***2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Official Season Thread***

[Bootz]

Ian Rapoport just said on GMFB that Godwin is expected to start practicing this week and they're hopeful he can play by week 5 or week 6.

Any word on Wirfs? He was slated to practice when the season started but was DNP all 3 days.

[Grahamburn]

Ian Rapoport just said on GMFB that Godwin is expected to start practicing this week and they're hopeful he can play by week 5 or week 6.

Any word on Wirfs? He was slated to practice when the season started but was DNP all 3 days.

I haven't heard anything yet. Wirfs was at practice and dressed last week though I don't think he did anything.

[Babeinbucland]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News
‘Nobody wanted to say it’ – Todd Bowles reveals how he stepped up and made a crucial choice that helped the Bucs get out of a bad spot

By Evan Winter
Co-Managing NFL Editor

Buccaneers YouTube
Sep 8, 2025 1:15 PM EDT
When a team is without not just one of its best players, but one of the best players at his position as a whole, the backup plan can get a little dicey depending on what kind of depth is available on the roster.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been without star left tackle Tristan Wirfs since May, which has left the Bucs with a big hole at left tackle. Fortunately for the Bucs, Wirfs’ extended absence gave Todd Bowles and Co. plenty of time to figure out a plan until he returns to the lineup: Veteran Charlie Heck took just about all of the starting reps throughout the summer and it looked like he was a shoe-in to replace Wirfs.

Little did we know, the Bucs had an ace (or aces) up their sleeve and would trot out a completely unexpected starting five against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. One that did not include Heck at left tackle like everyone thought.


Instead of the assumed quintet from right tackle to left tackle of Luke Goedeke, Cody Mauch, Graham Barton, Ben Bredeson, and Charlie Heck, Bucs fans were given a lineup featuring Goedeke, Mauch, Bredeson, Mike Jordan, and then Barton. Apparently, Barton took some reps at left tackle in training camp and immediately caught his coaches’ attention. What started as a plan for an emergency situation grew from there and eventually evolved into what we saw Sunday.

“He’s (Barton’s) been practicing there for a couple weeks now,” Bowles told reporters after the game. “No one ever asked a question, so it never came up. He was going to start. He gave us our best chance to win because he’s a hellacious run blocker… He looked so damn good out there that it became part of what we were going to do, and that’s what we went with.

“I’m taking nothing away from Charlie [Heck], but Graham was a tackle in college. He did a hell of a job out there. He was probably quicker-footed, so to speak, in the run game. That’s some of things we were trying to do, and it worked out for us.”
Todd Bowles reveals he’s the one that made the final call to go with the Bucs’ starting offensive line configuration against the Falcons
Bowles went into deal on Monday regarding how this all came to be. The Bucs initially assembled the offensive line this way for emergency purposes. It took just a few reps for Barton to really turn heads at left tackle and the rest is history.

Everyone knew having Barton start at left tackle gave the Buccaneers the best shot at beating the Falcons, but no one would speak up, initially. So naturally, Bowles displayed his leadership and made the call.

“Well when we gave him a couple reps out there, first, we were doing it out of emergency,” said Bowles. “[We were] like, ‘Hey, he looks pretty good out there.’ Then Ben looked pretty good at center and then we just started messing with it a little bit. And the more we saw it, the more it started coming into focus…

“… Me, [offensive line coach Kevin Carberry] ‘Carbs’, and [offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard] ‘Grizz’, we all talked about it. We all saw the same thing, but nobody wanted to say it. So I was the bad guy to say it. But they were like, ‘Yeah, he does. He does look very good out there.’ This is pretty good. And then we went with it.”

The decision worked and it helped the Bucs win the game. It wasn’t perfect by any means as Mayfield was pressured on 40.5% of his throws and running backs averaged just 3.1 yards per carry, but he was only sacked once and the front five was able to hold it together long enough to where the Bucs currently sit in 10th in points scored ahead of Monday night’s matchup between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings.
“We weren’t trying to do it,” said Bowles. “It started out as an emergency, but it started looking better and better, and then it just came like, ‘We probably need to roll with this. It gives us our best chance to win.'”

Bowles wouldn’t commit to whether or not this will be the starting five against what’s going to be a fierce Houston Texans pass rush, but it sure looks like the Bucs have found their answer while they await Wirfs’ return.

[13F11B]

Bowles wouldn’t commit to whether or not this will be the starting five against what’s going to be a fierce Houston Texans pass rush, but it sure looks like the Bucs have found their answer while they await Wirfs’ return.

We must have some really, really, really, really bad reporters in Tampa for NO ONE to have noticed this over two weeks.

