Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucs' Trip to Pittsburgh Like "Old School Camp"

The Buccaneers lengthy stay in Pittsburgh leading up to Saturday's preseason game is an opportunity to draw closer as a team, deal with unfamiliar elements and get used to what it takes to win on the road

Aug 13, 2025 at 04:58 PM

Scott Smith

Senior Writer/Editor

On Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a short trip on a quintet of buses from their current hotel to Gesling Stadium on the Carnegie Mellon campus. They had already taken care of the longest leg of the trip on Tuesday when they flew from Tampa to Pittsburgh for a week of remote work that is going to include a joint practice with the Steelers on Thursday afternoon and a preseason game between those two teams on Saturday night.

In all the Buccaneers were 875 miles away, as the crow flies, from their usual training site when they stepped onto the grass on Wednesday morning. A smattering of Carnegie Mellon students stopped to watch the accident from atop a small incline, but otherwise the Bucs were in their own little world, and that would be even more true when the team got back to its hotel for meetings, meals and film study.

Head Coach Todd Bowles said the trip has the potential to draw an already tight-knit roster a little bit closer.

"At times, when the situation presents itself," he agreed. "It gives the guys a chance to bond. It still builds chemistry and culture that way and you can get some work done at the same time."

A light rain was falling as the Bucs arrived at Gesling Stadium, and the forecast indicated it was likely to turn into a steady downpour over the next two hours. Instead, the Bucs got fortunate as the drizzle stopped after a few minutes and never returned. The team practiced on artificial turn and in shells instead of full pads – those go on Thursday when the Bucs and Steelers square off – and got in two hours of solid work.

"Practice was good," said Bowles. "It isolates us kind of like old school camp when you get away for a little while. The plays were fine. We'll be in pads tomorrow, so today was kind of fast for the liking. The rain held off for us, so it was pretty good."

The Bucs' only preseason road trip, and the extra days spent in Pittsburgh, also gave the team an opportunity to prepare for regular-season games on the road and all they entail. Since the AFC teams are at home for all the "17th Games" this season, the Bucs and the rest of the NFC teams will have nine road games this season, compared to just eight at home.

"I think it's very important to rep stuff like that," said wide receiver Jalen McMillan. "Away games during the season are very pivotal for us and that's when we have to capitalize on things, so [we're] just getting used to traveling together and just doing things outside of the box.

"It's been cool, it's been chill. Definitely not relaxed. We're just finding ways to adapt to schedules and the weather. Just getting ready for the season."

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers departs before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers departs before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers departs before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Tight End Payne Durham #87 and Tight End Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers departs before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Logan Hall #90, Defensive Lineman Greg Gaines #96, and Defensive Lineman Adam Gotsis #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers departs before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater #16 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Running Back Josh Williams #37 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 and Wide Receiver Garrett Greene #85 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers departs before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 and Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers departs before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers departs before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - The team travels to practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Haason Reddick #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Guard Elijah Klein #79 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Offensive Lineman Lorenz Metz #71, Cornerback Roman Parodie #46, and Safety Shilo Sanders #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Greg Gaines #96, Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94, Wide Receiver Dennis Houston #89, and Defensive Lineman Logan Hall #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Tackle Luke Haggard #72 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Tight End Devin Culp #82, Offensive Tackle Charlie Heck #77, and Wide Receiver Dennis Houston #89 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Wide Receiver Trey Palmer #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Offensive Lineman Lorenz Metz #71 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Mike Greene #91 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Tight End Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Offensive Tackle Ben Chukwuma #70 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Tackle Raiqwon O'Neal #75 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Center Jake Majors #65 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Benches during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 and Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Jonson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Defensive/Special Teams Assistant Keith Tandy and Punter Riley Dixon #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Long Snapper Evan Deckers #86 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Haason Reddick #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Jonson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Kevin Carberry of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Quarterback Kyle Trask #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Tight End Tanner Taula #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - August 13, 2025 - Tight End Payne Durham #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at Gesling Stadium. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers