Buccaneers Add Depth, Lose Legend in Early NFL Free Agency Moves
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are experiencing notable changes during this offseason after free agency opened on Wednesday.
After missing the playoffs last season and finishing with an 8-9 record, the team’s player and coaching roster is going to look a little different this year.
Some notable mentions have been added to the roster, including Alex Anzalone. The former New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions linebacker signed a two-year contract for $17 million to fill the need for inside linebacker, with long-time starter Lavonte David debating between playing a 15th season for the Bucs or retiring.
Another player coming to fill a need is third-down back Kenneth Gainwell with a two-year, $14 million contract. He is most likely a replacement for former Tampa running backs Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, who are current free agents.
The Bucs have also re-signed running back Sean Tucker for a one-year, $3.52 million contract, and Cade Otton for a three-year, $30 million contract.
While some new faces are joining the roster, some other familiar ones are being removed.
Wide receiver Mike Evans leaves the Bucs after 12 seasons, signing a three-year, $60.4 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers. During his time with Tampa, he had 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons before his injury in 2025, and won a Super Bowl during Tom Brady’s first season. Evans is the Buccaneers’ all-time leading receiver in yards and touchdowns, recording 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns in his career with Tampa Bay.
Another player lost is cornerback Jamel Dean, who signed a three-year, $36.75 million contract, creating another void for the Bucs to fill. In his nine years with the team, he’s never been able to stay on the field a full season because of injuries. However, he came back in 2025 perfectly healthy, making him one of the best cornerbacks last year with 38 tackles, 9 passes defended and 3 interceptions across 14 games.
In terms of coaching staff, one of the new names looks oddly familiar: Todd Bowles Jr. The head coach’s son joins the coaching staff as a defensive assistant this season.
In early January, Tampa signed 15 players for future contracts: eight offense and seven defense. These players were previously on the team’s practice squad and have been promoted to the full-time roster. The same day, they parted ways with six members of the coaching staff.
They have until July 22 to sign any remaining free agents and are looking to get back into the playoffs after missing them last season.
Category: NFL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
