What does CBS Sports think is the worst case scenario for the Bucs?
· Yahoo Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2026 season with expectations of competing for an NFC South title, but CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan believes there is a path where things quickly go in the opposite direction.
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After projecting Tampa Bay's best-case scenario as a return to the playoffs and the top of the division, Sullivan also explored what could go wrong for the Buccaneers this season. At the center of that concern is quarterback Baker Mayfield, who struggled down the stretch in 2025 after dealing with injuries throughout the year.
Mayfield threw 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions over his final 11 games last season as Tampa Bay watched a promising start unravel. If those struggles carry over into 2026, Sullivan believes the Buccaneers could find themselves searching for answers on offense despite investing heavily in their supporting cast.
Tampa Bay is counting on several young players to take on larger roles following a significant offseason transition. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is expected to help fill the void left by Mike Evans, while first-round edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. is viewed as a key piece of the defense's future. Sullivan's worst-case scenario assumes those players are not yet ready to shoulder those responsibilities, leaving the Buccaneers without the impact they expect from two of their most important young building blocks.
That combination could create an opening for the rest of the NFC South division. Sullivan specifically noted Atlanta and New Orleans as teams capable of closing the gap if their quarterback situations exceed expectations. With the NFC South once again expected to be tightly contested, even a small step backward could have major consequences in the standings.
Missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season would be particularly significant for Tampa Bay. After winning three division titles in four years under Todd Bowles before last season's 8-9 finish, another year outside the postseason picture would likely bring increased scrutiny. Sullivan believes a second straight playoff miss could place Bowles firmly on the hot seat heading into 2027.
Fortunately for the Buccaneers, this remains only a worst-case projection. However, it serves as a reminder of how much the franchise is relying on the development of its young core as it attempts to return to playoff contention.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: CBS Sports predicts worst-case outcome for Buccaneers in 2026