Again in 2022, the Bucs have been one of many oldest groups within the NFL. Quarterback Tom Brady skewed their common age fairly a bit given he was 45, however Tampa Bay was not precisely constructed on youth.
However after Brady retired and among the extra veteran gamers left forward of the 2023 season, the Bucs bought youthful at a number of positions. A few of that youth could have contributed to a midseason slide that left the crew at 4-7, however that’s what made the truth that they turned issues round to complete 9-8, win the NFC South once more and win a playoff sport that rather more spectacular.
And this offseason, Tampa Bay has gotten even youthful. That leaves Todd Bowles’ crew as one of many youngest within the NFL. The common age of the Bucs’ 53-man roster is 25.6 — the second-youngest within the league. Solely the Packers (25.2) have a youthful crew.
Youngest groups within the #NFL based mostly on common age of their 53-man roster:#Packers – 25.2#Buccaneers – 25.6#Rams – 25.7#Eagles – 25.8#Jaguars – 25.9#Chiefs – 25.9
Oldest groups:#Dolphins – 27.3#Vikings – 27.2#Panthers – 27.2#Commanders – 27.2#Browns – 27.1#Steelers -…
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) August 30, 2024
The place Have The Bucs Gotten Youthful?
Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Picture by: USA Immediately
Heading into 2024, Tampa Bay has simply three gamers over the age of 30 — Lavonte David (34), Will Gholston (33) and Mike Evans (31). That’s a far cry from the place issues have been lately, so the place has this Bucs crew gotten youthful?
Along with Brady’s retirement final offseason, the Bucs parted methods with Cameron Brate, Shaq Mason, Leonard Fournette, Blaine Gabbert, Keanu Neal, Donovan Smith and Ryan Succop, amongst others. All of these gamers have been both of their 30s or nearing their 30s, and the replacements for them on the roster helped Tampa Bay get youthful.
This offseason, 31-year-old Shaq Barrett was the large departure. However Ryan Jensen (33) additionally retired, plus David Moore (29) and Dee Delaney (29) weren’t re-signed.
So, if you have a look at the positions of those departed gamers and consider the ages of their replacements, it’s straightforward to see how the Bucs have ushered in one thing of a youth motion. The offensive line is a superb instance of why the Bucs are a lot youthful now than they have been lately. The beginning group consists of Tristan Wirfs (25), Ben Bredeson (26), Graham Barton (22), Cody Mauch (25) and Luke Goedeke (25). In fact, the addition of one other younger rookie class additionally brings that common age of the roster down.
Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Bear in mind, the Bucs solely have three gamers over the age of 30. In the meantime, 33 of the 53 gamers on their roster are 25 years previous are youthful. That features 10 gamers who’re 23 or youthful. The roster has six 22-year-olds, with 5 of them being rookies. The youngest participant on the crew is rookie operating again Bucky Irving, who simply turned 22 on Aug. 19.
What’s much more spectacular in regards to the youth of Tampa Bay’s roster is how younger plenty of its core guys for the long run are. Professional Bowl left sort out Tristan Wirfs continues to be solely 25, All-Professional security Antoine Winfield Jr. is 26, outdoors linebacker Yaya Diaby is 25, defensive sort out Calijah Kancey is simply 23, operating again Rachaad White is 25 and cornerback Zyon McCollum is 25.
Pair all of that with among the youthful veterans like Jamel Dean (27), Jordan Whitehead (27) and Chris Godwin (28), near-30s veterans like Baker Mayfield (29) and Vita Vea (29) and the aforementioned trio of gamers over 30, and you’ll see the combo of youth and expertise that has the Bucs assured they will make some noise in 2024.
