Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

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Vita Vea • NT • Buccaneers

Buccaneers Not Worried About Vita Vea's Hold-In

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea has been present at mandatory minicamp practices this week, but he has been observing on the sidelines and is holding in as he seeks a new contract, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. "It's not concerning. We've been through it before. It's part of the business," head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday. However, Bowles couldn't say if he's confident that a resolution would be reached by the start of training camp at the end of July. The 31-year-old interior defensive tackle is entering the final year of a four-year, $71 million contract, and he's set to make $17 million in 2026, but none of it is guaranteed. Vea has a history of injuries, including during offseason workouts, so he's trying to protect himself heading into the 2026 campaign. He broke his right leg and suffered an ankle fracture in 2020 and also missed most of training camp and the first three games of his rookie season in 2018 with a strained calf. Vea missed part of camp and the entire preseason in 2019 with an LCL sprain in his left knee. And in 2025, Vea had a foot injury late in the summer that forced him to miss practices before Week 1. When healthy, the veteran D-lineman remains one of the best run-stoppers in football.

Yesterday

Cade Otton • TE • Buccaneers

Cade Otton Carries Modest Dynasty Buy-Low Appeal into 2026

Across 16 games in 2025, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton recorded 59 catches for 572 yards and a touchdown on 81 targets. The 27-year-old's production was a bit disappointing considering that Tampa Bay spent significant portions of the season without top wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. However, Otton may have a second chance to establish a more consistent role in the Bucs' passing game in 2026. Evans departed Tampa Bay in free agency, and the Buccaneers did not bring in any significant competition for Otton at the tight end position outside of sixth-round rookie Bauer Sharp. Otton may not offer significant upside for dynasty managers, but he's averaged a little over 8.0 PPR points per game over the past two seasons. As a depth option, Otton is worth rostering in deeper dynasty leagues.

5 days ago

Tez Johnson • WR • Buccaneers

Tez Johnson a Dynasty Cut Candidate?

As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dealt with wide receiver injuries throughout much of the year, 2025 rookie Tez Johnson had some noteworthy moments, namely a five-game mid-season stretch that saw him average nearly 50 receiving yards per game while scoring four touchdowns. Unfortunately, heading into year two, the undersized seventh-round pick could be hard-pressed to sustain fantasy viability in Tampa's new-look offense. Even without six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans, the team still boasts plenty of depth, with both Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan expected to be closer to full health a year after missing a combined 21 games. 2025 first-round pick Emeka Egbuka should develop further chemistry with Baker Mayfield in their second season together, and the team spent a third-round pick on receiver Ted Hurst after signing Kenneth Gainwell to pair another legitimate pass-catching running back with Bucky Irving. In a Zac Robinson offense that is expected to see far fewer sets with three receivers on the field, Johnson's path to playing time appears sufficiently blocked, and at RotoBaller's dynasty WR105, he is not a player who needs to be rostered in shallower leagues.

5 days ago

Kenneth Gainwell • RB • Buccaneers

Kenneth Gainwell Standing Out During OTAs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenneth Gainwell has been a standout in his team's offense during OTAs, per Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report. Gainwell is entering his first season in Tampa after signing a two-year, $14 million contract with the team in free agency. The 27-year-old put together a breakout season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, recording 1,023 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns on 187 touches across 17 games. Gainwell recorded 73 catches on 85 targets last season, and Reynolds reports that he has "excelled as a receiver out of the backfield" early on with the Bucs. Entering 2026, Gainwell appears to be carving out a 1B role alongside the 1A in the Tampa Bay backfield, Bucky Irving.

