Bucs Nation
It’s the first day but their star safety is already in mid-season form
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. kicked off the 2025 training camp with a bang, intercepting two passes from Baker Mayfield on back-to-back plays during Wednesday’s practice at AdventHealth Training Center. The All-Pro safety, coming off a challenging 2024 season marred by injuries, showcased his elite playmaking ability, signaling a potential bounce-back year on just the first day of camp.
Head Coach Todd Bowles expressed optimism, yet didn’t want to get too ahead of himself talking about his stud safety.
“It’s just good to see him healthy,” Bowles said. “I’m not going to put too much into the first day – we’re in shorts and t-shirts getting acclimated. He made some plays in shorts and t-shirt that I know he can make in pads. I was just happy to see him moving around.”
In 2023, Winfield’s All-Pro campaign featured 122 tackles, 6.0 sacks, three interceptions, 12 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. However, foot and knee injuries limited him to nine games in 2024, with career lows of 34 solo tackles, zero interceptions, and zero forced fumbles.
Now 26 and in his prime, Winfield’s health is key to Tampa Bay’s defensive aspirations.
Winfield’s dynamic start sets the tone for a promising 2025 season — albeit that it’s just Day 1 of camp.
