ok for a stretch, but Joe suspects he’s not good enough to return next season. Fellow backup guard Dan Feeney, Joe suspects, will be back on someone’s practice squad next season, as he was until the Bucs signed him in mid-September.
Reserve guard Luke Haggard seemed to play well but he got injured and then, somewhat mysteriously, lost his job to Feeney for the rest of the season.
Undrafted rookie Ben Chukwuma showed great promise but needs more seasoning and snaps.
The Bucs entered the season with a stud starting offensive line — young, strong and experienced. All of them sustained major injuries except for starting center Graham Barton. That same group returns next year.
So how many wins did offensive line injuries cost the Bucs? That’s a brutally tough question. Joe would call the over/under at 1.5.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:21 pm
Fire the OL coach. Bring in Jay Gruden as O.C.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Bowles gets any fatter he will be one of our O-Lineman.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Excuses I hope the Bucs leadership isn’t making. It’s time for Bowles to go.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:24 pm
Congrats to Canales on not quitting on his team and finding answers.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
All 32 NFL teams deal with injuries.
The drecks of the league use it as an excuse for failure.
And then justify keeping the anchor dragging the pirate ship to the bottom of the sea.
Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
Tampa Bay Bucs = Man U cash register
January 5th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
whiny ass fans.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Arians was fat didn’t see his name being called to play center
January 5th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
They should really keep putting Sean Tucker in. It’s not like the entire world knows it’s a run play every single snap he’s on the field… opponents will never know!
January 5th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Rusty Shackleford Says:
Fire the OL coach. Bring in Jay Gruden as O.C.
—————————————–
In Jay Gruden’s last season coaching in the NFL, he went 1 and 15 as the offensive coordinator of the Jaguars… I’ll pass.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
I am aware that OL injuries were not the cause of the Bucs collapse but, the run game didn’t look so good after we lost at least 3 OL men to injuries this season
January 5th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
“The Bucs entered the season with a stud starting offensive line — young, strong and experienced. All of them sustained major injuries except for starting center Graham Barton.”
That’s why Baker had such a bad time. The injuries to him were caused by bad OL play. When you consider that, the OL cost us 4-6 games. Not 1.5.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
Rusty Shackleford Says
“Fire the OL coach. Bring in Jay Gruden as O.C.”
That will probably happen with a new head coach, but the OL coach is actually really good. You can’t expect 3rd stringers to play great as starters. They are depth for a reason.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Bucs hav the ‘She is Football’ weekend coming…They may find a 320 lb nose tackle.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
AlstottNumber1 Says:
“All 32 NFL teams deal with injuries.
The drecks of the league use it as an excuse for failure.
And then justify keeping the anchor…”
Living in denial is no solution.
You don’t have to worry. Bowles will be fired.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Fire Bowles…. Enough
January 5th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
How long would you expect the glazers take before they decide?
January 5th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
lame excuses and pointing fingers all year 3 and 28 lost 7 of 8 just needed to win 2
January 5th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
The OL was not the ONLY cause of the collapse, but it played a huge role in the fall of our QB.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
For those of you guys that keep bringing up Man U. you are looking like fools because the Glazers are incompetent to be owners for all the teams. its not like Man U is doing any better and you can assume they are pouring money there. Glazers invest but are not good at it, sport-wise at least.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Cool story, but we need a legit pass rusher. If we are running it back with Bowles and Licht, they need to address the pass rush and it can’t be via draft. We need proven players.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Thisisouryear!!!! Says
“How long would you expect the glazers take before they decide?”
Going by past times, could be anywhere from today to next week. Worst case, after playoffs.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
Another thing I think is a problem with the OL and also other positions and injuries, maybe the team should seriously take a look at their training staff. I know injuries are a big part the NFL but, darn near every player on the Bucs has been injured not once but at least twice and many 3 times
January 5th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
Team game and this team played awful. Starts from the top! Glazers on the clock!
January 5th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
AlstottNumber1 … ‘All 32 NFL teams deal with injuries.’
Yea verily, although the extent of injuries does vary quite a bit. What’s more important though is that competitive teams have DEPTH to compensate for when those injuries occur.
Buffalo Bills sustained a lot of injuries this season, yet finish with a 12-5 record and made the playoffs. They had 232 games not played due to injuries. Bucs finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs. We had 176 games not played due to injuries. Obviously Buffalo stocked the cupboards with better DEPTH and also did a much better job of compensating for having to plug in backups. That’s partially on our coaches and partially on our GM.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Boom! Joe you nailed it I think the injuries to the OL were the reason for the Bucs rapid downfall. Don’t know how many games we lost because of that but I’m sure it was several.
As we all know games are won and lost in the trenches.
Go Bucs 2026 !!
