Four Bucs With The Most To Prove
July 30th, 2026
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Avert your gaze from Baker Mayfield and Vita Vea for a moment and concentrate on the four Buccaneers with the most to prove in 2026.
Whether concerns revolve around injury issues, age, poor focus or lack of production, this training camp is critical for several Tampa Bay players hoping to recapture past form. Their performance will go a long way toward shaping the upcoming season for a franchise approaching the NFL crossroads.
Let’s start with Bucky Irving, such a revelation as a rookie running back in 2024. Irving was the catalyst for an offense that averaged 29.5 points per game and paved the way for a 10-win finish. A fourth-round pick out of Oregon, Irving ranked as the 10th-leading rusher in the league despite having far fewer attempts than anyone ahead of him.
Chris Godwin
He posted eight 20-yard runs and three runs of 40 or more yards. He also stood out as a target as only 10 players boasted more yards after the catch. For example, CeeDee Lamb had 100 more targets than Irving in 2024 and only nine more YAC.
The bottom fell out last year as Irving averaged a mere 3.4 yards per carry. You can blame the flurry of injuries up front, but Rachaad White averaged 4.3 yards per carry behind the same makeshift offensive line. Irving also struggled with the mental side of dealing with injuries.
The addition of Kenneth Gainwell offers a reasonable option if Irving falters, but he lacks Irving’s knack for the big play.
Chris Godwin is a 30-year-old mainstay who started only 13 of 34 games the past two seasons. He was off to a sensational start in 2024, averaging 80.6 receiving yards per game before sustaining a season-ending injury. He averaged only 40 yards per game last year as his catch rate plunged from 80.6 percent to 64.7 percent.
Godwin is the veteran in a young receiving room and he needs a solid season because the Bucs own a 2027 club option. The organization could decide to move on without the No. 2 receiver in franchise history behind Mike Evans.
Calijah Kancey has flashed skills as a defensive lineman — when healthy. That has been the issue because the former first-round pick has missed 22 games through three seasons due to calf injuries and a torn pectoral. When Kancey plays, the Bucs saw enough skills to pick up his option year in 2027.
“My main goal is to play every game,” Kancey says. “There’s no stats, no nothing, just play every game.”
If Kancey continues to struggle with durability, the Bucs will be forced to find help on the interior in the 2027 offseason.
Zyon McCollum missed four games last year, but that wasn’t the primary problem for Buc coaches. When McCollum suited up, he had difficulty keeping his mind in the game. That raises red flags while youngsters Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison compete against McCollum as potential starting corners.
McCollum has picked off only three passes in 60 games and his impressive total of 17 passes defended in 2024 slipped to only six last year.
The Bucs still like McCollum’s size and range, but he needs to live up to that big contract he was awarded on the brink of the 2025 season.
July 30th, 2026 at 7:38 am
When the Sage strikes a nail it’s oftentimes top dead center. Man, that one hit the spot.
July 30th, 2026 at 7:39 am
Chris Braswell was taken with the 57th pick in the draft in the 2nd Round and has shown little. No Buc has more to prove than Braswell.
July 30th, 2026 at 8:12 am
Godwin has nothing to prove to me. When healthy he will be one of the best receivers in the league. Chris Bustwell and Buster Kancey have more to prove by a mile. Mayfield, being in a contract year, should be on the list too but maybe not near the top. Every team has a list of guys like this though.
July 30th, 2026 at 8:19 am
great post but i think Ira missed the mark with godwin….imo, braswell or winfield shouldve been in that article
GO BUCS!!!!
July 30th, 2026 at 8:22 am
As usual spot on. I am not concerned about Godwin. I think he will have a stellar year, one of his best. My biggest concern McColumn. I think he should have been replaced or given serious copetition as adding aanother CB. Better yet bring in a CB like Diggs and put McColumn on the bench. Yes Kancy, he may be to small and maybe needs his snapps reduced. I mean is it realistic to think he can stay healthy a whole season.I think they anwered the Iving question with Gainwell. Bucky’s carries will be less because it appears he can’t take the constant pounding. He is not a big guy.
July 30th, 2026 at 8:43 am
813BucBoi, I agree with Winfield. Never really had high expectations for Braswell. Every player that carries the captains C on their jersey have the most to prove in 2026! Letting their teammates quit in 2025 is an extremely bad look for a leader.
July 30th, 2026 at 8:46 am
Godwin is overpaid but the least of my worries. Hes a fighter and consistent when healthy. Zion needs to figure out how to get back into form. The CBs on this team is a big weak spot. Truthfully, this article could’ve been titled eleven bucs with the most to prove. A lot of players need to bounce back strong.
July 30th, 2026 at 9:27 am
McCollum is fast tracking his way to a seat on the bench and then out the door. We’ll keep running him out there every series though like JTS, We had plenty of money to extend his contract somehow.
July 30th, 2026 at 11:01 am
It wasn’t just injuries that doomed the Bucs last year, it was most players playing their potential. Since last years HC/DC remains, can we expect any different this year?
July 30th, 2026 at 11:09 am
Over here we call him: “Calijah Can’t See (the field)” I wish him well and I know injuries happen but man, this guy needs to put in a whole season like ONCE.