The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2025 season started with sky-high expectations. After a blistering 6-2 start, including a statement win over the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, the team looked poised for a deep playoff run. But football can be a cruel game. Following their bye week, the Bucs stumbled to a 2-7 finish, losing their grip on the division title and missing the postseason for the first time in four years.

That collapse forced the front office into action this offseason. While they didn't make any blockbuster trades or splashy free-agent signings, general manager Jason Licht and his staff quietly put together a series of smart, calculated moves. The real fireworks came in the NFL Draft, where they landed one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire class.

So, how did the national media grade their work? Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski handed out his annual offseason report cards, and the Bucs earned a solid B. It's not an A+, but given the circumstances, it's a fair and promising mark.

Sobleski broke it down like this: "The team didn't make the postseason for the first time since Todd Bowles became head coach. Even with the previous three division titles, the team is almost perfectly mediocre with a 35-33 record over the last four years. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is on the last year of his current contract. This team needs to win now or possibly enter a rebuild. Mike Evans already left after 12 years with the franchise. Even so, the Bucs' concentration came on the defensive side of the ball. They're now bigger and more physical after the additions of veteran defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson and first-round edge Rueben Bain Jr., who was one of the class' best overall picks. Bain joins YaYa Diaby and veteran free agent Al-Quadin Muhammad to muster one-on-one wins off the edge. Alex Anzalone and second-round rookie Josiah Trotter will help offset the loss of Lavonte David, who retired this offseason."

The bottom line? The Bucs lost two franchise icons in Lavonte David and Mike Evans, but they've done an excellent job triaging the roster. They added depth, leadership, and playmakers at key positions—especially on defense. It's not a perfect offseason, but it's more than enough to keep the window open for a team that's still very much in win-now mode.