Buccaneers Assessment for the 2024 Season

There have been plenty of whispers about the Buccaneers, suggesting that their downfall was greatly overstated. When it came to the 2024 NFL season, Tampa Bay managed to take the lead in the NFC South, even with the departure of offensive coordinator Dave Canales and wide receiver coach Brad Izik to the Panthers.

The team’s performance has been impressive. Baker Mayfield, it seems, is the real deal. Liam Cohen stepped into the offensive coordinator role seamlessly, and the squad thrived, especially with standout performances from Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and rookie Bucky Irving in the mix.

The Bucs have established themselves as a consistent playoff team since their Super Bowl triumph with Tom Brady. So, how did they fare during the offseason?

Coaching Staff

For the second consecutive year, the Bucs lost their offensive coordinator as Cohen was hired to coach the Jaguars, taking some staff along with him. This means it’s now the third year in a row that the offensive staff has undergone a revamp.

Typically, such changes can spell trouble, but this team has a solid foundation that seems to thrive against the odds. Josh Grizzard is stepping into his first year as OC after working as a game coordinator last year, and he keeps the same running back and receivers coach. That familiarity should pay off.

However, the biggest concern remains Todd Bowles. He’s a decent coach but doesn’t particularly stand out. His Super Bowl win seems to linger in his past, but this isn’t enough for the Bucs to succeed. Bowles is a competent defensive strategist, yet the team lacks a distinct offensive identity under his leadership.

That said, there’s potential here. Trust has been built up, so perhaps they can keep pace.

Grade: B

Free Agency

The Buccaneers made some solid moves during free agency to strengthen their depth, but it really boils down to two key actions. Retaining WR Chris Godwin was one of the best decisions the team could have made during this period.

Godwin was the standout receiver and had options to either chase a bigger paycheck or join a Super Bowl contender. Instead, he chose to stick around with Tampa Bay for three more years at $66 million. It’s a nice example of a home discount that has ultimately worked well for both sides.

In addition, they signed Edge rusher Haason Reddick, which is a smart addition. It’s puzzling how he seems to go undervalued so often, but here’s hoping this can be a game-changer for a team that needs more pressure on the edge.

With Vita Vea providing a powerful presence in the center, it’s previously been a shame they didn’t have a dynamic edge rusher to capitalize on the pressure he generates. Reddick could definitely change that dynamic, making things fun to watch.

Overall, while the team didn’t make waves, keeping Godwin and adding Reddick was a significant step forward.

Grade: A

NFL Draft

It’s intriguing to note that two NFC South teams entered the draft with similar defensive needs, both making surprising picks in the first round. Just like the Panthers, the Bucs caught many off guard by selecting Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka with their 19th pick instead of going for an edge rusher or bolstering the secondary.

This decision seems geared towards ensuring the future as 31-year-old Mike Evans can’t be expected to last forever. The team’s offensive strategy appears focused on arming Baker Mayfield with a plethora of weapons. Initially, I wasn’t sold on the pick, but with some time to digest it, I’m warming up to the idea.

The selection of Benjamin Morrison in the second round was also a solid choice. Despite dealing with injuries at Notre Dame, he could bounce back and become a significant asset for the team.

Another commendable pick was Tez Johnson in the seventh round, adding value to the receiving corps.

All in all, this was a strong draft without neglecting the team’s immediate needs.

Grade: B+

Final Grade

The Buccaneers are looking solid heading into 2024 and maintaining that momentum. While they might not be on everyone’s radar as Super Bowl contenders, if they can keep their offensive game intact despite changes, there’s a good chance they can make the playoffs again and easily dominate the NFC South.

Final Offseason Grade: A-