Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

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Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving Taking First-Team Reps, Running at Full Speed

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was limited to 10 games in 2025 in his sophomore season while dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries, but he is fully healthy for training camp this summer and has been taking first-team reps, according to Scott Smith of the team's official website. Not only was he taking first-team reps, but Smith reports that Irving was running at full speed and looked like the back he was during his remarkable rookie campaign in 2024, in which he had 1,122 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, adding 47 receptions for 392 yards as a receiver in 17 games. "He feels fine, he's great," said head coach Todd Bowles. "He's full speed. He's full-go right now. Obviously, when we get in pads, we're not easing him back from anything. So, we feel pretty good right now." Coming off injuries and with the addition of pass-catching back Kenny Gainwell, Irving has fallen in the fantasy rankings and should be targeted as more of a low-end RB2. It certainly feels like the Bucs plan to give Irving more help with Gainwell and Sean Tucker to keep him healthy all year.

12 hours ago

Baker Mayfield • QB • Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield Feels "Disrespected" by Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield said he feels "disrespected" by his contract situation after trying to work out an extension with the team before the start of training camp, according to Pewter Report. The 31-year-old will head into the final year of the three-year, $100 million deal he signed with the Bucs in March of 2024 and looks set to hit free agency in 2027, unless the two sides can work something out during their exclusive negotiating window early next year. The Buccaneers will have the option to place the franchise tag on Mayfield, but that seems unlikely, especially if he takes another step back in 2026. Mayfield was a back-to-back Pro Bowler in 2023 and 2024 in his first two years with the team, but he threw for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 starts in 2025 as the team failed to make the playoffs. He was reportedly playing hurt for most of the year with various ailments. Mayfield will surely be motivated to step up this year, but without future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans and in a new offense, fantasy managers certainly have their doubts, as do the Bucs. RotoBaller has Mayfield ranked as the No. 20 fantasy QB in 2026. UPDATE: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Mayfield said the Bucs offered him a two-year contract.

12 hours ago

Vita Vea • NT • Buccaneers

Vita Vea Dealing With Back Injury

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (back) and offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (hamstring) both suffered injuries during their conditioning tests on Tuesday and did not practice on Wednesday, according to Scott Smith of the team's official website. The news comes a day after Vea officially requested a trade. The 31-year-old veteran has not been happy with the direction of contract talks with the Bucs as he gets ready to head into the final year of a four-year, $71 million extension he signed in 2022. The former 12th overall pick in 2018 out of the University of Washington has made the Pro Bowl twice in his eight years with the organization and has been a stalwart on the interior at stopping the run. He played in all 17 games for Tampa last year and finished with 34 tackles (16 solo), 4.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 13 QB hits, two pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. Vea has never been much of an asset in IDP leagues, with his career high in sacks of seven coming in 2024.

Yesterday

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving a Full-Go to Open Training Camp

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) is a full-go for the team's Wednesday training camp practice, with head coach Todd Bowles telling reporters that he looks good. Buccaneers senior writer Scott Smith reports that Irving is not being eased into anything after sitting out the team's mandatory minicamp practices while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Irving missed seven games in 2025 while dealing with a shoulder subluxation and foot sprain and was visibly impacted by the injuries when he did take the field, averaging 3.4 yards per carry while finding the end zone only once on the ground. The lack of limitation to begin camp is positive news for drafters, but fantasy managers will still need to pay attention to his reported usage throughout the summer, as the Buccaneers added pass-catching specialist Kenny Gainwell this offseason, potentially lowering Irving's fantasy floor and ceiling. The third-year back is RotoBaller's RB25 for 2026.