6 days ago

Baker Mayfield • QB • Buccaneers

Todd Bowles Says he Wants Baker Mayfield Around Long Term

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Thursday that there is "absolutely no question" he wants veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield around long term, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. Mayfield said just last week that he and the team are "not anywhere close to what we were thinking" as he seeks a new deal going into the final year of his three-year, $100 million deal. The 31-year-old wants a new deal done before the start of training camp at the end of July. If a deal isn't reached by then, Mayfield and his agent, Tom Mills, plan to shut down negotiations and focus on the 2026 season. If no deal is struck during or after the season, Mayfield would become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. Mayfield led Tampa to back-to-back NFC South titles in 2023 and 2024 immediately after Tom Brady retired. The team has gone 27-24 with Mayfield as their starter, and he was a Pro Bowler in both 2023 and 2024 while throwing for over 4,000 yards in both seasons. He took a step back last year, though, throwing for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 picks in 17 starts. Mayfield's fantasy stock is down entering his ninth NFL season due to durability concerns and the fact that he lost his top wideout, future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, in free agency. RotoBaller currently has Mayfield ranked as the No. 20 QB for the 2026 campaign.

Jun 12

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving Back at Practice on Thursday

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) was seen working out at organized team activities on Thursday. Irving is being worked back in slowly this offseason after having shoulder surgery, but he looked good on Thursday while catching passes at OTAs while doing other work as well. Although he might not be a full-go for the start of training camp at the end of next month, all signs point to the 23-year-old back being ready at some point this summer and for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. The former fourth-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Oregon impressed with a 1,000-yard season and eight touchdowns on 207 carries while adding 47 receptions for 392 yards as a pass-catcher in 17 games as a rookie, but he played in only 10 games in 2025 due to injury and finished with 588 rushing yards and one touchdown for the Bucs. Irving's fantasy stock has fallen a bit going into his third year in the league because of durability concerns as he learns a new offense. Newcomer Kenneth Gainwell is also likely to steal valuable pass-catching reps from him. He still has clear RB2 upside if he can stay healthy, but Irving has fallen to No. 26 in RotoBaller's RB rankings for the 2026 season.

Jun 11

Kenneth Gainwell • RB • Buccaneers

Kenneth Gainwell Standing Out at OTAs

With Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) sidelined during OTAs this offseason, newcomer Kenneth Gainwell is standing out and "making the most of his extra reps," according to Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report. Gainwell is serving as Tampa's RB1 with Irving sidelined, and not Sean Tucker. The 27-year-old has proven to be "reliable and instinctive" in all phases of the game after having a career year in 2025 in his lone season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, carrying the ball 114 times for 537 yards (4.7 yards per tote) and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (two starts). Gainwell added a career-best 73 receptions on 85 targets for 486 receiving yards and three receiving TDs in 2025. The former fifth-rounder by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 out of the University of Memphis has made a strong first impression with the Bucs, but with Irving expected to be fine for the start of the 2026 regular season, it's going to be tough for Gainwell to be as productive as he was a year ago. As long as both Irving and Tucker are healthy, Gainwell will be part of a crowded backfield with a new offensive coordinator at the helm in Tampa. Gainwell still carries plenty of value in PPR leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn't overspend for an RB who should be considered more of an RB3/flex every week.

Jun 6

Baker Mayfield • QB • Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield "Not Anywhere Close" to New Contract With Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield said that current contract talks "are not anywhere close to what we were thinking," but he's "gonna do everything he can to help his team win a Super Bowl," according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. Mayfield wants to stay in Tampa long term, but he doesn't want to focus on negotiations once training camp hits at the end of July. The 31-year-old veteran is entering the final year of a three-year, $100 million deal he signed in 2024, and his fantasy stock is on the decline due to mounting nagging injuries and the fact that he lost future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans to free agency this offseason. Mayfield finished as the QB12 in fantasy in 2025, throwing for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 starts in his third year with the Bucs. It was a big dropoff after Mayfield threw for a career-high 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and a league-leading 16 picks in 17 starts in 2024 to earn his second Pro Bowl berth. The Bucs still have weapons around him, but fantasy managers should be pegging Mayfield as more of a high-end QB2 than a surefire QB1 as he enters what could be his final season in Tampa.

