In a weekly column every Thursday on PewterReport.com, two Pewter Reporters will debate a topic with opposing viewpoints. Which Pewter Reporter wins the debate? You get to decide in the comments section below.

This week’s topic: Should Bucs Re-Sign TE Cade Otton?

Point: Tampa Bay Needs To Keep Cade Otton – He’s Better Than You Think

By Josh Queipo

The Cade Otton slander has to stop. This is not an advocacy for him as a top eight tight end in the league. But if you want the Buccaneers to move on from Otton I need to hear an upgrade plan. And that’s going to be harder than most people think.

If you want a flashy and explosive pass catcher (I’ve heard a lot about Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts in the last week with the arrival of new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson), that player will cost precious dollars that won’t go to the defense. Oh, and what’s the plan when the Bucs want to run the ball? Because that move guy ain’t blocking nearly as well as my guy, Otton.

Bucs TE Cade Otton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

If you think the answer is then, “Well Payne Durham can play the in-line role at the point of attack.” Well, now you have gone from Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Otton to Pitts and Durham. That’s not an upgrade.

If your answer is finding Otton’s replacement in the draft. That’s a big resource to replace a complete player. Likely a first- or second-rounder. In the last three years, only one tight end drafted outside of the first round has stepped in as a rookie and played at a high level as a complete player. That was Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II.

So once again, is the answer to use one of your best resources (a top 64 pick) on the sixth weapon for the offense? That’s a poor allocation of resources in my humble opinion. And that type of pick should be used on defense, right?

Otton is a solid receiver who is one of the better do-it-all tight ends in the game at blocking. He can execute in any system, split out wide, flex to the slot and doesn’t tip the offense’s hand by just merely being on the field. He’s perfect for what this offense needs, especially with Robinson at the controls.

Counterpoint: It’s Time For The Bucs To Upgrade At Tight End – Especially For The Money

By Scott Reynolds

Let me start off by saying that I like Cade Otton. I don’t love him as the Bucs starting tight end, but I like him. Granted, I have given him some grief for not wearing gloves and having the ball ripped out of his hands twice last year that led to Baker Mayfield interceptions at Detroit and Los Angeles. Yet Otton has been a serviceable starter in Tampa Bay. It’s just that it’s time for an upgrade at the position.

My biggest sticking point is Otton’s perceived value. My esteemed colleague Josh Queipo has Otton’s worth at $11 million per season. Notice how he conveniently didn’t mention that when he advocated for re-signing Otton. There is no way I would pay Otton anywhere close to that because that’s Evan Engram-type money. That’s Juwan Johnson-type money. That’s almost Dalton Schultz-type money.

Bucs TE Cade Otton and Rams CB Cobie Durant – Photo by: USA Today

I wouldn’t mind if the Bucs re-signed Otton this offseason to a one-year prove-it deal worth maybe $5 million, which would be more money than the entire value of his rookie contract in Tampa Bay, which was $4,523,940. That seems reasonable for a tight end who is an average blocker and an average receiver.

Looking at some comps around the league, Rams tight end Colby Parkinson had 43 catches for 408 yards (9.5 avg.) and eight touchdowns, while recording a Pro Football Focus grade of 75.4. Parkinson makes $7.5 million, and Otton, who had 59 catches for 572 yards (9.7 avg.) with a 57.4 PFF grade, is nowhere near Parkinson’s ability level.

Philadelphia’s Zach Ertz at age 36 had a 60.8 PFF grade and made $6.25 million in 2025. He had 50 catches for 504 yards (10.1 avg.) and four touchdowns last year. That level of production is more in-line with what Otton produced. While Otton is younger, Ertz has had a more accomplished career. So even if Otton were to fetch $6 million per year I’d be okay with that because that is about half of what Queipo thinks he’s worth.

Simply put, I didn’t mind Otton on his rookie deal. But even PFF has his backup, Payne Durham, with a slightly higher grade than Otton. Whether it’s free agency or the draft I think it’s time for an upgrade because I think Otton has already reached his ceiling as a player in Tampa Bay. I think there’s a better blocker out there somewhere, and certainly a much more dynamic receiving tight end.