Buccaneers Training Camp Dates Set for Rookies, Veterans

The training camp dates are set for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- rookies will report on July 27, the veterans on July 28 and the first practice is on July 29.

Training camp signifies that the new season is around the corner, and practice intensity is ramping up. The players will have full-contact sessions throughout the period, getting acclimated to what the real game will feel like.

It's also an opportunity for players to show what they have worked on during the break from OTAs. Safety Antoine Winfield and the Buccaneers' secondary are putting the new defensive concepts into play during training camp.

Standout rookies Rueben Bain Jr., Keionte Scott and Ted Hurst are aiming to make their mark in competition for playing time. Hurst, a 6-foot-3 wide receiver, is battling to become the No. 3 receiving option for quarterback Baker Mayfield.

He is competing against Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson for those snaps. His size is a significant advantage over the two, but McMillan and Johnson have the edge in experience in Bowles' offensive scheme.

The wide receiver corps is probably the position with the most eyes on it. Emeka Egbuka is heading into Year 2 and is looking to grow into a lead receiver after franchise legend Mike Evans signed with the San Francisco 49ers on a three-year, $60 million deal.

Linebacker is also another position group to keep an eye on. Lavonte David decided to hang up his cleats, creating a huge void for his successors to fulfill in the coming season.

Alex Anzalone is the most experienced linebacker in the group and could step up as a new leader, despite being a newcomer. The Buccaneers also added young talent in Josiah Trotter (2026, 54th overall pick) and David Walker, returning from a torn ACL that wiped out his rookie season last year.

Tampa Bay will hold joint practices in August with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets before the preseason starts. Jacksonville's coach, Liam Coen, will reunite with his former team, as he served as the offensive coordinator in 2024.

As for the Jets, the two teams scheduled joint practices in 2023. They completed the first practice, but former Jets coach Robert Saleh cancelled the second due to player safety; too many fights broke out in the first.

The new season is around the corner, and training camp is the culmination of Tampa Bay's offseason work as they aim to overwrite an injury-riddled 2025 with a winning season and playoff appearance.

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