The Big Four Outside Free Agency
March 9th, 2026
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
On the brink of free agency, Buc fans are naturally curious to see what additions Jason Licht can sign to return this franchise to championship contention for the first time since 2021.
But it’s also important to note that Tampa Bay’s success will be largely forged by some key players looking to return to their 2024 form. Two players on each side of the ball suffered regression last fall, contributing to a second-half collapse that leaves this organization entering a pivotal year.
Another sub-.500 record is likely to generate massive changes in the locker room, the coaching staff and perhaps the executive suite.
Let’s start with the veteran under center.
Baker Mayfield should be hitting his stride and in 2024, he gave every indication he would be Tampa Bay’s long-term answer at the game’s most important position. After Mayfield threw 41 TD passes en route to a Pro Bowl berth, a contract extension seemed a formality.
Mayfield was outstanding during Tampa Bay’s 6-2 start last year, throwing only two picks while excelling in clutch situations. But Mayfield tossed nine interceptions in the final eight weeks. In his last 10 games, Mayfield topped 204 passing yards only three times.
Overall, his average yards per pass attempt fell from 7.9 in 2024 to 6.8 yards, a significant dropoff. Injuries played a part — so did bad decisions. Todd Bowles still believes No. 6 is a franchise quarterback. Now, Mayfield has to prove it once again.
A year ago, Zyon McCollum looked like one of the league’s best young cornerbacks. He picked off two balls in 2024, tied for third in the NFL with 17 passes defended and played all 17 games. The Bucs rewarded him last September with a 3-year, $48 million deal, including $35 million guaranteed.
Zyon McCollum
McCollum did not live up to that contract extension, posting one interception and only six pass breakups in his 13 starts.
“Sometimes, he gets bored trying to make a play and then his technique will be lacking,” Bowles says. “So he just thinks too much. He’s just got to settle down and play and that’s something that we’ve been working through. We have confidence in him.”
That confidence will be tested as McCollum tries to hold onto his starting job against talented second-year defensive backs.
When the Bucs increased Bucky Irving’s workload in 2024, the rookie responded in sensational fashion. He averaged 88 rushing yards and 5.7 yards per carry in the final eight games and displayed reliable hands, providing the kind of offensive balance Buc fans crave. But last season proved quite forgettable. In the 10 games he played, Irving averaged only 59 yards on the ground and 3.4 yards per carry.
Bowles said Irving did not handle his injuries in a mature manner. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is counting on a return to form for a player who reeled off eight runs of at least 20 yards during his startling rookie year.
“That 2024 season, when he came on the scene, there were a number of things he can do in the run game and the pass game,” says Robinson. “I’m excited to get to work with him.”
Calijah Kancey
Once Calijah Kancey got on the field in 2024 after missing the first five games, he gave Buc Nation a glimpse of his enormous potential. In 12 games, Kancey registered 7.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and 17 QB hits … impressive production for a young interior lineman.
A pectoral injury limited Kancey to only three games in 2025 as he failed to post a sack. A former first-round pick, Kancey has missed 22 games in his first three NFL seasons and another injury-riddled year would leave his future with the Bucs quite uncertain.
By May 1, the Bucs must decide whether to exercise their fifth-year option on Kancey. He needs to stay on the field to ease the organization’s growing concerns about Kancey’s durability.
While free agency and the draft represent exciting opportunities for the Bucs to improve their talent level, Kancey, Irving, McCollum and Mayfield need to recapture the 2024 form that stamped them as keepers.
Otherwise, it could be another lost season.
March 9th, 2026 at 1:58 am
Return to a “championship” contender!? Under THIS regime!? Get the hell outta here. It’s just delusional thinking.
March 9th, 2026 at 3:28 am
I don’t agree with this bologna at all Ira. So of the 4 players you’ve named 3 of them missed multiple games and all 3 had stats amongst the very dregs of the entire NFL. Let’s tell it like it was. Kancey, Irving, and McCollum were so disabled that the team would never win a game with their production numbers. Baker hung numbers that placed amidst the top ten in the league for QBs. Numbers that placed him in line with the Super Bowl winning QB? What have you been smoking Ira? Or else, maybe what do you need to be smoking? Because there’s definitely a disconnect going on somewhere between the ears.
March 9th, 2026 at 4:51 am
Ira, like Licht, and Bowles, over estimate the talent on this roster. All those players mentioned, what you see is what you get. He’s right about one thing. Another .500 record will result in a house cleaning. Long over due if you ask me.
March 9th, 2026 at 4:58 am
Baker Mayfield’s average yards per pass (YPA) during the 2025 NFL season saw significant fluctuation, starting with a more moderate pace, surging to high efficiency in the first half of the season, and dropping sharply in the second half. He finished the 2025 season with an average of 6.8 yards per attempt, a decrease from the 7.89 YPA he recorded in 2024.
