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  • Emeka Egbuka is the offensive rookie of the month

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    TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has been named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of Month for September.  

    The rookie wide receiver had an impressive first month with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

    Emeka Egbuka caught a deep ball that sailed through two defenders and raced toward the end zone before slowing down at the 1, turning around and walking backward to complete a 77-yard touchdown catch.

    What You Need To Know

    • Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year for September
    • Egbuka has 18 receptions for 282 yards and four touchdowns. He leads all rookies in yards and TDs
    • The Buccaneers visit the Seattle Seahawks (3-1) on Sunday in a homecoming game for Egbuka. He grew up about an hour south of Seattle

    Egbuka has 18 receptions for 282 yards and four touchdowns. He leads all rookies in yards and TDs.

    With Mike Evans sidelined by a hamstring injury, the Buccaneers (3-1) are counting on Egbuka even more. His long TD catch sparked a rally against the Eagles last week that fell short.

    The Buccaneers had other needs when it was their turn to pick 19th in the first round of the NFL draft. But they couldn’t pass up Egbuka, who had a stellar career at Ohio State.

    He’s lived up to expectations.

    “There (have) been a lot of adjustments it has taken to go from college to the NFL,” Egbuka said Wednesday. “There is not specifically one I can point at. Just taking the steps to be able to learn from my mistakes and grow each and every week. It is a very long season (and I have) to be able to not stay the same week in and week out, (have) to continue to grow.”

    The Buccaneers got Chris Godwin back last week for the first time since last October. They have more depth at the position with veteran Sterling Shepard and rookie Tez Johnson. When Evans and Jalen McMillan come back, it’ll give Baker Mayfield even more options.

    Egbuka is already drawing coverage from top cornerbacks.

    “Well, he’s going to attract the attention and he attracted Quinyon Mitchell, who’s a very good corner in his own right,” coach Todd Bowles said. “So, it was a good battle that way. But with Chris coming back, and Shep making plays, and with Tez coming on, we expect those guys to step up and make more plays too, to take some of the attention off him.”

    Egbuka impressed teammates right from the start upon arriving in Tampa Bay. Evans praised his route-running ability and maturity. Egbuka even corrected one of Mayfield’s play calls in his first week.

    Egbuka is soaking in as much knowledge as possible from the playmakers around him.

    “It was amazing,” he said about playing his first game with Godwin. “He is just so cerebral. I feel like there is a lot of similarities people draw between the two of us, so for me to be able to have someone who is like-minded across from me at the ball and just kind of go back and forth on the coverages we are seeing, the plays that we are running, how we can get the best, most opportune-look, we just feed off of each other. His energy is infectious, he is a competitor to the max, and having someone like that back in your room and on the field with you is just so huge for the offense as a whole.”

    The Buccaneers visit the Seattle Seahawks (3-1) on Sunday in a homecoming game for Egbuka. He grew up about an hour south of Seattle.

    There will be plenty of family and friends at the game. Egbuka is focused on the defense he’s going against. The Seahawks have excellent cornerbacks in Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen.

    “All 11 people on their defense play extremely hard. They play with a lot of energy, a lot of fire, they are all flying around to the ball, so playing a group with a lot of energy like that always makes it interesting for us and we (have) to be able to have them match our energy,” Egbuka said. “We want to come out just as energetic as they are. Obviously, they cover very well, they have a ton of great athletes there in their secondary. … There is not really a weak link on their defense.”

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

     

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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    Associated Press

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  • The Buccaneers: 50 years of Tampa Bay football

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    TAMPA, Fla. — As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare to begin a 50th season, fans across the Bay area and across the globe are celebrating five decades of football.

    Along the way, that journey included the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. And through it all, the franchise, its players and its fans have enjoyed a unique position in the pantheon of professional football.


    The Buccaneers ushered in pro sports to a burgeoning Bay area market in 1976, along with the NFL’s other new entry that year, the Seattle Seahawks.

