And just like that, the Bucs’ two longest-tenured players are gone. Only a couple of weeks apart. In one offseason.

First, it was 2014 first-round pick Mike Evans leaving to sign with the 49ers ahead of his 13th NFL season. And this past week, it was 2012 second-round pick Lavonte David, a 14-year Buccaneer, announcing his retirement.

So, the 2026 season is about to feature a changing of the guard for the Bucs. It’s hard to remember what the AdventHealth Training Center and Raymond James Stadium were like before Evans, and it’s even harder to remember how they were pre-David. As a matter of fact, they were two of only a handful of players that remember Advent Health back when it was still One Buc Place. But neither will be walking those halls or taking those fields this spring, summer and fall. It’s up to the “new” longest-tenured Buccaneers to take up the mantle and lead Tampa Bay forward.

That starts with Chris Godwin Jr., who is now the longest-tenured Buc on the roster. As hard as it might be to believe, the 2017 third-round pick is about to enter his 10th season with Tampa Bay. He has long been the “1B” to Evans’ “1A” both on and off the field. It’s not that he hasn’t acted as a mentor to the team’s younger receivers in the past because he absolutely has. But with Evans gone, that’s a big veteran voice that will be missing. It’ll be up to Godwin to do what he can to fill that void.

Bucs WRs Jalen McMillan, Chris Godwin, Tez Johnson, Sterling Shepard and Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

And where do you even begin to think about the impact David had on the Bucs defense over the years? He has been a fixture in the middle of the unit since 2012, becoming someone you knew you could rely on to play and play well week in and week out, much less year in and year out.

But there was also the quiet, workmanlike leadership David brought to the defense that will be absent for the first time in a decade and a half. You don’t just replace a guy like Lavonte David. But in terms of being that quiet, lead-by-example type of player, there’s now a new longest-tenured Bucs defender who could fit the bill in Vita Vea.

Vea is entering Year 9 with Tampa Bay after being a first-round pick back in 2018, and he’s no stranger to being a captain. But with one of the captains now gone, there may be a bigger onus on No. 50 to step up and lead as the anchor of the defense.

Bucs DT Vita Vea – Photo by: USA Today

Of course, you don’t have to be a longtime Buc to be a leader on this team. Inside linebacker Alex Anzalone is entering his 10th NFL season and was consistently a captain during his tenure with the Lions. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is entering his ninth NFL campaign and fourth with the Bucs, and everyone gravitates toward him and respects his ability to lead. There’s also veteran special teamer Miles Killebrew, who was a special teams captain with the Steelers before becoming a Buc this offseason.

The Bucs shouldn’t be lacking capable leaders this season. It’s just that they’re entering uncharted waters: a season without both Mike Evans and Lavonte David.

“Young” Bucs Are Suddenly Rising Up The Ranks In Tenure

Chris Godwin Jr. and Vita Vea are now the longest-tenured Bucs, followed by Anthony Nelson, who is entering his eighth season with the team. But somewhat surprisingly, some of the seemingly “young” leaders in Tampa Bay are suddenly climbing up the ranks in terms of tenure.

Look at the two gems of the 2020 draft class, Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr., who are entering their seventh seasons in the league.

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Luke Goedeke, Cade Otton and Zyon McCollum are already in their fifth seasons. Calijah Kancey, Cody Mauch, Yaya Diaby and SirVocea Dennis are in their fourth years. That means contract years for Mauch, Diaby and Dennis, while Kancey still has his fifth-year option as a first-round pick.

Then there’s the 2024 class, which features a potential first-time captain in Tykee Smith, as well as Graham Barton, Jalen McMillan and Bucky Irving. Those guys are already in Year 3 in 2026.

So yes, this roster has lost a 12-year Buc and a 14-year Buc in the span of a few weeks. But out of nowhere, Tampa Bay really does seem to have its next crop of longtime Bucs ready to move things forward.

As The Office’s Oscar Martinez once said, “Time is a son of a b*tch.”