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About the Author: Matt Matera

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Matt Matera joined Pewter Report as an intern in 2018 and worked his way to becoming a full-time Bucs beat writer in 2020. In addition to providing daily coverage of the Bucs for Pewter Report, he also spearheads the Pewter Report Podcast on the PewterReportTV YouTube channel. Matera also makes regular in-season radio appearances analyzing Bucs football on WDAE 95.3 FM, the flagship station of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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The Buccaneers aren’t done yet with trying out offensive tackles to add to their team. According to Greg Auman of Fox Sports, the team hosted free agent offensive tackle Chris Hubbard for a workout on Wednesday. He has 11 years of NFL playing experience.

This comes one day after the Bucs hosted tackle George Fant, but did not sign him. There seems to be a theme with Tampa Bay going after veteran players and it’s possible that more workouts could follow with other players coming in. The Buccaneers need another offensive tackle in the mix with reserve Charlie Heck moving to starting left tackle with Tristan Wirfs out for at least a month because of knee surgery in early July.

Chris Hubbard’s History In The NFL

Chris Hubbard played college football at UAB and signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He spent most of his career in the AFC North playing for the Steelers from 2013 to 2017 then signing with the Browns and spending time there from 2018 to 2022. After one season with the Titans in 2023, Hubbard was on the 49ers practice squad in 2024 and then signed to the Giants active roster in October of that season.

Ot Chris Hubbard - Photo By: Usa Today

OT Chris Hubbard – Photo by: USA Today

Hubbard played guard in his first two years but then moved to tackle after that and has mostly played there for the majority of his career ever since. He has 61 starts in 102 games between Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Tennessee and New York. Operating mostly at right tackle, he has 3,374 snaps on that side compared to 379 at left tackle, 224 snaps at right guard, nine at left guard and 31 at center.

Bucs Need A Veteran Tackle

The Bucs could certainly use a veteran player like Hubbard as an insurance policy to back up Heck and and right tackle Luke Goedeke. Tampa Bay has a blue-chip developmental project in Ben Chukwuma, but he is not NFL ready.

That also goes for international roster exemption Lorenz Metz, who doesn’t have the necessary quick feet and agility to be a starter. The other options on the roster at tackle for Tampa Bay include Raiqwon O’Neal, as Garrett Greenfield suddenly retired on Thursday. Silas Dzansi would also be an option but he is on the physically unable to perform list and his return date is yet to be determined.

Bucs Ots Charlie Heck And Luke Goedeke

Bucs OTs Charlie Heck and Luke Goedeke – Photo courtesy of the Buccaneers

The Bucs have gotten thin at offensive tackle to the point where Chukwuma got second-team reps on at tackle in training camp when he likely shouldn’t be at that spot yet while Charlie Heck practiced with both the starters and the third-team. This is probably just to get Heck as many reps as possible, but it’s evident that Tampa Bay needs another player available due to its decreasing depth at the position.

It appears as if Tampa Bay is steadfast on finding an offensive tackle that they have more confidence throwing into game situations. George Fant and Chris Hubbard look like possibilities and it wouldn’t be surprise if more get a call to make a trip to Tampa to try out.

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