Yesterday

Baker Mayfield • QB • Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield to Play 2026 Season on an Expiring Contract

FOX Sports' Greg Auman reports that any talks of a new contract for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield are finished, and he will play the 2026 season on his current expiring deal. The two sides will revisit things before free agency next March. The Buccaneers will have the option to exercise the franchise tag on Mayfield for the 2027 season, but at a likely cost of around $50 million for one year. They will have an exclusive window to negotiate with him on a long-term extension before free agency starts in March. ESPN reported earlier on Tuesday that Mayfield and his agent have not made significant progress with the Bucs on a new deal. His current pay ranks 16th among QBs in terms of average pay at $33.33 million per year. The 31-year-old veteran said in May that if he didn't have a new contract by the start of camp, he didn't want to discuss one after that. Mayfield was a Pro Bowler in 2023 and 2024 and led the team to two straight playoff appearances, but he fell under the 4,000-yard passing mark in 2025 with 26 touchdowns and 11 picks in 17 starts, and his fantasy stock is trending down as a low-end QB2 option in suprerflex leagues without future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans in 2026 while learning a new offense.

2 days ago

Vita Vea • NT • Buccaneers

Vita Vea Requests Trade From Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea has requested a trade from the team after failed attempts at a contract extension, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. The 31-year-old former 12th overall pick in 2018 from the University of Washington is getting ready to enter his ninth year with the Bucs in what is the final year of the four-year, $71 million deal he signed with the team in January of 2022. Vea is scheduled to make $18 million this year. He continued to be an interior defensive line stalwart for Tampa in 2025 in his eighth year in the league, recording 34 tackles (16 solo), 4.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 13 QB hits, two pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 17 starts. Vea also played in 760 defensive snaps last year, which were the second-most of his career. He was a hold-in during mandatory minicamp and will likely do the same for the start of training camp this week with the Buccaneers as he continues to push for a new contract.

3 days ago

Baker Mayfield • QB • Buccaneers

No Update on Baker Mayfield Contract Talks Before Camp

There is still no public update on potential contract extension talks between Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and the team with veterans due to report Tuesday, July 28, according to Greg Auman. Auman noted that neither side has provided an update and that it remains unclear whether Mayfield's self-imposed deadline is the reporting date or Wednesday's first practice. The 31-year-old is entering the final season of the three-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2024. Mayfield said in June that the sides were not close and that he would stop discussing a new deal once training camp begins, but he also made clear that he remains committed to helping Tampa Bay in 2026. He completed 343 of 543 passes for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions last season while adding a career-high 382 rushing yards. Because Mayfield has said the contract issue will not change his commitment to the 2026 season, the unresolved talks matter more to his long-term dynasty outlook than his immediate redraft role.

3 days ago

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving Could be Set For Reduced Workload to Improve Efficiency

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has already declared running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) as healthy following offseason shoulder surgery, but there are still some reasons for concern if you're considering drafting him in fantasy football. Irving burst on the scene as a rookie in Tampa in 2024 with 1,122 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 207 carries while also catching 47 passes for 392 yards as a receiver, but he had an injury-plagued 2025 and finished with 588 rushing yards and just one TD while adding 30 receptions for 277 yards and three more scores. He's looking to return to the 1,000-yard mark in 2026, but will that be possible following the addition of Kenny Gainwell? Pewter Report's Scott Reynolds writes that there's a reason why Bowles has called Irving and Gainwell 1A and 1B. Gainwell is very talented, and the Bucs gave him a two-year, $14 million deal in free agency. He has impressed new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, and he will "see plenty of snaps and touches" this fall to "reduce Irving's workload so he can be more effective with fewer plays." It's how the Bucs' backfield operated when Irving and Rachaad White shared the workload in 2024. Between durability concerns and the loss of volume to Gainwell, Irving is shaping up as a volatile low-end RB2 target in 2026 fantasy drafts.

