Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

Free-agent linebacker Lavonte David (knee) has expressed a desire to continue playing in Tampa Bay. In fact, he said that he will retire if he does not re-sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This isn't a very surprising verdict from the veteran defender, who has spent all 14 of his NFL seasons with the Bucs. He continued to play at a high level during his age-35 campaign last year, starting all 17 games with one interception, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 3.5 sacks, and 114 tackles. David, who recently underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean up his knee, indicated that he'll make a decision on his future sooner rather than later. If he does return to the Bucs for another season, he'll presumably compete for a starting linebacker role alongside recent free agent addition Alex Anzalone.

Future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans has agreed to terms on an undisclosed three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Evans' 13th year in the NFL will be his first away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 32-year-old veteran opened his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons before suffering hamstring and collarbone injuries in 2025 that limited him to a career-low eight starts. Evans caught 30 of his 62 targets last year for 368 yards and three touchdowns. The six-time Pro Bowler will now be seeking a second Super Bowl ring in the Bay Area as the Niners' clear No. 1 target for quarterback Blake Purdy. Injuries are a bigger issue for the aging wideout, but if healthy, Evans could have a WR1 ceiling again in fantasy football in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense. UPDATE: Evans' deal is worth up to $60.4 million.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are re-signing tight end Cade Otton to an undisclosed deal on Monday, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Otton will return to Tampa for a fifth season after catching 207 of his 300 targets for 2,018 yards and 11 touchdowns in 63 games (58 starts) in his first four years in the NFL. The 26-year-old former fourth-round selection in 2022 out of Washington tied his career-high with 59 receptions in 2025 for 572 yards, but he found the end zone just once in 16 starts. He hasn't been much more than a matchup-based TE2 streamer for fantasy football purposes, although Otton could see a boost in targets from quarterback Baker Mayfield if veteran receiver Mike Evans leaves in free agency this offseason. Still, Otton's TE25 finish in half-PPR scoring last year doesn't exactly give much hope for the future when the Bucs were decimated by injuries at WR in 2025. UPDATE: Otton is receiving a three-year deal from Tampa.

The Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers have all expressed interest in signing Tampa Bay Buccaneers impending free-agent wide receiver Mike Evans, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot also believes the Cleveland Browns will pursue the six-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer. Evans is likely to prefer a team that has a realistic shot at a Super Bowl run, which would eliminate the Browns, but Evans did thrive under new Browns head coach Todd Monken when Monken was the offensive coordinator in Tampa. The Chargers and Commanders are intriguing potential landing spots, but the 32-year-old former seventh overall pick could decide that staying in Tampa with quarterback Baker Mayfield gives him the best chance to compete for another ring. The 12-year veteran played in a career-low eight games in 2025 due to a broken collarbone. Durability concerns are becoming much more real as Evans nears the end of his outstanding career.

Free agent running backs Rachaad White and Kenneth Gainwell "might make sense" for the Jacksonville Jaguars if they don't re-sign Travis Etienne Jr., according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. White, 27, spent his first four NFL seasons in Tampa Bay. He consistently flashed upside as a dual-threat back with the ability to score touchdowns, but he was held in check each of the last two years due to Bucky Irving's breakout. We have seen what White can do in a shared backfield (or by himself), and he could be a 1A to the 1B of Bhayshul Tuten in Jacksonville. There's real optimism that White could return to 2023 form, which included 990 rushing yards, 549 receiving yards, nine touchdowns, and an overall RB4 finish in PPR leagues. Notably, White has a connection to Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, who was previously his offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay. Gainwell, on the other hand, is coming off a breakout season in Pittsburgh. During his lone year as a Steeler, he ranked as the RB16 in PPR leagues with 537 rushing yards, 486 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. He split the workload with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh, and he'd presumably do the same with Tuten in Jacksonville. Either running back would have appeal as an RB2 or RB3 option if they sign with the Jaguars.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan could be headed for increased opportunities next season due to a teammate's impending departure. Mike Evans is slated for free agency, and all signs point to him signing elsewhere this offseason. Wide receiver depth is one reason why the Buccaneers can feel comfortable letting Evans walk in free agency. McMillan is one of the key pieces of that depth chart, slotting into an impressive wide receiver room alongside Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. An injury sidelined McMillan for most of his second pro season in 2025, but he did return for the final four games of the regular season. He caught seven passes for 114 yards in Week 17, showcasing some of the upside we saw from him as a rookie in 2024 when he caught 37 passes for 461 yards and eight touchdowns. Evans has produced four double-digit touchdown seasons since 2020, so we can expect McMillan to acquire a large portion of those vacated targets around the goal line. McMillan's price tag in dynasty and redraft leagues could soar when Evans officially signs elsewhere. Dynasty managers are encouraged to beat this rush and buy low on McMillan before NFL free agency begins, as he has legitimate WR3/flex appeal for 2026.

