Just hours after losing valuable swing tackle Justin Skule to the Vikings in free agency, the Bucs filled that void with the signing of versatile veteran tackle Charlie Heck. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler had the news first.

Charlie Heck Brings Experience To The Bucs

Bucs OT Charlie Heck – Photo by: USA Today

Charlie Heck, who signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay, brings great size to the offensive tackle position at 6-foot-8, 311 pounds. Heck is the son of Andy Heck, an All-American offensive tackle at Notre Dame, a former first-round pick in the 1989 draft, and a long-time NFL starter.

The sixth-year pro was a fourth-round draft pick out of North Carolina in 2020 by Houston. He spent four years with the Texans before splitting time with Arizona and San Francisco last year.

While Justin Skule played well in four starts for Luke Goedeke at right tackle and one start at left tackle for Tristan Wirfs, he only has 1,214 snaps in his five years in the NFL. Heck has played 1,462 snaps over the past five seasons, including 117 last year between the Cardinals and the 49ers.

Tampa Bay was thrilled at how offensive line coaches Kevin Carberry and Brian Picucci developed Skule last year and had him playing the best football of his career. The team is hopeful that Carberry and Picucci can get Heck to level up in their presence too.