The Core Is Getting Thin
July 14th, 2026
Core belief.
Earlier this year, Joe’s good friend, NFL humorist/columnist Mike Tanier typed the Bucs should consider themselves a rebuilding team rather than a retooling team.
Tanier pointed out there are only four starters left from when the Bucs won the Super Bowl. That’s not much of a core.
And the more “this Joe” looks at the Bucs roster, Joe tends to lean toward Tanier’s analysis. Tristan Wirfs, Chris Godwin, Vita Vea and Antoine Winfield is a really nice foursome, but is that a “core” of a winner? Just four guys out of 22, two on each side of the ball?
Many, including Gilberto Manzano of SI.com, beat the drum that the Bucs have a good core, a nucleus to be a winner.
First, the Joe typing here considers the “core” of the Bucs as the four starters left from the Bucs’ second Super Bowl win in franchise history.
And the Joe typing here is still triggered by the Bucs going 2-7 down the stretch to cough up a division title and miss the playoffs. Which Baker Mayfield will we be getting? The 2024 Mayfield who was one of the best quarterbacks in the league or the guy who couldn’t find a way to win just one more game to clinch a division title?
The Bucs are banking on three rookies, one on each level of the defense, to play lights out in order for the defense to show a pulse in December and January.
A team with a solid reliable “core” doesn’t need to lean on three rookies to play like Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks and Rondé Barber in their primes.
So yeah, Joe thinks the Bucs being lifted in preseason rankings based largely on “core” is a bit inflated.
If Joe was truly a cynic, Joe would ask how that same core (including Lavonte David and Mike Evans) rallied the Bucs last year?
July 14th, 2026 at 12:14 am
That creamsicle outfit is perfect for Todd, and his core is most definitely expanding. The rebuild needs to begin when he’s dropped his last edge rusher into a coverage where someone fast used to be before they caught a pass.
July 14th, 2026 at 12:56 am
Learn what outside linebackers do in 3-4 defenses. My God man. How many more times do we need to say it?
There’s lots of core players on this team. They didn’t have to have played on the Super Bowl team to be excellent. The number of good and potentially great players on defense has gone up by quite a bit, and the health of the offense more than balances it out. And out of curiosity- you don’t call Egbuka a core player? You sure will after this season. The talent is obvious.
July 14th, 2026 at 1:47 am
Stpetematt, well said
July 14th, 2026 at 2:05 am
He’s just a loser. He’s content, arrogant, and hard headed. He won’t learn because he knows it all already. He’s not growing and mastering. He’s polished and finished. This is what we get. Do not expect anything to change. We will have to pray Zac Robinsom can coach his finest games. Cuz Bowles is gonna Bowles and that’s a loss and a loss and a…
July 14th, 2026 at 5:26 am
Joe … ‘The Joe typing here considers the “core” of the Bucs as the four starters left from the Bucs’ second Super Bowl win in franchise history. A team with a solid reliable “core” doesn’t need to lean on three rookies to play like Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks and Rondé Barber in their primes.’
Just my opinion Joe, but while I do consider Wirfs & Vea still to be ‘core’ players, Godwin & Winfield don’t make my list as ‘core’. Over the past 2 years, Chris has played in a TOTAL of 16 games, with 936 yards & 7 TDs TOTAL. Antoine has played in a TOTAL of 26 games, with 3 sacks & allowing 5 TDs TOTAL. The on-field performance of both those players doesn’t scream CORE.
Interestingly though, Godwin, Wirfs & Winfield were all CORE players IMO in our 2020 SB season (Vea only played in 7 of our 20 games). BOTH Wirfs & Winfield were rookies that year. Godwin was the veteran of the group (2017 draft); he had a solid season (7 TDs & 840 yds), but he missed 4 games.
I try to be HOPEFUL on rookie contributions, and I’m HOPING that Bain & Trotter in particular produce BIG this year. Bucs NEED that to have a solid, winning season. I’d also love to see Scott AND Capehart come up BIG on defense, as well as Hurst & Sharp on offense, but that’s HOPING for a lot.
