Ralph Vacchiano: Of Course The Bucs Are Contenders
August 13th, 2026
Not dead yet.
So, are the Bucs on a death spiral? Was last year’s 7-9 season the final bolt securing the Bucs’ Super Bowl window closed and locked for the franchise?
Anyone suggesting the Bucs are done and need to pull the pin on the grenade and rebuild, well, FOX Sports columnist Ralph Vacchiano has a message for these folks.
In so many words, Vacchiano thinks shoveling dirt in the Bucs’ faces over last year is crazy. Vacchiano typed — this just in, folks — the Bucs ended the 2025 season tied for first place in the NFC South landfill. And Vacchiano thinks the Bucs have improved.
So how could they not be contenders, Vacchiano typed?
Calling the Bucs contenders is a no-brainer, considering they tied for first in their division with an 8-9 record last season. There’s no reason they shouldn’t be at least a little better.
If running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Chris Godwin can stay healthy, and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is OK after slamming into the rookie wall last year, the Bucs should piece together enough offense even with wide receiver Mike Evans, a franchise legend, gone. And once defensive tackle Vita Vea’s contract dispute is over, Todd Bowles’ defense will have a bunch of good pieces, especially if linebackers Rueben Bain and Josiah Trotter — their first two picks in the draft — are as good as the Bucs expect.
The Bucs could easily be a nine-win team, and in the NFC South that might be more than enough.
Vacchiano makes fair points: Joe hopes that with a new offensive coordinator, the offense will be better. And provided Bowles sticks with Bain and Trotter as starters, the defense will be better.
So if the Bucs have an improved offense, an improved defense and very likely an improved special teams, then yeah, why couldn’t the Bucs win the division?
August 13th, 2026 at 9:05 am
Hey Joe, where are the practice notes from yesterday?
August 13th, 2026 at 9:16 am
Hard to believe anything in this article unless you just want to cling to anything that puffs this Bucs team up…
Depends largely on how the 1st 8 games go but I firmly see the Bucs having a losing record mid-season…. They will have to get to 7 wins, then I will be impressed…
August 13th, 2026 at 9:16 am
They can and probably will win the division barring huge injury setbacks again.
August 13th, 2026 at 9:22 am
Again, the record was 8-9 last year, not 7-9. Who is typing this and letting it get through???
Contenders??? For a meaningless division title, maybe.
Can’t wait for the excuses and hype to end. Reality will surely bite for some folks.
August 13th, 2026 at 9:22 am
If, if, if, if, if …
The story of every NFL team in August.
August 13th, 2026 at 9:23 am
The Bucs were 6-3 in games settled by 3 points or less…
Last year’s record could have been 4-13 or 11-6.
I see the same type of team this season.
7-10
3-3 in the NFC South
Wins against – Cleveland, Minn, Packers and Pit. outside the div…
I hope they prove me wrong but I have been either right on or within one (W/L) the past several seasons.
Brady’s last season was a total dumpster fire and that was the only season I was a few wins off.
August 13th, 2026 at 9:32 am
Nobody knows what this team really has except maybe the coaches and players.
Seattle came out of nowhere and all it takes is the right group of guys.
Either way, next year we are moving in a different direction unless Bowels can win an NFC Championship game.
Team could look way different next year.
Hard to go to war when you don’t know who’s going to be on your side.
August 13th, 2026 at 9:41 am
I project that all the teams in the NFCS with end up with 7-10 records. And what follows to decide which if the 4 teams goes to the playoffs will be pure chaos with different court cases rulings will have different results.
August 13th, 2026 at 9:49 am
Only fans in the world that think the Bucs should split with their divisional rivals. I think they should sweep them no matter what, because they are not any good. That gives them 6 Wins. Losers think they should lose. Winners think they should Win.
August 13th, 2026 at 9:56 am
i think talent wise absolutely we’re contenders….coaching wise, we’re sitting at .500
GO BUCS!!!!
August 13th, 2026 at 10:08 am
First of all the Bucs were 8-9 last season not 7-9. Secondly the Super Bowl window officially closed after the playoff loss to the Cowboys. This team has been working toward opening a new window these last 3 years while maintaining a semblance of competitiveness. IMO.