6 days ago

Cade Otton • TE • Buccaneers

Cade Otton's Stable Role Keeps Him on the Deep-League Radar

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton did not offer much weekly fantasy help in 2025, but his role was never in question. He started all 16 games he played and caught 59 of 81 targets for 572 yards, matching his 2024 reception total. The difference was touchdowns, falling from four to one. Otton also played 993 offensive snaps, an 87.6% share, and Tampa Bay brought him back on a three-year contract. The Bucs still view him as the lead tight end, but that does not guarantee more fantasy volume. Payne Durham remains a strong blocker, sixth-round rookie Bauer Sharp brings receiving ability, and tight ends coach Justin Peelle has discussed trimming Otton's snap load to keep him fresh. Tampa Bay also has plenty of wide receivers and backs competing for targets. RotoBaller ranks Otton as the TE29 for redraft. He is not a breakout bet or a weekly starter in standard leagues. In deeper formats, though, back-to-back 59-catch seasons and a secure role make him a reasonable late option when managers wait at tight end.

7 days ago

Tez Johnson • WR • Buccaneers

Tez Johnson Needs a Bigger Role to Matter in Redraft Leagues

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson made a lot out of limited volume as a rookie, catching 28 of 44 targets for 322 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games. The seventh-round pick played 495 offensive snaps, with injuries across Tampa Bay's receiver room creating opportunities sooner than expected. The same opening is not waiting for him in 2026. Chris Godwin Jr. is healthy and expected back in the slot, Emeka Egbuka should work primarily at the Z position, and Johnson is competing with Jalen McMillan and third-round rookie Ted Hurst for snaps at the X spot. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has talked up Johnson's speed and ability to stretch the field, but Tampa Bay may rotate several receivers rather than lean on one full-time option. Johnson showed he can score and create with the ball in his hands. Five touchdowns on 28 catches still is not a stable fantasy role. Deeper dynasty managers can hold after an encouraging rookie year. Redraft managers should wait until training camp shows that Johnson is earning regular routes.

7 days ago

Chase McLaughlin • K • Buccaneers

Chase McLaughlin has Plenty of Motivation Going into Contract Year

Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin has had a strong run in his three seasons with the Bucs, but he'll likely be kicking for his job in a contract year in 2026, according to Logan Robinson and River Wells of Sports Illustrated. McLaughlin has made 90.1% of his 101 field-goal attempts (26-for-30 from 50-plus yards) while connecting on 97.5% of his 122 extra-point attempts in 51 regular-season games in the last three years in Tampa. However, the 30-year-old former undrafted free agent out of the University of Illinois made only 84.2% of his 38 field-goal tries (11-for-12 from 50-plus yards) in 17 games last year, which was his worst field-goal percentage of his Bucs tenure. In his defense, blocked kicks and special teams woes were partly to blame in 2025. If McLaughlin bounces back in 2026, he should be paid as one of the top kickers in the league. But if he struggles, he could be cut midway through the season. In a new offense this year, McLaughlin should be viewed as a fringy starter at the position in 12-team fantasy leagues.

Jul 21

Baker Mayfield • QB • Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield Could Have New Contract Before Week 1

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated thinks that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield will reach a contract extension before Week 1 of the regular season in early September. Mayfield said in June that the two sides weren't close to a new deal and that he didn't want to negotiate after training camp started this summer. The Buccaneers made an official offer back in June, and the reality is that Mayfield's camp wasn't pleased with the offer and hasn't made a counteroffer yet. There hasn't been much progress since, but Breer reports that Tampa is "prepared to dive in on negotiations this week," with the first day of practice set for next Wednesday. The 31-year-old is due to make $40 million in 2026, the final year of a three-year, $100 million contract. Something in the range of $165 million over another three years for Mayfield makes the most sense. For fantasy purposes, the two-time Pro Bowler failed to reach the 4,000-yard passing mark for the third straight year in 2025 while battling through injuries. Better health should help him in 2026, but in a new offense without future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans, a bounce-back isn't guaranteed. Fantasy managers should treat Mayfield as more of a low-end QB2 in superflex formats for 2026.

