Tampa Bay Buccaneers No. 1 Defense In 2023 NFL Season?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense in 2022 didn't really live up to expectations. The defense, who was once viewed as one of the league's elite - especially when it came to run, settled in somewhere around the middle of the pack last season as they struggled with stopping the run and found it tough to create any turnovers on that side of the ball.
After playing less than ideally in 2022, the Buccaneers' defense will look to bounce back in 2023, and with a number of guys back in the fold, including franchise safety, Antoine Winfield Jr., the Bucs' defense should improve.
Antoine Winfield Jr. will be entering his contract season with the team, but it appears both Winfield and the Buccaneers are interested in reuniting once Winfield's contract expires. For Winfield, he not only has high expectations and goals for himself but for the Bucs' defense as a whole.
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In a recent sit down with former Buccaneers' cornerback Richard Sherman on his podcast, Winfield Jr. spoke on the goals he has playing in the Buccaneers' secondary on defense.
“Goals as a defense, we want to be the number one defense this year. We’ve got the talent around us to do that, so that’s the number one priority, to be the number one defense," Winfield exclaimed. "Outside of that, for me personally, touching the ball more man, interceptions. I gotta get my interceptions up; it’s a contract year. I’m happy, I’m excited, so making sure I touch that ball and stay healthy. Those are the two big goals, creating takeaways and just staying healthy for real.”
Turnovers are an important part of the NFL game and for the Buccaneers in 2023, they will need to be more aggressive attacking the ball than they were in 2022 as they likely won't be able to rely on the offense as much with the departure of future first-ballot hall of famer Tom Brady no longer leading the charge.
As for Winfield Jr.'s part in the Bucs' defense in 2023, he will be returning to his old position at free safety in Todd Bowles' defense.
“I’m happy; that’s my main position, free safety. Being in the middle of the field and doing everything that way. I’m happy, and especially in this system – it’s very complex, so it’s cool to just be able to focus on the free safety role, as far as moving around.”
With the defense retaining much of the power and name recognition they have had in the past, the ceiling for the Bucs defense could arouse the #1 defense in the league talk. However, until they show growth from last season, they will continue to get overlooked.
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the offseason.
