Offense Will Look Fundamentally Different
July 20th, 2026
Former Bucs running back Rachaad White.
The numbers do not lie.
Fans who yearn for the 2024 Buccaneers offense to return this year under Zac Robinson are going to see something very different.
But wait, Joe. Robinson and 2024 playcaller Liam Coen are best friends and are from the same coaching tree.
That’s all true, but Robinson is his own man. Plus, players last month said the new offense is about 50 percent similar to Coen’s, and key personnel is quite different.
Joe thinks who was producing 2024 first downs tells the story well. The Bucs’ No. 2 and No. 3 first-down makers have left the building.
2024 First Downs
Bucky Irving 72
Mike Evans 60
Rachaad White 53
Chris Godwin 33
Cade Otton 33
Baker Mayfield 25 (rushing)
Jalen McMillan 25
2025 First Downs
Rachaad White 47
Bucky Irving 38
Emeka Egbuka 34
Baker Mayfield 27 (rushing)
Cade Otton 25
Mike Evans 23
Sean Tucker 23
Yes, White was unsung. It’s obvious on film. Why he didn’t command more than a piddly one-year deal in free agencey from the Commanders is unclear. Joe suspects White’s agent is partly to blame.
Evans? Every Bucs fan knows part of the story. The legend left for less money and he’s got bizarre Brock Purdy love.
Who will step up to return the Bucs offense to where it was in 2024?
Maybe Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin can stay healthy. Maybe Kenneth Gainwell can deliver to Tampa the 57 first downs he had for the Steelers last season (34 rushing and 23 receiving).
Joe is sure of one thing in 2026. The Bucs sure could use improved production from the tight end position.
July 20th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
Yup it is obvious on film which is why he got paid what he got paid from the commanders.im just interested in a successful offense how that looks really couldn’t care less but more then that I want a decent defense rather then one thats on its heels all the time chasing big plays.
July 20th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Imagine if this was the beginning of Liam Coens 3rd year
July 20th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
imo, Zac was only impressive when he played against Bowles’ defense unfortunately….
with that said, i think J-Mac and Tucker are going to shock some folks this year…
GO BUCS!!!!
July 20th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
We need D not O.
July 20th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
For better or worse remains to be seen, but expecting them to come out the gate looking good or even cohesive is not something I’m expecting.
Robinson has some bouncing back to do of his own to be honest. Better make it count the rest of this offseason.
July 20th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Yea not really worried about the offense. Turn on the tape and you can see that his defense was a huge problem and liability last year. On top of that the defense lost LVD and will have to make up for that leadership somewhere else.
July 20th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Otten’s only 25 last seasons indicative of a beat up offensive line. He probably blocked more downs than any other time in his career, but didn’t bother looking up the stats. Would love to see them, though
July 20th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Todd Bowles is on his fifth OC in as many years. Two got out of Dodge for better opportunities and two were scapegoated to cover up the incompetence of the HC\DC.
Now Robinson is in the hot seat. Talk about boom or bust.
Heāll either get a HC job elsewhere or get a pink slip.
Bowles has guaranteed immunity from any consequences.
Perhaps 4-13 gets him another extension.
July 20th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
“Turn on the tape and you can see that his defense was a huge problem and liability last year.”
Gross over-generalization, defense won us at least 2-3 games last year.
July 20th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
fishhawkbuc Says:
July 20th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
We need D not O.
——————
You either didn’t watch last year’s games or maybe you’re slow. Like many others have explained, some in detail, the offense is fine defense is THE problem narrative that’s been pushed by some for the last 2 years is bull…. Both years the defense outplayed the offense down the stretch.
The defense needs to improve…. The offense needs to be much better also.
I hope (and believe) our offense and defense can both be top 10 with new players and 2nd/3rd year guys coming into their own and Zac cooking up the best version of his scheme after a few years of experience. Like Bruce said – he’s learned what works and what doesn’t @ this point, he has the answers to the test šš¼
July 20th, 2026 at 1:36 pm
Best thing that could happen is losing enough to get Bowles fired, hire Tomlin and Jim Schwartz as DC, getting a new stud rookie QB, hopefully one of the top 3 guys and not wasting Egbuka, JMc, Hurst and Bucky prime years, Tomlin isnāt a Lovie Smith level coach, he just won too much to get a top half of the draft QB
July 20th, 2026 at 2:01 pm
And now can Bowles win half the games?
