Bleacher Report still views Tampa Bay as closer to a playoff-caliber team than a legitimate Super Bowl favorite heading into 2026, and the reasoning is not difficult to understand.
The Buccaneers improved the roster during the offseason, especially on defense, but most of the major additions still come with some projection. Rueben Bain Jr. is expected to help the pass rush immediately, yet counting on a rookie to change the ceiling of an entire defense is still a major ask.
Baker Mayfield has proven he can keep the offense competitive, but national perception around the team continues to center on whether the current structure can consistently beat the NFC’s top contenders in January.
That is the difference between being viewed as dangerous and being viewed as dominant. Tampa Bay has enough talent to win the division and remain in the playoff mix, but there are still too many areas relying on internal growth rather than established elite production.
At this point, the conversation changes only one way. The roster has to prove it on the field against high-level competition instead of relying on offseason optimism.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs not seen as a contender for 2026 by Bleacher Report
Reporting by Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
