It was surely not how Bucs center Graham Barton wanted it to end.
While the team lost 23-20, Barton was responsible for a late-game snap issue that played a part in Tampa Bay’s season coming to an end. After a long rookie year filled with ups and downs, now is the time for reflection as the team’s 2024 first-round pick heads into his first NFL offseason.
There is plenty to look forward to going into year two, but the time off means working toward something greater. Hoisting the Lombardi Trophy is the ultimate goal, but getting there means focusing on the little things and hopefully, running it back with the group of players and coaches in the building.
“It’ll Definitely Be A While” Before Graham Barton Gets Over Bucs’ Playoff Loss
Graham Barton is not over Sunday night’s Bucs’ playoff loss to the Commanders yet. Speaking to the media as he was cleaning out his locker, Barton admitted it would be a long time before that happens. He discussed an action-packed rookie year that saw him change positions from college, move down to Tampa Bay, and start in 16 games snapping the ball to quarterback Baker Mayfield.
“No, it’ll definitely be a while before that happens,” Barton said about when he will get over the playoff loss. “Just going to take some time and reflect, sort of get away from it. It’s been a long year, just from senior year of college to the draft to OTAs and camp and all that’s come with that, whether that’s changing positions or moving into a new city, etc, it’s been a long year. Sad it had to end the way it did, but just gonna learn. All you do is learn from it, right? Got to take it on the chin and keep moving forward. That’s all you can do, so.”
A mature response from someone the Bucs are hopeful continues to mature as a player and develop into one of the league’s best centers. It can be argued that Barton is in one of the best situations to do so.
He just finished his first season in Liam Coen’s high-scoring offense that ranked near the top of the league in every major offensive category and put a lot of impressive reps on tape. Playing under Coen and offensive line coach Kevin Carberry, there is a high ceiling for what the offense can accomplish going forward.
Not to mention, the second-year jump other offensive linemen have taken in recent years. Luke Goedeke blossomed into an above-average right tackle in his second year and took further strides in his third year. The same can be said for right guard Cody Mauch, who used this past offseason to grow and build confidence after this rookie year, which carried over onto the field in a big way.
Barton is next in line to do the same, and there is no reason that he cannot make a similar leap. He is in an environment that is not normal – but that should work to his benefit.
“We said this all year, and I know it’s out there, just how close of a unit this was, like, it’s not normal,” Barton said. “For me, this is all I’ve known. It’s been expressed to me that this is not normal to have the bond and the chemistry that we do. We do everything together. It’s sad to see that come to an end, just because of the way the NFL is. There is going to be turnover and things like that. It is what it is, but definitely going to spend some time in the next coming weeks together and sort of hang out and spend some good time together.
It was a rollercoaster of a season, and while it did not end how he or the team wanted, there are plenty of positive takeaways to look back on.
“It was a wild ride,” Barton added. “It’s crazy, I think one of the biggest things I learned is you can have a great regular season. You can do all these awesome things, but once you get in the playoffs, all that’s forgotten. It’s all about what you do in the playoffs. Our resume is not like – last night was obviously not what we wanted. It kind of stings, because all the great things we did achieve sort of are put on the back burner to just trying to still pat ourselves on the back for the things we did do. But at the same time, learn from what we’ve got to do better and go from there.”
Graham Barton Hopeful To “Run It Back Next Year” With Bucs OC Liam Coen
The talk of the town right now is whether Bucs head coach Todd Bowles should return for a fourth season. The direction the organization decides to go will also affect its offensive coordinator, Liam Coen.
Coen is viewed by many as the potential heir to the throne if you will, and whether he stays or stakes his claim for another head coaching job will drastically impact the offense and its ability to build off the 2024 season. With this offense being all Graham Barton has known, how is he handling the possibility of the offensive playcaller leaving for another team?
“I mean, that’s all way above me,” Barton said. “I don’t have much to say about it because I don’t know what’s going on or what’s going to happen. I don’t know anything more than you guys do. Obviously, we love Liam and what he’s done with this year with us is awesome. To be able to get another opportunity with him to improve and take an offseason to reflect and see what we can improve I think would be awesome. I’d love the opportunity to work with them again. This is a business, and people have to do what they have to do for their families.
“Opportunities don’t always arise like this. Whatever he does, love him, appreciate him. Hopefully, I get to work with him again. Everyone’s different, everyone’s got their own situation and families and things like that. Whatever happens, happens, we have to move forward regardless. Definitely appreciate Liam for all he’s done. Hopefully, we’ll get to run it back next year.”
Barton wants to run it back, and to have a better outcome next season means focusing on the little things, starting as soon as the offseason preparation ramps up. A few mistakes kept this iteration of the team from continuing its season, and he does not want to see that happen again with whoever remains with this squad in the future.
“We’re really close, just a couple of mistakes down the stretch and it’s a different game,” Barton said. “In playoff NFL football, you’ve got to be able to play mistake-free in crunch time to pull wins out, and we didn’t do that. That’s something during this offseason we’ve got to emphasize. Clean up the little things, because if you look at the big picture, we were impressive as an offense, but when you look at the details, there are things we could have done better.
“That’s got to be the main focus point going into next year. Making sure we’re putting emphasis on the little things that you may not put as much emphasis on in OTAs, but become very important in playoff football. Got to make sure we’re locked in on those things.”
