There are few teams who should benefit more from veteran talent this year than the Bucs. Tampa Bay has several veteran players who are 30-plus years old at key positions. Four even made Jeff Kerr’s list of the top 30 players 30 and over yesterday.
While it’s certainly an accomplishment to stay in the league beyond 30, there is always an elevated risk of injuries and diminished performance as you get older. Fortunately for these four Bucs, they’re still performing at a high level, including Pro Bowl berths, 1,000-yard seasons, career-highs, and more.
Bucs Offense Powered by 2 Stars 30 and Over
Kerr notes that organizations have to think ahead in terms of “when that bubble will burst” for their older guys. But, players are more focused on performing at a high enough level to extend their careers.
There’s an inherent tension between players and ownership. Teams have to stay within the salary cap, and players want to be paid what they’re worth. But, there are some teams who develop a reputation for taking care of their players. The Bucs are a shining example in recent years.
After a somewhat disappointing start to his career in Cleveland, Baker Mayfield has pulled off a remarkable turnaround. He earned his first Pro Bowl berth during his first season with the Bucs in 2023, then turned heads with a 3-year, $100 million deal last March.
As one of only three quarterbacks to make Kerr’s list, Mayfield has established himself as a “dark-horse” MVP candidate. While Mayfield is behind both of the other quarterbacks on the list – Jared Goff at No. 8 and Matthew Stafford at No. 12 – another efficient 4,000-yard season should push him closer to the top 10. Of course, Baker and the Bucs would like to extend their playoff streak, too.
“Mayfield isn’t as accomplished as the other quarterbacks on this list, but he’s proving big things are ahead in his 30s,” Kerr wrote.
One of Mayfield’s main weapons has been future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, who continues to embody consistency. He’s not in the same category as Hall of Famer Jerry Rice yet. But, the Bucs’ receiver matched Rice’s record of 1,000-plus yards in 11 straight seasons last year.
As the league’s active touchdown leader (105), the six-time Pro Bowler is “on the fast track to Canton,” according to Kerr.
2 Defenders with Hall of Fame Cases Make the List
On defense, the Bucs have two of the best players at their positions, regardless of age. Buccaneer for life, Lavonte David, earned the No. 23 spot on Kerr’s list.
The Bucs have been able to keep David around for 13 seasons, including six contracts. That’s rare, in and of itself, but David’s performance stands out for more than just his longevity.
David has racked up over 1,100 solo tackles during his career, which is good for fifth all-time. But, he’s in the rare position that he’s still second in Bucs franchise history, trailing Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks.
While his whole career has been impressive, his performance last year at age 34 keeps him in the top 30. The Bucs legend racked up 5.5 sacks in 2024, the second-highest total of his career. But, his run-stopping prowess is where he really excels.
David racked up pressures, sacks and forced fumbles among the best at the position, but struggled in pass coverage. That’s not surprising, considering he turned 35 in January.
While Vita Vea has only earned two Pro Bowl berths, both have come in the past four years. The Bucs’ monster nose tackle “is as productive at his position as they come,” Kerr wrote.
“Vea is one of the most disrupting defensive tackles in the game, commanding a double team nearly every snap against the run,” wrote Kerr.
Vea has racked up 23 sacks and 47 quarterback hits over the past four seasons, establishing himself as one of the most effective space-eaters in the league. While his PFF run defense grade dropped near a career-low in 2024, “his presence alone is that of a top-12 interior defender,” wrote PFF’s Trevor Sikkema. Sikkema ranked the Bucs big man at No. 11 in his interior defender rankings on May 30.
“Hard to find a better nose tackle than Vea, who is as productive at his position as they come,” wrote Kerr.
3 Super Bowl Champion Bucs Land Among Top Veteran Talent