TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open their 2023 NFL training camp Wednesday at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, Florida. Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest story lines heading into camp:
Biggest question: How will the Bucs fill the void left by retired quarterback Tom Brady?
Not only are the Bucs losing a seven-time Super Bowl winning quarterback, but also the unquestioned leader of their locker room and a pseudo coach who had a major role in game planning. Gone is his voice and his presence. So who will step in to hold teammates accountable to the standard they’ve had the last three seasons with Brady?
They’ll count on players like wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, offensive linemen Tristan Wirfs and Ryan Jensen, linebacker Lavonte David, and defensive backs Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis.
The player with the most to prove: Baker Mayfield, QB
After leading the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff win in 25 years, Mayfield’s on his fourth team since entering the league in 2018, with many believing this is his last shot as a starter. By all accounts, he looks healthy, he’s taking well to offensive coordinator Dave Canales’ new offense, and he should win the starting job over Kyle Trask.
He’s certainly doing his part to win over the locker room with dinners, baseball and hockey games and boating trips. But the real question is can he cut down on the interceptions and win games for a team that hasn’t garnered any sort of expectations from national pundits?
The most compelling position battle: Kicker
It isn’t often you get a legitimate kicking battle in training camp, but the Bucs felt they needed it after last season’s long-range woes with Ryan Succop. Insert Chase McLaughlin and Rodrigo Blankenship. In 47 regular-season games, McLaughlin’s got a 78.8% field goal average, but his 81% rate from kicks 50 yards or further (17-of-21 attempts) really jumps out. He also has a career-long of 57 yards.
In 24 regular season games, Blankenship has made 47 of 56 kicks (83.9%) with 15-of-19 (78.9%) from 40 yards or beyond and 2-of-5 (40%) from 50 yards with a career-long of 53. What’s interesting, though, is from 40 yards or beyond, he is better than McLaughlin’s 59.4% despite McLaughlin’s staggering accuracy from 50-plus yards.
Biggest area of concern: Depth in the secondary
While the Bucs were able to re-sign a starter at cornerback in Dean, they did lose outside cornerback/nickelback Sean Murphy-Bunting and safeties Mike Edwards and Keanu Neal in free agency while opting not to re-sign veteran Logan Ryan. They did sign Ryan Neal at strong safety to pair with Antoine Winfield Jr., which allows Winfield to move back to free safety this year.
But the nickelback role is open, with Dee Delaney, Zyon McCollum and rookies Josh Hayes and Christian Izien challenging for that role. At safety, there is a lot of unproven talent competing for backup roles. Three of the four safeties competing for backup jobs are rookies, with Nolan Turner going into Year 2. Given coach Todd Bowles’ use of subpackages and the natural propensity of injuries at this position group, they need to be strong top to bottom.