The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have left fans and analysts questioning the state of their offense following a lackluster preseason, culminating in a disheartening 19-0 defeat against the Jacksonville Jaguars in their final exhibition game. With the regular season just around the corner, the question arises: should there be concern regarding the Buccaneers' offensive capabilities? While some worry may be warranted, there is still time to assess the situation before hitting the panic button.
Throughout the preseason, the Buccaneers managed to accumulate a mere 350 passing yards and only one touchdown through the air. Their quarterbacks averaged an unimpressive 4.8 yards per attempt and were sacked nine times. In the game against the Jaguars, Tampa Bay's offense struggled tremendously, recording just 120 total yards, six first downs, and an average of 1.9 yards per play. Their third-down conversion rate was a disappointing 16.7%, going 2-for-12, and they were forced to punt the ball ten times. Head coach Todd Bowles did not shy away from addressing the team's shortcomings, emphasizing the offense's failure to protect the quarterback and establish a running game.
Even during their matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, the results were far from encouraging. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is expected to lead the offense, played only two possessions, completing 2 of 4 passes for a mere 10 yards. The first-team offense was unable to find the end zone, and the team was shut out in the first half until Jalon Daniels finally ignited three consecutive scoring drives.
Despite these alarming statistics, it is essential to note that Mayfield's preseason involvement was limited. He attempted only four passes throughout the entire preseason and sat out games against both the New York Jets and the Jaguars. The Buccaneers seemed more focused on assessing their roster depth rather than showcasing what offensive coordinator Zac Robinson's scheme will look like with the starters. Robinson's inaugural season in this role will ultimately be evaluated based on how Mayfield performs with the starting offensive line and the team's primary weapons, rather than the performances of backup quarterbacks like Jalon Daniels, Jake Browning, and Connor Bazelak, who played behind second-string offensive linemen.
As the Buccaneers' backup offensive line struggled throughout the preseason, the entire offense faced challenges in sustaining drives, regardless of who was under center. The lack of explosive plays further compounded the concerns about their offensive efficiency. If injuries occur during the regular season, forcing the team to rely on their depth, this could pose a significant issue. However, judging the starting offense based on these limited preseason games may not provide an accurate picture of their potential. If the same issues persist when they face the Cincinnati Bengals in their season opener, then the concerns will be justified. For now, though, the panic level should remain relatively low as the Buccaneers prepare for the upcoming season.
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