Buccaneers vs Steelers Player Stats: Recap & Fallout

Preseason games don’t usually spark much conversation, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 17-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 16, 2025, carried more weight than a typical August exhibition. With Teddy Bridgewater throwing two quick touchdowns in his first appearance with the team, the game offered a glimpse of what might have been—and a preview of the fallout that followed.

Final Score: Buccaneers 17 – Steelers 14 (Preseason Week 2, Aug 16, 2025) ·
Top Passer (TB): Teddy Bridgewater – 2 TD passes ·
Top Rusher (PIT): L. Nichols – 3 carries, 5 yards ·
Bucs 2025 Playoff Status: Eliminated from playoffs ·
Coaching Change: OC Josh Grizzard fired after season

Five key facts from the game and its aftermath tell the story of a team in transition.

The stats below capture the essential data points from the matchup and its aftermath.

Are the Buccaneers out of the playoffs?

How the Bucs season ended

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished the 2025 regular season with a losing record, mathematically eliminated from playoff contention before the final week. Their 2-0 preseason start, including the win over the Steelers, did not carry over to meaningful games. According to the Buccaneers’ official site, the team’s postseason drought continued.

Playoff elimination details

As of the end of the 2025 regular season, the Bucs were out of the wild-card race and failed to win the NFC South. The ESPN standings confirmed their elimination. The preseason loss to the Steelers, though irrelevant to the standings, was part of a preparation phase that ultimately did not yield a playoff berth.

The implication: That preseason win over Pittsburgh was a bright spot in an otherwise dark season — but it didn’t change the final outcome.

Who was fired from the Buccaneers?

Josh Grizzard firing and implications

The Buccaneers fired offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard after the 2025 season, a decision that was confirmed by multiple sources. ESPN reported the move as part of a broader staff shake-up. Grizzard had served as OC for the 2025 campaign, during which the offense ranked below league average in scoring and yards per game.

According to CBS Sports, the firing was tied to the team’s offensive struggles, though the exact reasons were not officially detailed. The trade-off for the Bucs: a fresh start at coordinator, but with uncertainty about the quarterback position and offensive scheme.

Who played for the Steelers and Bucs?

Notable players who have played for both teams

Several players have suited up for both franchises over the years. One notable example is wide receiver Antonio Brown, who played for the Steelers from 2010 to 2018 and briefly for the Buccaneers in 2020-2021. More recently, cornerback Dee Delaney has been on both rosters. In the Aug 16, 2025 preseason game, Teddy Bridgewater (Bucs) faced a Steelers defense that included several former Tampa Bay practice squad players, though no major crossovers were active that day.

Player stats from the latest matchup

From the game, Bridgewater’s stat line: 2 TD passes (to Bucky Irving and Emeka Egbuka) in the first quarter, per the Buccaneers postgame report. For Pittsburgh, L. Nichols had 3 carries for 5 yards, as listed in the ESPN box score. The Steelers’ passing attack was limited, with no quarterback throwing a touchdown.

The pattern: The Bucs got the production they needed from their backup quarterback, while the Steelers’ run game sputtered.

Is the Tampa Bay offense good?

Bucs offensive stats vs Steelers in latest game

In the preseason game, the Bucs scored 17 points, with Bridgewater’s two TD passes accounting for 14 of them. The Fox Sports box score shows the Bucs gained 310 total yards, with a balanced attack. The offensive line allowed only one sack, per ESPN.

Key offensive players’ performance

Bridgewater’s debut was praised by head coach Todd Bowles, who said, That was pretty good, according to the Buccaneers postgame report. However, the regular-season offense was a different story. The Bucs ranked 22nd in the NFL in points per game, leading to Grizzard’s firing. The ESPN team page shows the 2025 offensive stats.

Do the Buccaneers have a chance to go to the Super Bowl?

2025-26 Super Bowl odds and roster outlook

Oddsmakers list the Buccaneers as long shots to win Super Bowl 60, with typical lines around +4000, according to CBS Sports. Their chances will depend on the offseason moves: a new offensive coordinator, quarterback decisions, and defensive retooling. The ESPN analysis suggests the Bucs need a strong draft and free agency to compete in the NFC South.

The catch: Even with a successful offseason, the Bucs face a tough division with the Falcons and Saints improving. A Super Bowl run in 2026 is possible but improbable.

“That was pretty good.”

— Todd Bowles, Buccaneers head coach, on Teddy Bridgewater’s debut, via Buccaneers postgame report

“The game was important in the backup quarterback competition between Bridgewater and Kyle Trask.”

— CBS Sports/AP recap

For the Buccaneers, the 2025 season ended with a coaching change and a roster in flux. The preseason win over the Steelers offered a glimpse of what the offense could be under Bridgewater, but the regular season told a different story. The decision for the front office is clear: either commit to Bridgewater as the starter or invest in a rookie quarterback, while the new OC designs a system that can keep pace in the NFC South.

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