Jul 21

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving Says he'll be Ready for Training Camp

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving told Mark Skol Jr. of FOX 13 News on Monday at his annual youth football camp that he will be good to go for the start of training camp. The Bucs could ease Irving into drills early in camp after he had offseason surgery on his shoulder, but barring a setback this summer, he should be a full-go for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. The 23-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Oregon had 1,122 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns on 207 carries in his rookie campaign, but he played in only 10 games in his sophomore season in 2025 due to injury and finished with a disappointing 588 yards and a touchdown on the ground on 173 rushing attempts, adding 30 receptions for 277 yards and three more TDs. Irving should be healthy, but he should be considered an injury risk as a low-end RB2 in fantasy football drafts going into Year 3, especially since Kenny Gainwell figures to factor in heavily on passing downs in Tampa's new offense in 2026. RotoBaller has Irving ranked as the No. 25 fantasy RB right now.

Jul 20

Kenny Gainwell • RB • Buccaneers

Kenny Gainwell Can Establish a Meaningful Role in the Early Days of Training Camp

Veteran running back Kenny Gainwell led the Pittsburgh Steelers with 73 receptions in 2025 on his way to an RB20 finish, and in signing a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, he inherits a role that saw Rachaad White average nearly 56 targets per year over the past four seasons. After splitting the Steelers' backfield with do-it-all back Jaylen Warren, he will now form a tandem with third-year pro Bucky Irving, another player capable of contributing both on the ground and through the air. Irving struggled through an injury-marred sophomore campaign and was not present for minicamp as he recovered from offseason shoulder surgery. The expectation is that he will return at some point during training camp, but with his timeline still not fully clear, Gainwell could have the opportunity to build an early chemistry with the first-team offense when padded practices commence at the end of the month. At RotoBaller's RB36, Gainwell's standalone receiving work will keep him in the weekly flex conversation, but if at any point he's tasked with handling a larger role, he could prove to be a steal in 2026 drafts.

Jul 20

Chris Godwin Jr. • WR • Buccaneers

Chris Godwin Jr. to Work Primarily Out of the Slot

Andrew Harbaugh of the Buccaneers Wire writes that Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. will mostly work out of the slot in 2026, with Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan operating on the outside. The 30-year-old's redraft fantasy stock is down this year despite future Hall of Famer Mike Evans moving to San Francisco, primarily because he's only played in 16 regular-season games in the last two years due to injuries. In nine games in 2025, Godwin caught a career-low 33 passes for 360 yards and only two touchdowns on 51 targets. However, even though he's a big question mark in terms of durability, Godwin could be a solid value pick in 2026 fantasy drafts, particularly PPR formats, now that he's fully healthy and coming off a strong offseason. With Evans gone and in a new offense that figures to feature quick-hitters underneath, Godwin could easily become veteran QB Baker Mayfield's go-to target as Tampa looks to get back to the postseason. Nobody should be expecting Godwin to produce like he was before his ankle injury in 2024, when he had a 50-576-5 line in seven games, but he could still be a pretty productive WR4/flex for fantasy managers in 2026 if he can stay healthy for the entire season.

Jul 20

Ted Hurst • WR • Buccaneers

Ted Hurst Unlikely to Provide Fantasy Upside as a Rookie

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Ted Hurst has a clear path to becoming the team's next X receiver after 13-year veteran Mike Evans departed for San Francisco in free agency, but with the strength of the receiver room now lending to more quick passing and inside-to-outside versatility, he could still find himself relatively low on the target pecking order. The Buccaneers' passing offense is expected to run through 2025 first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and four-time 1,000-yard veteran Chris Godwin Jr., while Jalen McMillan was one of the standouts of minicamp, and Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell form one of the league's most capable pass-catching running back tandems. While Hurst should eventually carve out an important role, with so many mouths to feed, his development could come along slowly, with his fantasy impact likely to come in unpredictable spurts to begin his career. As such, he still makes for a worthwhile selection in the closing rounds of best ball drafts, but at RotoBaller's WR97, Hurst is unlikely to factor into most 2026 redraft plans.