    Tampa Bay infamously lost its first 26 games before securing a long-awaited victory. But in the years that followed, the team carved out its place in NFL history, developing a passionate fan base from Tampa Bay to Turkey.

    Their journey from orange and white “Bucco Bruce” uniforms to the red and pewter of championship glory stands as one of the league’s most dramatic evolutions. Tampa Bay maintains the worst winning percentage in NFL history (.410) yet is one of only 16 teams to hoist multiple Super Bowl trophies.

    The Buccaneers have earned respect with their fierce defenses over the years and memorable personalities in the locker room.

    From their first playoff run in 1979, to topping the NFL with their Super Bowl XXXVII victory, to Tom Brady leading them to glory in Super Bowl LV, Tampa Bay has been a franchise of unforgettable highs.

    The current Buccaneers, on a run of four-straight NFC South Division crowns and five straight playoff appearances, has been its most successful, will be looking for another playoff appearance this fall.

    The Early Years: Struggles and Resilience

    The Buccaneers’ 0–14 start was followed by a 2–12 campaign in 1977. But through those struggles, the team and its fans laid the foundation for its later success.

    By 1979, that resilience paid off. Led by head coach John McKay and Hall of Fame defensive end Lee Roy Selmon, the Buccaneers shocked the football world by reaching the NFC Championship Game in just their fourth season. Though they fell short, losing 9-0 to Los Angeles.

    Tampa Bay’s first draft pick in franchise history, Lee Roy Selmon (63) terrorized ball carriers and quarterbacks from 1976 to 1984 en route to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (Getty Images/Michael J. Minardi)

    The Orange and the Creamsicle Era

    For nearly two decades, the Bucs wore their now-beloved orange and white “creamsicle” uniforms, complete with the swashbuckling Bucco Bruce logo. After McKay and other coaches came and went, the losses piled up. The uniforms, meanwhile, though reviled by many, became a cultural symbol representing the team’s quirky charm.

    The Dungy Era and Defensive Dominance

    The franchise’s true turning point came in the mid-1990s with the hiring of head coach Tony Dungy. Along with general manager Rich McKay, he built one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history.

    The “Tampa 2” scheme, executed by legends like Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, John Lynch, and Ronde Barber, defined an era of dominance.

    Tampa Bay Linebacker Derrick Brooks returns an interception for a touchdown during Tampa Bay's 48-21 win against Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII in January 2003. Brooks would become Tampa Bay's second Hall of Famer at Lee Roy Selmon. (AP Image)

    Tampa Bay Linebacker Derrick Brooks returns an interception for a touchdown during Tampa Bay’s 48-21 win against Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII in January 2003. Brooks would become Tampa Bay’s second Hall of Famer at Lee Roy Selmon. (AP Image)

    Under Dungy, the Buccaneers returned to playoff contention, making four postseason appearances between 1997 and 2001. Though they fell short of a championship under Dungy, losing the 1999 NFC title game 11-6 to Los Angeles.

    Super Bowl XXXVII: Champions at Last

    In 2002, new head coach Jon Gruden took over, and with the dominant defense still intact, the Buccaneers stormed through the season and captured their first Lombardi Trophy. Their 48–21 dismantling of the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII was the pinnacle of the franchise’s first era of success.

    Brooks, Sapp, Lynch, Barber (and coach/defensive architect Dungy) became immortalized as Hall of Famers and forever heroes in Tampa Bay. 

    The Brady Era and a Second Championship

    After years of ups and mostly downs following their first title, the Buccaneers shocked the football world in 2020 by signing six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. The move instantly changed the team’s trajectory. 