The New York Giants are high on Tampa Bay Buccaneers impending free-agent cornerback Jamel Dean, according to Connor Hughes of SNY. The Giants also made calls on cornerback Trent McDuffie before the Los Angeles Rams acquired him from the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday. Dean, 29, was a former third-round pick by the Bucs in 2019 out of Auburn. In his seven years in the NFL, he has accumulated 359 tackles (285 solo), one sack, seven tackles for loss, 11 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 61 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 96 games (77 starts). Dean had 46 tackles (38 solo), his first career sack, a career-high three interceptions (one for a TD), nine pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 14 starts in 2025. He should garner plenty of attention on the open market besides the Giants.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not tender a contract to restricted free-agent running back Sean Tucker, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Tucker will become a free agent next week after rushing for 320 yards and seven touchdowns on a career-high 86 carries in 17 games in 2025 in his third year in the NFL. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Syracuse also added eight receptions (11 targets) for 34 yards and a touchdown through the air. Rachaad White is another Tampa RB set to depart in free agency this offseason, so the team's backfield could look quite different next year behind Bucky Irving. Tucker probably won't land anywhere that will give him a big role in the backfield in 2026, but he has proven to be a useful depth option while also contributing on special teams as a returner. He had a career-high 597 kickoff return yards. If he re-signs with the Bucs, Tucker could be the top handcuff for those who roster Irving.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka faded after a slow start in his rookie NFL season in 2025, but he could have a clear path to his first 1,000-yard season next year with veteran wideout Mike Evans set to test the free-agent market. Over his first five career games, the 23-year-old 19th overall pick out of Ohio State caught 25 of his 38 targets for 445 yards and five touchdowns. Injuries to Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan helped Egbuka's cause as one of quarterback Baker Mayfield's go-to options through the air. Egbuka started to cool off for fantasy managers when Evans, Godwin, and McMillan all returned from their injuries. Still, it was a very successful first year in the NFL for Egbuka, who finished with a 63-938-6 line on 127 targets in 17 regular-season games. He should have an elevated target share with a very high ceiling in fantasy in 2026 if Evans signs elsewhere in free agency.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed quarterback Connor Bazelak to a one-year, $1.005 million contract on Wednesday, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. It's a league-minimum deal for a second-year player, and Bazelak will be an exclusive-rights free agent again next spring. Bazelak, 25, didn't play a single snap for the Bucs last year and spent the second half of last season as the QB3 behind starter Baker Mayfield and Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater is a free agent this offseason and probably won't return, but the Buccaneers are expected to bring in another QB to serve as Mayfield's direct backup in 2026. Things will have gone horribly wrong in Tampa if Bazelak is forced to start at all next season.

At the NFL Combine on Thursday, sources told Jenna Laine of ESPN that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will "aggressively pursue" attempts to re-sign wide receiver Mike Evans ahead of the 2026 season. The 32-year-old pass catcher played in a career-low eight games in 2025 due to collarbone and hamstring injuries, and was unable to extend his streak of 1,000-yard seasons to 12. When active and healthy in Weeks 1 through 3 and 15 through 18, however, Evans was quarterback Baker Mayfield's preferred target, averaging eight targets and 39% air yards share per game. If Evans does return to Tampa, he profiles as a low-end WR2 due to his target volume and the likelihood that he will lead a packed wide receiver room.

Despite an injury-plagued 2025 campaign, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to re-sign impending veteran free-agent wide receiver Mike Evans, according to James Palmer of the NFL Network. "He's earned the right to do this. And he knows we'd love to have him back," general manager Jason Licht said on Evans and him exploring free agency. Evans, 32, is a future Hall of Famer after beginning his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons in Tampa. However, the six-time Pro Bowler is aging and played in a career-low eight games in 2025 due to hamstring and collarbone injuries. At this point in Evans' career, having another shot to win another Super Bowl ring is probably most important, so he'll have to determine if another team is a better fit with a better chance of winning. If he stays with the Bucs, he'll be in a crowded receiving room. Either way, the days of Evans being a lock for 1,000 yards might be over.

Across 17 games in 2025, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White recorded 790 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 172 touches. White seemingly had a golden opportunity to reclaim a workhorse role in Tampa Bay after fellow Bucs running back Bucky Irving went down early in the year with injuries that ultimately cost him seven games. However, White struggled with rushing efficiency and ultimately lost out on snap share to Tampa Bay back Sean Tucker. White is now set to hit free agency, which could help him find a new home that can offer a less crowded running back room. Still, White is averaging fewer than four yards per carry on 677 career attempts and may not be suited for a lead rushing role. The 27-year-old should still be a fantasy-relevant player due to his pass-catching ability, as he's hauled in 205 receptions for 1,450 yards and 11 touchdowns across 67 career games. At the same time, his dynasty value is fading as he slides back into a more complementary phase of his career.