August 13th, 2026 at 10:11 am
It gets lost in the haze of the frenzy of training camp, but I am really very curious about how special teams might look. Coverage, All the nuances we tend to take for granted, these are the things that I think and hope will improve the most. And I’m also curious about how that may affect our specialists. Our kicker is Rock, solid. Or punter… He’s obviously quite capable but hot and cold. We all know about the team’s history with returners. We just need to have one or two guys be reliable and have the ability to break one now and then. So yeah, really enjoying coverage about the team’s improvements on offense in defense. Hopefully that’s not a mirage and we’ll see it displayed consistently. But special teams has been such a liability on this team, particularly last year. Off the top of my head I think up to three games could have been one if it wasn’t for special teams blunders. So yeah, a true improvement in special should be quite impactful.
August 13th, 2026 at 10:22 am
If finishing tied for first in our division is the driving force behind your thesis, than the entire take is flawed.
August 13th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Whatever reason people are calling the Bucs contenders – no one seems to be saying it’s for the Super Bowl. The Bucs ceiling this season is a home playoff game for winning what’s still the worst division in football. I don’t see anyone predicting more than that.
If the Bucs played in the NFC or AFC West we’d be hoping for 3rd place and signs of ‘improvement’ from Bowles team.
August 13th, 2026 at 10:48 am
A meaning less division title means playoffs, UGH!!
August 13th, 2026 at 10:49 am
Billy Bucco Says:
Seattle came out of nowhere and all it takes is the right group of guys.
***************************
Seattle was 10-7 and tied for 1st in the NFL West in 2024 before their 2025 Super Bowl season. The lost the division to the Rams on a tiebreaker and decided then and there to ditch Geno Smith because he wasn’t consistent enough. Smart choice.
They had the defense and skill players in place, they just needed a little more from the QB position to make them a title contender.
August 13th, 2026 at 10:54 am
Then, this guy thinks that the rest of the teams in the division have NOT improved any at all, during this past offseason… ONLY just the Bucs!? So, is that what he is saying!?
August 13th, 2026 at 10:56 am
A friendly reminder our HC is Todd Bowles.
You are welcome!
August 13th, 2026 at 10:57 am
17-0 baby. Count me in.
August 13th, 2026 at 11:00 am
We are 1-2 in those playoff games under Bowles after winning the vaunted NFC South.
Next round we are 0-1 with Todd.
That’s a.250 winning percentage in the playoffs.
No wonder the Glazers extended him…..
August 13th, 2026 at 11:06 am
@ CosmoKramer Says: “Contenders??? For a meaningless division title, maybe. Can’t wait for the excuses and hype to end. Reality will surely bite for some folks.
Oh, it’s for sure coming. I could even ‘hear-it’ in T-Krass’s voice a couple of days ago, on WDAE. His entire tone has now shifted after these few practices. PRACTICE. I even found MYSELF starting to say, “well, maybe, IF… Yeah, I can see… STOP IT. NO. I am absolutely NOT DOING IT.” Then, I promptly texted (LoL) the WDAE Text-Line, and said… Here you are once AGAIN T-KRASS, you’re buying into the hype. Shew. It’s PRACTICE. Oh, yeah… You better KNOW it’s coming. As in a little thing called, REALITY.
August 13th, 2026 at 11:12 am
CosmoKramer Says:
No wonder the Glazers extended him…..
**********************
If they hadn’t fired Lovie to replace him with Dirk Koetter in 2016 I feel like they would’ve fired Bowles and replaced him with Coen in 2024. It was the obvious choice and they just wouldn’t do it. Because they got burned back then they were too afraid to do it again later.
Live and learn.
August 13th, 2026 at 11:16 am
Hopefully we can stay relatively healthy, because if we do, this team has the talent to make a deep playoff run—and take a legitimate shot at the Lombardi.
Go Bucs!
