Despite facing enormous odds to reach the post-season with a 2-5 record, the Bucs did not make any deals before the NFL trading deadline which expired at 4 p.m. today.
Bucs coach Bruce Arians made it clear his focus remained on the 2019 season and not on acquiring assets for 2020, although he said he would do what’s best for the team short and long-term.
Tampa Bay’s failure to make a trade before the deadline means the focus will remain on 2019 and that several players could leave after the season as free agents with no compensation for the Bucs.
That would include outside linebackers Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett. Linebacker Lavonte David is owed $10-million next season but none of it is guaranteed. Same is true with tight end Cameron Brate, who has struggled to return from hip surgery but has four years remaining on his contract.