TAMPA, Fla. — On Tuesday night, Todd Bowles spoke to the entire team before taking the practice field the following morning. His message was clear. While winning three straight divisional titles is impressive, they have to strive for more.
It's time to win another Super Bowl in Tampa Bay.
"You’ve got to set a tone at the start of training camp," Bowles said Wednesday morning. "We’re in this to win the big thing. They’ve got to see the big picture. The guys understand that and that’s what we’re working towards.”
Entering the 2023 campaign, there were plenty of question marks. Tom Brady left, the salary cap was an issue and the offensive line needed serious shuffling. Externally, there was the belief this team was heading towards a rebuild.
That obviously did not happen.
"We knew the caliber of players that we had, and this year, we're going to be better, I feel like it's already showing. I know it's just day one, but OTAs were different than they were the year before," said wide receiver Mike Evans.
The 2024 group lost Super Bowl pieces like Carlton Davis, Shaquil Barrett and Devin White, but overall, there are plenty of players returning.
Evans, Baker Mayfield, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Lavonte David all inked new deals with the organization in the offseason.
Jordan Whitehead makes a return to the franchise after a two-year stint in New York with the Jets.
Guys like Calijah Kancey, Yaya Diaby, Christian Izien and Trey Palmer won't be rookies anymore.
There is reason to believe the Buccaneers will improve upon the performance we saw one year ago. The players also impressed Bowles showing up to the team facility Tuesday.
"This is probably the most in shape that we’ve come in in about three or four years," Bowles said.
Someone who looks in fantastic shape, besides Vita Vea who has slimmed down impressively, is Tristan Wirfs.
It is no secret Wirfs wants a new contract, but on the first day of camp, Wirfs did not hold-in or hold-out. He was on the grass practicing with his teammates through all the drills.
"It says a lot about his character," said Antoine Winfield Jr. "Tristan loves playing football. It’s a business at the end of the day and I think they’re going to work things out. I hope Tristan gets everything that he deserves."
Meanwhile, Randy Gregory has still not reported and Todd Bowles had no answers on Wednesday as to why it was happening. It is looking like Gregory's career in Tampa Bay might be over before it starts, which is why Bowles is also not sweating about the loss too much.
"We’ve never had him to begin with. He hasn’t been here. We’ve been OK with the depth we’ve got. We’ve got some guys that can play and we’re going to get them ready to play," Bowles said.
As for jobs to keep an eye on, rookie Graham Barton was rotating with veteran Robert Hainsey at the starting center position. Also, Ben Bredeson seems like the leader in the clubhouse for the other starting guard spot across from Cody Mauch, though Sua Opeta will get his opportunities.
Once the pads go on July 29, we will start learning what kind of team Todd Bowles is building for that first game against the Commanders inside Raymond James Stadium in September.