The Bucs’ 2025 season was largely disappointing, but seeing the emergence of backup offensive tackle Ben Chukwuma was one of the team’s bright spots. While Chukwuma will not be stepping into a starting role anytime soon with Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke anchoring the tackle spots, his performance solidified him as Tampa Bay’s swing tackle going forward.

Chukwuma, or “Chuks” as his teammates call him, talked with Pewter Report during locker room cleanup at the end of the season. Many players packed up their lockers and did not say much after an underwhelming year. To the undrafted free agent who played his first NFL games, this past year was a surreal experience realizing his dreams after taking a unique path to get here.

What Did Bucs OT Ben Chukwuma Take Away From His First NFL Season?

Ben Chukwuma received offensive snaps in five different games last season, with three of those appearances times where the Bucs were being blown out, or he was an extra offensive lineman for a goal line package. What stands out most were his two starts at left tackle filling in for Tristan Wirfs in Week 14 against the Saints and Week 17 against the Dolphins.

Those matchups were no small test for Chukwuma, as he was entrusted with protecting quarterback Baker Mayfield’s blindside while primarily facing veteran pass rushers Chase Young and Bradley Chubb. For the most part, he held his own and showcased more strength than one would expect.

Bucs LT Ben Chukwuma and Saints DE Chase Young – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

That included playing 151 offensive snaps, and in 89 pass-blocking opportunities, he allowed six pressures and one sack to Chubb. His performance earned him a 62.5 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade. That is not an otherworldly level of play, but impressive given his newness to the game and is a higher rating than that earned by Graham Barton (61.0), Ben Bredeson (53.7), and Charlie Heck (45.2), to name a few.

Asked about what he took away from his first NFL season and getting playing time, “Chuks” was humbled by the opportunity.

“It’s been a crazy year from where I was to where I am right now,” Chukwuma said. “Completing my first year in the NFL is a dream. My brother and friends came [down] and they were telling me they can’t even believe it [laughs]. I’m like, ‘I’m right there with you. I can’t even believe it.’ It’s still a dream for me. I’m blessed, I’ve learned a lot, got so much information that I have now, going into the offseason. Going to use it to get better and yeah, I’m just ready to work in the offseason and come back stronger.”

Bucs LG Ben Bredeson and LT Ben Chukwuma – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It helps having Wirfs and Goedeke to learn from, which only expedites the steep learning curve for someone so new to the game of football. The Nigerian-born Chukwuma moved to Georgia at 17 years old and walked on at Georgia State in 2020. It was not until the 2023 regular-season finale he earned his first start, and 2024 was the only year he was ever a starter.

That did not stop the Bucs from seeing his potential, giving him a $300,000 guarantee as an undrafted free agent. After making the 53-man roster, he kept trending upward and growing behind the scenes. That led to him getting starts over Charlie Heck, the veteran signed last offseason to be Tampa Bay’s swing tackle. Looking ahead, that spot is Chukwuma’s to lose, providing him stability to keep growing and emerging as a player more than capable of filling in. One cannot overlook the value of a quality sixth offensive lineman, especially given all the injuries that plagued the trenches this past season. To see him acclimate to this role so quickly in the league is rare.

“I’d say I did a good job,” Chukwuma said in evaluating his play. “I got my very first snap two years ago, played my first season last year, and started an NFL game this year. It’s crazy and I’m proud of myself for being able to handle it and see myself grow every day. Every single day I’m growing, I’m getting better. Coaches are telling me, they’re seeing me improving, stuff like that. It’s amazing to know you belong, to know I can do this man.”

After sharing that he would spend a few days after the season ended to reflect, Ben Chukwuma is focused on taking a second-year jump. Chukwuma’s only plans this offseason are to take a trip to Africa before clocking and locking back in for 2026.

“My plans are going back home, might go back to Africa for two or three weeks. Coming back to Tampa, continuing to work.”