Cody Mauch Touts Healthy Offensive Line As Key To Bucs Rebound
May 28th, 2026
Bucs RG Cody Mauch.
The Bucs’ offensive line started on the wrong foot and before the season was three weeks old, it was in shambles.
All-World left tackle Tristan Wirfs started the season on the disabled list following knee surgery. Before he could return, the Bucs lost the right side of the line.
Right tackle Luke Goedeke left the Week 2 win over Houston and missed nearly two full months. Right guard Cody Mauch blew out a knee late in the same game and was lost for the season.
The offensive line, which Joe strongly maintains was no less than the third-best line in the NFL in 2024, was a trainwreck and the 2025 season had barely started.
Not once last year did the starting-five play together. Only center Graham Barton started all 17 games.
So just the fact those five are now healthy, Mauch said brighter days are ahead for the Bucs.
“I mean, we didn’t get a single snap last year where we all played together,” Mauch said. So obviously guys stepped in … But you know, just with all the random lineups we had, it’s just, it’s tough as an offensive line to play next to new people all the time.”
Joe has heard that time and again straight from the mouths of Bucs offensive linemen. But, Joe learned, if an offensive line can stay healthy, that line plays better in November and December.
Mauch admitted he’s “excited” about the likelihood all five linemen will be on the field when the ball is put into the air in Cincinnati to start the 2026 season.
“It’s going to be huge this offseason,” Mauch said about recapturing that camaraderie with the Bucs’ front line. “Hopefully, we all stay healthy.”
May 28th, 2026 at 5:31 am
If the Bucs can stay any kind of healthy and are serious about dominating with a creative run game, it is going to create tremendous opportunities when they mix in a pass.
With the defense also improved and not having to play the entire NFC West and AFC East, the Bucs should rack up 12 wins this season.
May 28th, 2026 at 5:36 am
When will you post OTA day 2 notes
May 28th, 2026 at 5:46 am
Agreed – Healthy Bucs OLine = Top 10 Offense. Perhaps even Top 5!
Mauch is ready to kick some ass this year and earn himself a big fat 2nd contract
May 28th, 2026 at 6:12 am
I’m pumped to watch our O Line with a healthy Bucky at the lone RB1 spot. Obviously one of the other guys in the rb room is going to have to fill some big shoes at rb2, but the offense has me somewhat excited, as long as Mr OC can resist the run up the middle on first down voodoo.
Mike still makes me sad. Every day I’m sad he won’t be in Tampa this season.
May 28th, 2026 at 6:37 am
Health is the key, and not just the OL. With a healthy offense, we should be top 10, and maybe top 5. Another shout out to Graham Barton who stayed healthy all year and started last year as LEFT TACKLE! WTF! He needs more recognition for playing pretty damm well as a center moving to LT.
May 28th, 2026 at 6:43 am
“If an offensive line can stay healthy, that line plays better in November and December”. Yep. Makes sense to me. I imagine that if our OLine gets their way, and stays healthy, maybe we can be playing better right on through January. And at their very, very best, that first week of February. I sure like these OLineman. We have a very good football team.
May 28th, 2026 at 6:50 am
When you combine all those injuries at O Line WR and RB with rookie OC you understand why they struggled most of the season. Let’s hope they stay healthy.
May 28th, 2026 at 7:27 am
If you control the line of scrimmage, you control the game. You can have all the offensive weapons in the NFL (Bengals), but without protection, it doesn’t make a difference. Teams that control both lines go to the playoffs.
May 28th, 2026 at 7:49 am
Unsaid is we now have DEPTH on the line, no more parking lot attendants starting at guard
May 28th, 2026 at 8:08 am
@First Last: I’m pretty sure the Fourth Estate (media) was not invited to OTA’s yesterday.
May 28th, 2026 at 9:01 am
As I posted in another thread in 2024 the Bucs ran for a YPC of 5.65 yards running in the gap between Barton and Mauch. They only averaged 3.5 YPC running between Barton and Bredeson. In 2024, they had 70.4% of their runs between the guards which was an NFL high and proves Mauch is *key* to our run game. If teams know where you are running and still can’t stop it, you have something huge brewing!
May 28th, 2026 at 10:08 am
Modern Medical Procedures for serious knee injuries are amazing.
Shout out to Bucs Medical staff!
May 28th, 2026 at 11:13 am
It all starts there. If you can get health, then you have to establish the run and let mayfield chip away like he did in ‘24.
I really hope they get chewks a lot of reps in the preseason. Luke misses games every year and you have to plan on it.
May 28th, 2026 at 11:23 am
“Stpetematt Says:
May 28th, 2026 at 9:01 am
As I posted in another thread in 2024 the Bucs ran for a YPC of 5.65 yards running in the gap between Barton and Mauch. They only averaged 3.5 YPC running between Barton and Bredeson. In 2024, they had 70.4% of their runs between the guards which was an NFL high and proves Mauch is *key* to our run game. If teams know where you are running and still can’t stop it, you have something huge brewing!”
I believe this kid we drafted from Notre Dame is gonna replace Bredeson in ’27
May 28th, 2026 at 11:34 am
And people wanna bash Barton for subpar play!
Kid had it tough last year, switching positions, playing by new people every week.
OL health will elevate everyone.
As always, it comes down to the trenches. OL, DL, and QB stay healthy… no excuses.
May 28th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
I hope Mauch returns to pre-injury form. A patellar tendon rupture is often career-ending, similar to Achille’s.
Looked it up:
“About 55% of NFL players successfully return to a game after suffering a torn patellar tendon, making it one of the toughest injuries to bounce back from in football. Even more daunting, only about 20% to 21% of players ever fully regain their pre-injury form or career production.”