July 20th, 2026 at 2:03 pm
The Purdy love is a facade. It’s Kyle Shanahan who really has his heart..
July 20th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
Yes , sad to see White go. He was the best back last year but did not get the reps he deserved. I can’t blame him for leaving. Hopefully Gainwell picks up the slack. He looks pretty promising . However White was really good at short yardage. Neither Gainwell or Irving are very big. It may depend on Tucker to carry that part. With that said yes the D is still a big problem especially the secondary. The O will need to be exceptional to carry this team very far. I see the defense starting slow and getting better as the year go.Too many rookies starting right now
July 20th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
By my observation, what’s going to look different is the stadium because all I keep hearing is people would rather spend their time doing anything but spend their money to watch IBS keep ruining this team…
Many of us sure miss Mr. Malcolm… To bad his offspring did not take after him!
July 20th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
Watch out Joe for taking a swipe at Otten. For some here he is an all-pro just waiting for his big breakout. Probably the same ones expecting greatness for JTS and Braswell and JL.
July 20th, 2026 at 2:49 pm
Health as always will be a huge component. If the talented OL gets decimated by injuries again….IF Bucky, an explosive force and game changer has to play injured again…and of course there’s always Baker’s health to consider.
I get that many here hate Bowles but the collapse last year was pretty clearly influenced by injuries to the OL, Bucky and Baker. Blame Todd and Jason for the D but on O playing hurt and playing well are not usually compatible…sometimes..but not frequently.
IF the Bucs can stay healthy they have plenty of talent to compete!
July 20th, 2026 at 3:06 pm
SB~LVā-
ā Imagine if this was the beginning of Liam Coens 3rd yearā
And 2nd year as HEAD COACH!
July 20th, 2026 at 3:09 pm
stpetebucsfan…where the hell have you been?
July 20th, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Everyone’s production was down last year over 2024. Tucker may be the one bright spot as he had about half the first downs of White, and 2/3rds of Bucky’s first downs. However I would guess that Tuck had far fewer touches and therefore may have been more productive per touch than White or Bucky. More touches for Tucker this year?
July 20th, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Can we please stop it with the injury excuse?
The NFL is about overcoming injuries, not complaining about them!
The 2024 Lions had 16 players in injured reserve, and many key starters, but they went 15-2 that year before losing to Washington in the playoffs.
If any teamās fans had a reason to go āpoor meā it was the Lions.
But through coaching and quality replacements, many recruited off their couches mid season, they sucked it up and won their division going away.
If we lose a starting lineman or two youād think a meteor landed atop the Bucs team facility we were the unluckiest team to ever wear a uniform.
Please, St. Pete and a few others, no more tears.
Itās part of the game. Itās up to our GM to secure quality backups and our so-called head coach to get them ready to play.
Again, STOP COMPLAINING!
July 20th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
And St. Pete ā¦ Nothing personal, just Bucs chat. I believe I try to see things for what they are, and you, with ineffable positivity, always seem to see things the way you wish them to be.
Nothing wrong with that though. Just different approaches to where this team is and where each of us think it is headed.
July 20th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Buc1987
Thanks for asking. I’m just not much of an off season guy until late July or August. I’ve been lurking and reading but just not posting.
BTW again thnks because when D.R. or I miss long spells I get the macabre suspicions. I have them as well when D.R. is not around. LMAO
So far though it’s great to be alive in Tampa Bay and I certainly haven’t lost my eternal optimism for the Bucs this year.
JA No problem! You are respectful and we can simply agree to disagree. I do concede that I approach all of life with “ineffable positivity”.
As for your examples that’s one team and one season. To do any real research we need AI or D.R. . Somebody show me a chart and I know the teams must know this internally at least…with the average number of starters injured on successful teams each year. Even that might be misleading because WHICH position QB? also can be a major factor.
So we each gave ONE example. Neither of us can claim much from ONE example. BTW if I’m the “ineffable positive” person here, which I take as a compliment, do you mind if you’re considered a “negative nelly”? Or perhaps you wish to believe you’re down the middle and that’s fine.
