Could the Bucs crash the NFL Playoffs in 2026?
The Bucs missed the playoffs in 2025 but they poised to play spoiler in 2026 with the roster they revamped.
There is nothing like a team shocking people within their fanbase, and ruining the hopes and dreams of another. In 2025, the Bucs came in with massive expectations, and they met them early on before falling flat and finishing the season by winning just two of their final nine games. Fast forward to 2026, and it is now the Bucs who are being ignored by many despite retooling for the season.
As a result of their quiet offseason, Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport included the Bucs in his list of potential spoilers for the upcoming season. Davenport writes, "Now, the Buccaneers head into the 2026 campaign short two longtime leaders—wide receiver Mike Evans is in San Francisco, and linebacker Lavonte David called it a career after 14 years. It will fall to second-year pro Emeka Egbuka to fill Evans' shoes, and he told Megan Armstrong of Newsweek that both he and his teammates need to maintain their level of play from the first half of 2025 over an entire season.
. . There's pressure, as well.
If these Buccaneers come up short again, there could be massive changes coming in 2027. " The Bucs remain in the NFC South, which is a winnable division, so the potential for them to make the dance remain high. If the Bucs can get into the playoffs, they have the roster to surprise folks and make a run if Baker Mayfield and the defense can get hot at the right time.