The 2025 NFL trade deadline has come and gone, with several notable moves across the league. The Jets, sitting at a dismal 1-7, did a complete fire sale, trading away star cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams in separate deals to the Colts and Cowboys. Dallas also acquired inside linebacker Logan Wilson in a trade with the Bengals. Other players, such as wide receivers Jakobi Meyers and Rashid Shaheed, and former Bucs outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, found new homes on Tuesday.

Outside of that, there were not many players changing hands before the deadline, and Tampa Bay, known for drafting well under general manager Jason Licht in recent years, refused to make a move and part with any capital.

It is understandable why some fans would be frustrated about the lack of a trade to acquire outside talent, especially as the Bucs sit at 6-2 and appear primed to make a deep playoff run. Still, there is plenty of reason not to be upset, especially with what Licht has done with his draft picks as of late, and there being reinforcements soon on their way to the frontline.

Bucs Use Day 2 and Day 3 Picks Better Than Anyone

Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds took to X right at 4:00 PM ET to make a post that was to be expected.

Fans immediately took to the replies questioning the lack of a trade being made by the Bucs organization with the Super Bowl window being open. As Reynolds and recent draft history point out though, there is reason to trust Jason Licht’s process.

Bucs GM Jason Licht and assistant GMs Mike Greenberg and Rob McCartney – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The past five draft classes (since winning Super Bowl LV) are a reflection of making the most out of more draft picks than not:

2021: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Kyle Trask, Robert Hainsey, Jaelon Darden, K.J. Britt, Chris Wilcox, Grant Stuard

2022: Logan Hall, Luke Goedeke, Rachaad White, Cade Otton, Jake Camarda, Zyon McCollum, Ko Kieft, Andre Anthony

2023: Calijah Kancey, Cody Mauch, Yaya Diaby, SirVocea Dennis, Payne Durham, Josh Hayes, Trey Palmer, Jose Ramirez

2024: Graham Barton, Chris Braswell, Tykee Smith, Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving, Elijah Klein, Devin Culp

2025: Emeka Egbuka, Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish, David Walker, Elijah Roberts, Tez Johnson

Admittedly, over the summer I wrote a story on why the 2021 draft class was the biggest blemish on Licht’s recent draft record. Since then, he and the rest of the front office have been lights out when it comes to drafting and finding talent in each round.

The last three first-round picks are starting caliber players with star potential, and Emeka Egbuka has already flashed superstardom. The rest of the roster is filled with starters from Days 2 and 3 of recent drafts.

That is the reason why the team is even sitting where they are in the first place.

Bucs WRs Tez Johnson and Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Things could be a lot different for the 2025 Bucs had they not hit the last few draft classes out of the park. Licht and assistant general manager Mike Greenberg had their hands tied upon Tom Brady’s retirement, and him walking out the door also signaled the departure of several veterans as the roster had to be overhauled.

It is a testament to their talent evaluation — with assistant general manager Rob McCartney also playing an integral part — that they came out the other side better for it, as this year’s team has all the makings of a special squad.

So, why not make a move?

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and GM Jason Licht – Photo courtesy of the Buccaneers

Well, doing so would not only mean parting with a future draft asset, but also getting the incoming player up to speed immediately. That is easier said than done, considering that head coach Todd Bowles’ defense is not the easiest to learn. Logan Wilson made sense as an addition, but would acquiring him be a significant upgrade over SirVocea Dennis and truly push Tampa Bay over the top? There was chatter about various pass rushers being on the market, but a third-round pick was a steep price for the Eagles to give up for Jaelan Phillips.

Howie Roseman is far from gun-shy, and Phillips is a talented player. For as cost-conscious as the Bucs have been in recent years though, he is a rental playing out the last year of his rookie deal. Philadelphia will then have to hand him a massive deal this offseason if they want to keep him beyond this season. For Licht, it would mean doing that and losing out on the chance to acquire another White/Diaby/Smith/McMillan/Parrish. That is a difficult variable in an equation to build out the roster.

Offensively, one could argue acquiring another offensive lineman or wide receiver, but the team trusts in their guys on that side of the ball, and they have held up about as well as one could expect. Only adding to this statement is the fact that reinforcements are on their way and will lessen the blow about Licht not picking the phone up to make a deal happen.

Bucs Fans, The Cavalry Is On Its Way For The Second Half

Howie Roseman and Jason Licht are two of the best general managers in the NFL, but each have built their respective teams in different ways. Licht has made trades in the past, giving up draft picks for Jason Pierre-Paul and Rob Gronkowski, among others. Still, there were no game-changing veterans like them on the market, unless the Bucs wanted to part with multiple first-round and second-round picks for a young star like Sauce Gardner or Quinnen Williams, or mortgage the future for a Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett.

Simply put, that is unrealistic, and while everyone likes to do mock trades, they do not always come to fruition. Instead of falling down that rabbit hole of improving the team, Tampa Bay is putting all of its eggs in the basket of injured players coming back to provide a much-needed boost down the stretch.

Right tackle Luke Goedeke is seemingly first in line to return, with his 21-day practice window being opened after reaggravating a foot injury in a Week 2 win over the Texans. There is no doubt when he soon returns to the lineup, Goedeke will serve as a significant upgrade at right tackle.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving and WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When it comes to running back Bucky Irving, his status has been up in the air after it was initially reported he would miss a week or two with a foot sprain. A shoulder injury has complicated matters, and there has not exactly been an update on him. Even still, Irving will be back at some point this season, adding a dynamic offensive playmaker unlike any switching teams at the trade deadline.

Oh, and don’t forget about wide receivers Chris Godwin Jr. and Mike Evans. There was hope that Godwin would get up to speed after returning to action in Week 4, but a fibula injury has put him back on the shelf. One would not expect his year to be over, although for “CG” and Evans, it might not be until the last couple of weeks in the regular season before they back out on the field.

All of this being said, there will be one or two players back within a month, with another one or two players back before the end of the year. With the Bucs having navigated this challenge already, adding talent back into the mix helps mitigate the lack of moves offensively.

On the other side of the football, the two position rooms that could have been shored up are inside linebacker and along the defensive line. Outside linebacker is not as concerning, as the top three players at the position are solidified after veteran Anthony Nelson came alive in Week 8. Haason Reddick is dealing with knee and ankle injuries, but he is another player who will be back in short order.

Concerning inside linebacker, there is no replacing Lavonte David, at least this season. David is not the same player he was at his peak but is a solid starter still capable of making a game-altering play. SirVocea Dennis has come under fire for being torn apart in pass coverage, but the 2023 fifth-round pick has improved over the past month and still carries upside. The defensive line misses Calijah Kancey, but rookie Elijah Roberts has filled in admirably, with Logan Hall, Greg Gaines, Elijah Simmons, and C.J. Brewer providing enough depth.

One can always argue that their team should make trades. It might seem frustrating on the surface that the Bucs did not make any, but when you weigh how successful the team is with extracting value from its draft picks and the fact that several injured players will be back before the playoffs, it should not sting as bad as it might right now.