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Buccaneers Labeled Simply 'Playoff Hopefuls' in Latest NFL Offseason Rankings
Buccaneers Labeled Simply 'Playoff Hopefuls' in Latest NFL Offseason Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Most NFL teams have finished their mandatory minicamps, while others will complete that in the upcoming week.
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Draft picks have settled in with their respective teams, well, at least the ones who have signed (sorry, Cincinnati), and relocated free agents are done introducing themselves.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have certainly had their share of changes while also remaining largely the same on offense.
The team returns all 11 starters on new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard's side of the ball and they've made some modest changes on defense.
But with all the changes, the Bucs are still being disrespected as a whole, and come in at No. 15 in NFL Trade Rumors' offseason NFL power rankings, under the category of "Playoff Hopefuls."
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"The Bucs are talented, deep and experienced on both sides of the ball, and made steps to address weaknesses at pass rusher and cornerback this offseason by bringing in OLB Haason Reddick and double-dipping on cornerbacks in the draft," NFLTR's Logan Ulrich wrote. "All told, the Buccaneers are getting some hype as a potential breakout team in 2025 that can jump into the fray with the top teams in the conference.
"I'm not sure I can get on that bandwagon. Bowles has proven himself to be a competent coach, but I think he has more in common with former Panthers and Commanders HC Ron Rivera than he does someone like Steelers HC Mike Tomlin. Rivera is a first-class person, but as a coach, his record of 102-103-2 does a pretty good job of encapsulating how he stacks up against his peers, even if he did make a Super Bowl appearance with Carolina."
Ulrich sort of gives Bowles a backhanded compliment here, and he's not necessarily wrong.
Something he fails to mention is that Bowles' failures aren't necessarily as a head coach, but as a defensive coordinator. Especially last season, as the team dealt with injuries.
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But with a revamped defensive roster and a possibly even stronger offensive unit, Bowles has no more excuses. He has to get it done in 2025 or he could face a very hot seat - and rightfully so.
Related: Buccaneers' Ryan Jensen Replacement Needs a Breakout 2025
Related: Buccaneers Rookie WR Predicted to be Big Factor
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
