TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers strapped on full pads for the first time since last season’s finale Monday, marking the fifth practice of 2026 training camp and the moment players and coaches say the real competition begins.

“Now it feels like it’s real football,” said rookie outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. “[Special Teams Coordinator] Danny Smith would always say that everything we were doing was ‘football-light.’ Now we’re playing real football.”

The current CBA dictates a ramp-up period in the early days of camp designed to reduce injuries. The Buccaneers practiced twice in helmets and shorts, then added spiders — a smaller, lighter version of shoulder pads — for the next two days before Monday’s fifth session unlocked full pads. The difference was immediate along the line of scrimmage, where running backs were physically stopped in their tracks rather than allowed to run free on every handoff.

“It’s fun,” said tight end Cade Otton. “There’s a lot of excitement, a lot of aggressiveness taken out. But that’s what it’s all about. This is real football. In OTAs and the first few days of camp you kind of get away from that a little bit, so it’s good to get back to the physicality of the game.”

Linebackers and defensive backs noticed the shift on passing plays as well. “It definitely get a little bit different for the crossing routes and some of the runs that look like they’re free but now when guys come on they’re not,” said linebacker Alex Anzalone. “So it changes things up a bit.”

Anzalone said the team’s focus extends well beyond the first day in pads. “It definitely sets the tone,” he said. “You’ve got the juices flowing a little bit; it takes some time. We’ll get better as we get going. We’ll continue to grow and continue to get more physical as this training camp goes along. It’s not necessarily how you play on the first day in pads, it’s how you play on Day 12. That’s kind of the thought process.”

The heightened intensity brought more penalties, too. Visiting NFL referees were busier than usual. “I saw a lot of yellow flags but I saw a lot of physicality, as well,” said Head Coach Todd Bowles. “It’s the first day in pads, it’s going to happen. We’ll clean up those things and evaluate the players when we watch the tape.”

Otton acknowledged the competitive edge has sharpened off the ball as well. “Some position have some certain numbers circled,” he said with a smile. “It’s all fun, though. There is some of that, there is a lot of competing as a team, as offense and defense. We’re coming together as a team and competition inspires that.”

Each of the Buccaneers’ next three practices will feature full pads, including Tuesday’s annual night practice at the team’s Tampa facility.