“It’s One Of The Best Rosters In Football”
August 24th, 2026
“Ed, is your TV on?”
Buccaneers hype is very real.
It was this morning on ESPN TV, where Rueben Bain’s “hump” pass-rush move Saturday against an undrafted rookie tackle was played over and over. The play ended with Bain in the face of the Chiefs quarterback, who threw the ball away.
The national media can’t get enough of Bain, it seems.
NFL analyst and former Bucs QB Dan Orlovsky sounded nearly all-in on Tampa Bay.
“Incredibly high [on the Buccaneers;] I have said this all offseason. I think it’s one of the best rosters in football — sneaky NFC Championship contending football team,” Orlovsky said.
“Baker Mayfield playing with a chip; we know that. “I think it’s one of the most continuity-based offensive lines. When this offensive line is healthy, this offense is really good. I think they’re really good on the perimeter, but [Emeka] Egbuka is not going to be asked to do as much early on in this season. They got first-round picks on their defensive line galore …”
Orlovsky went on to laud the depth on the Bucs defensive line and the addition of Alex Anzalone, though he soiled his crediblity a bit while gushing about Benjamin Morrison. Also, the whole “chip” thing for Mayfield is overblown. Where was the “chip” in December?
NFL analyst Kevin Clark was on the panel with Orlovsky and slobbered over the work of Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht.
“This Bucs team is unbelievable from a talent perspective, from a roster standpoint,” Clark said, adding that Bain is “a demon in the run game” and will be able pass rush consistently.
Like Orlovsky, Clark is smitten with Tampa Bay. “They’re going to win that division. They’re going to compete for the NFC Championship,” he said.”
August 24th, 2026 at 11:22 am
sneaky NFC Championship contending football team……
Huh??? You have to actually win playoff games to get to that level.
Bowles and Baker have one playoff win in Tampa. One. Three years ago.
The hype train is about to hit a mountain on September 13th.
Cannot wait to see the lemmings writhe in the depths of their despair.
August 24th, 2026 at 11:24 am
talent wise, this team can definitely compete for an NFC Championship…still need quality depth at a few positions…
all this hype turns up the heat on Bowles and Baker…
GO BUCS!!!!
August 24th, 2026 at 11:32 am
Agreed on all points summer and 813.
Also agreed on the quality of the roster. The starters everywhere are solid to good to great. A few observations on concerns:
Biggest concern is the HC
The lack of any depth on offensive line is concerning
The corners are concerning
Baker being streaky is concerning
The OC is not Coen
If health stays at least ok, and baker can play somewhere in between ‘23 and ‘24, then the biggest obstacle will be having to overcome the decisions Todd makes or doesn’t make that will cost us 2 games.
August 24th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Talent isn’t what’s held this team back the past 4 years, and the same pattern will likely repeat itself again this season as well sadly.
August 24th, 2026 at 11:36 am
But…..but….but….I’ve been reliably told by the wizards of smart here that the Bucs are winning 6 games MAX!
August 24th, 2026 at 11:41 am
All the talent in the world doesn’t matter if the HC is terrible.
August 24th, 2026 at 11:43 am
I am think roster is not bad at all….Coach will be the tell. He is not too good. The roster will have to improvise and overcome the HC?DC
August 24th, 2026 at 11:44 am
Concerning? You all sound like Susan Collins!
August 24th, 2026 at 11:49 am
Starting caliber is good…not convinced with depth.
August 24th, 2026 at 11:54 am
The hype train is the size of a Thomas the talking choo-choo.
A lot of attention is being given to 2 defensive rookies who’ve never played a down of pro football, a QB who can’t stay healthy and a team that was riddled with injuries last season.
To have a winning team everything has to hit.
* Bain must be an immediate pressure machine to take the heat off the secondary and set up single blocks for other pass rushers
* Trotter must be good at covering TE’s and backs
* Baker has to be healthy the entire season, not just well enough to step on the field
* The team has to stay mostly injury free all season
* The barely treading water CB room has to find a way to cover a WR for at least 2.5 seconds.
