Buccaneers Captain Shuffle 2026 | NFL News

0:00It's September 7th. NFL News Today starts now. AI powered and game ready. I'm Cory with the story. Alright, let's talk about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and who's stepping up to lead the squad this year. They just announced their team captains for the upcoming 2026 season and it's a solid group of vets. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, offensive lineman Tristan Werf's, receiver Chris Godwin, defensive tackle Vita Villa, linebacker Alex Anzalone, and safety. Antoine Winfield Jr. all got the nod from their teammates. Now, a few of these guys are no strangers to the captain's patch. Mayfield, Werf's, Villa, and Winfield Jr. were all captains last year, so they're back to hold down the fort. Chris Godwin is also returning to that leadership role, having been a captain before in 2023. The new face in the captain's circle is Alex Anzalone, who's actually a veteran captain from his time with the Detroit Lions, and this is his first. Last year in Tampa, this leadership shakeup comes after some big changes in the offseason.

1:02Two long time captains, Lavante David, who retired after 14 seasons, and Mike Evans, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers, are no longer with the team. So these new captains have some serious shoes to fill, but it looks like the team is ready to move forward with this core group. The Buccaneers are kicking off their regular season this Sunday. They're heading out on the road to face the Cincinnati Bengals in their week one match-up. It'll be interesting to see how this new leadership dynamic plays out on the field, right from the jump. So that's the rundown on the Buccaneers captains for 2026. It's a blend of returning leaders and some fresh energy, all looking to guide the team through the season ahead.