The Bucs roster has reported to Tampa Bay, and as a result, they have started their journey into the 2025 season. It starts at home in Tampa Bay, but they hope it ends on the road in Santa Clara, where they have a chance to raise the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in five years.
Todd Bowles and Jason Licht have returned, both with contract extensions. Liam Coen is no longer part of the coaching staff, having left to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his place is Josh Grizzard, who has been promoted from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator. All in all, the coaching staff remains essentially unchanged, just as the roster does, which means there is some continuity.
The first day of training camp has wrapped, though, for the team, and there is a lot to break down. We did our best to decide what was worth sharing and discussing, as a lot happened, we narrowed it down to four key points. Of course, we rounded up some quick hitters as well for your enjoyment.
Defense made plays early and often
During the offseason, most notably at the NFL Scouting Combine, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said he needed more ball hawks on defense. He knew the Bucs defense needed to force more turnovers, get after the quarterback more efficiently, and in doing so, they would be able to keep the ball in the hands of their explosive offense.
If day one’s performance was any indication, the defense not only heard Bowles’ comments but took them to heart.
Bowles shared that Antoine Winfield Jr. picked off Baker Mayfield twice during the first practice session of the year’s training camp. Cornerback Bryce Hall, who is returning from injury, also picked off a pass but it was off rookie Connor Bazelak. Bowles shared his excitement about it all when speaking to the media, saying, “We gotta continue, we gotta feed off them.”
Injury discussions dominate media sessions
Whenever you have two of your star players attempting to return from injury, you have to expect to deal with questions dominating the media session. Despite that, Todd Bowles at times seemed caught off guard and grew annoyed with the amount of probing regarding the timeline for the return of both Chris Godwin Jr. and Tristan Wirfs.
When it came to Wirfs, Bowles explained that his injury “didn’t heal” from the original issue that arose during the 2024 season. Despite telling the media that his sitting out of minicamp and OTAs was precautionary, this indicates that the team knew there was always a possibility of surgery if it didn’t heal as anticipated. Bowles insists, though, that there is not much more to it, saying it is not “a murder mystery.”
For Godwin, it was reported on Tuesday that he underwent a second procedure on his recovering ankle in the Spring, and now his status for Week 1 is also in question. Bowles told the media there is no timetable for his return and that he will continue his rehab as training camp rolls on.
Football dads enjoyed practice
Todd Bowles remained the focus of the first day of training camp when the team shared a clip on social media showcasing him taking in practice with Hall of Fame cornerback and current Colorado head coach, Deion Sanders. Despite it being a closed practice, Bowles invited the former NFL cornerback to Bucs practice so he could watch his son, Bucs safety Shilo Sanders, in his first NFL practice.
Sanders spoke to Bowles on the phone when the team called the former Colorado safety to sign him as a UDFA following the 2025 NFL Draft. In the process, they spoke at length, and Bowles confirmed they have a friendship and shared respect for each other.
Jalen McMillan is focused heading into his sophomore season
Jalen McMillan ended the year on a run that no other rookie wide receiver enjoyed, not even Brian Thomas Jr. or Malik Nabers. He ended the year scoring a touchdown in five straight games, and it led many to believe he was poised for a major boost in targets in his sophomore season. However, that idea was dashed when the team drafted Emeka Egbuka with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in April.
Many moved on from McMillan immediately, but he is coming into the new season with a renewed focus.
McMillan spoke to the media on Wednesday and shared that he is aiming to weigh between 193 and 197 pounds. He is currently at 194 pounds but may add more to his frame. The former Washington Husky added he is also working on adding new ways to get open in new playcaller Josh Grizzard’s offense. All while McMillan acknowledges how good Egbuka is.
He isn’t shying away from the competition, and it shows that he is ready to earn his role within the offense.
Quick hitters
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs training camp notebook, Day 1: Defense making plays early and often
Reporting by Andrew Harbaugh, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