July 14th, 2026 at 5:30 am
We’ve been rebuilding since Brady left and we had those Cap Hell years to pay for that SB. The defense investment and talent have taken a back seat, especially with drafted players and FA’s not panning out. Lots of ‘promise’ for the D this season, but it’s still just on paper.
July 14th, 2026 at 5:40 am
How about looking at it like this?
Name 1 major weakness out of the starting 11 offensive players. You can’t.
When your worst starters on Offense are Bredeson and Otton – you are in good shape.
OL – Top 5
QB – Top 10
WR – Top 10
RB – Top 10
TE – Top 15
Not to mention that WR, RB and OT all have very solid backup talent as well….
The Bucs will have a good offense in 2026. I expect no less than 26 points per game average and wouldn’t be surprised to see that average pushing closer towards 30 ppg….
Defense has a # of question marks of course – but the preliminary answers provided by Licht to those questions seem to be good ones.
Roughly half of the Bucs starting defensive positions will be manned by new starters this year. (Edge – Bain, 5-Tech/DE – Robinson, MLB – Trotter Jr, WILB – Anzalone, Outside CB – Parrish, Nickle CB – Scott). And that’s almost certainly a good thing.
The players still here from last year as defensive starters (YaYa, Vea, Kancey, Winfield Jr and Tykee Smith) are all good players – with McCollum being the only remaining starter anyone should have questions about….
With a # of upgrades in both ‘tude and talent where it was needed the most (front 7) – the 2026 Buccaneers defense is positioned to push for top 10 status in scoring defense.
Even a top 15 scores against ranking for the defense combined with a top 10 or better offense will make the Bucs a legit contender in the NFC and likely lead to at least 10 or more wins in the regular season – which pretty well guarantees a ticket to the dance – and once the playoffs start – anything can happen….
July 14th, 2026 at 6:10 am
Pickgrin all good points except we still have that pesky issue with the HC/DC.
I believe Bowles is inferior at both compared to most teams and especially the upper echelon teams in this league. And until proven otherwise that will impact this organizations ability to compete for a championship.
July 14th, 2026 at 6:15 am
OMG……
It is So Much MORE than funny to see Matt there, or his new moniker “floor matt”, Pretend that he knows So Much More than the Joe’s writing the articles. Matt was just explaining it you Joe’s. Buddy….Matt.You’re a funny guy. It is CLEAR, You’re a browns fan. So Clear. LOL!
So as I’m CLEAR, this goes out to ALL the pom pom gals, Rosie Colored glasses club, and All the lemmings that have been hanging around such as Matt there.I wonder how many of you would be spewing you dribble about pretending it never happened, and all is well after the worst year in team history, just a few months back, if you actually wanted to WIN…! You people are asking us to support another FAILED YEAR COMING! Nah.
NEVER! Has a coach in ALL of the Buccaneers Team History have the very PLAYERS thrown a protest, and collectively turned their backs on a Head coach, NOR a DC,…. EVER! That record is now OWNED BY Tod Bowles. He’s the ONLY ONE, in All of Buccaneer history who has been able to manage that…. And some of you want me and others to just forget about it WHILE THE GUILTY PARTY IS STILL HERE??? YOU’RE CRAZY!
You know, I keep hearing the OLD “So what’s going to happen when we win the Super Bowl this year? Well first off, You’re NOT going to make a penny from Las Vegas because not only do You not have the Nuts to put your money where Your mouth is, You DON’T Actually BELIEVE that’s bright idea! You KNOW who You Are and deep down… You Know it’s the truth.
Since some would pose that question, I’m going to counter with, “And just what are You going to do when the fantasy once again proves You to be OBVIOUSLY DELUSIONAL? Supporting a man whom NEVER HAS and EVER WILL come close?
Are you people going to continue to beg the rest of us to “pretend some more with You” in Candyland? I wouldn’t count on that if you have any kind of self respect left in you…
You new comers are EASY to spot! You’re the ones “pretending”! The rest of us have ALREADY BEEN TO the clown show and are QUITE AWARE of what a waste of time you’re begging for… No thanks. Already been there and did that. Got MULTIPLE SHIRTS to prove it!
