Anchored by All-Pro Tristan Wirfs, a healthy Tampa Bay front looks to reclaim its elite 2024 form and ignite an explosive rushing attack to fuel a championship run.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have an underrated strength that could propel them into becoming true championship contenders.
Most of the talk surrounding the Bucs' ceiling in 2026 focuses on their offense, specifically whether or not it can overcome the loss of wide receiver Mike Evans, or how good the defense can be with all of its new additions.
3ew It has been easy to overlook Tampa's offensive line, which could be one of the strongest units on the team.
Led by All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs, the Bucs' offensive line has the talent to be one of the best in the entire NFL.
Will it be able to realize its full potential in 2026? The line took a major step backwards in 2025, and is looking to right the ship as we approach the 2026 season.
Health Is Key
Much of the line's struggles in 2025 can be blamed on the injuries it had to deal with.
Wirfs missed five games, while left guard Ben Bredeson and right tackle Luke Goedeke each missed six. Right guard Cody Mauch only made it to Week 2, when a serious knee injury knocked him out for the rest of the season.
That means 80% of the starting offensive line missed a significant portion of the 2025 season, which was a big reason the Bucs scored a full touchdown less in 2025 (22.4 PPG) than in 2024 (29.5 PPG).
With the line healthy again, it is looking to return to its 2024 form, when it helped lead Tampa to the league's third-ranked overall and passing offense, and fourth-best rushing offense.
Rushing Offense Suffered
The Bucs' rushing offense dramatically declined in 2025. Running back Bucky Irving, coming off a star-making rookie season in 2024 in which he ran for 1,122 yards and eight scores, while averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry, only averaged a meager 3.4 YPC.
Irving himself missed a large chunk of the season with injuries and is looking to rebound in 2026. The Bucs added versatile RB Kenneth Gainwell in free agency to be Irving's new backfield mate. The two have a shot to be one of the most explosive RB duos in the league.
In order for that to happen, the guys on the offensive line must lead the way.
Final Thoughts
As long as Wirfs is anchoring Tampa's offensive line, it has the potential to be excellent. The all-world tackle is one of the best in the business, and he was recently named the 22nd best player in the entire NFL by Pete Prisco of CBS Sports.
Frankly, that ranking may be a bit low for Wirfs, who, along with Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions, is in the very top tier of tackles in the league.
As long as it can remain healthy, Tampa's offensive line can be one of the very best in the NFL and can be the catalyst for a potentially great offense.
If the Bucs' o-line can play to its potential in 2026, it will be impossible to be overlooked any longer.
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