Mike Evans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians holds the Vince Lombardi trophy following the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay won 31-9. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Free-agent pickups have made a difference for some champions

By Rob Maaddi Mar. 16, 2021 12:56 PM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks to throw a pass while in the grasp of Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett, right, during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Barrett, Gronkowski agree to deals to stay with Buccaneers

By Fred Goodall Mar. 15, 2021 02:28 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Washington Football Team offensive guard Brandon Scherff stands on the sideline prior to an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Football Team, in Landover, Md. On Monday, March 8, 2021, Washington announced they've placed the franchise tag on guard Brandon Scherff for a second consecutive year. Scherff is coming off his first All-Pro season. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
Receivers Godwin, Robinson top franchise tag list

By Barry Wilner Mar. 09, 2021 04:46 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receivers Mike Evans, left, and Chris Godwin take part in a celebration of the team's Super Bowl 55 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, following a boat parade Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Super Bowl champ Bucs place franchise tag on WR Chris Godwin

By Fred Goodall Mar. 09, 2021 04:43 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Antoine Winfield Jr. taunts Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill after a play during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Analysis: Bucs laugh off fouls as Chiefs see red over yellow

By Arnie Stapleton Feb. 09, 2021 02:29 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Bucs, Lightning, Rays transform Tampa Bay into Titletown

By Fred Goodall Feb. 08, 2021 05:40 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) after throwing a touchdown pass during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
The Latest: Brady, Bucs dominate Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl

By The Associated Press Feb. 07, 2021 03:47 PM EST

Raymond James Stadium rises in the distance ahead of Super Bowl 55 Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The venue is hosting Sunday's Super Bowl football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2/7/2021

Feb. 06, 2021 03:06 PM EST

In this still image from video provided by the NFL, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady speak during Opening Night for the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. (NFL via AP)
Brady vs. Mahomes offers Super Bowl of contrasting styles

By Dave Skretta Feb. 06, 2021 03:04 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady during NFL football practice, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 55. (Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers via AP)
Brady, improved defense keys to Bucs winning Super Bowl

By Fred Goodall Feb. 05, 2021 01:06 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during Super Bowl media night, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Chiefs will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl 55. (Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs via AP)
From players to pedigree, Chiefs edge on Bucs in all aspects

By Dave Skretta Feb. 05, 2021 12:18 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) celebrate a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Washington Football Team, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AB says he's grateful for 2nd chance provided by Buccaneers

By Fred Goodall Feb. 03, 2021 06:52 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2020 file photoKansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) pulls in a 44-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla. Hill was unstoppable against Tampa Bay in late November. The speedy Kansas City star caught 13 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns in the Chiefs' 27-24 victory that afternoon. Tampa Bay gets another shot at Hill and the Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)
Super rematch: Hill burned Bucs repeatedly in 1st meeting

By Mark Long Jan. 31, 2021 09:30 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs with a elastic band around his legs during an NFL football workout Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Brady, productive drafts fuel Tampa Bay's run to Super Bowl

By Fred Goodall Jan. 29, 2021 07:24 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) holds the championship trophy after winning the NFC championship NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. The Buccaneers defeated the Packers 31-26 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Defense could be decisive in Super Bowl of dynamic offenses

By Barry Wilner Jan. 29, 2021 03:33 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians holds the championship trophy after winning the NFC championship NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. The Buccaneers defeated the Packers 31-26 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Arians' hiring put struggling Bucs on path to Super Bowl 55

By Fred Goodall Jan. 25, 2021 06:16 PM EST

Workers removed the tarp on Lambeau Field before the NFC championship NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers 1/24/2021

Jan. 24, 2021 12:36 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Devin White, right, intercepts a pass in front of New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) during the second half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
NFC Matchups: Where else to start but Brady and Rodgers?

By Barry Wilner Jan. 22, 2021 01:30 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates after an NFL divisional round football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. The Chiefs won 22-17. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Bills' Diggs among NFL elite receiving company this weekend

By John Wawrow Jan. 22, 2021 02:35 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich during an NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers play the Washington Football Team in a playoff game Saturday night. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Leftwich helping Brady transform potent Buccaneers offense

By Fred Goodall Jan. 22, 2021 02:27 AM EST