    Tom Brady led Tampa Bay to 32 wins in three seasons with Tampa Bay, throwing 108 touchdown passes for the Bucs, including three in the 31-9 Super Bowl LV win against Kansas City at Raymond James Stadium. (AP Photo)

    Tom Brady led Tampa Bay to 32 wins in three seasons with Tampa Bay, throwing 108 touchdown passes for the Bucs, including three in the 31-9 Super Bowl LV win against Kansas City at Raymond James Stadium. (AP Photo)

    With Brady at the helm, along with offensive firepower from Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rob Gronkowski, the Buccaneers captured Super Bowl LV in their home stadium—an NFL first.

    The 31–9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs delivered a second championship and ushered in boat parades in Tampa Bay.  

    Fifty Years of Pirate Pride

    As the Buccaneers celebrate 50 seasons, the franchise looks back on a remarkable journey filled with heartbreak, excitement, perseverance, and triumph.

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    Rod Gipson

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  • Bucs wide receiver Jalen McMillan will miss time with strained neck, coach says

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan will miss time because of a strained neck.

    Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed the injury Tuesday, saying McMillan was hurt during Saturday’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

    Bowles said the receiver will miss some games early in the season, though it’s not known exactly how many.

    Rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka, the team’s first-round draft pick out of Ohio State, is expected to now play a more prominent role on the team’s offense.

    The Bucs wrap up the postseason with a Saturday night game against the Buffalo Bills at Raymond James Stadium.

    Tampa Bay has won both of its preseason games.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Bucs rookie Desmond Watson plays larger than life

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    TAMPA, Fla. — You couldn’t miss Desmond Watson at the Bucs Rookie Camp if you tried. He literally stood out.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The Tampa Bay Bucs signed Desmond Watson as an undrafted free agent

    •  Watson starred on the football field for the University of Florida and Armwood High School

    • Down more than 30 pounds from his weight during the Florida Gators 2025 Pro Day, he is still the heaviest player in the history of the NFL, but says he doesn’t want to be defined by his size


    One of the Bucs’ newest players was head and shoulders above the other newbies on the team. When you are 6 feet, 6 inches tall and weigh a little over 430 pounds, you’re going to stand out.

    Watson gets it. He knows people are talking about his size, but soon, he wants them to be talking about his play on the field.

    “I don’t want that to be my narrative and things like that,” he said. “I want to be known as a football player, and good football player at that.”

    Watson is working hard to bring his weight down, and he already has from the 464 pounds he weighed at the Florida Gators 2025 Pro Day. He said he would like to get down to his playing weight when he starred on the football field for the Armwood Hawks.

    His high school coach, Evan Davis, recalled how Watson took over games. How he towered over offensive linemen. How he looked like a man amongst boys. But mostly, he remembered how much fun Watson had on the football field.

    “He’s one of the smartest football players,” Davis said. “Even though he plays in the interior on the defense, he can tell you what the safety and the cornerback’s doing. He knows the offense, it will allow him to play even faster. And obviously, he’s just a force of nature physically.”

    In the Armwood weight room where Watson put in a lot of hours, his mom, Deonzia Woullard, watched video of him practicing with the Bucs for the first time. She couldn’t help but beam with pride. Watson’s No. 1 fan also happens to be a lifelong Tampa Bay fan. His dad rooted for the Pittsburgh Steelers, resulting in Watson dressed in Steelers colors as a baby. But it was his mom who dressed him in Bucs red days after he was born to celebrate the team’s first Super Bowl win.

    “He knows what he has to do to get there, and he’s working hard to get there,” Deonzia said. “He knows he’s not entitled. He knows it’s not just going to be given to him. And he’s just doing what he needs to do to get there.”

    The NFL is going to be a different challenge for Watson.

    And his weight isn’t the only number he’s changing. At Armwood and Florida, he wore No. 21. For the Bucs, he’ll wear No. 56. But 21 will always be his motivational number. It’s the number his younger brother Dyson wore when he played youth football. Dyson’s playing career ended when he suffered a stroke at the age of 5. He’s been confined to a wheelchair ever since. Watson said he plays in his honor.

    “In honor of him not being able to play anymore,” he said. “I guess I can use that number and be in the spotlight and get my number called just to put a smile on his face.”

