Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2026 Schedule and How to Watch with Sling TV
Tampa Bay is hoping to sail to another NFC South title in 2026. Here’s a complete look at their schedule, offseason additions, and how to watch Bucs games with Sling.
After a half-decade of success, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sank in the second half of the last NFL season. QB Baker Mayfield came back to Earth after a stellar start and the tiebreakers sent them home for the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Although they lost some key veterans, their talented core remains in what’s a make-or-break season for coach Todd Bowles.
Here’s a look at Tampa Bay’s 2026 schedule, along with a deep dive into their offseason moves. Bucs fans in Tampa can watch games on FOX, ESPN, and NFL Network by subscribing to Sling Essentials + Select using the link below.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2026 Schedule and How to Watch with Sling
Key Matchups to Watch
- Green Bay Packers (Week 4): The final game of an early three-game home stretch finds Tampa Bay hosting the other Bay team in what should be an early measuring stick of both team’s potential.
- Chicago Bears (Week 9): A massive Sunday Night Football showdown in prime time at Soldier Field. The defense will need to step up against a formidable Bears offense to secure a mid-season victory.
- Carolina Panthers (Week 12): A critical late-season NFC South clash on Monday Night Football. This prime-time divisional game could heavily influence the tight playoff race down the stretch, as Tampa missed out on another NFC South crown to the Panthers last season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prime Time Games
- Week 5: at Dallas Cowboys — Amazon Prime Video (Thursday Night)
- Week 9: at Chicago Bears — NBC (Sunday Night)
- Week 12: vs. Carolina Panthers — ESPN (Monday Night)
2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Season Outlook
https://youtu.be/llxECPqrCQY?si=FTwhwiunaIFb2qL8
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2026 season looking to return to playoff contention in what projects to be a win-or-else year for head coach Todd Bowles. The front office had to navigate the departures of several beloved franchise cornerstones, as legendary linebacker Lavonte David and veteran Anthony Walker announced their retirements, star wide receiver Mike Evans signed with the 49ers, and cornerback Jamel Dean departed for the Steelers in free agency. To fortify the defense and backfield, Tampa Bay added key free agents like linebacker Alex Anzalone, defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson, edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad, and running back Kenneth Gainwell.
In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers capitalized on the board falling their way, grabbing Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. with the 15th overall pick to provide an instant, high-end boost to the pass rush. They continued addressing their defensive front seven by drafting physical Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter in the second round, and then secured a new vertical threat for the offense by taking Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst in the third round. If the rookie additions can make an immediate impact and the new free agents can successfully fill the leadership void left by the departed veterans, the Buccaneers have the tools to bounce back and make noise in the NFC South.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Free Agent Additions
- Alex Anzalone, LB (Detroit Lions)
- A'Shawn Robinson, DT (Carolina Panthers)
- Kenneth Gainwell, RB (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Al-Quadin Muhammad, EDGE (Detroit Lions)
- Miles Killebrew, S (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Jake Browning, QB (Cincinnati Bengals)
- Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT (New York Giants)
- Christian Rozeboom, LB (Carolina Panthers)
- David Sills, WR (Atlanta Falcons)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2026 Draft Class
- Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE (Miami (FL)) — Round 1, Pick 15
- Josiah Trotter, LB (Missouri) — Round 2, Pick 46
- Ted Hurst, WR (Georgia State) — Round 3, Pick 84
- Keionte Scott, CB (Miami (FL)) — Round 4, Pick 116
- DeMonte Capehart, DT (Clemson) — Round 5, Pick 155
- Billy Schrauth, G (Notre Dame) — Round 5, Pick 160
- Bauer Sharp, TE (LSU) — Round 6, Pick 185