TAMPA — As gamers filed out of the Bucs locker room following their 23-20 loss to the Commanders within the NFC wild-card recreation final weekend, gamers paused to change hugs and handshakes.
For some, the goodbyes have been ultimate. Change is the one fixed within the NFL. Usually, a few third of the 53-man roster turns over yr to yr, generally extra.
There’s actual uncertainty for some iconic gamers, equivalent to linebacker Lavonte David and receiver Chris Godwin.
“Lots of guys in that room, free brokers, we’d be mendacity if we are saying we’re going to maintain everyone,” coach Todd Bowles stated. “For no matter motive, there’s going to be turnover. Once they come again, simply perceive we begin from floor zero. We’ve obtained to do the little issues proper and begin the season yet again. We’re not going to select up the place we left off.”
The change isn’t restricted to gamers. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen on Wednesday interviewed for the Jaguars’ head teaching job. Though it’s nonetheless very early within the course of, he’s thought-about a robust candidate.
In accordance with Overthecap.com, the Bucs have $11.743 million in salary-cap house, which ranks twenty third within the NFL. It contains $29.476 million in useless cash in 2025. However the Bucs have a chance to create cap house by restructuring the offers of quarterback Baker Mayfield (can open $21.558 million), sort out Tristan Wirfs ($19.864 million) and security Antoine Winfield Jr. ($14.872 million), in response to OTC.
Making a participant equivalent to cornerback Jamel Dean a post-June 1 launch, for instance, would clear $10.568 million.
Here’s a take a look at a number of the unrestricted free brokers the Bucs could have when the brand new league yr begins on March 12.
Key starters Bucs might attempt to re-sign
Chris Godwin, WR: The Bucs trailed the Ravens by 10 with no timeouts and fewer than 2 minutes to play on Oct. 21 when Godwin caught a 21-yard cross from Mayfield. He obtained his left ankle pinned underneath linebacker Roquan Smith, leading to a season-ending dislocation.
Godwin had entered the week main the NFL with 43 receptions for 511 yards and 5 touchdowns, and caught 7 for 65 yards the night time he was injured.
The three-year, $60 million contract he signed in 2022 is up. However due to voidable years added for salary-cap causes, the Bucs will carry $18.852 million in useless cash whether or not he performs or not.
He proved able to recovering from severe harm when he tore three knee ligaments in 2021, and Bowles stated he “would like to have him again.” However he’ll be 29 in February.
Lavonte David, LB: He turned 35 Thursday, the identical age as Derrick Brooks when he performed his final NFL recreation.
David had a outstanding season, main the crew with 122 tackles. He had 5.5 sacks, an interception, a fumble restoration and three pressured fumbles to extend his franchise document to 31.
However his cross protection has waned. He was ranked thirtieth out of 55 inside linebackers by Professional Soccer Focus.
David stated he’ll take his time and reconnect with household earlier than making a choice about his future. The Bucs probably will draft an inside linebacker and hope SirVocea Dennis recovers absolutely from a torn pectoral muscle.
“As a grown man, you’ve obtained different duties and different priorities to care for,” David stated. “The love of soccer remains to be there, but it surely in all probability doesn’t burn prefer it did once I was youthful.”
Retirement seems to be the more than likely choice, together with his Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame-worthy profession fulfilled. He performed on a 1-year, $8.5 million deal in 2024.
Ben Bredeson, G: The energy of the Bucs underneath Coen was the run recreation and the offensive line. Bredeson wasn’t the favourite to win the beginning left guard spot when he signed as a free agent from the Giants, however former Eagle Sua Opeta suffered a knee harm throughout coaching camp.
Enjoying subsequent to Wirfs, Bredeson was an unsung a part of a dashing assault that went from final within the NFL to fourth. It might be shocking to not see the Bucs try to signal the 26-year-old to a long-term deal.
“Excellent time right here,” Bredeson stated. “I completely liked it, and we’ll see how all the pieces goes. The O-line was phenomenal. Only a nice group of fellows. That was a small a part of the illustration of the crew as a complete. It’s an important tradition right here. Simply with the ability to go to work with everyone each single day was superior.”
Anthony Nelson, OLB: His 2-year, $10 million contract is up. Extremely productive for the variety of snaps he performed, Nelson took over as a starter towards the tip of the yr. He completed with 4 sacks and made one of many largest performs of the season, inflicting a fumble at Carolina that led to an additional time win. As for his impending free company? “It can work out the way it’s speculated to work out,” he stated.
Price a re-assessment?
Bryce Corridor, CB: The free-agent pickup from the Jets was speculated to be the third defensive again however dislocated his ankle and fractured a fibula within the opener towards Washington.
Justin Skule, T: Proved to be a greater left sort out than proper sort out, the place he struggled in his begin at Detroit. Lions defensive finish Aidan Hutchinson had 4.5 sacks, no less than three towards Skule. However he crammed in admirably when Wirfs sprained an MCL towards the 49ers.
Mike Edwards, S: Didn’t get an opportunity to indicate a lot after being claimed off waivers from Buffalo after struggling a hamstring harm. However he has some ball abilities wanted for a crew that had solely seven interceptions.
Doubtless gone however not forgotten
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, OLB: The ultimate decide of the primary spherical in 2021 by no means lived as much as his draft standing. An amazing athlete with versatility, Tryon-Shoyinka had 15 sacks in 4 seasons, together with a career-low 2 in 2024. The Bucs want a significant improve to pair with Yaya Diaby at edge rusher and sure will handle the place early within the draft or free company.
“Being a four-time NFC South champion means quite a bit to me, getting these kind of alternatives,” Tryon-Shoyinka stated. “I don’t take that flippantly, particularly with the ability to play in playoff video games. Folks play their entire careers and never even get one alternative, so to have 4 in my first 4 years, to be a profitable group like that, Tampa will at all times have my coronary heart.”
Kyle Trask, QB: The previous Gators star waited 4 seasons for an opportunity that by no means got here. First, Tom Brady arrived, then Mayfield. Trask solely appeared in seven video games, going 4-for-11 passing for 28 yards. He and the Bucs ought to need to transfer on.
KJ Britt, LB: Fifth-round decide in 2021 was restricted in cross protection and finally misplaced his job to J.J. Russell.
Robert Hainsey, C: Two-year starter misplaced his job to rookie Graham Barton, a first-round decide from Duke. However he performed properly in his solely begin in a win at New Orleans.
Different unrestricted free brokers: LB Shaquil Barrett, DL Greg Gaines, RB Chase Edmonds, DL Will Gholston, CB Tavierre Thomas, OL Royce Newman, G Sua Opeta, WR Sterling Shepard, CB Troy Hill, S Ryan Neal.
Restricted free brokers: LB J.J. Russell.
Unique rights free brokers: S Kaevon Merriweather, DL C.J. Brewer.