Jul 19

Chris Godwin Jr. • WR • Buccaneers

Chris Godwin Jr. a Strong Bounce-Back Candidate in 2026

When healthy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. has built a case as one of fantasy's most reliable players, finishing as a WR3 or better in six straight seasons and pacing as the overall WR2 through the first seven weeks of 2024 before a catastrophic leg injury ended his season. How he will look almost two years removed from the injury remains to be seen after battling through lingering issues and failing to find consistency throughout most of last season, but with six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans departing in free agency, the path is wide open for a meaningful bounce-back. After the Buccaneers deployed 11 personnel at one of the league's highest rates in 2025, Godwin's rising slot usage in recent years could cause an understandable tinge of concern as the team transitions to new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson's tight end-heavy system. Still, along with 2025 first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, he clearly projects as one of Tampa's top two receivers, and as a player who began his career almost primarily on the outside, he should have little trouble staying on the field. Godwin has fallen to RotoBaller's WR46 and could prove to be a late-round steal if the Buccaneers offense as a whole can stay healthier than what we last saw in 2025.

Jul 17

Jalen McMillan • WR • Buccaneers

Jalen McMillan Emerging as a Sneaky Redraft Sleeper Ahead of 2026

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan's 2025 season was derailed by a preseason neck injury that kept him out until Week 15. However, the 24-year-old should be healthy heading into 2026, and he will have an opportunity to earn a larger role in the Tampa Bay passing game following the offseason departure of former Bucs' wideout Mike Evans. McMillan has flashed upside across the first 17 games of his NFL career, recording 49 catches for 639 yards and eight touchdowns on 73 targets. While Emeka Egbuka is likely locked into the WR1 role in Tampa Bay, presumed Bucs WR2 Chris Godwin Jr. is entering his age-30 season and has battled both injuries and declining production in recent years. As the WR59 by current redraft ADP, McMillan profiles as a sneaky sleeper for fantasy managers to target in drafts ahead of 2026.

Jul 16

Sean Tucker • RB • Buccaneers

Sean Tucker Remains a Deep Dynasty Stash with Little Redraft Appeal

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker has rarely seen anything close to a featured role through his first three seasons in the league, but when entrusted with an expanded workload, he has tended to deliver. With Buccaneers starter Bucky Irving missing seven games in 2025 with foot and shoulder injuries, Tucker split time with Rachaad White, carving out a larger role along the way. From Weeks 8 through 12, he led the team with 52 carries for 243 yards and three touchdowns, but with Irving's eventual return in Week 13, Tucker averaged fewer than four carries per game the rest of the way. Heading into 2026, a healthier Irving is expected to head the Buccaneers' backfield once more, while free agent acquisition Kenneth Gainwell was brought in as a direct replacement for White after leading the Steelers with 73 catches in 2025. Again relegated to third-string duties, Tucker maintains some value as a dynasty stash, having proven capable of delivering fantasy-relevant performances in a pinch, but as RotoBaller's RB51, he is unlikely to factor into 2026 drafts.

Jul 16

Emeka Egbuka • WR • Buccaneers

Can Emeka Egbuka Put Together a Full Season in Year 2?

A combination of factors built a rookie wall for Tampa Bay Buccaneers former first-rounder Emeka Egbuka, and his production fell off drastically in the last eight games of 2025. The 19th overall selection out of Ohio State finished with a 63-938-6 line on 127 targets in his 17 games played. The 23-year-old will have 1,278 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns if he produces over a full season as he did in his first nine NFL games, according to Dan Pompei of The Athletic. Egbuka dealt with a hamstring injury and an undefined role as he was forced to learn and play every receiver position thanks to injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan. In Year 2, new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is set on making Egbuka a full-time Z receiver, and with the departure of Evans, there is clear breakout potential as quarterback Baker Mayfield looks to establish a new go-to target through the air. Egbuka won't come cheap for fantasy managers trying to buy low on him in dynasty/keeper formats after his second-half collapse, and in redraft leagues, the second-year pass-catcher should be targeted as a low-end WR2 with intriguing upside.

Jul 15

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

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