The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2026 season facing several important questions regarding their quarterback, the head coach, and their playoff chances.
While predicting success in the NFL is never easy, these three bold Buccaneers predictions have a legitimate chance of becoming reality by season's end.
Baker Mayfield will play the entire season without a new deal
Baker Mayfield has proven he belongs as Tampa Bay's starting quarterback, but that doesn't necessarily mean a contract extension is approaching.
The Buccaneers may prefer to wait until after the season before committing significant money to their quarterback. Mayfield battled injuries last season and will be entering his early 30s, making another year of evaluation a reasonable approach for both sides.
Waiting could ultimately benefit everyone involved. If Mayfield puts together another outstanding season, he'll likely increase his value. If Tampa Bay still has questions, the organization will have another full season of film before making one of the franchise's biggest financial decisions.
The Buccaneers will win 11 games and reclaim the NFC South
Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Winning 11 games in today's NFL is no small feat, especially in the emerging NFC South.
Carolina may keep progressing and Atlanta remains talented despite questions at quarterback. New Orleans is rarely an easy divisional opponent, and could take a step forward under Head Coach Kellen Moore.
Despite that, the Buccaneers enter the season with the division's most reliable quarterback in Baker Mayfield. No quarterback situation in the NFC South is without questions, but Tampa Bay's stability at the position could ultimately prove to be the difference.
Couple that with an improved defense and one of the NFL's deeper collections of offensive playmakers, and an 11-win season is well within reach.
Todd Bowles will silence the critics in 2026
Every offseason, Todd Bowles seems to face questions about his future. Yet he continues to keep Tampa Bay competitive despite significant roster turnover since the Tom Brady era.
If the Buccaneers win 11 games and capture the NFC South, the conversation surrounding Bowles should change considerably.
The bold prediction isn't simply that Bowles survives the season. It's that he enters the 2027 offseason with little debate surrounding his future as Tampa Bay's head coach.
These predictions may be bold, but none of them should come as a surprise if the Buccaneers play up to their talent.