Jun 5

Chris Godwin Jr. • WR • Buccaneers

Consistency the Key for Chris Godwin Jr. in Dynasty Leagues

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. continues to have immense dynasty upside, but staying healthy will be a key factor in whether he lives up to his potential. Godwin's fantasy production peaked as the WR2 in 2019, but he had a streak of six consecutive top-32 seasons from 2018 through 2023. Managers would love to see him return to that form. Now that Mike Evans has departed for San Francisco, Godwin has the potential to reassert himself as the top pass catcher in Tampa Bay. Emeka Egbuka has the makings of a future superstar, but he was inconsistent at times last year, setting the stage for Godwin to be the most dependable Bucs receiver in 2026 and beyond. Injuries cost Godwin nearly half of his season last year, but he was productive when healthy, catching 24 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns from Week 13-17. During that span, he was the WR15 overall. He has fallen to WR48 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings, but that's partly due to his age (30). He could still be productive over the next few years, supporting a Baker Mayfield resurgence after the quarterback's subpar 2025 campaign. If Godwin can be healthy for 15+ games in 2026, he could be a top-24 fantasy receiver.

Jun 3

Ted Hurst • WR • Buccaneers

Can Ted Hurst Find Consistent Fantasy Success in a Crowded Receiver Room?

With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers spending a third-round pick on perimeter wide receiver Ted Hurst, he steps into the league with colossal shoes to fill. For the first time since 2013, the Buccaneers will be without six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans, after the 32-year-old wideout signed a three-year deal with the 49ers in free agency. At 6'3" and 206 pounds, Hurst profiles as the most likely player to inherit Evans' X-role on the boundary, but the receiver depth in Tampa runs deep, with a versatile group of pass-catchers capable of playing across the formation. For Hurst to eventually earn an every-down role in two-receiver sets, his most direct competition could come from third-year receiver Jalen McMillan. Reports out of OTAs have suggested that McMillan has put the neck injury that limited him to only four games in 2025 squarely behind him, and he has looked like the best receiver on the field at times. A younger prospect, with the bulk of his collegiate success coming as a downfield ball-winner, Hurst profiles as a boom-or-bust receiver who could struggle to consistently reach his ceiling early in his career, but in a weak draft class, he slots in as RotoBaller's rookie WR12.

Jun 3

Kenneth Gainwell • RB • Buccaneers

Kenneth Gainwell Carries Dynasty Sell-High Appeal After Breakout 2025 Campaign

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenneth Gainwell is coming off a breakout season in 2025, as he recorded 1,023 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns on 187 touches across 17 games as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tampa Bay rewarded Gainwell for his efforts, signing him to a two-year contract in free agency to form a backfield tandem with Bucky Irving (shoulder). Much of Gainwell's production in Pittsburgh came as a receiver out of the backfield, as he hauled in 73 receptions for 486 yards and three touchdowns on 85 targets. While Gainwell should still be involved in the passing game with the Buccaneers, he'll no longer have the benefit of playing with Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers targeted running backs at an extremely high rate in 2025, allowing Gainwell to rack up PPR fantasy points with consistency. Additionally, a bounce-back season from Irving could lead to a reduced role for Gainwell. Irving battled through injuries and inconsistency in 2025, but he flashed high-end upside as a rookie in 2024, averaging 5.4 yards per carry and collecting over 1,500 yards from scrimmage. In dynasty formats, managers may want to explore selling high on Gainwell after his career year.

May 31

Emeka Egbuka • WR • Buccaneers

Emeka Egbuka Undervalued in Dynasty Formats After Underwhelming Close to 2025?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2025, recording 63 receptions for 938 yards and six touchdowns on 127 targets across 17 games. The 23-year-old's production slowed down a bit in the second half of the season, as he failed to record a touchdown reception after Week 9 and topped 60 receiving yards just once over his final eight games played. However, Egbuka profiles as the number one target in the Bucs' passing game entering 2026 following the offseason departure of star wideout Mike Evans in free agency. He will also get a chance to play more on the inside, which should allow him to improve on his subpar 49.6% catch rate. If Egbuka's slow finish to 2025 creates a dip in his value, dynasty managers should pounce on the opportunity to buy low on him heading into his second NFL season.

