In the Spotlight: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Look to Reclaim NFC South in 2026

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter 2026 looking to rebound from a disappointing finish that ended their four-year run atop the NFC South. Tampa Bay started 6-2 in 2025 but won just two of its final nine games, finishing 8-9 and missing the playoffs as Carolina captured the division. Baker Mayfield remains at quarterback after throwing for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season. However, the offense enters a new era following franchise icon Mike Evans’ departure for San Francisco. Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson now headline a deep receiving corps.

What to Watch

Replacing Evans will be one of the biggest stories. Egbuka becomes even more important after an impressive rookie season, while a healthy Godwin gives Mayfield another established target. Tampa Bay also drafted Georgia State receiver Ted Hurst in the third round after he recorded 1,965 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns over his final two college seasons. The running game should remain another strength. Bucky Irving returns healthy after injuries slowed him in 2025, and the Buccaneers added Kenneth Gainwell on a two-year contract. Gainwell surpassed 1,000 yards from scrimmage with Pittsburgh last season. Defensively, Tampa Bay made significant changes after allowing 5.73 yards per play in 2025. Veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone, defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson and edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad were added in free agency. The Buccaneers then selected Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. with the 15th overall pick and linebacker Josiah Trotter in Round 2.

Betting Outlook

Despite last season’s collapse, Tampa Bay enters 2026 as the betting favorite to reclaim the NFC South. Recent odds at sportsbooks like DraftKings and BetMGM have the Buccaneers at approximately +170, ahead of New Orleans, Carolina and Atlanta. Tampa Bay’s win total sits at 8.5, with the Under carrying the shorter price. The Buccaneers are also priced as an NFC and Super Bowl outsider after opening the offseason with longer championship odds than a year ago. A difficult stretch featuring Detroit, the Chargers and Baltimore in Weeks 11-14 could be particularly important.

Key Team Details

• 2025 record: 8-9, second in NFC South.
• Key players to watch: Baker Mayfield, Bucky Irving, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., Tristan Wirfs, Vita Vea and Antoine Winfield Jr.
• Expected starting QB: Baker Mayfield.
• Key signings and additions for 2026-27 season: Kenneth Gainwell, Alex Anzalone, A’Shawn Robinson, Al-Quadin Muhammad and Miles Killebrew, plus draft picks Rueben Bain Jr., Josiah Trotter and Ted Hurst.
• Betting odds to win NFC South: +170 at DraftKings.
• Betting odds to win NFC: +2200 at DraftKings.
• Betting odds to win Super Bowl: +5000 at DraftKings.
• Win totals over/under: 8.5 wins; Over +115, Under -136.

2026-27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Schedule

Tampa Bay has three primetime appearances and a Week 10 bye. The schedule is also backloaded with NFC South games, including three divisional matchups over the final four weeks.

Week	Date	Opponent	Location
1	Sept. 13	Cincinnati Bengals	Away
2	Sept. 20	Cleveland Browns	Home
3	Sept. 27	Minnesota Vikings	Home
4	Oct. 4	Green Bay Packers	Home
5	Oct. 8	Dallas Cowboys	Away
6	Oct. 18	Pittsburgh Steelers	Home
7	Oct. 25	Carolina Panthers	Away
8	Nov. 1	Atlanta Falcons	Home
9	Nov. 8	Chicago Bears	Away
10	—	BYE	—
11	Nov. 22	Detroit Lions	Away
12	Nov. 30	Carolina Panthers	Home
13	Dec. 6	Los Angeles Chargers	Home
14	Dec. 13	Baltimore Ravens	Away
15	Dec. 20	New Orleans Saints	Home
16	TBD	Atlanta Falcons	Away
17	Jan. 3	Los Angeles Rams	Home
18	TBD	New Orleans Saints	Away

The Buccaneers still have enough talent to win the NFC South, but Mayfield adjusting to life without Evans and an overhauled defense will determine whether Tampa Bay can turn last season’s late collapse into a return to the playoffs.