Buccaneers embrace the physicality that got them in trouble with the NFL and it’s the exact mindset they need heading into 2026
The NFL docked the Buccaneers an OTA practice because they deemed prior sessions “too physical” for this time of year. Tampa Bay doesn’t want anyone getting hurt, but it’s happy to set that exact tone.
It’s a brand new year and as a result, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a new “theme” it wants to establish both before and during the regular season.
Said theme is getting bigger, faster, and meaner. The latter is the most important, because the Buccaneers lacked a fiery edge in 2025 and it affected the final outcome. The team has spent the last few months finding players who have that killer, yet responsible, instinct to both their game and personality.
“I think people said it: We needed some a**holes over there, and he’s one of those,” Baker Mayfield told reporters when asked about the addition of A’Shawn Robinson. ” … He sets the tone in a different manner. He’s not the loudest person by any means, but he brings a physical presence. You can kind of see it stamped on his forehead. He’s ready to compete and fight wherever.”
Robinson isn’t the only guy who fits the bill, though. We’ve all seen how Rueben Bain Jr., Josiah Trotter, and Keionte Scott go about their business and then Alex Anzalone is the savvy vet that knows when to flip the switch and get after it.
Those guys, on top of the incumbents that weren’t part of last year’s issue, bring a whole different type of attitude and mindset that will help the Buccaneers navigate any type of waters.
Buccaneers’ key offseason additions
The Buccaneers brought in plenty of players who play with “smart” violence and a chip on their shoulder. Below are some of the key offseason additions that fit the bill (asterisks denote rookies):
- LB Alex Anzalone
- EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad
- DL A’Shawn Robinson
- LB Josiah Trotter*
- DB Keionte Scott*
- RB Kenneth Gainwell
- DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
- EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.*
The newfound, responsible aggression has bled over into the locker room and onto the practice field, as well. So much so to the point where the NFL notably docked the Buccaneers an OTA practice for being too physical.
While the Bucs don’t want anyone getting hurt and don’t want to be viewed as “malcontents”, they’re totally embracing the message behind the action and they’re understandably proud of it, to an extent.
“I mean, that just shows how we’re coming into this year, being more physical, trying to have that mindset, man,” Jacob Parrish told reporters when asked about the NFL’s disciplinary action. “I would say, just, man, they make me want to go out there and run over somebody for real. They have that type of energy, that contagious energy. So I’m really excited to play with those guys.”
“It’s been really fun to see, obviously, the all the new pieces on defense, that that in itself brings a lot of energy, and so it’s made every single practice competitive,” said Mayfield. “Obviously, we had had a day taken away, just, but that’s that’s the type of energy and you know competition that we’re having right now, which is really good for the Bucs.”
It’s easy to see how the Buccaneers’ newfound attitude can help them overcome the eventual adversity they’ll face during both training camp and the season. The key, though, is making sure it doesn’t spill over in negative fashion.
If Tampa Bay can do that then it has a talented enough roster to rebound from last year’s letdown and make a big splash in 2026.