The Buccaneers entered free agency determined to upgrade their offensive line, and they made some significant progress on that front on Tuesday, agreeing to terms on a contract with former New York Giants free agent offensive tackle Luke Petitgout.

According to NFL.com, Petitgout will sign a three-year, $15.5 million contract that includes a $3 million signing bonus.  

The 6-foot-6, 308-pound Petitgout was released by the Giants on Feb. 12. He met with the Buccaneers in late February, and the two sides had been negotiating a contract until they agreed to terms late Monday evening.

Petitgout, 30, originally entered the NFL in 1999 as the 19th overall pick in the draft out of Notre Dame. He started 106 of the 113 games he played in during his eight-year career with the Giants.

Regarded as a versatile offensive lineman, Petitgout has played at left guard and both tackle positions during his career. However, Petitgout has played exclusively at left tackle for the past five seasons.

The addition of Petitgout means the Bucs could seriously consider moving last year's starting left tackle, Anthony Davis, inside to challenge for the starting left guard spot while Dan Buenning recovers from a serious knee injury he sustained in November.

Last season, Petitgout started the first nine games of the year before suffering a fractured fibula, which eventually ended his season when the Giants placed him on injured reserve in December. However, Petitgout passed a physical with the Bucs when he visited One Buccaneer Place last month.

 
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