[Bootz]

Basically Heck showed how bad he was in practice.

[Central_Buc]

So Heck is just going to be fodder if the going really gets tough.

[Grahamburn]

Bowles wouldn’t commit to whether or not this will be the starting five against what’s going to be a fierce Houston Texans pass rush, but it sure looks like the Bucs have found their answer while they await Wirfs’ return.

We must have some really, really, really, really bad reporters in Tampa for NO ONE to have noticed this over two weeks.

I don’t think practice is open to the media.

We’ll see next week. Houston has some serious pass rushers.

[Babeinbucland]

We must have some really, really, really, really bad reporters in Tampa for NO ONE to have noticed this over two weeks.

I don’t think practice is open to the media.

We’ll see next week. Houston has some serious pass rushers.

Welp hopefully we have a plan for them or Baker is going to Baking on the grass.

[13F11B]

We must have some really, really, really, really bad reporters in Tampa for NO ONE to have noticed this over two weeks.

I don’t think practice is open to the media.

We’ll see next week. Houston has some serious pass rushers.

I don't know if things have changed, but practice used to be open two days a week to the media during training camp. Regular season no, but...

[IchabodCrane84]

So Heck is just going to be fodder if the going really gets tough.

Crazy. What I find even more head scratching is Elijah Klein. This dude made the roster and got preseason work at center. Not only does he not play center when Barton moves outside, but he doesn't even play guard to replace Bredeson. A practice squad guy leap frogged him.

What does that say about our roster decisions? Draft position matters over performance? I don't like it. I'm a fan of Klein, but if there's someone better he doesn't deserve a roster spot.

[mdb1958]

So Heck is just going to be fodder if the going really gets tough.

Crazy. What I find even more head scratching is Elijah Klein. This dude made the roster and got preseason work at center. Not only does he not play center when Barton moves outside, but he doesn't even play guard to replace Bredeson. A practice squad guy leap frogged him.

What does that say about our roster decisions? Draft position matters over performance? I don't like it. I'm a fan of Klein, but if there's someone better he doesn't deserve a roster spot.

Ichabod - Jordan was a 4th round draft pick.

[IchabodCrane84]

Crazy. What I find even more head scratching is Elijah Klein. This dude made the roster and got preseason work at center. Not only does he not play center when Barton moves outside, but he doesn't even play guard to replace Bredeson. A practice squad guy leap frogged him.

What does that say about our roster decisions? Draft position matters over performance? I don't like it. I'm a fan of Klein, but if there's someone better he doesn't deserve a roster spot.

Ichabod - Jordan was a 4th round draft pick.

Right, but the Bucs didn't draft him. We signed him off the street and he's out playing a guy we spent a draft pick on. He should have Klein's spot and Klein can be the practice squad guy.

[mdb1958]

Ichabod - Jordan was a 4th round draft pick.

Right, but the Bucs didn't draft him. We signed him off the street and he's out playing a guy we spent a draft pick on. He should have Klein's spot and Klein can be the practice squad guy.

I wasnt aware that any of our guys were too ready to play LG. I also want Klein to progress so here we are.

[mdb1958]

Also, I let out a big hmm when we signed two undrafted centers with a 300,000 bonus and then Bowles says we arent looking for a backup center. I guess meaning we are looking for players that can play multiple positions.

Then yesterday happened. It almost makes me think Barton has asked to change positions.

[Rocker]

Jamel Dean restructures his deal, taking a pay cut. Will be a free agent in 26.


Pooter Report.

[Bootz]

Jamel Dean restructures his deal, taking a pay cut. Will be a free agent in 26.


Pooter Report.

@Grahamburn Does this answer your question?

[Snake]

Jamel Dean restructures his deal, taking a pay cut. Will be a free agent in 26.


Pooter Report.

Weird timing

[Doctor]

Dean is being on himself and the team. If we can get back to the promise land and he be another big part he'll get a great bag this off-season.

[Grahamburn]

Jamel Dean restructures his deal, taking a pay cut. Will be a free agent in 26.


Pooter Report.

@Grahamburn Does this answer your question?

I’m not sure what my question was?

Also don’t see how this helps the Bucs unless they’re about to sign a free agent?

I guess it motivates Dean to have a great year.

[Grahamburn]

Damn. $8M haircut for Dean. Wow.

[Bootz]

@Grahamburn Does this answer your question?

I’m not sure what my question was?

Also don’t see how this helps the Bucs unless they’re about to sign a free agent?

I guess it motivates Dean to have a great year.

Why would we cut Dean?

