SR's latest Fab 5 puts next season's roster as largely the same team as the 2025 season. Maybe a few "value" free agents. None of the big names. LVD back, maybe even Hall back.
This team is done with that lay on their back approach, but I think PR staff is wrong on this one. If Licht has the greenlight to spend money he will to fix the defense via free agency which allows them to go BAP in the draft and not miss out on great talent at interior OL and TE. Value signings the last two seasons have been neutral or net negative and having to draft defense with the two first picks is never good if someone leap frogs you and there is a run on pass rushers at the top of round 1 into round 2. The Bucs would have to make a decision to trade up in round 2 or take one in round 1 which again is a forcing and not watching how the board is going with the rest of the NFL.
Bucs can easily sign three NFL caliber defensive starters and not require to bargain bin and none of them will break the bank. But if the Bucs choose to use cap space to re-sign Otton and Hall then they are straight up not being honest about their cap situation.
I mean letting Otton go - 1 defensive starter via free agency
LVD retiring/not re-signed - 1 defensive starter via free agency
Not re-signing the rest of their own free agents means the Bucs can acquire another defensive starter via free agency.
And that is probably with 1 restructure maybe 2 and with room to sign draft picks.
Yeah the Bucs want LVD, Hall and Otton back and they claim they do not have cap space to sign external free agents.