* The ST unit needs to be much improved in the protection and return game
Caveats:
*We have an OC that has yet to lead a successful offensive system in the NFL. Any love that you’re showing for Zac Robinson is built entirely on hope without evidence. He had excellent weapons in ATL and finished well below average in both seasons as their OC.
* Once more – this team’s starters must stay healthy. They aren’t going anywhere if depth is tested. Especially with the OL, secondary, middle linebackers and tight ends.
* If Baker goes down, hello winless football. Love or hate Baker, Jake Browning is your worst nightmare if he has to start in this offense.
Otherwise yeah, the Bucs are Super Bowl Bound. 🙂
August 24th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
Orlovsky just got his card renewed and overdid it before the broadcast. Eat a ham sandwich, Dan, and come back down to Mother Earth.
August 24th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
So if we don’t finish above 500, then what?
Fire the entire staff Jason Licht on down.
I don’t wait to bring this quote up over and over again as the Bucs get closer and closer to 5-12 this yyear
August 24th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Go Bucs!
August 24th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
The chip has always been overblown. But the fact is, when he’s healthy, he’s proven he is a very capable quarterback!!!! So keep him protected. The defense is night and day different from last season or has the potential to be . They have to prove it on the field. So this projection is not far fetched.
August 24th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
I’ve been saying!
So many haters around here. The team was one win away from the playoffs last year and has a MUCH better roster now.
August 24th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Can this year’s Bucs be any better than the winner of a weak division, with a quick exit from the playoffs? Based on performance over the past few years, it’s hard (right now) to think that they’re anything more than that.
August 24th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
Anybody with eyes can see this defense is light years ahead of last year.
Really good additions this offseason.
Other than ME13;who is hurt, Dean; Parrish is better, and a retired David, and both our current LBs are better, who did we lose?
This team is much better.
They will truly go as far as Baker takes them.
August 24th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Bucs first need a real quarterback not a puppy who can sling it then we will see who this defense preforms
August 24th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
“Caveats:
*We have an OC that has yet to lead a successful offensive system in the NFL. Any love that you’re showing for Zac Robinson is built entirely on hope without evidence. He had excellent weapons in ATL and finished well below average in both seasons as their OC.”
Disagree on this – he had a pair of stiffs under center in Penix and Cousins. Mayfield is far better than either of them. Cousins only looks like a world beater when playing Todd’s defense, and Penix is well on his way to being a bust. All he had was London, Robinson and Pitts. David Sills was 2-3 depth in Atlanta and may not even make this team (and that’s with Mike in SF).
August 24th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
I don’t think any Bucs fan doubts the talent on this roster, our doubt are with the coaching staff, in particular Todd Bowles. A ferrari moves as fast as a tortoise if nobody is behind the wheel to drive it. We need to see a substantial jump on Defence in order to justify this defensive head coach.
August 24th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Agree – If Baker can be consistently solid – it will come down to @Obvious “overcome the decisions Todd makes or doesn’t make that will cost us 2 games.”
August 24th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
It will be interesting to see the D perform against Joe Burrow on the road, because all this anointing of rookies as the second coming of Sapp or Barber is nauseating. Wait until they count and let’s see where the chips fall.
August 24th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
It’s Dan O everyone.
Calm the f down.
August 24th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Yeah we know this Joe loved to be negative on all things Bucs . It’s getting old !!!
August 24th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
Bowles and the trash defense/secondary will be the issue. I will believe a pass rush when I see it.
7, 8 win team at the most. Seen this movie before and know the ending.
August 24th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Here’s the tell: “This Bucs team is unbelievable from a talent perspective, from a roster standpoint.” It doesn’t matter how good the roster is if the coaching stinks. So, this year we will see what Bowles can do with all that talent.
