5 Things We Learned About the Buccaneers in the 2023 Season
David Connelly
Host · Writer
Rachaad White Has Improved Immensely
I was out on Rachaad White entering the 2023 season, and I'll be the first to admit I was wrong. He was an abysmal rusher in 2022, and he completely shifted his style in 2023, becoming a more patient runner focusing on vision as the play develops. He's one of the league's best pass-catchers out of the backfield and a great safety net for a quarterback. White could be in for a Pro Bowl season in 2024.
Todd Bowles Still Isn't the Answer
Between many mistakes last season and this season, combined with the backlash received for not utilizing a timeout when Detroit was kneeling out the game in the Divisional Round loss, Bowles has clearly shown he is not the answer in Tampa Bay. The Bucs have made the playoffs in two consecutive seasons despite their head coach, and Bowles's track record proves he isn't cut out to run a team. The sooner the Bucs can move on here, the better.
Dave Canales Continues to Be a Wizard
Canales has given career seasons to Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield after both were left for dead as legitimate NFL quarterbacks. His creativity with the offense was a refreshing sight for Bucs fans after a dreadful offensive attack in Brady's final season, where the team often struggled to get points on the board. Unfortunately, Canales may be offered a head coaching position, leaving Tampa Bay with a void in its coaching staff.
This Team Still Boasts Plenty of Talent
The headline of the offseason was replacing Tom Brady, yet the other 52 on this roster still have loads of talent. The Bucs seem to have drafted solid pieces in YaYa Diaby and Trey Palmer on both sides of the football, while franchise cornerstones to their Super Bowl title, Lavonte David and Mike Evans, remain. Although both are on the wrong side of 30, they were crucial to the team's success in 2023 and can still give another high-level season or two before their decline starts to hit.
Antoine Winfield Is the Best Safety in the NFL
In one of the more prominent snubs among end-of-season awards, Antoine Winfield Jr. somehow missed out on a Pro Bowl yet was named First-Team All-Pro. He is a game-changer and must be accounted for on every play. Winfield will continue to improve, being only 25 years old. He should be the priority among the free agents that Tampa Bay needs to re-sign this offseason.
Rachaad White Has Improved Immensely
I was out on Rachaad White entering the 2023 season, and I'll be the first to admit I was wrong. He was an abysmal rusher in 2022, and he completely shifted his style in 2023, becoming a more patient runner focusing on vision as the play develops. He's one of the league's best pass-catchers out of the backfield and a great safety net for a quarterback. White could be in for a Pro Bowl season in 2024.
Todd Bowles Still Isn't the Answer
Between many mistakes last season and this season, combined with the backlash received for not utilizing a timeout when Detroit was kneeling out the game in the Divisional Round loss, Bowles has clearly shown he is not the answer in Tampa Bay. The Bucs have made the playoffs in two consecutive seasons despite their head coach, and Bowles's track record proves he isn't cut out to run a team. The sooner the Bucs can move on here, the better.
