With the Bucs’ offseason overhaul all however full, nationwide analysts are actually weighing which strikes might outline Tampa Bay’s 2026 season – for higher or worse. Whereas Pewter Report has already analyzed all of the signings and draft picks, ESPN just lately supplied its ideas on what the workforce addressed, and what the Buccaneers let stroll out the door.
ESPN Names Bucs’ Smartest Transfer Of 2026 Offseason
The Bucs went out and added to a number of positions of want, totally on the defensive aspect. Head coach Todd Bowles pressured an urgency to get “bigger,” which the workforce completed. One of many positions that was prioritized was inside linebacker, as Tampa Bay lastly needed to change Lavonte David. How they approached turning the web page on his profession is one thing ESPN’s Invoice Barnwell is a fan of.
Greatest: Addressing linebacker
It was time to do one thing at what had historically been a place of power in Tampa Bay. The Bucs’ defensive tape made for painful watching at occasions final season, because the duo of Lavonte David and SirVocea Dennis merely lacked the athleticism to compete in opposition to upper-echelon NFL offenses. David was in his 14th professional season, however Dennis was badly stretched in move protection or any form of open house, the place he typically couldn’t get shut sufficient to even miss tackles. Dennis allowed a 122.0 passer ranking in protection and missed 13% of his deal with makes an attempt, and David wasn’t far behind, permitting a 120.1 ranking as a move defender.
Bucs ILB Alex Anzalone – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
David retired, marking the tip of a wonderful profession in Tampa Bay. Normal supervisor Jason Licht changed him by signing Alex Anzalone, touchdown the Bucs one of many league’s most competent protection linebackers, albeit one on the fallacious aspect of 30. He allowed a 78.8 passer ranking in protection in 2025 and has seen his protection passer ranking high 100 solely as soon as in eight years as a professional.
Second-round decide Josiah Trotter isn’t fairly as able to contribute in opposition to the move, with the Missouri product projected as extra of a stable run defender than the form of participant with the instincts to step proper in as a move defender. In that position, he could be an athletic improve on Dennis. Christian Rozeboom, who began with the Rams and Panthers over the previous few seasons, was additionally added as veteran depth. This isn’t the good linebackers room of years previous, but it surely needs to be much less of a legal responsibility in 2026.
It’s onerous to argue with Barnwell’s evaluation right here. Anzalone and Trotter is not going to provide All-Professional manufacturing in 2026, however these two with Dennis and Rozeboom and backups might be higher than what the workforce trotted on the market in 2025.
Bucs ILB Josiah Trotter – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
The previous supplies a secure flooring, one that’s greater than what David supplied as a 35-year-old linebacker. Anzalone was not the sexiest signing, however he brings a veteran presence and trusted management up the center.
The latter wants extra time to develop, however the participant he’s now is not going to be the identical come Week 1. Trotter nonetheless wants growth in protection, however his athleticism alone provides Tampa Bay extra vary than it had final season with Dennis on the market. If he can show to be an improve over that, Trotter has an thrilling sufficient basis to final within the league, particularly as a downhill thumper with a whole lot of power.
Bucs Not Free From Criticism For How The Offseason Performed Out
For all of the enhancements the Bucs sought to make, it didn’t include some holes being created with high-quality gamers strolling out the door. One legend retired, however one other sought greener grass as extensive receiver Mike Evans headed west to signal with the 49ers. As well as, cornerback Jamel Dean cashed in on a profession season and determined to signal with the Steelers. Seeing each of them stroll out the door the best way they did contributed to Invoice Barnwell highlighting the unlucky aftermath.
Worst: Failing to persuade both Mike Evans or Jamel Dean to return
It’s by no means enjoyable to lose franchise stalwarts. And whereas it’s one factor when a veteran like David reaches the tip of his enjoying profession, the Bucs weren’t capable of convey again a pair of gamers who had put glorious work on movie lately. Evans was hit by accidents in 2025, however he had some of the environment friendly seasons of his profession in 2024, when the longer term Corridor of Famer averaged 2.6 yards per route run. Dean posted a 63.1 passer ranking in protection in 2025 whereas lacking simply 2.1% of his deal with makes an attempt…
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Picture by: IMAGN Photographs – Jim Dedmon
Even worse, neither participant signed an exorbitant deal in leaving Tampa Bay. Evans’ contract with the 49ers is mostly a one-year pact for $14.3 million. Dean joined the Steelers, who don’t assure a number of years for gamers who aren’t future Corridor of Famers, that means his three-year, $36.8 million deal seems to be extra like a one-year, $13.5 million contract. The Bucs are in a decent cap state of affairs when you think about that Baker Mayfield is coming due for a increase this offseason, however these are greater than honest offers for gamers who nonetheless venture to play at a excessive stage in 2026.
On the similar time, the Bucs may by no means have had the chance to signal Evans at that quantity, provided that the star reportedly wished a brand new problem and the chance to play in San Francisco. Licht ready for this state of affairs through the use of his high two picks in final 12 months’s draft on wideout Emeka Egbuka and cornerback Benjamin Morrison, though the latter struggled when referred to as upon as a rookie. The Buccaneers will survive and stay aggressive within the NFC South, but it surely hurts to see key gamers go away for comparatively cheap contracts elsewhere with out touchdown something in return.
It’s clear that Tampa Bay won’t be able to exchange Evans by way of organizational footprint. Nonetheless, Egbuka will obtain extra targets and the chance to have a second-year breakout. With Chris Godwin Jr., Jalen McMillan, and Ted Hurst among the many wideouts within the room, Mayfield could have ample expertise to provide in a contract 12 months.
The larger query is what the plan is at cornerback. Proper now, Zyon McCollum and Morrison are the Bucs’ high two cornerbacks, with Jacob Parrish within the combine to bump outdoors after the workforce drafted defensive again Keionte Scott to play within the slot in nickel protection. Whereas having Parrish would assist, Dean might be missed.
Bucs NCB Jacob Parrish and CB Jamel Dean – Picture by: IMAGN Photographs
Though not essentially the most sturdy, Dean remained productive when on the sector. He’s replaceable, however it should take every of the cornerbacks to stand up and never be liabilities within the secondary. If they’re, there is no such thing as a one behind them to come back in and change them with. Including to Barnwell’s argument, Tampa Bay didn’t exit and get a veteran nook with enjoying expertise.
With regards to the Bucs’ worst offseason transfer, it might in the end be what the entrance workplace didn’t do.
