The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one of the best offenses in the NFL in 2024, as the only team in the league to rank in the top four in scoring, total yards, passing yards and rushing yards. Almost everybody involved in producing that output returned in 2025, with the notable exception of Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen, who left for the Jacksonville Jaguars' head coaching job and was replaced from within the Bucs' system by Josh Grizzard.
It was reasonable to expect the Tampa Bay offense to be among the league's best in 2025, as well, given that continuity. But a deep and wide-ranging rash of injuries have put a bit of a restrictor plate on the team's offensive ceiling for much of the fall, as Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving, Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke and Cody Mauch have all missed significant time. In addition, quarterback Baker Mayfield has played through a series of injuries, most recently a left shoulder issue that sidelined him for the second half in Los Angeles in Week 12.
It's possible, though, that the Buccaneers are close to removing that restrictor plate. Their offensive numbers in a 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday weren't overwhelming, but there were clear signs that the unit is getting back to the way it was able to operate throughout 2024.
"Today felt like we were very, very close," said Mayfield after the game. "Guys took the message and a lot of things at heart during the week of practice, so we just have to be able to continue to translate it to the game field. But, that's the mentality we're looking for - guys understand that if you handle it and you prepare like that, good things will happen and go from there."
Most notably, Godwin and Irving were significant parts of the attack in the same game for the first time all season. Godwin had returned the week before after missing five games with a fibula injury, but the had been held to 25 offensive snaps as the Bucs eased him back. He started against the Cardinals and played far more of the game, eventually hauling in three passes for 78 yards. Irving returned to action after missing seven games with shoulder and foot injuries and had an immediate impact, with 81 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.
"Chris is starting to look like old Chris," said Head Coach Todd Bowles. "He got his feet wet last week, and this week he was rolling; He was in a good groove. Great to see Bucky back out there. He gives us another element as well, and both of them showed it and put it on display."
There is also the hope, referenced by Head Coach Todd Bowles last week, that Evans and McMillan are also due to return before the end of the season. Mayfield wants to see the Bucs' offense make steady progress down the stretch drive and be ready to explode when the original lineup is close to intact.
"Continue to improve, continue to go from there, build on what we just did well and look at the tape – what we didn't execute, especially on offense and fix it," he said. "As we get guys healthier and healthier as these weeks go on, we need to be able to hit the ground running. There's no reason we should have any setbacks, have to take a step back and install some of these plays. We need to hit the ground running and continue to go forward."
