The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are quietly addressing one of the most pressing issues on their roster: guard depth. With the NFL season fast approaching, interior offensive line play has become a point of concern, as injuries and inconsistent performances have left the team seeking reliable options. Everyone knows that the Bucs need sturdy, experienced linemen who can protect the star QB Baker Mayfield and help sustain both the passing and running games.
Interior pressure has been a thorn in Tampa Bay’s side in recent seasons. It has been evident that the defensive tackles and blitz-heavy schemes are exploiting the guard positions. So, finding a player who can step in immediately and provide experience has become a top priority for the coaching staff. A competent guard rotation is vital, not only to protect Mayfield but also to open lanes for the running backs and keep the offense balanced. And for that, the Buccaneers are working out Royce Newman, a 28-year-old guard with 24 career starts and over 1,700 offensive snaps.
Buccaneers Add Their Former O-Line Guard Royce Newman
Newman spent last season on Tampa’s 53-man roster after starting his career with the Green Bay Packers, where he appeared in 52 games. In 2021, he logged 1,117 offensive snaps and allowed just 3.5 sacks, demonstrating his ability to handle high-pressure situations.
Why Does a Strong Guard Position Matter for Baker Mayfield?
Baker Mayfield’s resurgence with Tampa Bay has been impressive throughout his three seasons with the Bucs. But the numbers make it clear that weak offensive line play has limited his ceiling. In 2024, he was sacked 40 times with an average of more than two sacks per regular-season game. Those hits weren’t just from edge rushers. But the interior pressure from the guard spots often forced Mayfield to collapse the pocket or throw off rhythm. When that happens, a quarterback’s efficiency and decision-making naturally dip, and the Bucs’ offense becomes more predictable.
The sack-to-pressure ratio is another telling stat. By midseason last year, Mayfield had already absorbed 13 sacks despite only 36 pressures, ranking among the worst in the league. That means when pressure reached him, it frequently turned into a sack rather than a hurried throwaway or a scramble. For a quarterback who thrives in a clean pocket, that lack of guard stability directly impacts his ability to sustain drives and connect on deeper routes.
Some games showed just how bad it could get. Against the Denver Broncos, for example (Sept. 21, 2024), Mayfield was sacked seven times in one outing. It was a part of a stretch where Tampa Bay ranked 29th in sacks allowed. The repeated breakdowns forced him to abandon progressions early, check down quicker than designed, and sometimes absorb punishing hits.
That level of interior collapse doesn’t just disrupt game flow, but it also threatens the health of the starting star quarterback. To his credit, Mayfield avoided an even higher total, thanks to his instincts. Analytics showed he dodged 28 potential sacks through pocket movement and quick throws, per Steve Patton of Patton Analytics. And in those situations, he actually avoided turnovers and incompletions.
Still, constantly playing under duress is not sustainable. Even with his grit and creativity, Mayfield’s numbers prove that when Tampa’s interior line falters, the entire offense sputters. That’s why the Buccaneers’ search for guard reinforcements, including their recent look at Royce Newman, is more than just roster maintenance. Basically, it is about preserving their quarterback and keeping playoff hopes alive.