The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made 38 roster moves on Tuesday to carve out a 53-man team for the start of the 2025 regular season, creating what is often errantly called a "final" roster by the NFL's 4:00 p.m. deadline. While there will likely still be some work done around the edges of that roster, including the formation of a 17-man practice squad, the Bucs now have the basic shape of the group they will hope will take them to a record fifth straight NFC South title.
Still, the Buccaneers, while confident in their roster's talent, won't truly know how the team comes together until the regular season action starts. As the Buccaneers prepare for the first game that actually counts on September 7 in Atlanta, here are three questions we still have about the offense.
1. Who will get the largest share of work as the other outside receiver to pair with Mike Evans?
The Buccaneers' offense will be missing slot-master Chris Godwin for potentially one to four games to start the season and aren't expecting promising second-year wideout Jalen McMillan back until after their Week Nine bye. Rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka has made it abundantly clear that he needs to have a major role in the offense, and while that could take several different shapes it may start out with him operating out of the slot in Godwin's absence. Egbuka primarily played that position at Ohio State.
If that does prove to be the case, who will get the most play as the other outside receiver opposite Evans? The candidates come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Ryan Miller, who was an undersized tight end in college, offers the best size among the candidates at 6-2, 221 and he made a good impression filling in last season when both Evans and Godwin were out at the same time for a three-week stretch. Of course, Miller is also a very good blocker around the line of scrimmage like Godwin, so the team might want to use him in the slot to some extent, too.
The other three candidates are all smaller receivers in veteran Sterling Shepard (5-10, 194), second-year man Kam Johnson (5-10, 170) and seventh-round draft pick Tez Johnson (5-10, 165). Shepard would bring the most experience to the position with his 104 career games and 372 receptions, and he clearly had a good rapport with quarterback Baker Mayfield. Tez Johnson would offer not only a speed element but incredible stop-and-start skills and ability to pick up yards after the catch.
It may be that this position is one that is filled by committee, with different sorts of packages for different receivers. Still, there is likely to be one receiver who plays more than the rest and that player's identity is not immediately obvious.
Here is the full 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 53-Man Roster.
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 21, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Chris Braswell #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game 31-41. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 21, 2024 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 41-31. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater #16 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Linebacker John Bullock #57 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs Won the game, 17-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Offensive Tackle Ben Chukwuma #70 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2024 - Tight End Devin Culp #82 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 24-14. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 10, 2024 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game 23-20. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 08, 2024 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 37-20. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 10, 2024 - Long Snapper Evan Deckers #86 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game 23-20. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 09, 2025 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 29-7. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CHARLOTTE, NC - December 01, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. The Bucs won the game in overtime, 26-23. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Punter Riley Dixon #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - November 24, 2024 - Tight End Payne Durham #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants. The Bucs won the game, 30-7. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 09, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 29-7. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - January 12, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFC Wild Card game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-20. Photo By Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Greg Gaines #96 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 13, 2024 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. The Bucs won the game, 51-27. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 13, 2024 - Guard Luke Goedeke #67 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. The Bucs won the game, 51-27. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 22, 2024 - Defensive Lineman Logan Hall #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 26-7. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 11, 2023 - Defensive Back Josh Hayes #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game 27-17. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 and Tackle Charlie Heck #77 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - January 12, 2025 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFC Wild Card game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-20. Photo By Brennan Asplen/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CHARLOTTE, NC - December 01, 2024 - Safety Christian Izien #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. The Bucs won the game in overtime, 26-23. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 29, 2024 - Wide Receiver Kameron Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 48-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 29, 2024 - Linebacker Deion Jones #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 48-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 29, 2024 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 48-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CINCINNATI, OH - August 10, 2024 - Tight End Ko Kieft #41 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CINCINNATI, OH - August 10, 2024 - Guard Elijah Klein #79 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 27, 2024 - Guard Cody Mauch #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 31-26. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - January 12, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the NFC Wild Card game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-20. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 08, 2024 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 28-13. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Kicker Chase McLaughlin #4 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 08, 2024 - Safety Kaevon Merriweather #26 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game 28-13. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ARLINGTON, TX - December 22, 2024 - Wide Receiver Ryan Miller #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys. The Bucs lost the game, 26-24. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2025 - Cornerback Benjamin Morrison #21 and Wide Receiver Rakim Jarrett #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
KANSAS CITY, MO - November 04, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson #98 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs. The Bucs lost the game in overtime, 30-24. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 08, 2024 - Tight End Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 28-13. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Cornerback Jacob Parrish #25 and Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Haason Reddick #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs Won the game, 17-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - January 12, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFC Wild Card game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-20. Photo By Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 29, 2024 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 33-16. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 09, 2025 - Running Back Sean Tucker #44 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 29-7. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Cornerback Kindle Vildor #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 03, 2023 - Outside Linebacker Markees Watts #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 21-18. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
INGLEWOOD, CA - December 15, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers. The Bucs won the game, 40-17. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Running Back Josh Williams #37 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 13, 2024 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers returns a fumble for a touchdown during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. The Bucs won the game, 51-27. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 22, 2024 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 26-7. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2024 - Safety Rashad Wisdom #38 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 24-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Will the offense be hampered early in the season by the potential absence of All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs?
