Buccaneers must solve their tight end coverage issues while preparing for Justin Jefferson and the Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson is considered one of the best—if not the best— wide receivers in the NFL. And as one of the best at his craft, opposing defenses have had to account where he is on the field since he first stepped on to an NFL field in 2020.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) will likely be no different in trying to limit Jefferson’s impact in the passing game when they welcome Vikings (2-0) to Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 27, but doing so could expose one of the defenses’ biggest weaknesses—defending against tight ends.
Troubling Trend
In their season-opening 33-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) the Tampa Bay defense held the NFL’s other claimant as the league’s best wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, to just two catches on four targets for 12 yards. Along with shutting down Chase, the Buccaneers also held Tee Higgins to just three catches on six targets for 59 yards, and held both out of the end zone.
While they succeeded in limiting the Bengals’ elite duo, tight end Mike Gesicki took over the game. Gesicki torched the defense for five receptions on seven targets for 78 yards and a touchdown against the Buccaneers. He also registered five first downs and had an average depth of target of 9.0. Backup tight end Drew Sample also chipped in by catching all three of his targets for 19 yards and a first down reception.
In their 23-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns (1-1), the Buccaneers’ defense held both rookie wide receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion to less than 100 yards receiving, but the tight ends proved to be the difference for the second consecutive game. Harold Fannin Jr. caught five passes on six targets for 54 yards and three first downs, while little used Blake Whiteheart caught what ultimately was the game-winning 17-yard touchdown with 3:51 left in the game.
Defending the Middle
Jefferson is not off to a blazing start after two games with backup quarterback Carson Wentz at the helm, but has 11 receptions for 147 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Currently, Jefferson is in the top 20 in the NFL for yards, receptions, targets, receiving touchdowns, explosive plays and receiving yards per game.
The Tampa Bay defense will obviously be on high alert when Jefferson is on the field, but like the Bengals and Browns, the Vikings have an experienced tight end room with TJ Hockenson and Josh Oliver.
Through two games Hockenson has seven catches on nine targets for 65 yards and a receiving touchdown, which sparked Minnesota’s 39-22 come-from-behind win against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. Oliver has contributed three catches on five targets for 46 yards.
Quarterback Kyler Murray is expected to return for the game against Tampa Bay after suffering a concussion against the Packers, adding a new wrinkle to the Vikings’ offense. While he has yet to play a full game in a Minnesota uniform Murray has frequently relied on quick passes over the middle of the field where tight ends can serve as security blankets.
In his two previous games against the Buccaneers Jefferson caught four passes for 39 yards in his rookie season (2020) and had 150 yards on nine catches in 2023, but he has never had a receiving touchdown against Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers might once again be able to keep Jefferson out of the end zone, but the difference in getting their first win of the season might be how they defend the tight ends.