January 5th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Coaching woes no worries…These Glazers are as woke as can be…..
January 5th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
No kidding? Is that maybe why Baker never had enough time to look downfield? Is that why Baker got injured running for his life? For all the Baker bashers headed by Munch, these guys wouldn’t let up on Baker even if he no linemen other than Barton to snap him the ball? Playing with 7 guys against 11 defenders in the bashers world is “no excuse.”
/
January 5th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Every minute wasted is an insult to the fans.
He should have been fired last night.
Let the world know this putrid excuse won’t cut it.
He did not earn his job. It was handed to him.
That’s why losing doesn’t bother him. Those checks keep cashing either way.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Told y’all 🤣🤣🤣
January 5th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
We need a pass rusher. And our backups on O-line stink, except Chukwuma and maybe Haggerd. The rest need to go.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
Glazers are multicultural….British Soccer and US Feetball. They will let us down and leave us flat.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
It seems pretty hard for Barton to get hurt when it looks like he isn’t really hitting anyone in pass protection…
January 5th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
My thing is… Every team has injuries and players on the IR.
You cant say the Bucs went 8-9 instead of 13-4 because we have 1 guard on the IR or whatever. Thats retarded.
The bucs were relatively HEALTHY at the end of the season. Probably one of the most healthy teams in the NFL. We had maybe just 2 or 3 starters out.
As the Bucs got healthier down the stretch, the Bucs got worse down the stretch.
You cant blame losing 9 out of 10 or whatever on 1 guard being on the IR.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
HC Grover Says:
“They will let us down and leave us flat.”
Two Superbowls say otherwise. But, you know…embrace the negative…
January 5th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Kenny Says:
“The bucs were relatively HEALTHY at the end of the season. Probably one of the most healthy teams in the NFL. We had maybe just 2 or 3 starters out.”
Plus those 2-3 on IR…which is 4-6 starters out.
Don’t bother denying that injuries did not play a huge role in the collapse of the offense.
Defense (Bowles) was the main cause, but not the only cause.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
So bowles gets the injuries excuse… lol 49ers made the playoffs with injuries.. lets not use that dumb excuse no more.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Another thing or two? Have been watching the contending teams in last few weeks. Have seen receivers for these teams catching balls behind them, too high, and with receivers draped all over them. Doesn’t matter Tee Higgins, Ja’marr Chase, and countless others make every catch. Reminds me of how Ohio State’s third best receiver Emeka Egbuka let a ball that was addmittely high through his hands for what would have been a TD. Mayfield got roasted for that one by the idiots who never played football and didn’t learn that if you get 2 hands on a ball you ought to catch it. Have also watched many other receivers make one handed catches.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Sometimes I wonder what game you are watching.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
To my knowledge none of the OLine guys played on the defensive side of the ball. Can’t hold them responsible for the many MANY mental lapses and poor tackling.
That said I think our OLine coach did a great job given the injuries and lack of depth. Kudos to him!
January 5th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
New Strength and Conditioning Staff, needed ASAP!!!
January 5th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Man Utd is a terrible example. The Glazers put next to none of their own money into Utd. It was a leveraged buyout with all the debt dumped onto a once debt free money generating juggernaut in Manchester United. The revenue they generate each year far exceeds what the Bucs make.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Gipper, the alternative view is that a QB, if they are a pro, should be able to hit a wide open receiver on the money when they are under zero pressure. I think Baker should have known that you need to be extra accurate when throwing to a rookie in a pressure situation late in the season.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
It is hilarious that 2 of Bowlo offensive coordinators are in the playoffs while Bowlo will be seating on the couch and watching the playoffs from his home. Time to fire Bowlo is now and hire Klint Kubiak as the new head coach. Bowlo will not take the Bucs anywhere and not even make the playoffs next season if Bowlo still the captain of the ship.
January 5th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Kenny,
Yeah right. Brady would have excelled with 3rd string guards bullrushed into his face on virtually every passing down. The scramble by Baker and dump off to Otton was a perfect illustration of the mushy middle of Bucs O line.
January 5th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Between coaching and coaching, there is a stink. Fire the problem. Everyone regresses under Belowszo.
January 5th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Anyone complaining about the Glazers being cheap never lived through the Culverhouse nightmare. Please watch the documentary for actual examples of cheap ownership. The only thing Culverhouse never lost was money.
January 5th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
@Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
“That’s why Baker had such a bad time. The injuries to him were caused by bad OL play. When you consider that, the OL cost us 4-6 games. Not 1.5.
—–
i’ve watched a lot of Baker through the years. don’t know if he was injured the whole time but never seen him look so fearful stressed before running a play . The problem with a bad line is that even when it does protect the QB has to assume they will not based on past plays.
