“You don’t win championships by playing checkers. You play chess.” Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay’s sharp-minded maestro, knows this better than anyone. While the Buccaneers spent their offseason stacking offensive firepower like a kid hoarding candy on Halloween, whispers around the league suggest their grand defensive blueprint isn’t quite finished.

Enter the rumor mill’s latest obsession: a 36-year-old Super Bowl legend Von Miller whose résumé reads like a Madden cheat code. But we’ll get to him in a second—let’s talk about how Tampa turned the 2025 draft into a masterclass of swagger and strategy.

The Bucs Draft heist—Stealing offensive thunder (and why defense still needs a hero, Von Miller?)

The Bucs entered the draft with a glaring truth: their defense needed CPR after coughing up big plays in 2024 like a jalopy sputtering on I-4. Instead, General Manager Jason Licht pulled a classic Ocean’s Eleven move—distract everyone with glitter while plotting the real score. With the 19th pick, Tampa snagged Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, a receiver so electric he could power Raymond James Stadium solo. “Emeka was just a guy we felt so strongly about,” said VP Mike Biehl.

Egbuka, OSU’s all-time receptions leader (205), joins a receiver room already boasting Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and 2024 breakout Jalen McMillan. It’s like adding a Ferrari to a garage full of Lamborghini—overkill? Maybe. But as Biehl quipped, “When you hit home runs, you don’t apologize for the bat flip.”

Then came the plot twist: Tampa pivoted to defense, drafting lockdown corners Benjamin Morrison (9 INTs at Notre Dame) and Jacob Parrish (23 pass breakups at K-State), plus pass rushers David Walker (39 career sacks) and Elijah Roberts (FBS pressure king). Assistant GM Rob McCartney couldn’t hide his glee: “We’re jacked upstairs. These guys disrupt the catch point like they’ve got a personal vendetta against footballs.”

But here’s the rub: Tampa’s linebacker corps is thinner than the plot of a Fast & Furious sequel. Lavonte David, the ageless wonder, can’t play forever. This brings us to the elephant in the war room—Von Miller, the 36-year-old pass-rush savant recently cut by Buffalo. With 129.5 career sacks and two Super Bowl rings (including an MVP), Miller’s lurking on the free-agent market like Thanos in the post-credits scene.

The NFL’s post-draft shopping spree—What every team craves

While Tampa debates whether to break the bank for Von Miller, the rest of the league is scrambling like contestants on Supermarket Sweep—snatching up veterans to fill roster holes faster than you can say “cap space.” Let’s break down what every team’s cart is missing:

AFC North:

• Bengals: Safety help, ASAP. Imagine Ja’Marr Chase catching bombs while their secondary burns—Cincinnati’s sweating like ‘The Bear’s’ Carmy during a dinner rush.

• Browns: WR drama alert. Jerry Jeudy as WR1? That’s like replacing Beyoncé with a karaoke singer. Cleveland’s eyeing Amari Cooper’s return like “Come back, King!”

• Ravens: Defensive line depth. With Justin Madubuike holding the fort, Baltimore’s scouting big bodies like ‘Game of Thrones’ needs more dragons.

• Steelers: QB chaos. Aaron Rodgers’ retirement teases and Mason Rudolph’s déjà vu? Pittsburgh’s QB room is a ‘Succession’ episode—everyone’s plotting, nobody’s leading.

South:

• Colts: O-line insurance. Rookies Tucker and Bortolini got baptized by fire last year—Indy needs a veteran to block the flames.

• Jaguars: Defensive tackle prayers. Arik Armstead’s health is shakier than a Jenga tower.

• Texans: O-line rebuild. Trading Laremy Tunsil? Bold. Starting rookies? Bold-er. Houston’s betting on vibes and vibes alone.

• Titans: WRs not named Calvin Ridley. Cam Ward throwing to Van Jefferson? That’s like serving caviar on a paper plate.

East:

• Bills: Safety dance. Buffalo’s defense is one missing piece away from ‘The Avengers’—if only they had a Thor for the backfield.

• Dolphins: Cornerback crisis. Jalen Ramsey trade rumors? Miami’s DB room is thinner than a South Beach smoothie.

• Jets: WR depth. Garrett Wilson vs. the world? Even Aaron Rodgers can’t turn Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds into Davante Adams and Randall Cobb.

• Patriots: Edge rusher edge. Harold Landry needs a wingman—preferably one who doesn’t ghost in big moments.

West:

• Broncos: Safety net needed. Justin Simmons’ ghost still haunts Denver’s secondary.

• Chargers: Tight end thrills. Jim Harbaugh wants a Gronk-esque monster, not Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin’s polite catch-and-fall.

• Chiefs: Guard grit. Protecting Patrick Mahomes isn’t a suggestion—it’s a commandment.

• Raiders: Linebacker lottery. Elandon Roberts and Devin White? That’s a ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ plot waiting to happen.

NFC North:

• Bears: Safety net. Kevin Byard’s 30 going on 60—Chicago needs youth like ‘Euphoria’ needs drama.

• Lions: Edge energy. Aidan Hutchinson’s knee is a question mark and Marcus Davenport’s health streak? Spoiler: It’s nonexistent.

• Packers: CB clarity. Moving on from Jaire Alexander? Green Bay’s secondary is ‘Lost’—no map, no compass, all confusion.

• Vikings: Cornerback conundrum. Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers? More like “Byron Who?” and “Isaiah Maybe?”

South:

• Falcons: CB2 quest. A.J. Terrell needs a Robin, not a liability.

• Panthers: Cornerback chaos. Jaycee Horn’s great, but the rest? Yikes.

• Saints: WR wonders. Chris Olave’s injury history? More tragic than ‘The Notebook.’

East:

• Commanders: Edge explosion. Their pass rush is as thrilling as a DMV line.

• Cowboys: Safety suspense. Dallas’ secondary is aging faster than a TikTok trend.

• Eagles: WR depth. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith can’t do it all—Philly needs a slot savior.

• Giants: O-line overhaul. Protecting Jaxson Dart? Better teach him to run like ‘Forrest Gump.’

West:

• 49ers: Guard grit. Brock Purdy’s magic won’t last if he’s running for his life.

• Cardinals: Linebacker lottery. Arizona’s drafting LBs like they’re scratch-offs—hoping for a jackpot.

• Rams: CB clarity. Darious Williams’ replacement? More elusive than ‘Inception’’s plot.

• Seahawks: D-line depth. Seattle’s front is thinner than a hipster’s beard.

The NFL offseason is a chessboard where every move echoes—a dance of desperation and genius. Tampa’s flirtation with Von Miller isn’t just about sacks; it’s about legacy. Meanwhile, teams across the league are hunting for their own missing pieces, whether it’s Cleveland begging for a WR1 or Green Bay praying their CBs don’t face Justin Jefferson twice a year.

As free agency winds down, the league’s mantra rings clear: “Adapt or die.” For the Bucs, adding Miller would be the mic drop—a final brushstroke on a masterpiece. For everyone else? The scramble continues because, in the NFL, tomorrow’s champions are built on today’s chaos.