Bucs C Graham Barton said the Bucs’ offense can play at a higher level if only the starting offensive linemen can stay healthy.

The Bucs offensive line last year was a mess. That’s likely because the Bucs never had one game where the preseason starting-five actually started a game.

Tristan Wirfs opened the season on injured reserve. Then Luke Goedeke got hurt. Then Cody Mauch. Then Ben Bredeson.

The offensive lineman who had the best year last year was center Graham Barton. Why? Because he answered the bell, even if he had to play out of position at left tackle.

Every other Bucs starting offensive lineman missed starts, some more than others.

As a result, the offense slowly crumbled. Baker Mayfield got beaten up and was a shell of himself after the bye. The Bucs never could get a running game going.

Joe is convinced all of that was residue of the offensive line being a trainwreck of injuries.

Barton said Monday on the first day of team workouts for the 2026 season that he and his front-line teammates must stay on the field for the offense to succeed, and the Bucs to win.

“Continuity is such a strong thing,” Barton said. “You look at 2024 and the success we had running the football and protecting the quarterback. We stayed healthy for most part.

“I missed a game, I believe Tristan [Wirfs] missed a couple, Luke [Goedeke] missed a couple early, but throughout the year we stayed healthy and there was a lot of continuity there.

“I think that helps no doubt about it. Again, it’s about trying to improve, and I think if everyone looks within themselves and gets to that point, we’ll be in a lot better of a spot this year. No doubt, health plays a part in it.”

But how does one stay healthy in football? Offensive line is such a physically taxing game. The Bucs, prior to last year, had relatively good health from their offensive linemen for years dating back to when Dirk Koetter was coach.

Last year, the Bucs had to pay the piper for so many years of healthy offensive linemen.

Joe isn’t sure how you avoid injuries in football playing in the trenches. If there was a way, a guy could make a mint, far more than playing football.

So Joe guesses the football gods have to smile upon the Bucs.

One way the Bucs’ suits could fix this would be to have at least one competent backup guard.