The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering the 2026 season with Chris Godwin Jr. focused on preparation, rookie Rueben Bain Jr. learning Todd Bowles’ system and Baker Mayfield preparing to face the Cleveland Browns.
Godwin and Bain joined Beau Allen on the Green Light Podcast during training camp to discuss their approaches to the upcoming season. Godwin is entering his 10th year and said he wants to be prepared while giving his best effort in 2026.
“I am someone who has always prided myself on being as prepared as possible,” said Chris Godwin Jr. “The way that I look at it is regardless of how my career turns out or the level of success that I reach or don’t reach, I want to be able to look myself in the mirror and say that I gave it my all because that I can live with. Sometimes, things are not in the cards for you, but if you put your best foot forward, then you don’t have any regrets. That has always been my approach. Now, I have to take a little bit more time to get my body ready.”
Godwin missed five games in 2025 with a fibula injury. He led the league in receptions in 2024 before suffering a significant ankle injury.
Rueben Bain Jr. Adjusts to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense
Bain is acclimating to Todd Bowles’ system as a rookie after spending three seasons with the Miami Hurricanes. He appeared in 38 college games and recorded 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks. Bain also led the FBS in pressures with 83 during his junior season.
“The scheme I was in the first two years was more of a 3-4 and 3-3 style of front and that kind of got me in the mindset of an outside backer’s perspective, experiencing that and dropping and stuff,” said Rueben Bain Jr. “Luckily for me, I got the best of both worlds, I played on four downs, three downs, so coming into the league, I am ready and have already seen it versus me coming in kind of blind on my first experience with it and got it out of the way.”
Baker Mayfield Set to Face the Cleveland Browns
Mayfield will face the Cleveland Browns in Week 2 of the 2026 season for the first time as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player. The matchup is scheduled for Raymond James Stadium and will begin a three-game Tampa Bay homestand. The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are scheduled to visit Tampa Bay in Weeks 3 and 4, respectively.
Mayfield previously played the Cleveland Browns as a member of the Carolina Panthers in 2022. He discussed the upcoming matchup on the Rich Eisen Show.
“It is just about winning,” said Baker Mayfield. “I could care less about what is going on with their quarterback situation in their building, it is just about beating them and letting them know that I found a home.”
Mayfield completed 343 of 543 passes for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2025. He also rushed for a career-high 382 yards.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Selected in Early NFC South Prediction
Ben McWilliams selected the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the NFC South in an early NFL.com playoff prediction. The source said Tampa Bay reworked its defensive line and offense under Zac Robinson for the 2026 season.
Source: Original report