That question you keep asking. Seems OBP isnt nearly as high on him as you'd like to believe

[Grahamburn]

I’m not sure what my question was?

Also don’t see how this helps the Bucs unless they’re about to sign a free agent?

I guess it motivates Dean to have a great year.

Why would we cut Dean?

That question you keep asking. Seems OBP isnt nearly as high on him as you'd like to believe

It doesn’t really have anything to do with me, but… Did they cut him? No. I thought they’d try to trade him after the season similar to how they handled Davis.

Obviously this means he’s moving on after the year though.

I’d have to think there’s a corresponding move coming? An $8M pay cut is significant.

I don’t see how this helps the team otherwise.

[Snake]

If his 2026 season had more guaranteed money (as a percentage of the yearly total), he wouldn’t have done this.

Interesting move

[Bootz]

If his 2026 season had more guaranteed money (as a percentage of the yearly total), he wouldn’t have done this.

Interesting move

It seems they pulled a Cameron Brate on him. Licht threatened to cut Brate if he didn't take a paycut and have the remaining years on his deal wiped out. My guess is they were gonna cut him because he has no trade value but decided to keep him due to Morrison still being injured. But only if he agreed to a heavily reduced salary and that final un-guaranteed year wiped out.

[Grahamburn]

If his 2026 season had more guaranteed money (as a percentage of the yearly total), he wouldn’t have done this.

Interesting move

Right, but if they were just going to cut him after the year anyway why take less this year?

He has to have a reasonable expectation that he’s going to continue to start. Can’t show your worth to another team if he’s about to lose his job to Morrison.

This is weird.

[Snake]

If his 2026 season had more guaranteed money (as a percentage of the yearly total), he wouldn’t have done this.

Interesting move

It seems they pulled a Cameron Brate on him. Licht threatened to cut Brate if he didn't take a paycut and have the remaining years on his deal wiped out. My guess is they were gonna cut him because he has no trade value but decided to keep him due to Morrison still being injured. But only if he agreed to a heavily reduced salary and that final un-guaranteed year wiped out.

Excellent hypothesis. It’s very possible you’re correct.

I’ve been sitting here typing some hypothetical dialogue between his agent and the front office. And nothing from Dean’s end made sense to push for this.

[Bootz]

That question you keep asking. Seems OBP isnt nearly as high on him as you'd like to believe

It doesn’t really have anything to do with me, but… Did they cut him? No. I thought they’d try to trade him after the season similar to how they handled Davis.

Obviously this means he’s moving on after the year though.

I’d have to think there’s a corresponding move coming? An $8M pay cut is significant.

I don’t see how this helps the team otherwise.

It helps the team because they can get rid of him next year without having to eat any dead cap. You don't do this to players you believe are good.

And no it isnt about you, however you seem to keep wondering why he'd be cut since he's so cheap. He's not a good player and the Bucs obviously realize that.

[Grahamburn]

With Morrison hurt we don’t have any leverage though.

[Snake]

With Morrison hurt we don’t have any leverage though.

The leverage is (they believe) Dean isn’t much better than a replacement level player.

[Grahamburn]

It doesn’t really have anything to do with me, but… Did they cut him? No. I thought they’d try to trade him after the season similar to how they handled Davis.

Obviously this means he’s moving on after the year though.

I’d have to think there’s a corresponding move coming? An $8M pay cut is significant.

I don’t see how this helps the team otherwise.

It helps the team because they can get rid of him next year without having to eat any dead cap. You don't do this to players you believe are good.

And no it isnt about you, however you seem to keep wondering why he'd be cut since he's so cheap. He's not a good player and the Bucs obviously realize that.

No, I don’t get the hate for the guy, and he is cheap compared to other starters around the league.

He held up well against one of the premiere WRs in the game.

Even if he’s just average he’s worth his contract.

Something else is going on here.

[Grahamburn]

With Morrison hurt we don’t have any leverage though.

The leverage is (they believe) Dean isn’t much better than a replacement level player.

I guess so. We’re one injury away from starting Kindle Vildor without Dean.

[Backside]

So we get contract year Dean now

[Grahamburn]

So we get contract year Dean now

Already kind of had him. That’s what’s so weird about it. No guaranteed cash left on the deal so he was always playing for next year.

[Bootz]

The leverage is (they believe) Dean isn’t much better than a replacement level player.

I guess so. We’re one injury away from starting Kindle Vildor without Dean.

And it's likely OBP doesnt see much difference drop-off from Jamel Dean to Kindle Vildor.

[Backside]

Such a great team culture that players will give up $8 million just to stick around. /Doc