The Bucs will be hosting free-agent left guard Kenyon Green for a workout this Thursday, but they made a move on Monday to shore up the team’s offensive tackle depth. Swing tackle Justin Skule will be returning to Tampa Bay on a one-year deal, per Fox Sports’ Greg Auman.
Bucs are bringing back offensive lineman Justin Skule, a key backup from 2022-24 who played for the Vikings last year.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) April 6, 2026
Signing Justin Skule Gives Bucs Quality Offensive Tackle Depth
It is safe to say the Bucs never wanted Justin Skule to leave town in the first place after making this signing. During his first time around with the team, Skule went from an in-season practice squad addition in 2022 to the top swing tackle option in 2024.
Before joining the Bucs, Skule was a sixth-round draft pick by the 49ers in 2019. He played two seasons in San Francisco, playing in 21 games and starting 12 of them.
Former Bucs OT Justin Skule – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Tampa Bay came to trust Skule’s previous experience after initially be used sparingly in 2022 and 2023. He only logged 45 snaps across the two seasons but stepped up as a fill-in for left tackle Tristan Wirfs and right tackle Luke Goedeke in a notable way during the 2024 season.
Skule logged 362 offensive snaps over 10 games, including the playoffs. He started five of those games. For his efforts, he allowed 12 pressures and four sacks according to Pro Football Focus, surrendering a 5.9% pressure rate. Many might remember his performance against Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, but he settled in after that game and allowed just a 2.5% pressure rate the rest of the way.
After proving to be a quality swing tackle option, he took a chance at getting more playing time with the Vikings in 2025. Minnesota needed a tackle to begin the year with left tackle Christian Darrisaw being out to begin the year. Skule ended up playing offensive snaps in 11 games, which included making a career-high nine starts.
To contextualize his efforts, he earned a 65.7 overall PFF grade in the 2025 season, which was 47th among 89 qualified offensive tackles. His pass-blocking grade of 63.2 ranked 61st, while his run-blocking grade of 61.2 ranked 59th.
Bucs RB Sean Tucker and OT Justin Skule – Photo by: USA Today
Trotting out Heck for six starts was unavoidable with the injuries the team had, but it is something the Bucs wanted to avoid from happening again. He struggled for the most part, as evidenced by a 45.2 overall PFF grade that placed him 86th among 89 qualified offensive tackles. Despite that disappointing showing, he latched on with the Dolphins, which left an open spot.
Justin Skule has returned to fill what has become an important role. Should Skule be pressed into action, the Bucs can rely on him to make spot starts. As it relates to Ben Chukwuma, it will be interesting to see where each of them lines up during OTAs and training camp.
Adam Slivon has covered the Bucs for four seasons with PewterReport.com as a Bucs Beat Writer, Social Media Manager, and Podcaster. Adam started as an intern during his time at the University of Tampa, where he graduated with a degree in Sport Management in May 2023.
In addition to his regular written content, he appears every Thursday on the Pewter Report Podcast, has a weekly YouTube Top 10 Takeaways video series, and leads the managing of the site's social media platforms.
As a Wisconsin native, he spent his childhood growing up on a farm and enjoys Culver's, kringle, and a quality game of cornhole. You can find him most often on X @AdamLivsOn.
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