McLaughlin shattered franchise records last season. Can a legendary new coach help him achieve an even greater feat this year?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have often had issues with special teams over the past few seasons, ranking within the bottom-two teams in the NFL in kickoff-return yards allowed last year while surrendering five blocked kicks.
However, the overall kicking production was stellar. Much of the credit goes to Tampa's place kicker, Chase McLaughlin.
McLaughlin had perhaps the best kicking season in franchise history, making 32 of 38 field-goal attempts, including 11 of 12 from 50 or more yards.
In Week 8 of last season, McLaughlin set the franchise record with a 65-yard bomb against the Philadelphia Eagles, just three yards short of the NFL record set by Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little, who nailed a 68-yarder in November.
Following the game, McLaughlin said he wasn't sure he made it until his lineman gave him the cue.
"I never saw the ball," McLaughlin told ESPN. "I had no idea. I saw whoever the returner was back there under the uprights -- I saw him look to his left, my right -- so I actually was kind of disappointed because I thought I missed it right. And shortly after that, some of our lineman turned around with their arms up so it was at that point I knew that it went in."
McLaughlin continued his long-range accuracy all season, converting on all kicks 50 yards or further until Week 17.
Now McLaughlin enters his fourth season in Tampa Bay under a new special teams coordinator. In late January, one of the most respected special teams specialists in the business, Danny Smith, joined the Buccaneers with nearly 30 years of NFL experience.
Smith spent the past 13 seasons in that position for the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, their head coach, Mike Tomlin, stepped down on January 13, ending the two's long partnership.
Following the hire, Bucs coach Todd Bowles talked about what it means to bring on a coach with Smith's reputation and abilities.
"Danny is one of the most respected and highly regarded special teams coaches in our league," Bowles said. "He is an extraordinary teacher and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all areas of special teams. I am confident that he will get the most out of our players and take our special teams unit to the next level."
In Pittsburgh, Smith produced two All-Pros, kicker Chris Boswell and safety Miles Killebrew. Killebrew, a 2023 All-Pro, followed Smith to Tampa Bay this offseason, signing a one-year, $1.8 million deal.
Boswell earned the honor in 2024, converting on 41 of 44 field-goal attempts, making all 35 of his extra--points tries.
After bouncing around the NFL early in his career, McLaughlin has found a home in Tampa Bay. Over his three seasons, he has converted 91 of 101 FG kicks overall, drilling 26 of 30 attempts from 50 yards or longer.
According to Pro Football Reference's count, McLaughlin's 26 makes from distance are the most in a three-year span in Bucs history.
With the addition of Smith, the sky is the limit for McLaughlin, who is on the last year of his contract with Tampa Bay.
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