Positives and Negatives from 2022 Buccaneers Season
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As is the case with most experiences in life, no matter how good or bad it may have seemed in the moment, there tend to be positives and negatives that can be acknowledged once it's all said and done.
The 2022 season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was most definitely an experience.
And although there were many negative aspects of this season, there were also some positives to be found... if you look hard enough.
I'd always rather hear the bad news first, so let's start with the negatives.
INJURIES
A significant injury arose on just the second day of training camp when the team's star center, and one of their most important tone-setters, Ryan Jensen, went down. This was a devastating blow to an offensive line group — one of the best in the league the previous season — that was already struggling to fill the void left by Ali Marpet's unexpected retirement. Although Robert Hainsey filled in admirably, the undermanned Bucs' offensive line was a glaring weakness all season long.
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Unfortunately, this injury was a sign of things to come for the Buccaneers.
Shaq Barrett, the team's most dynamic pass rusher, went down in Week 8 against the Ravens and was lost for the season (and likely a good chunk of next season) with a torn achilles.
Russell Gage, a player that Jason Licht made a significant investment in ($10M/season to be exact) was in and out of the lineup all season long. The same could be said for Julio Jones, who dealt with a knee injury early in the year and was lost for a good chunk of the season as well.
The Bucs' defensive backfield was also hit by injuries. In fact, their starting secondary — made up of Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, Antoine Winfield Jr., and Mike Edwards — had less than a handful of opportunities to play together as a unit at full strength.
Free agent DT acquisition, Akiem Hicks, missed a chunk of games. Pro-Bowl RT, Tristan Wirfs, also missed time. Injuries are common in the NFL... obviously. But the amount of injuries to significant positions for the Bucs in 2022 were abnormal.
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COACHING
No matter how you slice it, the Buccaneers' coaching staff did not perform well this season.
Byron Leftwich was an absolute disaster. Sure, some of the injuries mentioned above played a role, especially along the offensive line. But an offensive coordinator's job is to adapt to the circumstances you are presented with and adjust accordingly. That did not happen this year.
Leftwich refused to cater his schematics, offensive design, and playcalling to the personnel he had available to him. He was stubborn, predictable, and there was no justification for his lack of creativity, or willingness to try new things.
Sure, it cost him his job. But it also cost the Buccaneers a chance to generate any sort of rhythm on offense, and in turn, any hope of being competitive in the team's final season with Tom Brady playing quarterback.
Any time that an offensive play-caller can be such a significant hindrance to a team, the head coach needs to take some of the blame. Although Bowles performed up to his usual standard as a defensive play-caller, that's only part of his responsibility. Not only did he not re-direct the offense, but he proved to be incredibly conservative in terms of 4th down decision-making, and usage of timeouts in the closing minutes of games.
It's not uncommon for a defensive-minded head coach to operate under the belief that defense wins games, therefore it isn't all that surprising. But if you ask me, a talented offense will almost always prevail over a talented defense in the way the game is played (and officiated) in this era.
Todd Bowles needs to get with the times, or he'll see his fate follow that of his former offensive coordinator, Byron Leftwich, next offseason.
Now let's search for that silver lining, and focus on a couple of positives we can take away from this season.
PLAYOFFS
In 2022, the Bucs made the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
Sure, it was a real struggle to get there, and they bowed out early, in embarrassing fashion. But they were there. And for the franchise with the lowest winning percentage in NFL history (.404), that still means something. At least for a fanbase that's had just 12 opportunities to watch their team play in the postseason since the team's inception in 1976.
For anyone counting at home, that's just 12 playoff appearances in almost 50 years.
BRADY'S FINAL SEASON
Tom Brady is the most decorated, and arguably the greatest football player who's ever lived.
Tom Brady's final season in the NFL was as the quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Although it wasn't Brady's finest season. In fact, it was one of his worst. It was still another season where we had the privilege of watching the greatest quarterback of all time suit up in pewter and red, every single week.
Everyone's final memories of Tom Brady, including those of him hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for the last time, will be of him as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A CLEAR REMINDER THAT CHANGE IS NEEDED
The biggest positive to come of the disappointing results that 2022 brought to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is a crystal clear reminder that change is needed.
The Buccaneers have already moved on from numerous members of their coaching staff, including offensive coordinator, Byron Leftwich. Tom Brady has retired.
There will be many more changes to come.
The Bucs need to get faster. They need to get younger in certain areas. And they need to bring in coaches who fit the vision and philosophy that head coach, Todd Bowles, and GM, Jason Licht share regarding the future of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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