August 24th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Todd Couldn’t coach an All Madden team on easy level. Please start the talks with Mike Tomlin. Bring him back home. Theb we can talk Championships.
August 24th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Todd Couldn’t coach an All Madden team on easy level. Please start the talks with Mike Tomlin. Bring him back home. Then we can talk Championships.
August 24th, 2026 at 1:37 pm
Its crazy how we have people who claim to be fans who “cannot wait” to see the team fail. Maybe yall should go root for the Falcons or something
August 24th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
I don’t recall Baker being lowballed on a contract extension last December. I think that is the chip most people are citing this season.
August 24th, 2026 at 1:46 pm
Mike Tomlin is a Super Bowl winning coach (once .. and almost TWO DECADES ago). I don’t think that a direction to go.
August 24th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
Won’t be long now!!! Bring on September!!
August 24th, 2026 at 2:01 pm
5-12.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
They have to demonstrate it. Easier said than done, as they will have to overcome the inevitable injuries and a HC whose never won more than 10 games and barely has a .500 record.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
Daniels for backup. No brainer.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:09 pm
Lokog Says:
August 24th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Bucs first need a real quarterback not a puppy who can sling it then we will see who this defense preforms
Since you are good at judging talent why don’t you name a few quarterbacks that might be available next season?
August 24th, 2026 at 2:27 pm
“… though he (Orlovsky) soiled his crediblity [sic] a bit while gushing about Benjamin Morrison.”
A bit?
Great, an ex-Bucs player, and “insider,” who doesn’t watch Bucs games.
Lots of disagreement about Baker here, but I think we can all agree that Morrison has been anything but stellar.
I’m unsure if a single piece has been written about him making a play, but plenty have been scribed about his numerous injuries. This guy gets hurt brushing his teeth.
That said, the defense does appear to be improved, and Bain looks impressive. But it’s still too early to count on anything. Most all fans for all teams are psyched right now. Let’s see how it plays out.
August 24th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Yep. Talented roster. Been fairly talented for a few years. JL is a solid GM. 13 win potential squandered by the coaching.
I hope the Bucs win it all and I will shut up but way more likely the team doesn’t reach its potential and bows out of the playoffs early cause they are overmatched at the coaching positions.
I pray we are healthy so that Bowles and Baker and the Bucs brass don’t buy excuses again this year.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
If given an option between trusting/believing Orlovsky or the experts around here, including Joe, I’ll take Orlovsky.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:25 pm
The consistent narrative about our amazing O-line is absurd.
What is it based upon? Almost 3 years ago under Liam Cohen?
I’m calling Goedeke looked like a turnstile/penalty machine last year, Mauch has to show he can recover from major injury, the center was serviceable but not great, even Whirfs was injured and not himself- maybe reads too much of his press. I do t even remember who the left guard is.
Gimme a break
August 24th, 2026 at 3:48 pm
@ Oscar Says: “But the fact is, when he’s healthy, he’s proven he is a very capable quarterback!!!! So keep him protected.”
No one ever said that he wasn’t capable, Oscar. BIG BIG-Difference being “capable” than being WORTH over $50-MIL+ LONGTERM, at 31-36 YEARS OLD. It’s about the opportunity cost. There are LOTS of great (cheap) QB’s in this league, WHO CAN PLAY, in the right system, with the right HC/OC, and when protected. LOTS. You’re much better off BANKING the MONEY, and spending it on ‘rebuilding’ the ROSTER. We’re NOT winning the Super Bowl right now, with OR without him. But, IF you tie yourself to HIM LONGTERM, you definitely AREN’T ‘winning-it’ anytime soon, either.
August 24th, 2026 at 5:10 pm
A healthy Bucs team is an 11 or 12 win team. We start losing 20-30 million dollar players and high draft picks for any amount of time and the wheels can quickly start to fall off.
Stay healthy and LFG!
