It finally happened. On May 14, the NFL released the full schedule for the 2025 campaign. The Bucs learned the roadmap of their 50th season, which included an opener against a divisional rival in Atlanta and four prime-time games on the main stage. With the slate now set, the Krewe can start mapping their trips to Raymond James Stadium.
For the better part of a decade, most teams have celebrated the occasion by unveiling a schedule release video, attempting to creatively showcase the schedule. Of course, the word 'creative' is subjective. Videos can range from funny, beautiful, downright strange and everywhere in between. This year, Super-Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden unboxed our 2025 opponents while reflecting on some of the most iconic moments from the Buccaneers' 50-year history (you should really check it out!).
Many of the videos included good-natured jabs at their opponents. Take for example the Los Angeles Chargers. The Bolts are known for some of the more popular productions within the past few years. In 2024, they used the video game ‘The Sims’ to announce their lineup of games and Tampa Bay was scheduled to give them a visit in Week 15. The Chargers decided to depict Baker Mayfield as a chef preparing a meal and ended with him dancing gleefully while his kitchen burst into flames in the background. Well, when it was time for the teams to face, a different story unfolded.
Baker and Krewe bludgeoned the Chargers 40-17 on their home turf, an important win in their quest for a fourth-straight division title. The Buccaneers did not forget Los Angeles' illustration in the offseason and promptly posted this to celebrate their victory.
So with all that said, we figured now's a good time to check out how our 2025 opponents revealed their schedules to see if anyone gave us a reason to circle the date and bring the receipts.
This is how the Bucs were portrayed across the NFL teams' schedule releases:
Atlanta Falcons, Weeks 1 & 15
The Falcons went with a Mario Kart spin-off for their video that showcased a race between the teams they will face in 2025. They re-created popular tracks from the Nintendo-licensed game while taking shots at other teams, including the Patriots needing to 're-fill' their tires and the Vikings missing 'wide-left yet again'. The Bucs were represented by their racer, Bucco Bruce, as he went head-to-head with Bijan Robinson. Bucco Bruce comes up short and the video ends with Robinson taking first place.
Houston Texans, Week 2
The Texans decided to recreate an iconic 1999 Budweiser commercial with a repeated 'Wazzupppp' echoing across the run time. The video features many celebrities associated with Houston and ends with a cameo of an actor from the original ad. The Bucs' only mention is in the graphic revealing the schedule.
New York Jets, Week 3
The Jets decided to not post their release video right when the schedule dropped at 8 p.m. They waited until 8:44 p.m. to drop a video, stating they had "a Minecraft video ready but decided to change it last minute," a clear jab at the Colts. Both the Chargers and Colts originally uploaded Minecraft-themed videos; the latter was taken down and led to an apology from the Colts. Regardless, New York went with an 'infinite zoom' art piece that kept revealing opponents the further the picture zoomed in. The Bucs were portrayed as a pirate ship being overthrown by New Yorkers.
Philadelphia Eagles, Week 4
The Eagles spend two minutes straight showing off the Lombardi Trophy they earned back in February. They then use the final five seconds to list off their opponents. Philly isn't letting anyone forget anytime soon.
Seattle Seahawks, Week 5
The Seahawks showcased their schedule with a custom throwback action-figure commercial. Like Tampa Bay, Seattle is celebrating their 50th season and leaned heavily on nostalgia here. Each team is represented as its own bad guy action figure and is subdued by one of the Hawks' superheroes. This was equal parts entertaining and fun.
San Francisco 49ers, Week 6
The 49ers gave us a recreation of an arcade video game called the Golden Trail, resembling the classic game, the Oregon Trail. Sourdough Sam and his Mule go across the landscape of their 2025 schedule. When it's Tampa Bay's turn, they come across a ship and are presented with four options: start a mutiny, pirate the ship, fire the cannons or offer a trade. They decide to board the boat and sail away. Nothing too egregious.
Detroit Lions, Week 7
The Lions fly around Detroit using helmets to show off their schedule. They zoom in on the Bucs' and Lions' helmets outside of the front door of Ford Field.
New Orleans Saints, Weeks 8 & 14
In a callback to a legendary Key & Peele comedy sketch, the Saints hold a press conference with new Head Coach Kellen Moore and his 'anger translator'. It is humorous to watch comedian Rob Kazi berate the media members of New Orleans as he translates Moore's answers to their questions.
New England Patriots, Week 10
This one was scathing. The Patriots invited Barstool president Dave Portnoy to reveal their schedule and he holds nothing back. Portnoy proceeds to go on a nearly six-minute rant proclaiming the Patriots will go 17-0. Any team that defeats New England will have plenty to work with from this release. Surprisingly enough, the Buccaneers are one of the only teams he gives some semblance of respect, stating, "I could see that being a close game". That respect does not last long as he finishes Tampa Bay's portion by saying he is not scared of Baker Mayfield.
Buffalo Bills, Week 11
The Bills used AI to reveal their schedule. No, not artificial intelligence, NBA legend Allen Iverson.
A short sketch plays with Josh Allen telling General Manager Brandon Beane to use AI to create their video. Beane obliges and the video ends with Iverson revealing the schedule. There was no direct mention of their 2025 opponents.
Los Angeles Rams, Week 12
Earlier this year, actress Brenda Song, known for The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005-2008) and The Social Network (2010), went viral for dropping some serious football knowledge in an interview. In the episode, she took a moment to vent her frustrations about the Rams' performance in the playoffs. Although she was clearly frustrated, it became clear she was a die-hard fan and Los Angeles invited her to be a part of their schedule release.
In the video, she hosts a reaction show, quickly hitting each of the Rams' opponents along the way. For the Bucs, Song introduces Braden Fiske as 'a Florida Man, but not in a weird way' before cutting to him being confused that it wasn't a Rich Eisen interview.
Arizona Cardinals, Week 13
Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. gets on the mic and name-drops all Arizona's 2025 opponents in the track. It was a creative way to announce the schedule with a lot of energy. The music video was good and it has great vibes all around.
Carolina Panthers, Week 16 & 18
The gist is that the Panthers decide to hold a secret meeting to reveal the schedule, but keep divulging secrets about themselves instead. Xavier Leggette reveals his heavy southern accent is fake, Jaycee Horn enjoys giving out traffic tickets and Chuba Hubbard actually lives at the stadium (that sounds familiar…). The schedule is unveiled and the video ends.
Miami Dolphins, Week 17
What an interesting way to end. We start at the bottom of the ocean as we focus on a glowing treasure chest with the Dolphins logo. Then, the chest bursts open and a beam of light travels across the globe as team logos flash on the screen in order. It was narrated by Hall of Fame linebacker Zach Thomas, so that was cool.
