Greg Auman of The Athletic is reporting that the Bucs will soon re-sign exclusive rights free agent Tanner Hudson.
Bucs continue to work on their exclusive-rights free agents and have tendered tight end Tanner Hudson, 26, who will be back competing for a roster spot in 2021. Had three catches for 41 yards this past season, should sign today.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 9, 2021
Hudson was originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Arkansas in 2018 before eventually finding action in nine games and getting his first career touchdown in 2019. Hudson turned heads in the 2019 preseason, hauling in 19 receptions for 245 yards and three touchdowns on 27 targets.
In 2020 Hudson played special teams in addition to racking up 74 offensive snaps over 11 regular season games with three receptions for 41 yards. In the postseason Hudson had just one target but nearly turned it into a playoff touchdown as the pass went off of his fingers against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.
Hudson is now the third tight end under contract for Tampa Bay, joining veteran Cam Brate and the Bucs’ first-round selection in 2017 O.J. Howard. You can reasonably expect the Bucs to re-sign Rob Gronkowski and could potentially bring back reserve tight end Antony Auclair to round off the position, an unrestricted free agent who originally joined Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent in 2017 before signing a one-year extension for 2020 last offseason.
