The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold the first training camp practice of the 2026 season on Wednesday morning, officially kicking things off.

With that being said, let’s have some fun and jump into five bold predictions I believe come to fruition by the end of August.

1. Calijah Kancey finishes training camp fully healthy

His first two camps were derailed by injuries, and then a torn pec in Week 2 last year wiped out nearly his entire season. He stayed healthy throughout last year’s offseason program, and I’m extending this prediction further: I think 2026 will be the healthiest season Kancey has ever played. At some point, the luck has to turn.

Sure, it’s impossible to predict health. However, it’s also impossible to predict injury without some degree of luck attached (plus, who would want to predict someone getting hurt, anyway?).

Regardless, I think the tide finally turns for Kancey in 2026 and the Buccaneers will be major beneficiaries.

2. Kenneth Gainwell emerges as the top running back

I have a hunch the Buccaneers will ease Bucky Irving into training camp after his offseason shoulder surgery, and that’s going to give Gainwell a head start. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry last year on top of his 73 receptions. Both backs share similar body types and skill sets, and both are entering Robinson’s offense for the first time, so there’s no built-in schematic advantage for Irving. Gainwell taking the early lead isn’t a bad thing for Irving either. It lets him find his footing after a tough sophomore year and offseason surgery.

Yes, Todd Bowles has made it clear Irving is the top running back in what will be 1A/1B-type split, but we all know how quickly things change in the NFL. Gainwell is hungry and ready to build on last year’s success and that’ll help him lead the RB room snaps whether it’s a 51/49 split or higher.

3. UDFA rookie guard Henry Lutovsky makes the 53-man roster

At 6-foot-6 and close to 320 pounds, Lutovsky is a glass-eater with quick feet and the kind of acumen general manager Jason Licht loves on the interior.

There’s a pathway for Lutovsky to make the roster, too. There’s no guarantee Elijah Klein, Dan Feeney, or Luke Haggard (among others) make the roster.

Lutovsky has a real shot to leapfrog those guys and earn a roster spot through strong practice performances and preseason play.

4. Jalon Daniels finishes as QB2

Jake Browning’s contract structure tells you plenty about how Tampa Bay views him. Browning has a Week 1 roster bonus of $187,500, and only $400,000 of his salary is guaranteed. There’s also the fact he didn’t play well, at all, last year in Cincinnati and it remains to be seen how much of that bleeds into 2026.

And while the Buccaneers staff likes Connor Bazelak, he doesn’t have the skillset Daniels does.

Daniels has a better athletic profile, and the coaching staff has gushed about him in recent weeks. Veteran NFL evaluator Greg Cosell believes Daniels can develop into a starter down the line, as well.

The key, though, is Daniels’ practice reps. He’ll likely start training camp as QB4 and it’s hard to give a fourth QB a viable amount of reps. Therefore, I think preseason games will be his proving ground, and he’ll win the backup job behind Baker Mayfield.

5. The Buccaneers carry 2 true swing tackles into the regular season

Justin Skule is back after a year in Minnesota, and the Buccaneers love their other young swing tackle, Ben Chukwuma, enough that stashing him on the practice squad feels too risky. He started a couple of games last year and has a couple hundred snaps on film. Other teams could easily see the same potential the Bucs do and scoop him up.

After watching Luke Goedeke and Tristan Wirfs miss time over the last couple of seasons, carrying two quality swing tackles is a worthwhile investment regarding roster flexibility.