How about you? You people don’t sound like you know what You’re talking about AT ALL! Then again, if you’re a browns fan….. You wouldn’t know the difference because the people running Your show over there, ARE a bunch of Clowns TO….
Please STOP trying to import your low and losing standards over to here… Come HERE TO WIN and EXPECT HIGHER STANDARDS, AND THEN DEMAND THEM! Or DON’T COME AT ALL!
There Will Never Be peace as long as Bowles continues to embarrass us. He’s had 4 years already. He couldn’t do it. Why should a different result be “expected” now??? …. CRAZY!
July 14th, 2026 at 6:21 am
Six years after a SB win and the Bucs still have four players left. Not bad in my opinion. Also not the definition of a core player. You telling me that Josh Allen isn’t a core player for the Bills? Stop it. As mentioned in some of the great comments above, you should add Ebuka to the list on the offense. At least two other teammates to add alongside Wirfs on the OL. I’m thinking Mauch and Goedeke. If Bain isn’t considered a core player by mid-season, I’ll eat one of my Bucs hats. That’s eight out of 22 starters. That’s a pretty solid core to build on and that’s leaving off Parrish and Tykee. Golly, I hate this offseason of negativity. Bring on training camp.
July 14th, 2026 at 6:42 am
Obvious One, I hope it felt good to type all that ’cause I ain’t reading all that.
July 14th, 2026 at 7:21 am
With all these in-house draft picks we have playing on this team, the “core” is easy identify. After that we need the core available, in the grass, and making a difference in games. We’ve even got other players who should be core assets, but the issue is they can’t get on or see the field with any consistency or their play doesn’t warrant them being considered as such.
July 14th, 2026 at 7:23 am
I thought it was pretty amazing that we kept together virtually all of that Super Bowl team for one more year and what a year it turned out to be. 13 wins. One playoff win. Then the disappointing Rams loss at the end. The next year Arians retired, and really so did Brady. The bottom didn’t fall out, but we weren’t really contenders anymore and we still aren’t in my opinion. Last year was weird. It was like two completely different teams. By the end of that fiasco it was painfully obvious changes had to come. Sorry if that means old favorites must move on or retire. One guy who really wasn’t exactly a fan favorite will be the one guy we will actually miss as this year goes on. The one guy who was a BUCS legend whom we lost to the Niners won’t really be missed nearly as much as fans might think. I still say we are looking at a solid year and definite improvement from last year’s debacle. I’d say we are still the best team in our division and we should be looking at a home playoff game in January. From that point anything can happen.
July 14th, 2026 at 7:24 am
If it is all about Mayfield finding a way to “win just one more game down the stretch”, why do we bother with a defense at all? Hang it all on one player regardless of ibis injuries, a jay vee O line, and a play caller who was in over his head. By every measure the Bucs defense was pathetic last year which is why Licht made wholesale defensive changes for 2026.
July 14th, 2026 at 7:37 am
@Pickgrin, I agree with your take. If the Bucs don’t get killed by injuries again this year, I see the D easily to be in the top 15 and the offense to be in the top 8.
That should make the Bucs a contender in the NFC – not necessarily a SB contender, but if we are rolling in December, anything is possible. At that point, we will know what we have with the 3 defensive rookies we are counting on to start and be a factor, and they will not be rookies at that point.
July 14th, 2026 at 7:47 am
Todd is here for the balance of the ’26 season. I fail to understand why people are still caterwauling about this, it’s pointless, I can’t wrap my head around this mindset
July 14th, 2026 at 7:51 am
There is concern for the DBs as far as talent and depth. The biggest concerns are at DC, HC and injuries. Rest of this roster is decent, not great. Plenty of core players so I consider this a poor article.
July 14th, 2026 at 7:51 am
Drunk Bucs Fan. No shlt!
July 14th, 2026 at 8:11 am
How many core SB players are left on the Bills team, or Vikings, or…
Kind of a silly suggestion that there isn’t much left after that SB win 5 years ago. What team does?
