The Tampa Bay Buccaneers absorbed a significant blow to their offensive line depth in late 2025 when the team confirmed that starting left guard Ben Bredeson would miss the remainder of the 2025 season due to a knee injury. The announcement, made official by head coach Todd Bowles during his midseason media availability, left the Buccaneers with a sudden void on the interior of an offensive line that had been shaping up to be a strength.
Bredeson suffered the injury during a Week 14 game against the New Orleans Saints, forcing the team to place him on injured reserve shortly thereafter. Medical evaluations revealed the damage was severe enough to require surgery, with a full recovery timeline that extends beyond the current NFL season.
"We're obviously crushed for Ben," Bowles said at the time. "He worked his tail off to earn that starting role and was a big part of what we wanted to do up front. But this is the NFL -- next man up. We have confidence in the guys in that room."
A Significant Midseason Loss for Tampa Bay's Interior
Bredeson, who joined the Buccaneers as a free agent ahead of the 2025 season, quickly established himself as a reliable presence on the left side of the line. His physical style of play and consistency in both pass protection and the run game made him a favorite of the coaching staff and a trusted protector for quarterback Baker Mayfield's blindside.
His loss is especially painful given how the offensive line had finally begun to stabilize around him. With All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs locking down one edge, second-year center Graham Barton developing into a quality starter, and veteran Dan Feeney providing experienced depth, the unit was trending upward. Losing a starter before the pads even come on disrupted that momentum significantly.
During the 2025 season, Bredeson started all 14 games before his injury and logged over 1,000 snaps, allowing minimal pressure from the interior. His durability was one of his greatest assets--until the knee injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
Who Steps In?
With Bredeson sidelined, the Buccaneers have several in-house options to consider, though none bring the same proven track record.
Cody Mauch, the 2023 second-round pick, is the most logical candidate to slide into the starting left guard spot. Mauch spent most of his rookie season at right guard before moving around the interior in 2025. While he has shown flashes of the mauling mentality Tampa Bay values, consistency has been an issue. A full offseason and the opportunity to lock down one position could be exactly what he needs to take the next step.
Another option is Elijah Klein, who the Buccaneers have been developing since selecting him in the 2024 draft. Klein saw limited action as a rookie but impressed the coaching staff with his football IQ and technique during offseason workouts. He projects more as a guard at the NFL level, and Bredeson's injury could accelerate his path to meaningful playing time.
Billy Schrauth, an undrafted free agent who turned heads during rookie minicamp, is also in the mix. His college experience at Notre Dame provided exposure to a pro-style scheme, and he has the frame to hold up against NFL defensive tackles. While it would be a significant jump for a rookie to step into a starting role, the Buccaneers have never been afraid to play the best player regardless of draft status.
General manager Jason Licht and the front office also have to weigh external options. The free agent market for interior offensive linemen in late May is thin, but veterans looking for a late-career opportunity or a prove-it deal could pique Tampa Bay's interest. Expect Licht to roster veteran offensive linemen during final cuts in August, perhaps eyeing a player who can step in immediately rather than relying solely on unproven depth.
What This Means for the Offense
The Buccaneers' offensive identity under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson relies heavily on balance. Baker Mayfield needs a clean pocket to work through his progressions, and the running back tandem of Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell thrives when lanes are available. The loss of a starting guard threatens both.
Mayfield, who signed an extension in the 2026 offseason to remain the long-term answer in Tampa Bay, has been at his best when protected up the middle. Pressure up the gut forces him off his spot and limits his ability to push the ball downfield to weapons like Chris Godwin Jr. and first-round wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
The running game, meanwhile, was expected to take a step forward in 2026 with Irving's explosive style and Gainwell's tough between-the-tackles running complementing each other. Without Bredeson's pulling ability and power at the point of attack, outside zone and gap scheme runs may not hit with the same consistency.
This injury also puts added pressure on Graham Barton, who will now have a less experienced player next to him. Barton's ability to diagnose defensive fronts and adjust protections becomes even more critical as the Buccaneers work to stabilize the left side of the line.
A Test of Depth and Development
Every NFL team deals with injuries. The great ones absorb them and keep winning. For the Buccaneers, this has become a test of how deep their roster truly is and how effectively the coaching staff can develop young talent.
The offensive line room is led by a coaching staff that has consistently gotten the most out of its players. Tristan Wirfs developed from a promising tackle into an All-Pro. Barton looked like a rookie who played far beyond his years. The expectation is that whoever slots in at left guard will benefit from that same developmental environment.
But development takes time--a luxury the Buccaneers don't have with the regular season just months away. Training camp will be a critical evaluation period. The coaching staff needs to identify the starting left guard quickly and give that player as many reps as possible to build chemistry with Barton and Wirfs.
Looking Ahead
For Bredeson, the road ahead is long but navigable. Knee surgeries have become routine in modern sports medicine, and players have returned to full strength after similar injuries. The Buccaneers have indicated they expect a full recovery, and Bredeson will remain part of the organization's plans for 2027.
For the 2026 Buccaneers, the challenge is immediate. They still have a talented roster with aspirations of competing in the NFC South. The offense has playmakers. The defense, anchored by Vita Vea and Antoine Winfield Jr., has the talent to keep games close. But championship teams are built in the trenches, and losing a starting guard is a significant hurdle.
Whether the solution is already on the roster or will come via an August addition, the Buccaneers must find an answer--and fast. The season doesn't wait for anyone, and in the hyper-competitive NFC, there is no room for excuses.
Next man up indeed. We're about to find out who that man is.