NFL exec is high on Buccaneers' chances of competing for NFC South title
Tom Brady's departure, along with a solid but quiet offseason, has left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off of a lot of radars when it comes to competing in 2023. It's understandable, to an extent. But, it's not a crazy idea to think of the Bucs as competitors in an improved-yet-still-below-average NFC South. At least one […]
Tom Brady's departure, along with a solid but quiet offseason, has left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off of a lot of radars when it comes to competing in 2023.
It's understandable, to an extent. But, it's not a crazy idea to think of the Bucs as competitors in an improved-yet-still-below-average NFC South.
At least one NFL executive sees the Bucs as contenders in the NFCS, as well.
“What they did a nice job of was just building depth,” an exec said. “The first three picks were value picks. That roster can compete in that division. Some will fall on the quarterback, and then, can they get the running game going?” – Mike Sando, The Athletic
The Buccaneers need a lot to go right in 2023 if they want to compete for a third-straight division title
The Buccaneers need to figure out what's going on at quarterback and along the interior of the offensive line and at right tackle. They need Payne Durham to make a Cade Otton-like impact in 2023. They need Calijah Kancey to live up to his first-round billing, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to play like the former first-round pick that he is, and they need Antoine Winfield Jr. to stay healthy.
That's just a few of the things the Buccaneers need in order to have a good season in 2023. Outside of the players, they need new offensive coordinator Dave Canales to hit the ground running in his first year as an NFL OC, as well.
A mixed bag of results will lead to a mixed bag of wins and losses if the aforementioned items don't add up.
But, when zooming out and surveying the NFCS landscape, there's nothing definitive when it comes to living on top of the totem pole.
The Panthers traded away one of their best players and are going to live through the growing pains of a rookie QB. The Saints added Derek Carr, but there are serious questions regarding Dennis Allen's abilities as a head coach and the team lost a lot of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. The Falcons just can't ever seem to click when they need to and they plan on starting Desmond Ridder at quarterback.
For every reason a team makes it to the top, there's another reason that takes them down a peg. The same applies to the Bucs. But, the fact of the matter is that they've navigated this offseason pretty well and have positioned themselves to make some divisional noise in 2023.
You can check out Mike Sando's full column, here.
