Todd Bowles will have a familiar face across the field this summer -- and a familiar logo on the opposite sideline. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have finalized plans for joint practices with the New York Jets ahead of their preseason meeting, and according to league sources, the team is also expected to add the Jacksonville Jaguars to their summer itinerary.
It's a move that signals Bowles' growing confidence in his team's preparation style and offers a fresh wrinkle to a training camp schedule that has been steadily evolving under his leadership. For a Buccaneers squad that returns the core of its roster but enters 2026 with heightened expectations, these joint sessions could provide exactly the kind of competitive spark needed before the games start counting.
Reuniting with an Old Friend
The Jets connection is an obvious one. Bowles spent three seasons as New York's head coach from 2015 to 2018, compiling a 24-40 record before being relieved of his duties. He landed in Tampa as the defensive coordinator under Bruce Arians, eventually taking over as head coach in 2022 and leading the Bucs to two straight NFC South titles and a playoff win last season.
Now, he'll get a chance to match wits with his former employer in a setting that allows controlled -- but intense -- competition.
"You get a chance to see where your guys are at when they're going against someone else's scheme," Bowles said when asked about the benefits of joint practices. "It breaks up the monotony of camp, and it gives both teams a good measuring stick."
The Jets are in the midst of their own rebuild under head coach Aaron Glenn, who took over in 2025. With quarterback Aaron Rodgers now two years removed from his Achilles injury and a young, hungry defense led by Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, New York presents a legitimate challenge for a Tampa Bay roster looking to assert itself as a contender.
Why Joint Practices Matter
For casual fans, joint practices might sound like glorified scrimmages. In reality, they are some of the most valuable days of training camp. Unlike preseason games, where starters often play only a series or two -- if at all -- joint practices feature full-team, live-rep periods where first-team offenses and defenses go head-to-head for extended stretches.
For the Buccaneers, this is especially important on offense. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is entering his third season as the starter in Tampa, and while his 2025 campaign was solid -- over 4,000 yards passing with 30 touchdowns -- the team is still refining its identity under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Getting a full week of practice against a different defense, with different coverages and pressures, is invaluable for timing and communication.
The wide receiver room, led by Chris Godwin Jr. and second-year standout Emeka Egbuka, will benefit from going against a Jets secondary that features one of the best cornerbacks in the league. Likewise, an offensive line anchored by All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs and third-year center Graham Barton will face a stiff test from New York's defensive front -- a group that ranked fifth in sacks last season.
On defense, Bowles will have his unit go up against Rodgers and the Jets' passing attack. With defensive backs like Antoine Winfield Jr., Zyon McCollum, and second-year Benjamin Morrison patrolling the secondary, these practices will serve as a high-stakes evaluation period before the roster is trimmed.
Jacksonville Makes Sense
The Jaguars piece of the puzzle is still unconfirmed but sources indicate the team is "likely" to work in joint sessions with Jacksonville as well. That would give the Bucs back-to-back weeks of cross-team work, offering a chance to face different offensive and defensive philosophies.
Jacksonville is in a fascinating spot. The Jaguars have invested heavily in their defense under coordinator Ryan Nielsen, adding pieces like cornerback Tyson Campbell and pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen to a unit that showed flashes of dominance in 2025. On offense, quarterback Trevor Lawrence is still searching for consistency, but his weapons -- including wide receiver Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram -- are dangerous enough to test any secondary.
For Tampa Bay, practicing against two distinct offenses -- the Jets' West Coast-style, Rodgers-led attack and Jacksonville's spread, motion-heavy scheme -- provides a broader range of looks than the team would get facing its own scout team for three weeks straight.
"It's about getting uncomfortable," Bowles said. "You know what your guys do. You know what your coaches call. When you see a different offense with a different rhythm, it forces you to think faster and react quicker."
Camp Structure Taking Shape
The Buccaneers are expected to report to training camp in late July at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa. The joint practices with the Jets will likely occur in the week leading up to their preseason matchup, which is scheduled for mid-August. The Jaguars sessions, if finalized, would follow a similar timeline before the teams meet in preseason action.
This marks the second consecutive summer the Bucs have incorporated joint practices. Last year, they held sessions with the Miami Dolphins, and the feedback from players and coaches was overwhelmingly positive. The physicality was high, but so was the professionalism -- no fights broke out, and both sides came away feeling sharper.
"It was one of the best weeks of camp," an offensive lineman told reporters last summer. "You get tired of hitting the same guys every day. Going against someone else, you find out real quick what you need to work on."
What This Means for Roster Battles
Joint practices are also a critical evaluation tool for the coaching staff and general manager Jason Licht. With several roster spots still up for grabs -- particularly at wide receiver, defensive back, and along the defensive line -- these sessions serve as a live audition against NFL-caliber opponents.
Rookies like running back Bucky Irving, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, and wide receiver Tez Johnson will get extended reps against non-Tampa Bay defenders. For undrafted free agents and borderline veterans like safety Rashad Wisdom or defensive end Elijah Roberts, these practices represent one of the last chances to make a lasting impression before final cuts.
The Buccaneers have built a roster that blends established stars -- Vita Vea, Antoine Winfield Jr., Baker Mayfield -- with a wave of young talent. Getting that mix of experience and youth into competitive, high-intensity settings before the regular season is a deliberate strategy.
"We want to know what we have," Bowles said. "And the only way to really know is to go against someone who isn't wearing the same jersey."
Bottom Line
The Bucs are taking a proactive approach to training camp. By scheduling joint practices with the Jets and likely the Jaguars, Todd Bowles is signaling that he wants his team battle-tested before September arrives. For a franchise that has won back-to-back division titles but is still searching for its first playoff win since 2021, the margin for error is thin.
Getting quality work against two solid organizations in the summer heat could be the difference between a slow start and hitting the ground running.
As the details continue to take shape, one thing is clear: When the Buccaneers report to camp this year, the intensity will be dialed up from Day 1. And with the Jets and Jaguars on the schedule, there will be no shortage of challenges along the way.
