| 2015 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | The Glazer family |
| General manager | Jason Licht |
| Head coach | Lovie Smith |
| Home field | Raymond James Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 6–10 |
| Division place | 4th NFC South |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | RB Doug Martin DT Gerald McCoy LB Lavonte David OG Logan Mankins QB Jameis Winston |
The 2015 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 40th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the second and final under head coach Lovie Smith. The offseason was marked by the draft selection of All-American Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston first overall in the 2015 NFL draft. The team wore a patch to commemorate the club's 40th season.[1]
After their Week 8 overtime win at Atlanta, the Buccaneers had already improved on their record from 2014 (2–14). Entering the month of December, Tampa Bay had just swept division rival Atlanta, avenging an ugly 56–14 defeat on TNF a year earlier. The team found themselves mathematically in the hunt for a playoff berth with a 6–6 record. Despite showing improvement, the Buccaneers lost their final four games of the season. They finished 6–10 and last in the NFC South for the fifth straight year.
Despite missing the playoffs, Doug Martin finished second in the league in rushing yards (just 82 yards shy of Adrian Peterson), and the franchise had their first ever season finishing in the top five in total offense. Winston, who started all 16 games, was voted the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year. On the defense side, the Buccaneers made improvements, ranking in the top ten in total yards and points allowed.
On January 6, 2016, head coach Lovie Smith was fired after two seasons as head coach.[2]