August 24th, 2026 at 5:11 pm
Oh, and Baker is worth more than 50M APY long term. Ask any one of 20+ teams that need a quality QB and watch the price skyrocket.
August 24th, 2026 at 6:43 pm
Just like a lot of shallow people… we have some depth issues! If starters stay Healthy, SB baby! If not, yikes!!!
August 24th, 2026 at 6:46 pm
The ceiling is 9 wins. The floor is 5 wins. Based on Todd, I am going with 5-12. It’s over baby
August 24th, 2026 at 7:06 pm
@ Stpetematt Says: “Oh, and Baker is worth more than 50M APY long term. Ask any one of 20+ teams that need a quality QB and watch the price skyrocket.”
No, they’re NOT. It’s just NOT TRUE. Definitely NOT with this next Draft-Class, which is basically the exact same situation he was in during the last go-around. A LOADED QB-CLASS. When, once again, THEY ALL HAD THEIR SHOT. When, just 2-years ago, they all DECLINED. And, oh yeah… When, the BUCS re-signed him to a measly 3-year/$100-MILLION prove-it deal. When, he was an ‘Unrestricted’ FREE AGENT. They ALL had their chance THEN, and no one bit.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:30 pm
I THINK BAIN IS GONNA BE ONE OF THE PLAYERS CUT.😁😃💩 Yeah he would’ve been one of the few players I would’ve stayed put for & not traded down there if he did end up dropping to them.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:30 pm
The trolls are in full spin mode and it’s hilarious to watch. Spin away trolls and haters.
Any of you clowns like Marinebozo wanna put your purse where your mouth is? Marine says the Bucs wont win more than 6 games?
Wanna bet clown or you just running your trap??
August 24th, 2026 at 8:24 pm
Is this a Bucs site??? Are you all even Bucs fans??? My god
August 24th, 2026 at 8:55 pm
There is no doubt JL has drafted and brought in good talent. I think its hard to be optimistic about a HC who has a worse W/L % than Lovie Smith and has been the Bucs HC since 2022. Vea said the players have to execute the plays and that was an issue last season. I agree, but Bowles has to step up and be the HC he hasn’t been and make sure last year does not happen again. Most HCs last about 2 to 3 years in the league, so the Glazers have been more than patient and forgiving, but his time is up if he doesn’t get it done this season. This means going deep into the playoffs or bust.
August 24th, 2026 at 10:06 pm
Conf – agreed. It’s hard to see more than 8,9 wins, an nfc south champ and a quick out with this HC. Besides the win and loss record the decisions that are just mid baffling are too objective and impossible to ignore:
2022 – says he took the ball out of Brady’s hands in OT to win because he was scared of an interception.
2023 – says there was no reason to call a time out towards the end of the lions playoff game because there was no chance to come back
2024 – completely mis manages the clock at the end of regulation during the chiefs MNf game, panicked and calls a time out after a first down inside the chief 5 with 15 or seconds left to play costing us an opportunity to score and get a walk off two point conversion
2025 – never tells his ST coordinator to start kicking the ball out of the end zone on kick offs to mitigate the atrocious kick off coverage.
These are not hard decisions. They are decisions that most community college coaches can make. It speaks to his lack of attention to detail and preparation.
Besides the lions game you can make an argument that those decisions probably cost multiple games. It’s who he is. I have hope that the infusion of front 7 talent
will help get us a couple more wins this year, but when ur captain has this kind of history it’s hard to envision anything more than what we’ve already experienced.
August 25th, 2026 at 12:30 am
I feel the team is very talented in almost all departments with deep backups. The weaknesses are special teams, especially the punter and the cornerbacks. Also, how long will it take for the defense to jell with all the new faces.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:46 am
Talent aside they still need to be coached in a good scheme. That is our biggest weakness… even more so than CB, special teams and a pass rush. It will show again this season. Can’t wait to see what everyone says after Burrow, Chase and Higgins light up this defense like a Christmas tree in week 1.