Buccaneers' Jason Licht Gushes As 'Top Unit' Projection In 2025

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense in 2025 is poised to be one of the most explosive in football, with the weapons at Baker Mayfield's disposal ridiculous.

A receiver room housing Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, and Emeka Egbuka, coupled with tight end Cade Otton and running backs Bucky Irving, Rachaard White, and Sean Tucker, is the envy of the league.

However, having those weapons is all well and good; however, it means nothing if Mayfield doesn't have time to get the ball out or if the run game can't get going.

Enter the offensive line.

And what general manager Jason Licht called in a chat with Tampa Bay Times' Rich Stroud, one of the best units in football. 

“It feels awesome," Licht said. "I’ll flashback to the first half a decade I was here. It was my dream to one day have five solid starters, like we have right now, that arguably could be potentially the top unit in the NFL. It’s not crazy to say, you know?”

Oct 27, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and center Graham Barton (62) warm up before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium.

© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Another underrated aspect of the Buccaneers' offensive line heading into 2025 is that all five starters from last season are returning.

Tristan Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch, and Luke Goedeke all will be running it back with Mayfield. The cohesion and chemistry built last season will only improve further with another full offseason and then 17 games during the year.

The Buccaneers had a top run game last season (146.5 per game, ranked fifth), and the offensive line was a big part of that. Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, with the line protecting Baker well (40 sacks, 10th-worst).

So it is no wonder Licht is excited for what the offensive line can become in 2025, but as far as the best unit in football? We'll let the cake bake on that.