NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

3 things the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to address in 2022

By Russell S. Baxter

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers calls a play in the third quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers calls a play in the third quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Buccaneers
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 23: Leonard Fournette #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

There will be no Super Bowl repeat for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bruce Arians’ team fell short at home in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.

It’s not easy to repeat as Super Bowl champion. The last team to do it was the New England Patriots under the guidance of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. The Pats captured Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX during the 2003 and ’04 seasons, respectively.

Recently, there’s been a few clubs in position to capture a second straight Lombardi Trophy but the 2014 Seahawks, 2017 Patriots, and 2020 Chiefs all failed on Super Sunday.

Is in the case of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bruce Arians’ team failed to get back to the conference championship game. The defending Super Bowl champions were stunned at home by the Los Angeles Rams, 30-27, via a field goal on the final play of the game.

This is a league where reaching the playoffs in consecutive campaigns has become a tall task. There are notable outliers like the recent Patriots and current Chiefs. So what do the Buccaneers need to do to get back to the postseason for a third consecutive year?

3. Buccaneers must add more talent to the offensive backfield

Quarterback Tom Brady led the NFL with 5,316 yards through the air. And no team in the league totaled more pass attempts. But at times, the Tampa Bay ground attack was once again an afterthought.

Bruce Arians’ team ran for only 98.4 yards per game. Leonard Fournette led the club in attempts (180), rushing yards (812), and touchdowns on the ground (8) despite missing three games.

It’s worth noting that the five-year pro, along with Ronald Jones and Giovani Bernard are three of the team’s 24 potential unrestricted free agents (see Spotrac). Could there be a lot of new faces in the Buccaneers’ backfield in 2022?

Home/Tampa Bay Buccaneers