Depth Destroys: Bucs Backups Thump Titans 29–7 in Preseason Opener
The lights were on at Raymond James, but most of the headliners were in hoodies. Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Lavonte David, Antoine Winfield Jr. — all spectators. This was supposed to be a tune-up for the rookies, the fringe roster guys, and the second string. Instead, it turned into a statement. The Buccaneers’ backups didn’t just survive against Tennessee’s mix of starters and rookies. They pushed them around. They dictated tempo. And they sent the Titans home on the wrong end of a 29–7 preseason beatdown that was never really in doubt after halftime.
Trask Sets the Tone
With Mayfield sitting, Kyle Trask got the start and looked like a guy who’s been running this offense for years, not a QB2 getting his first extended reps since last preseason. He opened with a 25-yard strike to Jalen McMillan, followed by a 21-yard rope to rookie Emeka Egbuka — a throw that needed to be on time and in a tight window, and was. That drive ended with Chase McLaughlin hitting a 45-yard field goal, but it was a preview of how the Bucs would move the ball all night. On the next possession, Trask orchestrated a 17-play, 80-yard marathon that chewed nearly 11 minutes off the clock. It was balanced, efficient, and capped with Sean Tucker blasting in from two yards out. Trask finished 12-of-16 for 129 yards, no turnovers, and a 98.2 passer rating. He left at halftime with the Bucs leading 13–7, but the control he showed kept the offense steady from the jump.
Jacob Parrish: Rookie Corner, Veteran Swagger
If you’re circling names on the depth chart after Week 1 of the preseason, put Jacob Parrish in permanent marker. The rookie corner played with the kind of confidence that makes coaches take notice. Twice in the first half, he erased second-down throws with tight, physical coverage, forcing the Titans into third-and-longs they didn’t convert. Parrish’s footwork was clean, his reaction quick, and his presence obvious. This wasn’t garbage time either — Parrish spent plenty of snaps lining up across from veterans like Tyler Lockett and Calvin Ridley in live action. He didn’t flinch. He didn’t guess. He just covered. For a Bucs defense that will need depth at corner come December, Parrish’s debut was about as good as it gets.
Emeka Egbuka: Flash Play, Lasting Impression
One catch. Twenty-one yards. And enough to make the highlight reel.Emeka Egbuka’s lone reception came in the first quarter, and it was a beauty — a leaping, contested grab against tight coverage that moved the chains and set up the game’s first points. It was the kind of play that says “throw it my way, I’ll get it.” With Mike Evans resting and Chris Godwin still working back from last year’s injury, Egbuka’s reps matter. The rookie showed in one snap what scouts loved about him: strong hands, body control, and the ability to win against NFL-level coverage. He’ll get more opportunities as the preseason rolls on, but this was exactly the type of flash the coaching staff wanted to see.
J.J. Roberts: Invisible in the Box Score, Impossible to Miss
The numbers don’t do him justice. J.J. Roberts’ stat line won’t grab you, but his fingerprints were all over the second half. Tight coverage? Check. A perfectly timed route jump that led to Tyrek Funderburk’s interception? Check. Physical presence in run support? Check. Roberts plays with a mix of patience and aggression that’s rare for a rookie defensive back. On the Funderburk pick, he read the quarterback’s eyes, broke on the ball, and got enough of it to create the turnover. It didn’t officially go down as his interception, but anyone watching knew who caused it.
Defense Slams the Door
After giving up a single second-quarter touchdown to Cam Ward’s one decent drive, the Bucs’ defense shut the Titans down.
- Three interceptions: Nick Jackson (also had a sack and a tackle for loss), Funderburk, and Roman Parodie (39-yard pick-six to seal it).
- Stout against the run: 3.1 yards per carry allowed, even with starters out.
- Third-down dominance: Held Tennessee to 5-of-13 conversions.
Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, was kept clean but limited. The rest of the Titans’ QBs weren’t so lucky. By the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay’s pass rush — slow to start — was forcing bad throws and mistakes.
Run Game Bully Ball
When you run 41 times for 178 yards in a preseason game, it’s more than just padding the stat sheet — it’s imposing your will. Sean Tucker's 2-yard touchdown plunge was big, but it was Owen Wright who became the hammer late. Wright had two touchdowns wiped out by penalties before finally breaking free for a 15-yard score in the fourth quarter. The Titans knew it was coming, loaded the box, and still couldn’t stop it. That’s a credit to the Bucs’ offensive line depth — guys like center Jake Majors and tackle Charlie Heck doing the dirty work so the backs could eat.
Final Word
This wasn’t a Baker-Evans-Godwin highlight night. This was a “let's see what our depth can do” night. Jacob Parrish looked ready to contribute real snaps now. Emeka Egbuka made his one chance count. J.J. Roberts created turnovers without getting the stat credit. The run game bullied the Titans for four quarters, and the defense outscored Tennessee in the second half. Preseason or not, 29–7 with your starters in hoodies is a statement. And Saturday night, that statement was clear: the Bucs’ depth isn’t just solid — it’s dangerous!