Buccaneers OTAs Preview: Baker Mayfield is ready for a rebound, it’s Kenneth Gainwell’s time to shine, plus more
The Buccaneers offense was a rollercoaster ride in 2025, eventually falling flat toward the end of the year. OTAs represents the beginning of Baker Mayfield and Co.’s quest to get everything back up to speed.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially start OTAs today. We’ve already talked about some of the main storylines on the defensive side of the ball. So, naturally, that means it’s time to turn it over to the offense.
There’s no question Baker Mayfield and the rest of the crew are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2026 season and that all begins with OTAs. Like last year, the offense is pretty set when it comes to the starters, but there’s plenty to navigate when it comes to the depth at all positions.
This is the first of 10 practices that will occur over the next three weeks. It’s only t-shorts and shirts, no pads, and players aren’t allowed to hit each other. 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are allowed, per the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive into the main talking points surrounding the Buccaneers offense heading into OTAs.
Top storylines for the Buccaneers offense heading into OTAs
1. The rally + Zac Robinson’s scheme
The Buccaneers offense has a lot to prove in terms of a complete unit. Injuries decimated the group to the point where the 2025 version became a shell of the gangbusters 2024 edition and it resulted in some very frustrating moments.
They’ll look to do so under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who is the franchise’s fifth different offensive coordinator in as many years. While it’s not a Byron Leftwich-to-Dave Canales-like change in scheme, there will be an adjustment period for Mayfield and Co.
And that’s what OTAs are for. Thankfully, Mayfield is unlike Aaron Rodgers in the fact he treats these practices as the groundwork for the chemistry needed to yield an effective offense. The main hope is the group stays healthy and can keep building on their rapport over the next month.
2. Navigating the offensive line depth
The starting five are set and should be one of the NFL’s best when healthy. The depth behind them is a bit of a different story, however.
Let’s start at swing tackle, where Justin Skule and Ben Chukwuma are the top guys to watch. It’s the classic case of the crafty veteran vs. the up-and-coming youngster and the Buccaneers love both players. We all know offensive line performance in practice isn’t fully judged until the pads come on, but at the same time, OTAs are a great chance for a lesser experienced guy like Chuks to show he can hang with Skule mentally. Among other elements like hand placement, footwork, etc.
The interior also poses questions. The Bucs are set at backup center, as offensive line coach/run game coordinator Kevin Carberry explained during rookie minicamp.
“All these guys are back-up centers, and we expect these guys to do both. You have to, because with the only dress in eight, you’re gonna have to have three guys that can snap on game day. So, we train these guys to all snap and we want to develop them in that regard.”
Right now, it’s probably safe to say rookie Billy Scrauth, Dan Feeney, and Luke Haggard are the frontrunners. The Buccaneers chose Haggard over Elijah Klein during last year’s injury struggles and that says a lot. As a matter of fact, Klein only played 87 offensive snaps despite all the back and forth at guard.
Keep an eye on UDFA rookie Henry Lutovsky. He’s a big, athletic iOL with the nasty streak the staff loves. There’s also the recently converted Nash Hutmacher, as well.
3. Kenneth Gainwell’s time to shine
Irving is one of the key Buccaneers offense looking to bounce back from a tough year. The good news it sounds like he’s on track toward doing just that.
“I think what I see in him right now is the guy that I’ve always known,” running backs coach Skip Peete told reporters. “I mean, he’s back to normal. He’s back to being the guy that’s working out every single day. He’s doing everything that that is expected, as far as the training room and the strength staff has him doing, and I think he’s dialed in as far as he’s in the meetings and everything like that.
“So, I mean, he’s studying just like he always has. I think he’s in a good place right now. I think he’s going to be very excited to get an opportunity to get out there and practice.”
Unfortunately, Irving isn’t really expected to join the Buccaneers until the tail end of OTAs, per Jason Licht. That creates an excellent opportunity for Gainwell to step up.
Gainwell is a versatile, electric playmaker who used to be a receiver in college. Meaning, he can line up everywhere and can run a full route tree. He’s more than capable of shouldering the load while Irving recovers from offseason surgery.
Kenneth Gainwell’s 2025 stats
Kenneth Gainwell had the best year of his career in 2025 and even earned team MVP with the Steelers. Below are his 2025 stats, along with where they rank among his career on a per-season basis.
- Rushing yards: 537 (1st)
- Rushing touchdowns: 5 (t-1st)
- Receptions: 73 (1st)
- Receiving yards: 486 (1st)
- Receiving touchdowns: 3 (1st)
Once Irving is healthy, the duo should be one of the NFL’s best before the 2026 season is over with. The expectation is each plays a key role in the offense and their skill sets will help the offense keep defenses guessing thanks to the fact they’re so interchangable.
4. Who steps up behind the top-3 receivers?
Like the offensive line, the receivers are good to go up top, especially when considering the plan to settle Emeka Egbuka in at the Z position.
The guy to watch is rookie third-rounder Ted Hurst, who can help replace some of Mike Evans’ downfield production. He has a great combination of size, speed, tracking ability, and he’s great after the catch. All of those traits make him a perfect mismatch in certain moments as he adjusts to NFL life.
“Ted has that rare size, speed, quickness, all that combination that you have right there, kind of wrapped up in one body that everyone, I think, kind of looks for,” wide receiver coach Bryan McClendon told reporters. “… Ted has a bunch of ability to be able to be a threat, not just in the red zone, but anywhere on the field…
“… He still has a long way to go to get there, but he definitely has that ability in his body.”
Tez Johnson really impressed as a rookie and will certainly be in the fold when it comes to carving out a role in the passing game. Kameron Johnson can slot in here and there, but will likely make his biggest impact as a returner.
David Sills V and Eric Rivers will get a chance to get things started on the right foot during OTAs, as well. Sills V made plenty of plays under Robinson in Atlanta and then Rivers is a fast, athletic guy who had solid production in college.
5. What happens at tight end after Cade Otton?
Otton is one of the NFL’s most reliable and underrated tight ends. The Buccaneers will get a chance to start figuring out the hierarchy behind during OTAs.
Right now, it’s chalk, as Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp, Bauer Sharp, and Kenny Fletcher Jr. are the guys on paper.
Kieft returns from a devastating injury that cut his 2025 season short. He’s a very valuable player on special teams and that should help him make the roster. Regardless, he’ll be good to go for OTAs.
Durham’s and Culp’s progression will go a long way in determining their standing. Durham’s filled in nicely when called upon and last year’s lack of use was more circumstantial, than anything.
“It was just the way it went last year, you know, right, wrong, or indifferent. The opportunity didn’t come our way,” said tight ends coach Justin Peelle. “But those guys, and that’s what I do love about this room, are a very unselfish group, right? They’ll do whatever they’re asked to do, they don’t say anything, they don’t complain, they’re just trying to help us win ball games, and that’s what those guys did last year.”
Culp and Sharp are both athletic guys who bring different abilities to the room. If Culp can dial down on the little things and Sharp can quickly adjust, then they could certainly shake things up a bit.