The first part of this question is how long this will this be an issue for the Buccaneers' offense. The decision not to place Wirfs on the reserve/PUP list is a good sign, and he has now come off the active/PUP list and could start practicing in the coming days. He could still miss the first four games while getting back into playing shape but there is a general sense of optimism within team headquarters that his absence won't be quite that long.
The Buccaneers don't employ Lane Johnson or Trent Williams, so it will be impossible for them to replace Wirfs, a first-team All-Pro selection, with the comparable level of player. That said, the Buccaneers have expressed confidence in veteran Charlie Heck, who was signed to be the swing tackle and is currently holding down left tackle in Wirfs' absence. After him on the depth chart is undrafted rookie Benjamin Chukwuma, who has been quite impressive in training camp and the preseason games but remains very green.
For however long Wirfs is out the lineup, will the Buccaneers adjust their offensive approach to emphasize getting help for Heck and the rest of the offensive line? Will there be more two-TE sets or a higher rate of using the tight end on the left side? Will the Bucs try to chip opposing edge rushers with backs, receivers and tight ends? And how effective will any of that be? It's worth noting that the Buccaneers' Week Two game is against a Houston team that features the dangerous edge duo of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. And the Philadelphia Eagles, who always seem to have a deep stable of pass rushers, come to Tampa in Week Four.
3. How will the offense look under first-team coordinator Josh Grizzard, and what sorts of personnel packages will he favor?
The Buccaneers have a new offensive play-caller for the third year in a row after their ranks were poached for head coaching jobs for Dave Canales and Liam Coen in successive offseasons. This year's transition is a little different, however. While Canales and Coen each brought in their own schemes, playbook and terminology from other teams, new Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard was promoted from within. He was heavily involved in the formation of Coen's game plans last year and offers continuity for Mayfield and company, who don't have to learn another new playbook all over again.
The Buccaneers ranked third in yards gained and fourth in points scored last year and were the only team to finish in the top five in both rushing and passing yards. The scheme worked, Mayfield thrived in it and virtually all of last year's personnel is back, so there is good reason to maintain the status quo as much as possible. That said, NFL offenses tend to need to evolve to some extent each year in order to stay ahead of defensive adjustments. Grizzard won't be the exact same play-caller that Coen was, even if their respective play sheets have a lot of overlap.
What tweaks Grizzard will bring to the system are hard to predict and could depend on developing circumstances. For instance, given Coen's background with the Rams it was widely believed that Tampa Bay's offense in 2024 would lean heavily on 11 personnel, or three-receiver packages. That may have been the plan going into the season, but thanks to injuries to the receiving corps and the emergence of Bucky Irving, the Buccaneers ended up running more two-tight end and two-back formations than expected and actually having a higher success rate in both of those groupings than in the 11 package. Of course, by season's end, the three-receiver set was still the team's most-used package, with 71.6% of the plays.
