Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp preview: Key dates, notable additions, biggest storylines

With 2024 NFL training camps set to open, it’s time to get up to speed on all 32 NFL teams. Bobby Kownack has the lowdown on position battles, key players and notable subplots across the NFC South.

Catch up on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offseason developments and 2024 outlook below.

Training Camp Dates/Information

• Players report: July 22 (rookies); July 23 (veterans)
• Location: AdventHealth Training Center | Tampa, Florida (fan information)

Notable Roster Changes

Preseason Schedule

• Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals | 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 10
• Week 2: at Jacksonville Jaguars | 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 17
• Week 3: vs. Miami Dolphins | 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 23

2024 Schedule Notes

• The Bucs open the season with three of their first four games at home.
• Tampa Bay also closes the season with back-to-back home games.
• The Bucs face both teams they played in last season’s playoffs, traveling to Detroit in Week 2 and hosting the Eagles in Week 4.

— NFL Research

What You Need To Know

1) What does Baker Mayfield have in store for an encore? A couple years after seemingly slipping into the role of journeyman, the former No. 1 overall pick now has some security with a three-year contract following the best season of his career. Although he’s no stranger to change, the biggest pitfall ahead will be adjusting to another new offense. Gone is Dave Canales, much heralded as a quarterback guru, but offensive coordinator Liam Coen and Mayfield did cross paths briefly in 2022 with the Los Angeles Rams. There will be a foundation already in place between coach and player. Consistency across Mayfield’s weaponry should help, too. The Bucs return his five top pass catchers from a season ago after re-signing five-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans to a two-year deal.

2) Speaking of pass catchers, there’s plenty to figure out in what appears to be an improved hierarchy behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, who will be using August to streamline his transition back to the slot. Trey Palmer was the clear WR3 last season, but Tampa Bay now has two new options in the room from opposite ends of the spectrum. If veteran Sterling Shepard stays healthy, can he eat into some playing time after his old Sooners teammate, Mayfield, helped make him a Buc? Then, there’s third-round rookie Jalen McMillan, an heir apparent to Godwin in the slot who has the talent to turn some heads. The first couple weeks of practice will also give us a glimpse into whether Coen’s system boosts targets for tight end Cade Otton and Rachaad White, one of the better receiving backs in the league.

3) There will be new starters at two of the three interior spots on the offensive line. Offensive tackle Luke Goedeke and guard Cody Mauch have the right side secure, while Tristan Wirfs provides All-Pro-caliber services at left tackle — although his desire for an extension is an added wrinkle. The Bucs are entrusting their snapping duties to rookie Graham Barton, the first center off the board in the 2024 draft. As for right guard, Todd Bowles already promised a “heck of a battle” between Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta.

4) Finding the right mix at edge rusher might take some trial and error. YaYa Diaby deserves first dibs on reps. He was everything Tampa Bay hoped for as a rookie and got stronger as the year progressed. Despite never playing in more than two-thirds of the defensive snaps in a game, Diaby led the team with 7.5 sacks, all of which came from late October on. We’ll see if second-rounder Chris Braswell ends up on a similar rookie schedule to Diaby’s, with the team increasing his role as he develops. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka finds himself in prove-it mode after the Bucs declined his fifth-year option. Anthony Nelson and Randy Gregory are crucial veteran options who could allow Tampa Bay to stay fresh and dangerous for entire games, although Gregory might start off in the doghouse after his unexcused absence from mandatory minicamp.

5) Tampa Bay locked down its safety spots thanks to Antoine Winfield Jr.‘s market-setting extension and the return of Jordan Whitehead, but cornerback has an unknown element to it behind Jamel Dean. Zyon McCollum made nine starts in 2023 while filling in for Dean and the since-departed Carlton Davis, but he struggled with a 50.4 PFF defensive grade. Will McCollum improve to earn the starting gig at the other outside corner spot, or can someone like Bryce Hall make a statement to beat him out? Hall played a lot less than McCollum last year, but he had a higher PFF grade (66.4) and has experience with Whitehead from their time with the Jets. At nickel, it’s a similar story with free-agent signee Tavierre Thomas (72.2) grading out better than a returning Buccaneer, Christian Izien (67.6). Third-rounder Tykee Smith brings an ability to contribute in multiple looks.

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