All I could think of when I laid on the table for each of three epidurals and when they wheeled me into the operating room was, ‘Just get me back to Greece. I need to start living again.’ It wasn’t just about work, but doing things that made me feel alive + happy. I made it back.

Baker Mayfield pushed back at the notion that the team thinks he needs to better manage his health. "I started every game last year ... the last three years," Mayfield said defiantly. "I don't know if that should ever be a question.” www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Bucs coach Todd Bowles said Thursday that there is "absolutely no question" he wants Baker Mayfield as his quarterback long term. This comes after Mayfield said he and the team “aren’t anywhere close” on a new deal www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

The Bucs were penalized by the league for getting too physical in their first practice of OTAs, resulting in the loss of an OTA, Todd Bowles said today. A league spokesperson told me that Bowles wasn’t fined, however. www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Baker Mayfield is very self-aware. He said he’s “living out a dream,” he and wife Emily welcomed baby Maverick this spring, and 2-year-old big sister Kova (Koko) has “a lot of emotion, attitude and stubbornness” but it didn’t come from him 🤣🤣🤣 No head-butting though 🚫💥

Here is what all quarterback Baker Mayfield had to say this morning on being far apart in contract negotiations with the Bucs, his outlook if he plays in 2026 without a new deal, and life without Mike Evans www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said that currently, contract talks “are not anywhere close to what we were thinking” but he’s “gonna do everything he can to help his team win a Super Bowl.” He wants to be here long term. He said once training camp hits, no more negotiation and he wants to focus.

Chris Godwin said he actually thought the news about Mike Evans leaving was AI at first. He likened Evans to a brother and said he’s excited about what this young group of receivers can do — a group he’s now leading www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Chris Godwin said he didn’t believe it at first when he saw reports that Mike Evans was leaving Tampa. What convinced him that it was really happening — a sad face ☹️ emoji from quarterback Baker Mayfield.

hell yeah! shoutout @jennalaine.bsky.social

Lots of questions as to how Bucs new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson will replace Mike Evans’ production as their ‘X’ receiver and what to make of multiple receivers who are more ‘Z’ and ‘F’ types. Here’s how the Bucs see it: www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

This happened while I was in an eye exam (this is most definitely what offseasons are for lol) but the Bucs have officially signed second-round draft pick Josiah Trotter. All seven of their 2026 draft picks have now been signed.

Larry Foote on Rueben Bain Jr: “Back in my Pittsburgh days, I played with a guy named James Harrison like that. It was just, you couldn’t block him. He has that trait, he has that ability.” He added that they all stood up after Bain’s combine interview and nodded their heads.

Bucs new special teams coordinator Danny Smith: “Kenny Gainwell will FIGHT ME about being on special teams. I took him off some situations last year and he’s in my office and very specifically said, ‘What I do wrong?’ … He said, ‘Why the hell ain’t I the 2 on that kickoff?’”

Bucs special teams coordinator Danny Smith was asked what keeps him going at age 72: “I don’t know anything but. I need competition and preparation. I need it. I need it in my life. I need competition and preparation. And that’s why I do it. And I love it. And I love this game.”

Some quick-hitting thoughts on the Bucs’ 2026 schedule, including how this lines up with their recent trends over the last few years, what Vegas is saying and an odd quirk I noticed about Todd Bowles vs the AFC North www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

The Bucs have been awarded John Bullock off waivers from Colts. They have also signed RB Kadarius Calloway, LS Scott Daly, OLB Yasir Holmes and WR Dean Patterson IV - all rookie camp tryouts. LS Wesley Brown, WR Noah Short, OLB Benton Whitley and RB Owen Wright have been waived to make room for them

Bucs edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. talks about wear why it was so important to wear Warren Sapp’s jersey to rookie camp: “It speaks on the brotherhood we have at the University of Miami and it speaks on the amount of pride I got for where I’m at right now. … This is home for me.”

Rueben Bain Jr. obviously scored some major style points wearing the vintage Warren Sapp jersey, but it’s deeper than that — a respect for the game and a desire to learn about those who came before him. A lot of young players don’t do this. I asked Todd Bowles more about it.

A source close to the situation told me the Bucs did not supply Rueben Bain Jr. with that Warren Sapp Reebok jersey — he paid homage to the QB Killa all on his own. www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Rueben Bain Jr. has signed his rookie contract with the Bucs, per source. They have also signed Keionte Scott, DeMonte Capehart, Billy Schrauth and Bauer Sharp. All that remains is second-round pick Josiah Trotter. Ted Hurst will sign once he arrives after attending his graduation.

The Bucs have picked up the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. He’s been very productive for them when healthy but that’s the goal right now, to get him through a full season.

VIDEO: My initial thoughts on the Bucs’ draft haul. Didn’t get to everybody but I take a look at how these guys fit and when we can expect them to contribute www.espn.com/video/clip?i...

Former Bucs and Chiefs left tackle Donovan Smith announced his retirement today. He last suited up in 2023 after missing 2024 with a hip injury. He leaves the game a two-time Super Bowl champion and having protected two of the all-time greats in Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.