August 13th, 2026 at 11:22 am
@ LouisFriend Says/TOLD Billy Bucco – Thanks for setting this tired BS straight. Because, I’m too lazy and tired to do it today, and I’m sick of having to repeat myself, to all of these IDIOTS, who know absolutely NOTHING about ANY of the other teams, that they continue to spew straight BS about. As if they have Tourette’s Syndrome, or something. The ONLY reason they weren’t more talked about was because of the RAMS dominating the ‘national’ discussion, and the Niners to a little lesser extent. The ONLY real question they had was at QB, and most EVERYONE thought they got BETTER. Also, A LOT of people picked THEM to go to the Playoffs, including MYSELF. Which they were also MY ‘original’ NFC Super Bowl Pick, UNTIL the Packers got Parsons, and then I changed it at the very last minute. I never believed that Stafford (or the whole Niners TEAM) would make it through an entire season last season, so that’s why “I” PICKED THEM to ‘WIN’ their division. This was NOT some BAD football team, who just got LUCKY. Far Farrrrr From It.
August 13th, 2026 at 11:22 am
The NFL makes sure EVERY team is a contender from February to August. It drives massive revenues. Even the worst franchises have a Wild Card shot. That’s the billion dollar machine that Goddell built.
Secondly, injuries have become a major difference maker. If your starting 22 are healthy all year, you have a shot.
But by any eye test, this team has young talent and an underachieving QB that will get himself injured trying to a superhero.
August 13th, 2026 at 11:36 am
So many uninformed bozos in this joint.
Here are some truths for the morons saying 7 wins or less:
1) The Bucs starting 5 oline didn’t play ONE game together last year. Cant win in the NFL with 2nd and 3rd string olinemen playing every week.
2) The ST cost the Bucs at least 3 games last year. They were HORRIBLE. Bucs brought in one of the best ST coaches in football. The ST will me much improved from coaching alone.
3) The defense had ONE pass rusher last year in YaYa. Kancey was out and Reddick has been out for 3 years. They are 4 deep at edge with YaYa, Bain, Mohammed and Walker.
4) Both starting LBers couldn’t cover anyone last year. The upgraded in that regard with Anzalone and Trotter.
These are facts. Now, like any season or team, it comes down to injuries. If the Bucs stay relatively healthy they win 9 games or more.
August 13th, 2026 at 11:52 am
@ Fan
“So many uninformed bozos in this joint.
Here are some truths for the morons saying 7 wins or less:”
LOL!!!!
I apologize if I hurt your feelings.
I promise I won’t keep saying 7-10.
I agree with you – this team was pretty mediocre last season for multiple reasons.
However – our best defensive player has requested a TRADE, our HC/DC is mediocre at best and this is one of the WORST CB units in the entire NFL.
I don’t see things improving over last season’s effort and with another tough schedule I have the Bucs going one win worse than last season’s 8-10.
August 13th, 2026 at 11:56 am
I know – I know…
*8-9.
lol.
August 13th, 2026 at 11:58 am
All he’s saying is that if you’re in the playoffs, then you’re a contender.
The NFCS winner will be a round 1 loser.
August 13th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
“I hope they prove me wrong but I have been either right on or within one (W/L) the past several seasons.”
Wasting that clairvoyant talent on predicting football records, and you could’ve won a billion dollar power ball. Tragic waste of talent.
August 13th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
“the Bucs ended the 2025 season tied for first place in the NFC South landfill.”
Rasslin’ fans would remember where this reference came from…
Being the NFC Dumpster Fire Division champion is a lot like being Owen Hart… the last nugget to get flushed.
(RIP Owen)
August 13th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
Here it comes….ROFL
August 13th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
5 or less
August 13th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
@ Warrin
Good morning.
Glad you could finally join us…
I can only predict the future for the Tampa Bay Bucs.
It’s both a blessing and a curse.
I don’t want to be negative but the Bucs will win one less game then they did last season.
It’s just not our mediocre injury prone QB…
It’s not just our best players wanting out of town…
It’s not just our NFL worst CB unit…
It’s not just our below mediocre Head Coach and DC…
All I am saying is please keep expectations low.
I care about the mental health of an overzealous fan wearing the Pewter colored glasses.
PLEASE!
Be careful folks.
August 13th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Fanofdabucs Says:
August 13th, 2026 at 11:36 am
So many uninformed bozos in this joint.