Across 13 games in 2025, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard recorded 39 receptions for 371 yards and one touchdown on 53 targets. With veteran Buccaneers wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. sidelined for a significant portion of the year by injury, Shepard saw increased opportunity for playing time, particularly early in the season. However, he was largely unable to hold off Bucs rookie wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson, and the late-season return of second-year wideout Jalen McMillan pushed Shepard even further down the depth chart. Shepard is now set for unrestricted free agency, and a change of scenery away from the crowded wide receiver room in Tampa Bay could help his fantasy outlook. Still, Shepard is entering his age-33 season and has not recorded 40 receptions in a season since 2020. Regardless of where he ends up in 2026, Shepard's fantasy-relevant days may be behind him.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield had a very disappointing 2025 season. Just one year removed from ranking as the fantasy QB4 with 44 touchdowns, the former first-round pick responded with just 3,693 passing yards, 27 total touchdowns, and 14 turnovers. He ranked as the QB12 in fantasy football, which was his lowest mark since 2022 with the Panthers and Rams. Wide receiver injuries and poor coaching could be to blame, as the Bucs' entire offense struggled in their first year without Liam Coen. Tampa Bay fired their Coen replacement, offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, after just one year, replacing him with Zac Robinson for 2026. It's unclear how much that will change, but Mayfield is certainly a candidate for positive regression (bouncing back to top-10 form) next year. He's worth buying low in dynasty leagues if his current manager is looking to sell at a discount.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round wide receiver Emeka Egbuka came out of the gates as a clear favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, racking up 445 receiving yards and five touchdowns in the first five games of his career. Unfortunately, a Week 6 hamstring tweak and an inexplicable lack of chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield limited him to only 493 yards and one touchdown over his next 12 games. While neither Egbuka nor Mayfield missed a start, they were both clearly affected by injury at points throughout the year. With Chris Godwin Jr., Mike Evans, and Jalen McMillan in and out of the lineup with injuries of their own, Egbuka was never able to find a late-season rhythm as he worked to break through the rookie wall. Mike Evans has recently suggested he would be open to continuing his career outside of Tampa Bay, which could open a massive opportunity for Egbuka in year two. However, if the Buccaneers run it back in 2026 with the same foursome atop the depth chart, he may still struggle to find a consistent role and be viewed as a better-in-best-ball wideout.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers impending free-agent wide receiver Mike Evans will play in 2026, agents Deryk Gilmore and Darren Jones told Kimberley A. Martin of ESPN. Evans will return for a 13th season after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign that limited him to a career-low eight games, but Martin also reports that the 32-year-old future Hall of Famer will explore his options in free agency. It's not a foregone conclusion that Evans will return to play in Tampa in 2026, although if he does sign with another organization, it will almost certainly be a team with Super Bowl aspirations. A broken collarbone prevented the former first-rounder from reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the 12th straight year. When healthy, Evans caught 30 of his 62 targets for 368 yards and three touchdowns in eight games. Evans can still be productive when healthy, but depending on where he lands in free agency, he may not be a lock as a WR1 as he nears the end of his illustrious career.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) had offseason surgery on his shoulder, according to JoeBucsFan.com. Irving missed seven straight games last year from Weeks 5 through 12 with ankle and shoulder injuries. His ankle healed before his shoulder. The good news is that Irving's recovery and rehab are not expected to significantly impact his offseason preparation. Irving had 1,122 rushing yards and 5.4 yards per carry as a rookie in 2024, but his production dropped in Year 2 due to his injuries, as he finished with 588 rushing yards (3.4 yards per carry). The 23-year-old could have a bigger role in Tampa's backfield next season with Rachaad White not expected to return in free agency, although the Bucs will probably prioritize adding RB depth after Irving's injury issues in 2025. Irving will have bounce-back potential for fantasy managers this year, but he'll also carry injury risk as an RB2 target.

Across 16 games in 2025, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton recorded 59 receptions for 572 yards and one touchdown on 81 targets. Despite injuries in Tampa Bay to key pass-catchers like wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. that sidelined them for large chunks of the season, Otton never fully emerged as a go-to target for Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. Across four NFL seasons, Otton has never recorded more than 59 catches, 600 receiving yards, or four touchdowns in a single year. Heading into his age-27 season, Otton is now set to hit unrestricted free agency. If he leaves Tampa Bay, Otton could benefit by landing in a situation with less competition for targets. However, based on his track record to this point, there's no guarantee that a new team would sign Otton to be its unencumbered number one receiving tight end, which is the role he's held over the last two seasons in Tampa Bay. Whether he's back with the Buccaneers or not, Otton appears to have a defined production ceiling that limits his fantasy appeal in dynasty formats going forward.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. missed eight games in 2025 while working his way back from the devastating lower leg injury that ended his 2024 season. While he never found the trademark consistency that made him one of the most reliable fantasy wideouts at his peak, he did show flashes down the stretch, even while quarterback Baker Mayfield and Tampa's offense faltered. After making his second return of the season in Week 12, Godwin averaged 66.5 yards across Weeks 13 and 14, scored his first touchdown of the year in Week 15, and added a season-high 108 yards and another score in Week 17. After the firing of offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, the Buccaneers will welcome their fifth OC in as many years in Zac Robinson. While they can't seem to find consistency at the front of the room, the wide receiver corps is shaping up to look very similar in 2026, and while Godwin's 100-reception, 1,000-yard seasons may be behind him, he still profiles as a safe-floor, value buy for depth-seeking dynasty contenders.