Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Surprising Success and Key Weaknesses Midway Through the 2025 NFL Season
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Surprising Success: A Look at Strengths and Weaknesses Mid-Season
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head into their Week 9 bye with a commendable 6-2 record, fans and analysts alike are buzzing about the team’s unexpected success this NFL season. While many may view this performance as a pleasant surprise, those closely following the Bucs recognize that the groundwork for this achievement has been laid over several years by General Manager Jason Licht.
Licht’s strategic assembly of a balanced roster, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and promising rookies, has been pivotal. The standout performance of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is arguably playing the best football of his career, has further solidified the team’s position. Despite facing a slew of injuries to key players, the depth cultivated by Licht has allowed the Buccaneers to navigate these challenges effectively.
However, not all is rosy in Tampa Bay. The inside linebacker position has emerged as a glaring weakness. While Lavonte David continues to be a reliable leader on defense, his age—now 35—raises concerns about his ability to shoulder the load alone. Last offseason, many fans called for the Bucs to bolster this position through the draft or free agency, but Licht opted to trust in third-year player SirVocea Dennis. Unfortunately, Dennis’s performance has not met expectations, particularly in coverage, where he ranks last among 70 graded inside linebackers, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Dennis has surrendered a staggering 438 yards in coverage, the worst figure in the league, raising alarms about the Bucs’ defensive vulnerabilities. Even David’s performance has dipped, with a PFF coverage grade placing him among the lower tier of linebackers.
As the season progresses, the Buccaneers face a critical decision: how to address their linebacker woes. With the Miami Dolphins struggling at 2-6, analysts suggest that a trade for veteran linebacker Jordyn Brooks could be a viable solution. Brooks, a former first-round pick, offers a significant upgrade in coverage and could provide the stability the Bucs desperately need.
NFL analyst Ben Solak highlighted Brooks as an ideal fit, noting that the Buccaneers’ defense, while young and promising, has a critical gap at the linebacker position. With the NFC landscape appearing weak, Licht may be compelled to make a move to enhance the team’s Super Bowl aspirations.
As the Buccaneers prepare for the second half of the season, the focus will be on whether Licht’s confidence in Dennis remains steadfast or if he will seek to bolster the linebacker corps. With the right adjustments, Tampa Bay could solidify its position as a contender in the NFC.
Stay tuned to BucsGameday for continued coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they navigate the rest of the 2025 season.