3 Buccaneers who could explode in the second half of the season
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are sitting fairly comfortably at 6-2 as they head into their bye week following a big 23-3 win over the New Orleans Saints.
They have fought through adversity in the first half of the season, particularly when dealing with injuries, but find themselves positioned atop the NFC South and as one of the top three teams in the entire NFC conference.
There is still plenty to be done in Tampa Bay this week, but for the time being, the players will look to rest up to get healthier, spend some quality time with family and look ahead at how to build off their successful first half of the 2025 season.
While the players get a much-needed break, we took it upon ourselves to examine what players could break out in the second half of the season.
WR Emeka Egbuka
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First-round draft pick Emeka Egbuka has been a wonder for the Buccaneers since being drafted 19th overall, and has only exceeded expectations filling in as the Bucs' go-to wide receiver with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out.
It was hard not to go with fellow rookie wideout Tez Johnson here due to the aforementioned injuries to Evans and Godwin. However, Johnson fits more of the mold of a player who must step up in the second half rather than one we can envision having a terrific second half.
Egbuka has already solidified himself in the league, becoming the first rookie in NFL history with 25+ catches, 400+ receiving yards and 5+ touchdowns through his first five games. But with multiple guys still down for the count and the Bucs relying on him heavily, his ceiling is sky-high as long as he stays healthy and finds that rhythm he had earlier in the season.
OLB Yaya Diaby
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The defense came alive against the New Orleans Saints in Week 8, forcing five sacks and four turnovers, and a larger reason for the reemergence has been thanks to the development of pass rusher Yaya Diaby.
Diaby finished his 2024 season strong, seeing a surge in sack numbers and pressures, and he has carried that over to the 2025 season. The addition of Haason Reddick on the opposite side has taken some of the pressure off of Diaby, and he has become one of the league's best at pressuring the quarterback.
Diaby is at four sacks on the season, just half a sack off from last year's total, and has plenty of opportunities to continue adding to his 2025 production. With the defense gaining momentum and matchups that favor him still left on the schedule, Diaby is primed for a breakout down the stretch.
RB Bucky Irving
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers running game has evolved over the past couple of seasons, with one of the large aspects behind that being the emergence of running back Bucky Irving.
Irving exploded onto the scene last year but has been hampered by injuries that have caused him to miss three contests.
Rachaad White and Sean Tucker have tried to fill the void left by Irving, but the Bucs' rushing attack has struggled with consistency and explosiveness in Irving's absence.
Getting Irving back healthy is key for the Bucs' offense. He has a unique blend of short-area explosiveness, receiving skills and vision in space that makes him easily one of the more dangerous weapons on the Bucs' offense.
With defenses keying in on Baker Mayfield and the passing game, Irving could thrive now that the attention is off him after his brief stint away from the field. Once Irving is back in the fold, there is no reason not to believe the offense won't balance itself back out and return to hitting some of those explosive plays that have been missing for a few weeks.
Colts Rookie Benched for Disciplinary Violation — Hasn’t Played a Single Snap After Shane Steichen’s Tough Message on Standards
The Indianapolis Colts’ seventh-round rookie wide receiver has yet to see the field this season — and head coach Shane Steichen just made it clear why.
Despite impressing during offseason workouts with his speed and versatility, the young wideout has remained on the practice squad since Week 1, with Steichen citing discipline and execution as the main reasons behind the decision.
“HE'S GOT THE TALENT, NO QUESTION. BUT IN INDIANAPOLIS, EXECUTION IS EVERYTHING. HE MISSED READS, BLEW ASSIGNMENTS, AND DIDN'T MASTER THE DETAILS. AROUND HERE, YOU DON'T EARN SNAPS WITH POTENTIAL — YOU EARN THEM BY PLAYING THE COLTS WAY.”
The rookie in question is Junior Bergen, a seventh-round pick (No. 252 overall) from Montana, who signed a four-year rookie contract shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft. Bergen flashed promise as a slot receiver and return specialist during training camp, drawing early comparisons to former Colts gadget players known for their versatility and intelligence.
However, insiders from the team’s practice sessions revealed that Bergen struggled to learn route progressions, execute assignments precisely, and adjust to the pace and complexity of Steichen’s offense — a system renowned for demanding timing, precision, and mental sharpness.
The Colts waived Bergen on August 26, 2025, only to re-sign him to the practice squad the following day — a move Steichen described as part of the development process rather than a punishment.
“He’s learning,” Steichen said. “But at this level, talent isn’t enough. You have to prove every day that you understand your job and that your teammates can trust you to execute it.”
Bergen has since worked closely with receivers coach Reggie Wayne, focusing on improving his route discipline and timing. Despite being benched from active play, team sources say the 23-year-old has shown steady progress and remains a long-term project for the Colts’ offense.
Still, Steichen’s message was unmistakable: in Indianapolis, consistency and preparation are non-negotiable. “This organization is built on accountability,” he said. “Every player here — whether it’s a Pro Bowler or a rookie — is expected to uphold that standard. Until you do, you sit.”
For Junior Bergen, the lesson is clear. The path back to the field won’t come from talent alone — it will come from mastering the details and earning the right to play the
