Bucs Gameday

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Have 'Clear' Biggest Need This Offseason

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a clear No. 1 need this offseason.

David Harrison

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When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost quarterback Tom Brady to retirement he immediately created the team's biggest need of the offseason heading into 2023.

For the Buccaneers, that answer to the need was free agent Baker Mayfield who some immediately praised, some immediately criticized, and all were equally surprised by when watching him lead the team to the Divisional Round of this year's NFL Playoffs.

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Not only that, but Tampa Bay also secured its third-straight NFC South Division title.

Now, even detractors of Mayfield's arrival to the Bucs are hoping the quarterback returns, and since that seems to be a foregone conclusion 33rd Team's Marcus Mosher has his eyes set on a different position as the team's biggest need of the offseason.

One that was created by the injury suffered by center Ryan Jensen and solidified now by his retirement.

Oct 22, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) leads a huddle against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

"Ryan Jensen officially announced his retirement, and it's clear Robert Hainsey isn't a starting-caliber center," says Mosher. "The rest of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive line is pretty good, but the team has to figure out the center position moving forward."

The Buccaneers finished the season 15th in pass-blocking efficiency this season while finishing 14th in most pressures allowed and 11th in sacks.

Among qualified centers this past season Hainsey graded out 29th and failed to eclipse 57.3 in either pass or run blocking grades.

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Despite the need, according to Mock Draft Database, Florida State receiver Keon Coleman is the single player selected above all others in the first round of Tampa Bay projections.

According to Mosher, the Miami Dolphins are the other team in the NFL who have center listed as their biggest need entering the offseason.

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 offseason.

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David Harrison
DAVID HARRISON

David Harrison has been in sports media since 2015 using written, audio, and video media to cover athletes, coaches, and games. In addition to covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for BucsGameday and Locked On Bucs he also covers the Washington Commanders for Commander Country and Locked On Commanders and the Washington Wizards for Inside the Wizards. David also covers the NFL as a whole as one of the Friday hosts for Locked On NFL. He is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and previously spent 20 years as an active member of the United States Army. Contact David via email at david.w.harrison82@gmail.com or on Twitter @DHarrison82.