January 5th, 2026 at 1:07 pm
The thought of somehow believing Dan Feeney was a better RG than a healed up Luke Haggard DESTROYED the continuity that was building for the O-line.
Once Haggard got healed, why the hell did they keep Feeney in there???
Absolute travesty….
Like Haggard was improving a lot after he was inserted. This was his first live action in his career. He was steadily improving and he’s substantially more physical than Dan Feeney.
January 5th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
I will say this, ONE more win against any of the bad teams we lost to during the last stretch of the season and we are in the playoffs. (Obviously) Our defense is bad, VERY bad. Having said that, our head coach is the Defensive play caller. We have a handful of pretty good players on that side of the ball, other than that it’s a bunch of guys that are either “homegrown wait and see guys” or just not very good. Outside of the hits on offense via the draft our defensive picks haven’t been that great. Sure Tykee Smith is solid, AWJ is a good player and Vita is a force, other than that the rest are just not that good or kind of average players. IMO it’s time to take a HUGE swing in FA, not a washed vet on his last leg, I’m talking big swing. The offense will be fine and figure it out but it’s time to open the pocket books, give up some picks and make a move for a game changer. When it comes to Todd Bowles, go hire Raheem Morris to run the defense and make the calls. Bowles will likely stay put, however he needs to be demoted from play calling. Grizz I bet is back as well given the injuries he was handed all throughout the year. Also gives Baker back to back years with an OC
January 5th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
JackBurtonMercer,
Baker hit Egbuka in perfect stride on deep passes for TD’s earlier in the season before his injuries. Even Egbuka admitted he should have caught the high ball. Watch virtually any of the upcoming playoff games and you will see many catches made on way less than perect throws. You guys look for every way you can to bash Baker. As I have suggested if Baker played with just a center and no other linemen 7 on 11, it would still be his fault. For much of this season that is what it amounted to.
January 5th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Glazers are woke owners….wins and losses do not matter to them. Diversity rules the roost at1 Buc now. On alert for an Ironwoman to play.
January 5th, 2026 at 1:19 pm
Licht will have room to land a backup gem in say the 5th or 4th Rd this year, or sign a reserve G
January 5th, 2026 at 1:19 pm
49er’s Starters Lost for the Season
Nick Bosa (DE)
Fred Warner (LB)
Mykel Williams (DE)
Brandon Aiyuk (WR)
Ben Bartch — Guard
49ers Starters Who Missed Multiple Games
Brock Purdy (QB)
Christian McCaffrey (RB)
Trent Williams (LT)
Jake Brendel — Center
George Kittle (TE)
Ricky Pearsall (WR)
Jauan Jennings (WR)
The 49er’s made the playoffs with a 12-5 record, placing second in the NFC West which is the toughest division in the NFL with the 49er’s, Rams and Seahawks all making the playoffs, and the Seahawks are the #1 seed in the NFC.
When you consider the case of the 49ers injuries and compare them to the Bucs and both team’s performance, I’m tired off hearing excuses about injuries.
The Bills, Texans, Packers, and Panthers all made the playoffs and dealt with major injuries similar to the Bucs.
Those teams GM’s stocked their team’s with depth and their coaches overcame those injuries and made adjustments.
I’m tired of hearing excuses about injuries.
January 5th, 2026 at 1:24 pm
Buc Bonsai…Ahhh so. Maybe try Banzai!
January 5th, 2026 at 1:28 pm
More Cowbell to hide keeping Bowzo.
January 5th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
No doubt we need depth at OL. Grab a few OT in later rounds of the draft.
January 5th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
Ranky Suckonford
YOU ARENT ANYBODY TO OPEN YOUR PIE HOLE AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR MISGUIDED STANDARDS! YOU ARE WELCOME TO DROWN! DON’T BLAME EVERYBODY WITH A BRAIN THAT DOESN’T FOLLOW YOUR DESIRE TO BATH IN S. H. I… T!!
January 5th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
So Grover you’re saying the Bucs problems are a race issue?
How very 1960 of you…
January 5th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
1.5?? It’s more like 7-8!
January 5th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
Bingo BelleGladeBuc
January 5th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
I agree with Bonzai that it Cost Us At Least 4 to 6 games.
And THAT to No One to throw to ESPECIALLY UNDER EMENSE PRESSURE, Well….
THAT and having LITERALLY NO OFFENSE OR DEFENSE after the bye…. THE RESULTS ARE IN!
