A third Bucs player has departed for a new NFL team as free agency grinds to a halt. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Bucs backup CB and special teams ace Ryan Smith is signing a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.

For the second season in his career, Smith did not see the field defensively for even a single snap in 2020, after playing just 50 the year before. A GM Jason Licht-fourth round draft pick in 2016, Smith struggled when he did get opportunities to play in 2017 and 2018, but became one of the team’s core special teams contributors, especially in 2020. The backup CB was second on the team in special teams snaps behind only Pat O’Connor, seeing the field for 441 reps, most notably as a gunner on punt team.

Only three Bucs free agents have left the team this offseason, with Smith joining backup offensive linemen Joe Haeg (Steelers) and safety Andrew Adams (Eagles) as the lone departures. Tampa Bay returns all 22 starters and has just 10 remaining free agents without a team, most notably WR Antonio Brown, QB Blaine Gabbert, CB Ross Cockrell and DT Steve McLendon. With Smith heading to L.A., the Bucs would most likely turn to practice squad cornerback Herb Miller, who had an interception against the Lions in Week 16 last season.