Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first team in the Super Bowl era to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy at their home stadium in Florida when they defeated Kansas City Chiefs back in February.
Bruce Arians’ side proved too strong for the defending champions as they dominated the contest, winning 31-9. That was the Buccaneers’ second success in the Super Bowl following their victory in 2002.
The target going into the 2021/22 campaign for Tampa Bay will be to become the first back-to-back winners of the Super Bowl in 17 years. New England Patriots are the last franchise to do that. They did so in 2005 when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles. The player who was quarterback in that game was Tom Brady, the man who led the Tampa Bay to victory earlier this year.
Brady’s Contract Extension A Big Boost For Bucs
At the age of 43, Brady continues to break many records in the NFL. The man who is considered to be the greatest quarterback to play the sport, is the oldest starting QB to win the Super Bowl and the oldest winner of the Super Bowl MVP prize.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner will be equally as motivated to win the biggest game in football for an eighth time this upcoming season. He moved to Tampa Bay to try and lead the franchise to glory and, so far, things have gone to script for the former Patriots QB who is one of the most popular people in Tampa Bay right now.
Any suggestion the reigning Super Bowl MVP would retire following his latest success were quickly squashed by Brady and the Bucs. He signed a new sports contract which will ensure he remains in Florida until the end of the 2022 season. He is now training hard to ensure he returns in the best shape possible when the season begins in September.
Competition Expected To Be Tougher Next Season
As of the 1st June, Tampa Bay were second best at +650 in the NFL betting odds for Super Bowl LVI. They are behind the team they beat back in February, Kansas City Chiefs, who top the market at +450.
The Chiefs are seen as the team to beat by the odds compilers as they are expecting the Super Bowl LIV winners to bounce back. With Patrick Mahomes set to be fit again following surgery on his right foot, it would be no surprise if the AFC Conference winners were in contention again.
In the NFC, Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers should be strong challengers to the Buccaneers. The Rams fell short in the Divisional Round of the playoffs last season. They traded for quarterback Matthew Stafford in the offseason, a big boost to their chances ahead of Super Bowl LVI.
Tampa Bay Have Kept Hold Of Strong Roster
Bucs head coach Arians is fortunate to have one of the best jobs in the NFL as his roster is solid in 2021. All 22 starters from Super Bowl LV remain under contract or have re-signed to stay with Tampa Bay ahead of the 2021/22 season.
One of the Bucs’ biggest strengths last year was their defense. Jason Pierre-Paul and Devin White were two of their linebackers who consistently delivered across the regular season and playoffs. The way they shut down Mahomes and the Chiefs’ impressive offense in the Super Bowl was a great example of that.
Brady was desperate for his new franchise to take a chance on Antonio Brown last season and that move paid off. The seven-time Pro-Bowler looked back to his best at times in 2020. With a full training camp under him this time, the former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver may even be a better weapon for the Bucs QB to throw to.
In the NFL Draft back in April, Tampa Bay opted to take outside linebacker Joe Tyron in the first round. The Washington graduate will be competing for a starting spot next season and looks like an exciting player for the future.
Quarterback Kyle Trask was selected in the second round and he has the honor of learning from Brady in training. He scored 43 touchdowns last season for Florida and was handed the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.
Brady and the Bucs will begin the defense of their title when they take on the Dallas Cowboys in the season opener on September 9.