As I recall, Mayfield was MORE THAN on the run for MOST PLAYS the ENTIRE SEASON… Yes he missed on Too Many of his throws. THEN AGAIN, I RECALL A WHOLE BUNCH OF DROPPED PASSES FROM ALL OF OUR SUPPOSED ELITE RECEIVERS ALL YEAR AND ESPECIALLY AT CRITICAL MOMENTS! TALK ABOUT SELF DEFEATING! PLENTY OF THE BLAME “HAS TO” GO TO THE RECEIVERS! The ONLY receiver that DID HIS PART and didn’t drop More Than one or two passes while he was in there WAS McMillan….. THAT GUY CAUGHT EVERYTHING THROWN HIS WAY NO MATTER WHAT! The rest? They let us down when we NEEDED IT MOST, TIME AND TIME AGAIN!
I was NEVER a “Baker boi” in Fact Quite the opposite. ESPECIALLY in the beginning. But he Won Me over with his “Give a d.a..m.n.”! At The Least HE NEVER QUIT LIKE 95% OF THE DEFENSE DID…. HE put his body “ON THE LINE” FOR THIS TEAM WAY MORE THAN HE SHOULD HAVE! DESPERATELY TRYING TO NOT ONLY KEEP US IN the games But trying to WIN THEM! THE DEFENSE “MADE SURE” THAT, THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN AFTER THE BYE, and we DIDN’T HAVE A “TRUE RECEIVER” TO THROW TO until the last couple of games and for the MOST PART, THE RECEIVERS FAILED when they came back! Well, they couldn’t catch a ball when it was within their radius.. Maybe 50% AT BEST! In the end, the ENTIRE TEAM WAS A LAUGHABLE JOKE!
WHY IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD WOULD WE SUPPORT SUCH A “COMPLETE FAILURE” AS TODD BOWLES? WHY WOULD THE GLAZERS PUT US THROUGH “ANOTHER” WAISTED YEAR OF THIS LAME DUCK? I WON’T SUPPORT IT!
January 5th, 2026 at 3:00 pm
Wait, isn’t our GM the OL whisperer? He always finds the hidden gems, it’s his forte. Licht is can’t miss…Klien and all of the backups mentioned must be Bowles’s fault. It surely was Mr. Untouchable, Jason Licht because he can draft, evaluate players, and is a genius when it comes to resigning his homegrown hot house tomatoes.
Gag
January 5th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
Ill always place the blame on the defense when we gave up 3rd and 28 to 4 and 14 into a first down. Or the encroachment/offsides turning a field goal into a touchdown. The people that blame the offense/baker, how come he has to play perfect but we are expected to turn a blind eye to the defense? Why is that???? is it because the HC is a defensive minded coach and the defense is ass? Now why are you defending it? I wonder why…
January 5th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
Just a frustrating year to be a Bucs fan. Problems with Defense/Special Teams in general. Problems with the offensive line play.
The offensive and defensive shortcomings were compounded by both the offensive and defensive play calling.
On offense we had Grizzard and his totally-predictable game strategy, which functioned very well in setting up Baker for failure when continuously faced with 3rd and long with the opposing defense knowing exactly what was coming next. If we were able to get ahead, Grizzard would go conservative, allowing the opponent the opportunity to catch up.
On defense, Bowles was his conservative self, with soft zone coverages that helped opponents get to the red zone way too often. This resulted in our defense spending excessive time on the field, getting worn out for the final frame.
To me, that’s it in a nutshell: Injuries and lack of depth combined with conservative coaching strategies.
I’ll stand back here and invite Rod, David and associates voice in to correct me and blame our poor season on Baker’s “lack of execution”, but when they do, I’d ask them to name the QBs that would have been able to take this team into a playoff run under the same conditions that Baker dealt with.
Yeah, I do frequently defend Baker. The fact is that I’d defend just about any QB in dealing with the debacle that became the 2025-26 Buccaneer season.
January 5th, 2026 at 9:43 pm
So how many wins did offensive line injuries cost the Bucs? That’s a brutally tough question. Joe would call the over/under at 1.5.
——–
I would take the over considering all the close loses.
I’m not Baker Boi, but I’ll agree with anyone that says if the line plays better, you’re going to get better QB play.
At the same time, the pass blocking was not nearly as bad as people claim. When you watch the blooper reel of Baker losing those 4 games in a row, he’s generally not under pressure when he made various game losing mistakes.
BUT, better blocking is always better in any case.
January 5th, 2026 at 11:53 pm
Munch: Baker’s stats for the year are very similar or better than Mahomes, Herbert, Lawrence, Darnold, Nix and several others who don’t face continual complaints every time they make a mistake. Apparently in your world there is an expectation of perfection. Mayfield, despite working behind a very poor offensive line, with one of the worst running games in the league, with most of the receiving corps injured for much of the year, and saddled with an overly conservative OC who refused to pass the ball into the end zone, had a very good year under the circumstances. He put his ass on the line repeatedly to make big gains rushing when the pocket collapsed. which it did this year regularly. Your obsession with trying to tear him down says more about you than him.