Buccaneers Ranked as Mid-Tier NFC Contenders?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are no strangers to defying expectations, but as they gear up for the 2024 NFL season, the team finds itself in a familiar position—once again facing doubts from analysts.

In a recent ranking by CBS Sports' Garrett Podell, the Buccaneers were placed in the third tier of NFC contenders, labeled as "Happy to be here division winners" alongside the Atlanta Falcons. This ranking comes despite the Bucs’ strong finish last season, where they clinched the NFC South title and advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs.

Podell's analysis highlights the broader skepticism surrounding the NFC South , a division that has not seen a Super Bowl participant since the 2016 Atlanta Falcons . While the Buccaneers did win Super Bowl LV in the 2020 season, they did so as a wild card team, further fueling doubts about the division's overall competitiveness. According to Podell, the Bucs' recent success is seen more as an exception rather than a rule, casting a shadow over their prospects for the upcoming season.

The Buccaneers have doubled down on their current roster, re-signing quarterback Baker Mayfield to a three-year, $100 million deal following his 2023 resurgence. Additionally, they secured a two-year, $41 million extension for veteran wide receiver Mike Evans . Despite these moves, CBS Sports still ranks Tampa Bay behind the likes of the Eagles , Rams , and Cowboys , teams perceived as stronger contenders in the NFC.

Related: Buccaneers Signing Offensive Lineman to 90-Man Roster

As the Buccaneers prepare to prove the doubters wrong once again, the team's mid-tier ranking serves as yet another source of motivation. With a large portion of their roster returning and a proven track record of resilience, Tampa Bay is poised to challenge the narrative and compete for NFC supremacy in 2024.