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    Katherine Smith

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  • Injuries to Godwin & Evans will test Tampa Bay’s depth and resiliency

    Injuries to Godwin & Evans will test Tampa Bay’s depth and resiliency

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    TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The depth and resiliency of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are about to be tested.

    The three-time defending NFC South champions lost their top two playmakers during Monday night’s 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are arguably the best receivers the franchise has ever had — not to mention one of the most dynamic duos in the NFL.

    Evans, the club’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, touchdown catches and scoring, limped off with a hamstring injury on a night he gave the Bucs an early lead with the 100th TD catch of his career.

    Godwin, second on Tampa Bay’s career list for receptions, receiving yards and TD catches, was carted to the locker room after suffering a dislocated left ankle in the final minute of a game that Lamar Jackson and the Ravens dominated more than the final score might suggest.

    Coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday that Godwin will have surgery and likely be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. He possibly could return during the playoffs if the Bucs (4-3) wind up playing deep into January.

    Evans is expected to miss the next three games against Atlanta, Kansas City and San Francisco as Tampa Bay finishes a stretch in which it faces three of the four teams that played in last season’s conference finals.

    If all goes well, Bowles thinks the 31-year-old receiver could return to the lineup following the team’s bye week, when the Bucs visit the New York Giants on Nov. 24.

    While the Bucs are exploring options, it sounds as if they’re not likely to pursue a deal to bring in any high-profile receivers.

    “We’ve looked outside the building. But to get a true No. 1 in here, you’ve got to make massive trades and give up quite a bit. That’s not where we are at this point,” Bowles said. “We feel comfortable with the guys in the in the building. They’re probably not of the name status as Mike and Chris, or as accomplished right now, but that doesn’t mean they can’t play.”

    So to keep Tampa Bay’s offense humming, Baker Mayfield likely will have to rely more on a rejuvenated running game, as well as a mostly young group of receivers that includes rookie Jalen McMillan, second-year pro Trey Palmer and veteran Sterling Shepard, one of Mayfield’s former college teammates at Oklahoma.

    “The biggest thing is with those guys having to step up, we’re not going to ask them to be Mike and Chris. We know what they were when they made this team. We’re going to ask them to do the things they can do,” Bowles said. “We’re going to specialize in their talents, make them play fast and play hard, and then we’ll be OK.”

    What’s working

    Despite being dominated by the Ravens, who scored on seven of nine possessions with Lamar Jackson in the game, the Bucs continued to demonstrate they’re capable of moving the ball against any defense. Mayfield threw for 370 yards and three TDs, but he was sacked three times and threw a pair of costly interceptions. The Bucs finished with 481 yards, though a big chunk of that came after they fell behind by 24 points late in the third quarter.

    What needs help

    The Ravens have the NFL’s No. 1 rushing attack, and Derrick Henry had another monster night with 169 yards on 15 carries, including an 81-yard run. The Bucs have had one of the best run defenses in the league since Bowles joined the team as defensive coordinator in 2019. Baltimore gained 244 on the ground Monday night, so any solutions Bowles is searching for on that side of the ball have to begin with fixing the run defense.

    Stock up

    Rookie running back Bucky Irving, a fourth-round draft pick out of Oregon, continues to impress. He averaged just 2.6 yards per carry in rushing for 23 yards on nine attempts against Baltimore. However, he scored his third TD of the season and contributed to the passing game with three receptions for 54 yards.

    Stock down

    Slumping punter Jake Camarda was waived Tuesday. He was inactive Monday night and had been a healthy scratch for three of four games since the Bucs signed Trenton Gill to the practice squad.

    Injuries

    The Bucs may have to play this week without rookie safety Tykee Smith, who left Monday night’s game after being evaluated for a concussion.

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    Associated Press

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  • For Mayfield, other Bucs, OTAs providing valuable work time

    For Mayfield, other Bucs, OTAs providing valuable work time

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     TAMPA, Fla. — The Buccaneers are going through their final week of OTAs.