Here is how his average yards per pass changed over the course of the season:
Initial Games (Weeks 1-3): Mayfield began the season with a modest 5.2 to 5.7 YPA, before jumping to 8.0 in Week 3.
Early Season Surge (Weeks 5-6): He peaked with high-efficiency games, averaging 11.5 YPA against Seattle and 11.1 YPA against San Francisco.
Mid-to-Late Season Decline: Following a strong start, his efficiency dropped dramatically, particularly in the second half. Since Week 8, he struggled, ranking low in the league with a 5.9 yards per pass attempt over that stretch.
Late season is when both starting guards were out. Nobody would be having success with Dan Feeney and Michael Jordan in those spots! They are also probably the reason Mayfield’s shoulder(s) got injured, but I think those injuries only affected him for a couple games.
March 9th, 2026 at 8:13 am
What was so great about the 2024 season? You want Baker to return to 2024 form when he led all QBs in turnovers? And that 2024 playoff defense couldn’t force a punt with a team led by a rookie. Absolutely pathetic how low the bar is in Tampa. But they are tanking so it’s apt to have low expectations.
Prepare to be underwhelmed with FA!
March 9th, 2026 at 8:25 am
It is already a lost season because they kept Bowles and his scheme. Yuck.
March 9th, 2026 at 9:19 am
With Kancey next to Vea?
The Panthers ran for 19 yards. 19!
We need Kancey to stay healthy.
AND.
We need to replace 5-11 Gaines with a 6-5 beast at DT.
We need THREE starters at DT.
Vea is #50 and he only plays about 50% of the game!
We need a 3rd DT to rotate with Vea and Kancey!
March 9th, 2026 at 9:25 am
Well Ira I definately agree with you. The jury is out on 2 of those you mentioned. I am not sure McColumn is going to get better. I don’t buy he gets bored stuff. If the guy is a competitor , especially he is not going to accept getting constantly beat. McColumn last year just did that. He simply was not in the game.However, currently the Bucs have no one to replace him. I was hoping they could trade him or some how get out of his salary against the cap, because he at this point is costing the team.
The Bucs may have little choice with him and hopes he turns it around. I hope I am wrong, but from what i saw last year , the Bucs somehow need to move on.
Kancy, well yes , I have hope. The question is , is he to small to being playing the interior with out constant injury?. Thus far it appears not. His snaps may have to be limited in order to stay healthy, which means they will need more depth to cover the interior. He is a plus when he is in. The problem is he is not in nearly enough.
Baker, well, yes he must return to form. We al hope last year was a combination of the O line injuries , injuries to Baker and poor game planning. However, what was troubling was the interceptions he threw, especially at critical times. The ATL game here in TPA. as bad as the defense was, if Baker doesn’t throw the interception toward the end, Atl never gets the ball back or the Bucs score and the game would have been esscentially over. However, yes that interception leads to the now and for years to come the infamous 3-28 play that doomed the Bucs and who knows maybe causes ME to leave Tampa. D on’t get me wrong the defense would have found another moment to create a disaster, but you get my point. Baker simply can’t return to throwing of interceptions at critical times in the game. those kind of plays can’t happen from your QB at critical times in the game like that. To the contrary that is when Baker needs to make a play. Yes , let’s hope Baker turns it around or all is lost.
March 9th, 2026 at 9:36 am
That’s a bunch of BS! Regression implies that with all things being equal, one fails to perform at a previously established level. Well all things were not the same. Was the offensive line just as healthy as the year before? Were the receivers all just as healthy as the year before? Was the running game as effective? Was the offensive coordinator as good as the last one? Was Baker as healthy as he was in 2024? The answer is no! So regression does not apply to the quarterback. Whether it applies to Zion or the coaching is another debate. This is a lazy and unfair take.
March 9th, 2026 at 9:39 am
Baker returns to form of he can stay healthy. Please slide. Please throw it away if it’s not there. Kancey get 5th year option. Bucky concerns me.
March 9th, 2026 at 9:45 am
Licht needs to sign and draft players based on needs. Forget who Bowles wants but who the team needs. Leave Bowles completely out of signings. A head coach who says he does not need a edge rusher is clueless!
March 9th, 2026 at 9:56 am
With bowlzo at HC we are doomed anyway
March 9th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Bucs fans are so lucky to have the best double coach in NFL history. He makes the personnel irrelevant. Plug and play. Same results. Brilliant.
3rd and 28
March 9th, 2026 at 1:24 pm
Bee= Low IQ football fan.
March 9th, 2026 at 6:10 pm
The Glazers LOVE Todd Bowles the king of mediocrity, the champion of the worst division in football, the master of loosing streaks over the most beloved player in franchise history. btw Jason Light paid 10 millions a year to another mediocre player Cade Otton, disgusting. Let’s see how much the Glazers will LOVE those empty seats. I told my rep, I’m waiting for free agency. Her call will go to voice mail for at least 12 months.