July 14th, 2026 at 9:39 am
The thing is: practically none of us are happy with being stuck with Bowles. But now we just have to deal with it or root for the Dolphins or Jags. As far I can see a lot of our most obvious problems are retired, fired or elsewhere. True, Todd’s general ceiling as a head coach is about middle of the pack, but that’s good enough to win this division at least. I have zero doubt that we will finally have a pass rush again. The defense won’t be starting at midfield after every kickoff. That alone should boost us up to 9 or 10 wins. At least that should get us a home playoff game. We are not going to vie for a ring every year. True dynasties are just rare. Most teams have windows. Enjoy the season. It’s supposed to entertain us. Not make us miserable. Otherwise why watch? Hope may be a four letter word, but it’s free and it makes us happy for a while. Let us enjoy it
July 14th, 2026 at 9:40 am
Obvious…
Perhaps you haven’t followed the Bucs that long.
“NEVER! Has a coach in ALL of the Buccaneers Team History have the very PLAYERS thrown a protest, and collectively turned their backs on a Head coach, NOR a DC,…. EVER!”
You must not remember Jon Gruden. After winning just 4 games, lowest total in more than a decade in 2006 he “capped” his career in 08 by heading into December sitting in the catbird seat until his D and team collapsed totally missing the playoffs.
THERE WAS PLENTY OF GRIPING ABOUT GRUDEN FROM PLAYERS!!!
July 14th, 2026 at 11:10 am
First of all there’s way more than just those four that make the core You got to add Baker Mayfield Emeka JMac Tykee Yaya Bain Parrish Zyon Luke Barton Cody yeah there’s a more than four in the core and when I say core I’m talking about guys who are signed for the future or should be and will be in my opinion I believe they will resign Yaya They will resign Vita and Baker off the top of my head I can’t think of somebody else that needs to be resigned but I’m sure there is I just can’t think of it right at this very second I’m thinking of everybody and I can’t tell my brain works sometimes it doesn’t But I believe the Bucks have great group core as it’s says
July 14th, 2026 at 11:39 am
I would consider EE, Mauch, Luke, otton to be part of the core. Maybe not elite players but still part of it.
I would also consider smith, ya ya and parish to be core defenders.
But yeah. Kancey should be in that group along with Zion and Logan hall. But one can’t stay healthy, the other is gone and the last looked like he wanted nothing to do with football after being paid.
July 14th, 2026 at 11:42 am
Obvious and stpete:
Stpete is correct in saying Bowles is not the first Bucs head coach that the team quit on. I would add the historical Raheem Morris 2011 collapse as another example. BUT…Morris and Gruden were both fired. Not Bowles! Not only was he was not fired, he was allowed to hire his son as an intern. Go figure. What are the Glazers thinking? Do they take pride in failure ( eg Manchester United)?
July 14th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
It’s really called the no yardage defense. That is no yardage is too great for the opposing offense needs to get a 1st down. All they have to do is execute properly. They’ll get plenty of help from Bowles’ defense
July 14th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
Obvious one thinks I’m a Browns fan? I am not and have never been. I’ve been a Bucs fan since 97 and used to post on here a long time ago. I was a Bills fan before that. No Browns, not ever.
July 14th, 2026 at 2:17 pm
If the players turned their backs on coach? Why were they ok with retaining him?? Regardless hes the coach!
July 14th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Nothing about Todd of the house Bowles is getting thin. Except maybe the ice underneath his rather massive frame.
If he goes to the tailor he’d like search the portly section for a good suit.
Large and in charge. Expanding at a geometric rate.
Maybe he could play OL if needed!
July 14th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
I’d say a core player is any starter who’s been with the team 3 seasons or more. From there you can say how good or deep that core is. Our current core players are:
Offense
Chris Godwin
Tristan Wirfs
Luke Goedeke
Cade Otton
Baker Mayfield
Defense & Special Teams
Vita Vea
Antoine Winfield Jr.
Zyon McCollum
Chase McLaughlin
The core on Defense seems very thin, but luckily youngish outside of Vea. It’s also very questionable after AWJ. McCollum needs to prove he’s the man this year or risk losing his job to a 2nd year player.
Offense the core looks fairly deep, about half a starting offensive squad. Baker and Godwin are the oldest but the other 3 are 6 years or less removed from being drafted. Talent wise there’s some question marks, a couple really good players, and a seeming HOF arc.