Better late than never. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were expected to have one of the best offensive lines in the league this year, if not the best. 

The line was one of the NFL’s most dominant units in 2024, paving the way for Tampa to have the fourth-best rushing attack in the league and a career season from quarterback Baker Mayfield, who threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. 

Unfortunately, the offensive line was decimated by injuries in 2025, and it derailed the entire offense. Four of the five starters, including superstar left tackle Tristan Wirfs, missed at least five games. Guard Cody Mauch suffered a knee injury in Week 2 and missed the rest of the season. 

With all five starters healthy again heading into the season, expectations for the line were sky-high for 2026. 

However, the line didn’t come close to meeting those expectations through Tampa’s first six games. Mayfield and Jalon Daniels started three games each and were sacked a total of 22 times, a pace that would shatter the most ever allowed by the Bucs in a season (56). 

In addition to the sacks, Tampa’s line has also committed an unacceptable number of penalties this season. It was fair to say the offensive line was the Bucs’ biggest disappointment. 

For a team that started 1-5 and looked hopeless, that is saying a lot. 

That all changed on Sunday in Tampa’s 43-13 beatdown of the first-place Carolina Panthers. 

Sunday’s season-saving victory was highlighted by a dominant performance from Tampa’s offensive line. 

The line couldn’t have been under more pressure to step up. Not only was the Bucs’ season on the line, but the game was on the road against the division leader, and Mayfield was returning from a three-week absence with a dislocated thumb. 

It was clear that Mayfield still isn’t 100%, as evidenced by Tampa attempting only 11 passes all game, with only two going for more than nine yards. 

Don’t let that take away from how great the offensive line played. 

Not only did Mayfield stay upright all game, keeping his injured thumb out of harm’s way, but the line plowed the road for the Bucs to have an exceptional day running the ball. 

The Bucs racked up 258 rushing yards, the third-most in team history, on an astounding 49 carries. They also scored three touchdowns on the ground and averaged 5.3 yards per carry. 

Everybody got in on the fun against the Panthers. Starter Bucky Irving ran 24 times for 106 yards and two TDs. Sunday was the second multi-score game of his career (the other was Week 5 at Dallas). Kenny Gainwell, who came into Sunday’s contest with only 19 carries all season, got 14 carries, which he turned into 88 yards. 

Even third-string RB Sean Tucker made an impact with seven rushes for 52 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown. 

All three backs were terrific, but much of the credit must go to the offensive line. 

Being able to open giant holes all day despite the defense knowing the Bucs were a one-dimensional offense is extremely difficult and shows just how dominant the line played. 

The Bucs saved their season against the Panthers on Sunday. 

The offensive line was the engine that made it possible. 

It may have taken a few weeks, but the elite offensive line many expected Tampa to field this season finally arrived. If the line plays this way going forward, the Bucs can still make something out of a season that has appeared lost on multiple occasions.