Bucs Center Graham Barton Reflects on Progress and Team Dynamics

TAMPA, Florida — As the 2025 NFL season approaches, Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Graham Barton expressed optimism about building on his rookie performance during an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio last week.

Barton highlighted the supportive nature of his rapport with quarterback Baker Mayfield, noting that the veteran’s patience helped alleviate the pressures of learning the intricacies of his new role.

“Baker’s big thing with me coming in was he knew how much my head was spinning trying to learn the entire offense and learn the position all at once,” Barton said. “He never brought me down. It was always about just giving me confidence. Baker was really patient with me, and he had a lot of belief in me.”

Over the past two seasons, the Buccaneers have navigated significant challenges. The unity and camaraderie within the team have been key factors in their resilience. Barton hopes that the team can avoid midseason slumps this year.

Fans are also eagerly speculating about the potential improvements this offseason could bring, particularly for rookies such as Jalen McMillan and Bucky Irving, who made notable contributions last season.

Meanwhile, Mayfield’s performance remains under scrutiny. Last season, he rushed for 378 yards, more than double his previous best, and achieved a career-high 24 first downs. However, he also tied for the league lead in fumbles, raising questions about his decision-making while scrambling.

“Mayfield’s scrambling can and will continue at this high-octane pace, but cutting down on turnovers is crucial,” rookie offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard said during a press conference. “We want to ensure that he focuses on maintaining possessions while taking smart risks.”

Several fans expressed their support for Mayfield, emphasizing the importance of his leadership style and the need for the team to focus on offensive cohesion moving forward. One fan mentioned, “It’s always good to treat your teammates right, especially young linemen learning the ropes.”

In response to the discussions surrounding the team’s pass defense and overall effectiveness, fans remain hopeful that with continued development and strategic drafting, the Buccaneers can restore their competitive edge.

As the draft approaches, analysts are discussing potential targets, including Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, whom many believe would be an excellent fit for the team’s defensive needs. General Manager Jason Licht noted the importance of selecting productive college players, as they often translate well to the NFL.

“You find that guys who are very productive in the NFL also had productive college careers, too,” Licht said. “It’s not an exact science, but it’s a trend we’re looking to capitalize on.”

Overall, as Barton and his teammates prepare for the upcoming season, the focus will be on growth, teamwork, and enhancing their performance on the field.