Three biggest questions facing the Bucs in 2024
The 2024 offseason came a little later for the Buccaneers than many expected and arrived with changes even fewer anticipated. Just one year after joining the Bucs, offensive coordinator Dave Canales took the head coaching job with the Carolina Panthers, once again leaving Tampa Bay without a play-caller on offense.
This quickly became one of, if not the, biggest dilemma facing the Bucs in 2024. The question of who becomes Tampa Bay’s next offensive coordinator could also affect the status of pending free agents Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans, who were the two most important players on offense this season. Even before the offseason began, the Bucs were going to need answers at edge rusher and along the offensive line.
Here are the three biggest questions facing the Bucs in 2024:
Will offensive coordinator lightning strike twice for Todd Bowles?
Losing offensive coordinator Dave Canales after just one season was not likely in the Todd Bowles’ plans when he hired him. With the Bucs’ offensive play-caller now in Carolina, Bowles is now once again faced with a decision that will absolutely impact his employment in 2024.
Without an expansive coaching tree to fall back on, Bowles appears to be approaching his current offensive coordinator search like he did the last. The head coach took his time, going through several interviews in the span of a month before landing on Canales.
Canales was far from coveted and his hiring was met with curiosity and skepticism. While it certainly worked out for the Bucs, happening upon another unknown offensive coach who can elevate Tampa Bay’s offense is by no means assured and certainly is not easy. Failure would likely cost Bowles his job following the 2024 season.
Can the Bucs get Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans back?
Make not mistake: the question regarding Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans is not “should” but “can.” Average quarterback play is more difficult to find than is given credit, and true WR1s do not grow on trees. Mayfield and Evans are going to get paid in 2024. It really is only a question of who is writing the check.
The Bucs are no longer strapped for cap space and have lots of flexibility to bring back key free agents. That does not mean their resources are unlimited nor does it mean that Mayfield and Evans automatically have a desire to return to Tampa Bay. Another complicating factor is the departure of Dave Canales, which brings the uncertainty of a new offensive system to Tampa Bay.
Even with the draft still ahead, there are NFL teams that will be looking to free agency to meet their 2024 quarterback needs. Teams like the Patriots and Raiders need starting quarterbacks and may not have the draft capital to assuredly get the prospect they want.
The Bucs rolled the dice by not re-signing Evans last summer and are likely looking at a few more zeroes at the end of his asking price after the season he just had. If he hits the open market, Evans should garner significant interest and big dollar signs from cap-rich teams like Houston, Indianapolis and Carolina.
Can the Bucs address both their edge rush and run blocking problems?
For as good as the Bucs were to get to the divisional round of the playoffs this season, two key aspects of the team hamstrung them from truly contending: their lack of pass rush from the linebacker position and their abysmal run game.
The stats tell a pretty compelling story. Tampa Bay’s five outside linebackers recorded just 122 total pressures per Pro Football Focus, including 22 sacks. For comparison, San Francisco’s starting edge rushers, Nick Bosa and Chase Young, combined for 123 pressures and 13 sacks, and Young was on their roster for just nine games.
Tampa Bay’s run game was worst in the NFL by some pretty meaningful metrics: yards, yards per attempt and success rate. While there may have been some design issues, the Bucs’ offensive line, particularly the interior, was simply bad at run blocking.
Both areas need top-end talent injections, and the Bucs will likely look to the draft to address one (if not both) needs. However, the edge rusher class is thin and lacks immediate impact players. Relying on rookie offensive linemen has been a dangerous proposition for years, as demonstrated by Cody Mauch’s struggles in 2023.
Free agency typically offers more reliable answers for team needs. While the Bucs have cap space, there are few impact pass rushers slated for free agency and likely fewer to actually hit the market. Interior offensive linemen are a little easier to find, but good ones are harder to find and less likely to actually become available. Tampa Bay might need to double up on draft picks and free agents at both areas to maximize their chances of improvement.