May 31

Jalen McMillan • WR • Buccaneers

Jalen McMillan Has Been 'Slightly Better' Than Teammate During OTAs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan looked "slightly better" than teammate Emeka Egbuka during OTAs this past week, according to Scott Reynolds of PewterReport.com. Fantasy managers shouldn't invest too much stock into one week of practices, as it's not uncommon for different players to exceed expectations from time to time. With that being said, McMillan's improvements could be something worth monitoring going forward. McMillan is entering his third year with the Bucs, and if he continues to put together a strong summer, he'll be in the mix for a prominent fantasy football role. It's also worth noting that this report should only be viewed as an encouraging sign for McMillan, and not a slight toward Egbuka. Reynolds made it clear that Egbuka had a very strong week, too. All in all, it sounds like the Bucs' top three receivers -- Egbuka, McMillan, and Chris Godwin Jr. -- are all trending in the right direction as they look to provide more support to quarterback Baker Mayfield in 2026. McMillan could be a steal at his current ADP of 173 (WR62).

May 30

Sean Tucker • RB • Buccaneers

Is Sean Tucker an Undervalued Dynasty Trade Target?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker led the team with seven rushing touchdowns in 2025, and he could see meaningful goal-line work once more in his fourth professional season. Presumed starter Bucky Irving is still recovering from the shoulder injury that cost him seven games and impacted his efficiency in 2025. Irving returned to the field in Week 12, still clearly hampered by the injury, and Tucker handled almost 90% of the Buccaneers' carries from within the five-yard line from that point forward. Irving's recovery timeline has been vague, but if the team opts to keep him fresh by limiting him to mostly between-the-20s work, Tucker would be the most likely benefactor over the 5'9", 200-pound Kenneth Gainwell. Tucker went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft due to a congenital heart condition, but whenever he's seen the field, he's looked the part of an NFL running back, and at RotoBaller's dynasty RB75, he represents overlooked value if he's able to hold onto the dedicated goal-line role in what should again be a high-scoring Buccaneers offense.

May 30

Jalen McMillan • WR • Buccaneers

Jalen McMillan to Play All Three Receiver Positions?

For the first time since 2013, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare to play a season without six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans, but local media member Scott Reynolds believes the adjustment could go just fine, in part due to the versatility of third-year professional Jalen McMillan. McMillan was a fantasy league-winner down the stretch of his 2024 rookie season, and while a scary preseason neck injury limited him to only four games in 2025, he again topped 100 receiving yards in Week 17. Reynolds believes his ability to play all three receiver spots could lead to similar results across his 2026 campaign. With Zac Robinson arriving from the Falcons as the new offensive coordinator, Tampa will likely see fewer three-receiver sets after deploying 11-personnel at the league's second-highest rate in 2025, and with Emeka Egbuka unlikely to leave the field with any regularity in his second season, a potential rotation between McMillan, Chris Godwin Jr., and 2026 third-round pick Ted Hurst could make those 100-yard performances difficult to predict. As such, McMillan projects as a more useful piece in best ball formats, but at RotoBaller's dynasty WR71, there is still potential to land him well below his actual value with an opportunity for him to see a larger-than-expected workload.