    For quarterback Baker Mayfield, this year’s organized team activities are much different than a year ago.

    What You Need To Know

    • Bucs wrapping up OTAs this week 
    • Bucs offense busy installing offense under new OC Liam Coen
    • Team will have one more June minicamp before training camp in late July 
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    This year, number 6 is armed with a new contract and learning a new offense being installed by new Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen.

    “Nobody has played a down yet, everybody is working for the same goal but mentality wise this team were hungry and back at it,” said Mayfield, who signed a three-year, $100-million deal with the Bucs in the offseason. “It’s really awesome that we have everybody here on offense, going through that so everybody’s hearing it were all talking about it, learning from it, good and bad plays, that’s what this time period is about, you can’t win or lose ball games right now you can only try to get better.”

    Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles has also seen players in this camp who were not expected to be at these voluntary activities, like veteran Mike Evans who showed up today, a sign his team his hungry to get started.

     

    “There’s a lot of guys that want to win, said Bowles, who led the Bucs to a division crown and wildcard playoff win last season. “The chemistry starts here and continues in training camp, so it’s important for these guys to come in.  

    “We understand it’s voluntary and we thank them for coming in, you know they know they need to work, they’re very professional about it and they try to help the young guys.”

    With mandatory minicamp coming up next week, it’s these practices that set the tone for training camp.

    “You we really want to stress the mental aspect of the game right now,” Mayfield said. “(And) try and learn as much as you can to where it comes to live bullets during training camp it’s second nature.”

    Mandatory minicamp will take place June 11-13 with training camp set to begin in late July.

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    Mike Cairns

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  • THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Buffalo Bills

    THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Buffalo Bills

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    In what promises to be a NFL Thursday Night Football battle, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face off against the Buffalo Bills in Week 8. Both teams lost in Week 7 and will look to grab a win this week.

    Listen live to your choice of the home, away, or national feed on the SiriusXM App. Kickoff is October 26 at 8:15pm ET.

    Stream the Buffalo Bills broadcast (Ch. 803)

    Stream the Tampa Bay Buccaneers broadcast (Ch. 829)

    Stream the National broadcast (Ch. 88)

    Home: Buffalo Bills

    Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen passed for 265 yards and had 3 total touchdowns last week. He’s chasing his fifth straight game with multiple TD passes and has an impressive record in Buffalo with six consecutive wins.

    Running back James Cook has been a versatile contributor, leading the team with 102 scrimmage yards last week and securing his first touchdown catch of the season.

    Wide receiver Stefon Diggs has six or more catches and 55 or more receiving yards in all seven games this season. He’s also had 100+ receiving yards in four of the last five games and aims for his fifth straight game with a touchdown catch on Thursday.

    Buffalo Bills Home Feed

    SiriusXM channel 225 in your vehicle

    Channel 803 on the SiriusXM App

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers Away Feed

    SiriusXM channel 226 in your vehicle

    Channel 829 on the SiriusXM App

    National Feed

    SiriusXM channel 88 in your vehicle

    Channel 88 via on SiriusXM App

    Away: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    In Week 7, quarterback Baker Mayfield passed for 275 yards and a touchdown. He’s been on fire in road games this season, boasting a 2-0 record with five touchdowns and a 105.6 passer rating.

    Running back Rachaad White shined in Week 7 with a season-high six catches and 99 scrimmage yards, including a career-best 65 receiving yards and 34 rushing yards. He has consistently contributed with over 60 scrimmage yards in four of his last five games.

    Wide receiver Mike Evans is a touchdown machine, notching his fourth of the season in the previous week. Evans has a history of success against Buffalo, with 13 receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns in just two career games. He’s aiming for his third consecutive touchdown against the Bills.

    For more on SiriusXM’s NFL programming, visit SiriusXM.com/NFL.


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    Matthew Fanizza

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