Could the Saints surprise the Bucs in 2026? Perhaps
Tampa Bay improved this offseason, but several areas of the roster still need to prove themselves.
Bleacher Report stopped short of fully buying into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a true contender entering 2026, despite an offseason focused heavily on improving the roster. A large part of that hesitation comes from how much projection still exists across key areas of the defense. Tampa Bay added talent to the pass rush with Rueben Bain Jr.
, but relying on a rookie to immediately elevate an entire front still comes with risk. The linebacker rotation also carries real questions. Replacing Lavonte David changes the structure of the defense, especially in Todd Bowles’ system, where communication and alignment adjustments matter heavily.
Veterans like Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom bring experience, while rookie Josiah Trotter adds upside, but the rotation still needs to settle once real snaps begin. The running back room feels more stable by comparison. Tampa Bay already has established contributors in place, so the concern is less about finding playable snaps and more about maintaining consistency throughout the season.
That is where the Buccaneers currently sit nationally. The roster looks competitive, but several important pieces still need to prove they can hold up over a full season before the team is viewed alongside the NFC’s top contenders. This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: The Bucs may have more competition in the NFC South in 2026