Tampa Bay

Fan’s Guide to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • January 24, 2023
  • | 10:30 AM

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On to the next season! 🏈

The expectation entering the season for each of the NFL’s 32 teams is to win the Super Bowl. By season’s end expectations won’t meet reality for most as only one team is left standing raising the Lombardi Trophy. For the other 31 teams, it’s back to the drawing board. It’s better luck next year.

The Bucs joined the “better luck next year” category with a crushing Wild Card Round defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, who were knocked out of the hunt themselves the following week. Now all attention turns to the offseason.

Let’s look back at the 2022 season and what is to come!

Is another dizzying offseason in the cards? 

Remember last offseason? Every day it seemed brought a new surprise, many not the happy kind. Tom Brady retired. Tom Brady un-retired. Rob Gronkowski and Ali Marpet retired. Free agents walked. The injury bug, with a special affinity for the offensive line, tore through the roster early in training camp. Bruce Arians stepped down as head coach and handed the reigns to Todd Bowles. If you thought last offseason was a wild ride then buckle up for more this year!

What a difference a season makes…

Does anyone remember last offseason when coordinators Todd Bowles and Byron Leftwich were rumored for head coaching jobs around the league? With a Super Bowl under his belt as an offensive play caller, Leftwich was known around the league as a super star coach in the making. Bowles in his own right has always been known as a defensive mastermind. Bucs fans celebrated the news of the surprise return of BOTH coaches and Bowles’ eventual promotion to head coach. We cheered for continuity for the league leading offense and continued growth for the young defense. Boy, did things change a season later. Days following the season the Bucs parted ways with Leftwich and five other offensive assistants. Quarterbacks Coach Clyde Christensen retired. Only TWO seasons after a Super Bowl triumph many Bucs fans are already calling for Bowles to be fired after witnessing an underwhelming 8-9 2022 regular season record and quick playoff exit. Maybe the joke that the NFL stands for “not for long” has more to do with coaches than players. Whatever the meaning, it will be essential the Bucs fill the staff, particularly the offensive coordinator position, with coaches fit to makeup of the team and most importantly the quarterback, which is a quickly moving target.

The GOAT in the room (I mean elephant)… 

Speaking of moving target at the quarterback position, at least for now Tom Brady enters another offseason with his future in the air. Thanks to a pass-happy offense and an arm that never ages Brady set NFL records in 2022 for both passes attempted and passes completed in a single season. At 45 years old there is little doubt that Brady can still play. The only question is whether he wants to play in Tampa, elsewhere, or to hang up the cleats for good. He likely doesn’t know the answer himself, and will take his time to let his options play out. Regardless of whether he stays or goes it’s time for the Bucs to begin building the offense for a future without Brady in the picture. The team has been in “win now” mode since Brady arrived in terms of spending to maximize the window of opportunity, but the surprisingly subpar 2022 season will surely leave General Manager Jason Licht considering whether the time is right to switch from a “win now” to a “win later” mindset. As long as Brady sticks around the only option is the former.

The Running Game Ran Off in 2022 

Maybe it would surprise you to learn the 2020 Super Bowl squad  finished 25th in the league in rushing with 100 rush yards on average per game. 2021 was about the same, but 2022 saw a major drop off to last in the league at 76 yards per game, and an even worse 54 yards on average at home. Perhaps the biggest issue holding the Bucs back in 2022 besides a lack of pass rush on defense was the running game. The injuries and turnover on the offensive line last offseason are largely to blame as rushing will only be as good as the blocking up front. Look for the Bucs to spend an early round draft pick on the offensive line.

Hope for the future 

Not all was bad in 2022. While the running game as a whole underperformed, rookie Rachaad White showed growth and a heavier snap count as the season progressed, showing off his natural ability to catch out of the backfield and shed tackles. We can only hope the Bucs will have better injury luck next year with Shaq Barrett and his nasty moves off the edge returning to full health and also a full season of Ryan Jensen at center with his patented hits timed perfectly at the whistle. While the Bucs regressed in 2022, the NFC South division regressed even more to the weakest in the NFL. The Bucs swept the regular season series against the Saints for the first time in over a decade. Historically one of the toughest divisions having to face Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and the vaunted Panthers defense twice a season, how many times have you thought “if only the Bucs played in a weak division we’d be better off…” That time is now!

Best Moments in 2022

We will conclude on a positive note. Remember the game in Germany? The Bucs outplayed a streaking Seahawks team, scoring first half touchdowns and shutting down Seattle on defense. Devin White led the charge amid the personal tragedy of the loss of his dad. It was a complete team performance. The Bucs also had a flair for the dramatic with FOUR fourth quarter come from behind wins (the Rams, Saints, Cardinals, and Panthers). The heart pounding wins never got old, even though in some cases they should have come easier. With the margin between winning and losing in the NFL ever so slim, the Bucs are not as far off as it may seem.

Win or lose, it’s always interesting in Tampa Bay. Go Bucs!!

In partnership with @tampasportsguy

Going to Raymond James Stadium? 🏟

Check out everything you need to know before you go.

Getting there

If you don’t want to worry about parking we recommend taking an Uber or Lyft to get to the Raymond James Stadium.

If you’re driving yourself you can find some detailed information on the parking lots surrounding the stadium here.

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Bag policy

A NO bag policy is in effect for all events at Raymond James Stadium!

Guests are only permitted to bring in one clutch purse that is no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″.

Please return all other bags to your vehicle or storage lockers may be available for rent outside of Gate C.

For more stadium policies, click here.

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Stadium tours

Raymond James is now offering exclusive, year-round tours! This 75-minute-long walking journey will give you backstage access to many different aspects and workings of the stadium.

Tours include a behind the scenes look at the Stadium Club, a Luxury Suite, Hall of Fame Club, the famous pirate ship, the visiting team’s locker room, the USF locker room, the field, and more!

All tours must be booked in advanced. No walk-up tours are offered.

Book your tour here.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers App

Download the Tampa Bay Buccaneers app to access your ticket and so you can get real time Bucs news delivered directly to you. It even has a virtual representative to answer your gameday questions including stadium policies, amenities, parking, transportation, and more.

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Cheer on the Bucs around Tampa Bay 🍻📺

Here are some of our favorite places to grab a beer and watch some football.

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Zydeco, Bad Monkey, and More of Our Favorite Sports Bars in Ybor City

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9 Best Sports Bars in South Tampa

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6 Best Sports Bars in Clearwater to Catch the Next Game

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6 Best Sports Bars to Watch Games in Sarasota

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Visiting from out of town? 👋

Book your stay at one of these local hotels for a perfect game-day getaway.

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Tampa native | Sports Fanatic | Content Creator | Former College Athlete | Data analytics by day, Tampasportsguy by night...

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