Bucs make a controversial decision that shows faith in an underwhelming performer from 2025
The Bucs are bringing back a starter who struggled last season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been searching for better execution in the punting game for years now.
Things didn’t go all that much better in 2025 with veteran Riley Dixon on the roster. Dixon posted one of his worst punting averages of his career last year for the Bucs. It was another issue with a special teams unit that was flat-out abysmal in multiple aspects last season, which led to the dismissal of special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey in January.
However, Dixon’s numbers apparently didn’t dissuade general manager Jason Licht from giving the veteran one more season in pewter and red.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Bucs exercised their option on Dixon’s contract, bringing him back for the 2026 season.
Bucs exercise option on punter Riley Dixon for 2026 season
Dixon had a throw away 2025 season for the Buccaneers. His yards per punt average was just 44.7 yards. That was good for 31st in the league. As far as net punting, that wasn’t much better. At 38.7, that came in 28th among his peers. He also had two punts blocked, although the Buccaneers’ woeful special teams blocking contributed to that.
The averages were among the worst in Dixon’s career. His gross punting average was the third worst in his 10-year career, and his net punting average was his second worst.
However, the Bucs clearly see more potential than what they got last season from Dixon in deciding to exercise their option and bring him back. It’ll be up to new special teams coordinator Danny Smith to try to get more out of him this fall.
Before Dixon, the Bucs went through three different punters in 2024. 2022 fourth-round draft pick Jake Camarda started the first four games, with Jack Browning (five games) and Trenton Gill (eight games) handling the duties for the rest of the season.
Special teams have to improve drastically in 2026, and Licht and the Bucs seem to think Dixon has the ability to take a step forward himself.
We’ll find out if that faith was rewarded or misplaced starting in September.
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