Here are some truths for the morons saying 7 wins or less
************************
Less than 200 yards passing in 7 of their last 9 games, with a 2-7 record to go along with it. They were less injured offensively at the end of 2025 than at the beginning.
They decided to blame the OC and fired Grizzard only to replace with a guy who’s Falcons offense ranked even worse than the Bucs did.
You want to talk about optimism: Tell me why one predictable offensive coordinator getting replaced with an even more predictable one makes the 2026 Bucs a better offense? They’ll need one of those to win more than 7 games this year.
August 13th, 2026 at 1:24 pm
IF Bowles could face Geno Smith every week, they might have a winning record. There would be days when Geno would “Kirk Cousins” Lovie Bowles defense and absolutely shred them for 400 to 500 yards, but that’s to be expected.
Maybe these new guys can coach themselves and come up with a system that works, and just ignore what Bowles says. That’s probably their only chance.
August 13th, 2026 at 1:41 pm
Of course the Bucs are contenders!
But the less people who believe it the better….let the sleepers keep on sleeping 😴
August 13th, 2026 at 1:50 pm
PFT just came out with their preseason NFL rankings.
The Bucs are ranked #21.
The statement re: the Bucs from PFT – “Have the flaws that caused last year’s collapse been addressed?”
Not quite yet…
August 13th, 2026 at 1:58 pm
Lots of “IF’s” in that article.
August 13th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
“All I am saying is please keep expectations low.
I care about the mental health of an overzealous fan wearing the Pewter colored glasses.”
1-800-555-BSME
*First 3 minutes of each call FREE*
August 13th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
10-7 is our floor
SVD and Morrison will contribute, edge rush will become a strength, Baker will have his best season yet and our offense and defense will both be top 10.
And JBF will continue to think feeding chum to the troll sharks and prefacing coaches name with kit kat eating = edgy analysis 🙄
August 13th, 2026 at 3:10 pm
“Joe hopes that with a new offensive coordinator, the offense will be better.”
There’s that hope word again…
August 13th, 2026 at 4:23 pm
every team is a contender this time of year.
August 13th, 2026 at 4:36 pm
WBL, addressing the mental health of this fan base is long overdue and a great point you make. Congratulations! For starters, when you’re looking in the mirror, will you be wearing the pewter colored glasses- or not?
Let’s see. The last 2 years we’ve beaten that years Super Bowl champs. The last three years we’ve been in contention, needing a week 18 win- and won all three!!
We’ve routed Love and Herbert on the road. We’ve won all three of our season openers and had 2 new offensive coordinators stolen away to be head coaches.
This team has been in the playoffs 6 of the last 7 years and last year the offense was as injured as any offense in the league.
All this while completely turning over a Super Bowl winner. Odd. Rare. And impressive.
Now we have a semblance of a defense. Maybe some special teams coaching?
This team is a way better team than what we’ve sent out there the last 3 years.
For the folks out there who don’t really get the game of football, and who need a little reminder…we’re just the kind of team that might take their opponent to the woodshed, and on a regular basis.
What a great year to be a Bucs fan. You’ll see soon enough. Watch and learn. We’re going to win a bunch of games- a running bunch of games, and I ain’t whistling Dixie!
August 13th, 2026 at 7:25 pm
@Jack Burton Mercer
Yes I’m on your team. Then we’re gonna beat Philadelphia Detroit/Chicago & LA all on the road & then win the Super Bowl.🤦🙏🙄 Yeah that would be nice but I doubt that’s happening.
August 13th, 2026 at 7:36 pm
It has everything to do with retaining Todd Bowles. He’s demonstrated over history to be one of the best. Sometimes there are too many injuries, and a drought of good players. The negative people will see.
August 13th, 2026 at 8:06 pm
@ Marine… The offensive line when healthy is just too damn good ,the 3 very good RB’ s! I just disagree.. Run the ball eat up the clock,then everything falls into place…
August 13th, 2026 at 8:07 pm
12 wins
August 13th, 2026 at 8:11 pm
The blocking on Gainwells kick out was insane!
August 13th, 2026 at 11:50 pm
5-12.