July 20th, 2026 at 3:59 pm
White had an attitude problem.
July 20th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
Positive posts equals SB wins. Donāt you people know that?
July 20th, 2026 at 5:27 pm
“White had an attitude problem.”
White had reason to. He/we were promised the “hot hand” would get the carries but Grizz ran Bucky into the ground for miserable results, while RW was given the leftovers in spite of him running hard as hell, and being the obviously most effective back.
July 20th, 2026 at 5:32 pm
Two things stand out. First, White is mostly to blame for his piddling contract. He made it super clear how he wanted to play with Jayden Daniels in Washington. Give up leverage, win stupid prizes.
(BTW he is not the only one whoās anxious to play with Daniels. Several wideouts and others have sought to sign there as well. Says something good about that QB, and might hint something less good about Baker Mayfield).
Second, the TE problem here is real. Most QBs, whether rookie or veteran or top-notch look to that position as a safety blanket. Having a serviceable but not a high quality TE has hindered the Bucs passing attack and has deprived Baker of an easy target. That shows up clearly in high stakes games where the defense takes the best wideouts away.
July 20th, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Bucs1987 … ‘stpetebucsfanā¦where the hell have you been?’
StPeteBucsFan … ‘BTW again thnks because when D.R. or I miss long spells I get the macabre suspicions. I have them as well when D.R. is not around. LMAO’.
No one missed you more than I did St Pete. I always get concerned by long absences because I know from our comments over the years some of what you’ve been through health-wise (not unlike what I’ve experienced I think). Hadn’t seen you commenting on JBF for awhile & Was wondering what you were up to a couple weeks ago actually when we spent a couple nights at St Pete Beach and ate lunch the 2nd day at Doc Ford’s at The Pier. Some of us might have to get together for lunch there one day.
July 20th, 2026 at 6:33 pm
I watching Quarterback season 2.
Kirk Cousins did not like Zac Robinsons offense at all.
Penix failed in his offense last year.
Iām not really so sure that our offense will improve.
July 20th, 2026 at 6:48 pm
VegetableLasagna … ‘Todd Bowles is on his fifth OC in as many years. Two got out of Dodge for better opportunities and two were scapegoated to cover up the incompetence of the HC\DC. Now Robinson is in the hot seat.’
Factually 100% correct Veggie; ‘Todd Bowles in on his FIFTH OC’. Still I can’t agree that Leftwich was ‘scapegoated’ (he was bad, and needed BA’s Red Pen to keep him straight; not to mention that Tom Brady played 1 year too long). Canales was an average OC who got very lucky (1 year as an OC with us going 9-8 and ranking #20 on offense & he gets a HC job?). Coen was light-years ahead of him, got us to a 10-7 record & a #4 ranking on offense before he got snatched away. And his replacement Grizz was just a bad pick from the git-go (we ended up 8-9 with the #18-ranked offense but many of the offense’s problems after the BYE can be dropped at his feet; it’s not scapegoating if you’re bad).
I get that you don’t like Bowles, but please stop with the boogeyman routine (‘two were scapegoated to cover up the incompetence of the HC\DC’?). Lefty & Grizz both bordered on incompetent; both ended up with 8-9 records & offenses ranked below-average. Canales & Coen both accepted HC jobs that paid a LOT more money than what they were making I’m sure. Blaming Bowles for THEIR decisions to move up in the world is the real scapegoating here.
July 20th, 2026 at 9:13 pm
Let’s not forget about last years special teams coverage. We need to see improvement here big time!
July 20th, 2026 at 9:31 pm
I suppose nothing is Bowles fault. Not the offense, all Grizzard. Except for when they were 5-1 and 6-2, that was all Bowles.
Not special teams, Bowles did the right thing by giving the ball away by kicking it into the end zone. The ST coach rightfully was fired after the season was over, not mid season when you could have improved it.
Definitely not the defense either, that was absolutely championship caliber. Only 31 teams were better in the red zone! Yay Todd!!!!
July 20th, 2026 at 9:43 pm
Thatās right Mr Veg. Iām reformed. I was blind but now I see. We had the greatest everything.
Todd is a Super Bowler!
July 21st, 2026 at 8:08 am
November 30. Monday night football with Chucky doing the play by play. Should be fun.