An annual tradition that John Spytek started here in Tampa and assistant general manager Rob McCartney has continued it: Naming every front office executive, scout, medical, football technology, video and nutrition staff member who played a role in making the Bucs’ draft possible.

Happy Day 3 of the NFL Draft! Here’s a look at the Bucs’ first three draft picks so far and what’s in store for today. I’ll keep updating this throughout the day www.espn.com/nfl/draft202...

Bucs general manager Jason Licht said that in their minds, there weren’t many scenarios where Rueben Bain Jr. was available to them at No. 15. Yet today he’s a Buc. More on how things unfolded…

Jason Licht said Rueben Bain Jr. sold him with his passion and wanting to be the best. They like his edge. He practices the way he plays. “Football is one of the most important things in his life,” he said. Regarding the shorter arms: “Mike Tyson has short arms too.” 🥊

VIDEO: Bucs GM Jason Licht said they didn’t expect Rueben Bain Jr. to be available at No. 15, but when the Cowboys selected Caleb Downs at No. 11, he started to get excited. More on how things unfolded from their perspective and from Bain’s perspective www.espn.com/video/clip/_...

Our Matt Miller just dropped a Rounds 2-3 mock draft and I think Bucs fans would be ecstatic over this Round 2 pick www.espn.com/nfl/draft202...

If you’re interested in a pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Bucs’ draft picks, you can bookmark this page here and refresh. Thoughts on Bain: www.espn.com/nfl/draft202...

Bucs GM Jason Licht said they did extensive work on Reuben Bain Jr. and knew about the fatal 2024 motor vehicle accident for a long time. He acknowledged the gravity of it while offering support for Bain. "He's a good person," Licht said www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

My quick-hitting thoughts on the Bucs selecting Rueben Bain with the 15th overall pick, plus analysis from our ESPN NFL Nation reporters on all 32 picks in Round 1 www.espn.com/nfl/draft202...

From our ESPN NFL Nation Mock Draft...we'll see if the Bucs stay put tonight or can possibly trade down a few spots, as that would have been my inclination in this scenario if trades were allowed.

Not only did Emeka Egbuka predict the name of Baker and Emily Mayfield’s baby, but Tez Johnson got the timing right. He pointed out that the baby needed a draftable name. I’m sure he was thinking 20 years from now, but he’s made it to ESPN already www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

I don’t really know how to navigate the emotional intensity of an NFL draft week coinciding with a Michael Jackson biopic release but here’s me in Paris in 2019. Ya girl’s been ready…

Did Emeka Egbuka just name Baker and Emily Mayfield’s baby?! 🤯 Arrived one week before the draft too. I think this is something ESPN can work with.

We have our annual NFL Nation Mock Draft today at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Who do you want the Bucs to select at No. 15?

How strong of a case does Lavonte David have for the Pro Football Hall of Fame? There are HOFers who have only one or even no Pro Bowls, and his numbers are comparable or even better than some of the all-time greats www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

In addition to signing Rakeem Nuñez-Roches — which was previously reported — the Bucs have signed wide receiver David Sills V, who has appeared in 33 career games with the Giants, Broncos and Falcons.

Spectacular images taken by the Artemis II crew of earthset and the eclipse. Just incredible. NASA posts them here and it’s free to access: images.nasa.gov

I can’t believe I didn’t count the bar…it’s *515 🤦🏼‍♀️

Baker Mayfield solidly squatting 450 pounds…

The Artemis II crew just named a crater “Carroll” after Reid Wiseman’s wife Carroll, who was a nurse and died May 17, 2020 at the age of 46 after a five-year battle with cancer. The two of them are pictured here with their two daughters Ellie and Katherine.

The Bucs have re-signed offensive tackle Justin Skule, who had previously been with the team from 2022-2024 and spent 2025 with the Vikings. He’ll serve as a backup swing tackle.

Is there like a Peyton and Eli alternate version of this “Lunar Flyby” broadcast where other astronauts sit on their couches analyzing what’s happening and then celebrities hop on? I want Buzz Aldrin being messy. I want Leslie Jones reacting in real time. #ArtemisII

As the Tampa Bay Times reported, the Bucs are bringing back Rakeem Nunez-Roches on a one-year deal, a source confirmed. Todd Bowles said a goal was to get bigger and more physical along the defensive line. They did that already with A’Shawn Robinson’s signing. This furthers that.

Bucs coach Todd Bowles said he knew it was going to be retirement when he got the phone call from Lavonte David and said it was an “emotional conversation.” He said David “touched the whole building” and led with “class, determination and heart.”

Lavonte David lost his mother Lynette and almost gave up football in 2016. He credits his family and teammates like Gerald McCoy for helping him navigate his grief. He played 10 more seasons with her picture inside his locker, reminding him to “keep going” www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Moments after Alvaro Folgueiras’ three-point game winner — as his Iowa teammates celebrated on the court — he ran into his mother’s arms. “She sent a 16-year-old kid to America without knowing any English ... without anything but dreams and hunger.” www.espn.com/mens-college...