May 30

Cade Otton • TE • Buccaneers

Cade Otton Continues to Offer Depth in Dynasty Leagues

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton is not a flashy name in fantasy football, but his consistency and starting role have allowed him to stay on the fantasy radar as a decent depth piece. Otton has caught 59 passes in each of his last two seasons, operating as the No. 1 tight end in this Baker Mayfield-led offense. His touchdown total dropped to one last year, and as a result, his fantasy finish slipped to TE22 overall. Still, he has been a top-26 fantasy tight end in each of his five NFL seasons, and he offers low-end TE1 appeal when the Bucs' receivers miss time due to injury. For example, in the four games where both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. were injured last year, Otton averaged 5.0 catches and 50.3 receiving yards. Evans departed in free agency this year, but the Bucs still have a crowded receiver room, so we can't project Otton for a top-20 finish. Still, he's an extremely solid depth option in all fantasy leagues, including dynasty formats.

May 27

Tez Johnson • WR • Buccaneers

No Clear Path to Fantasy Relevance for Tez Johnson in Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson has produced when given the opportunity, but he could face an uphill battle to earn playing time going forward. The Bucs have control of Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan through at least 2027, leaving Johnson in the No. 4 role (at best) for several years to come. There were times in the past when the Buccaneers supported three fantasy-relevant receivers at once, but the passing offense took a step backward last year, so we're not as bullish about the unit's upside going forward. That continues to leave Johnson in more of a depth role, where his outlook is dependent on both the state of the offense and injuries to his teammates. As it stands, Johnson ranks as the WR105 in RotoBalller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.

May 27

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving is Expected to be Ready for Training Camp

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) continues to recover from offseason surgery but is not expected to face many limitations during training camp. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the lead running back is not expected to participate in the upcoming min-camp but will "likely" be ready for training camp at some point. While this report does not suggest the former Oregon standout will enter camp with a clean bill of health, he is trending in the right direction. Last season, Irving had a disappointing sophomore season, appearing in just 10 games, and saw his production decline sharply after suffering this injury. Over his last six contests, he averaged a mere 11.2 PPR points per game, a stark decline from the 18.5 PPR points per game he averaged from Weeks 1 through 4. Managers should continue to monitor his status over the summer, but he should be at full strength come the start of the season. If his workload were to be limited, newly signed Kenneth Gainwell will likely take on RB1 duties.

May 26

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving Expected Back in the Summer or Fall

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) is recovering well and is expected back sometime during the summer or fall, according to Pewter Report. Bowles also noted that Irving was working on the side on Tuesday with a trainer during the team's offseason program. The 23-year-old is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, and it sounds like his availability for training camp and the preseason is a bit up in the air at the moment. It will allow both Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker more reps during offseason workouts. Even if Irving is fully cleared for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season in early September, it's notable that he's going to miss pretty much the entire offseason program while the Bucs are implementing a new scheme under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. The 23-year-old had a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2024 in his first year in the league and added eight rushing touchdowns, but he played in only 10 games last year due to injury and is a durability concern as an RB2 target in 2026 fantasy leagues. If Irving were to miss more time this year, Sean Tucker could be Tampa's early-down back, with Gainwell operating primarily as a pass-catcher.

May 26

Baker Mayfield • QB • Buccaneers

A Lot of Uncertainty Surrounding Baker Mayfield Going into Fourth Year in Tampa

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is as gutsy as they come on the football field, and he had back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons in 2023 and 2024 in his first two years with the organization. However, he went from being the QB4 in fantasy in 2024 to the QB12 last year after finishing with 3,693 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 starts. The 31-year-old signal-caller is as tough as they come, but injuries have to be a concern because of the way he plays and always grinds for the extra yard. The biggest knock on Mayfield's dynasty stock in the future is the loss of future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans, who departed in free agency. Mayfield will also be learning a new scheme under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. There's hope that Robinson can unlock the version of Mayfield from 2023 and 2024, but with Evans gone, Mayfield won't be as attractive as a QB1 streamer in single-year fantasy football leagues. In dynasty, it feels like Mayfield's best years are probably behind him, and he has dropped in RotoBaller's rankings to QB19, one spot behind the Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud. In superflex leagues, Mayfield can still be a serviceable No. 2, but we wouldn't want to be relying on the aging QB as a No. 1 in a new offensive scheme without his most reliable weapon from years past.

May 23

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

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