Explaining The Bucs Battle Plans For 2026

PewterReport.com writers Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Adam Slivon, Bailey Adams and Josh Queipo have devised their own Bucs Plans for the 2026 offseason. These come complete with their individualized free agent signings, trades, roster moves and draft picks to hopefully help Tampa Bay get back to winning the NFC South and returning to the playoffs.

Remember, these Bucs Battle Plans are how the PewterReport.com staff members would reshape the team this offseason – not necessarily what we think Tampa Bay will do in free agency and the draft, although there could be some overlap with certain players the team may be targeting.

With the Bucs budgeting about $50 million in cash to spend – not salary cap room – that’s how much each Pewter Reporter is allowed to spend in free agency targeting new players and re-signing some current players. The $50 million does not include the money already allocated for the 2026 rookie salary pool and the practice squad.

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Matt Matera’s Bucs Battle Plan For The 2026 Offseason

Typically these Bucs Battle Plans are a blend of fantasy general managing and building a team with fair reasoning behind them. I try to keep that in mind when putting together this team. Maybe this year falls on the fantasy side, but who’s to say? Crazier things have happened in the NFL.

A tough decision has to be made about some Bucs legends with Mike Evans and Lavonte David. You’ll see what I’m about to do with the Evans’ situation in a moment, but I’m sadly moving on from Lavonte David. Hopefully he just retires, but I think it’s time the Bucs start their new wave of inside linebackers. I hate even thinking about it.

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Nathan Ray Seebeck

The Bucs need a ton of help on the defensive side of the ball and that’s where a majority of my attention goes to in free agency and the draft. In the current day, I still believe the Bucs offense can be successful and this team can win double-digit games if their defense showed up just a tad more. Fix the defense and the Bucs will win.

Bucs Contract Restructures

The Buccaneers currently have less than $20 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com, and Tampa Bay has about $50 million in cash to spend in free agency this year. I can spend the cash but need the cap room. These restructures create the additional $33.731 million in cap space.

LT Tristan Wirfs – $18.525 million with no new void years
RT Luke Goedeke – $15.206 million with no new void years

Bucs Trades

Trade Fourth-Round Pick To Giants For Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux – It turns out that the price to trade for Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby was too rich, but that doesn’t mean the Bucs can’t find a capable pass rusher somewhere else. The Giants are looking to shed salary with Thibodeaux making $14.75 million, and the Bucs without question are in need of some pass rush help.

Thibodeaux is 25 years old with still plenty of potential to reach so its not as much of a gamble like the Haason Reddick situation a season ago. The best season Thibodeaux had came in 2023 where he recorded 11.5 sacks in 17 games with three forced fumbles. While his numbers dropped in 2024 with 5.5 sacks and 2025 with 2.5, most of this was because of injury. A wrist injury that required surgery cost him five games in 2024 and a shoulder injury that put him on injured reserve in 2025 cost him seven games.

Giants Edge Rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux – Photo by: Bill Streicher – IMAGN Images

There’s a slight roll of the dice because he’s missed time over the last two seasons. But if he can remain healthy and tap into the player he was when he played a full 17 games, the Bucs are getting a double-digit sacker that immediately boosts Tampa Bay’s pass rush. Also, Thibodeaux was playing behind Brian Burns and first round pick Abdul Carter, so he saw less playing time. Coming to the Bucs, that won’t be a problem at all as he immediately goes to the top of the depth chart.

Once upon a time, Jason Licht traded a third-round pick for Jason Pierre-Paul and it set the tone for the defense that eventually won the Super Bowl a couple seasons later. They’ll try to do that again by giving up a fourth-round pick for Thibodeaux. It doesn’t break the bank for the Bucs and can help fix their pass rush. Tampa Bay lets him play out the 2026 season before deciding to commit a big contract to him.

Trade WR Chris Godwin Jr. To Raiders For A Fifth-Round Pick – If the Bucs want to keep Mike Evans, someone else will have to go. Unfortunately, it’s Evans’ good friend Godwin. Part of the criteria for Evans is that he wants more targets and attention on offense. Moving Godwin opens that up for Evans, and they’ll still have good depth.

Godwin is due $22 million guaranteed this season. It was likely the Bucs would cut him next season with no more money on the books. He wasn’t able to prove he was the same receiver after coming back from a serious injury. If it comes down to keeping either Evans or Godwin, it’s Evans every time.

At least they get a draft pick out of eventually moving on from Godwin. Raiders general John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady are well aware of Godwin’s skillset and leadership ability. They’ll need somebody for Fernando Mendoza to throw the ball to, and with more than $87 million in cap space, they have the room for him.

Unrestricted Free Agents Re-Signed

WR Mike Evans – 2 Years, $40 Million 

While I’ve mentally prepared for Mike Evans to sign with another team, this is my Battle Plan, so I’m keeping him! Evans is projected to make $18 million on the open market, so I sweeten it a little more giving him $20 million to ensure he doesn’t leave. Although it’s bittersweet having to trade Chris Godwin, that gives more targets for Evans to help him continue to move up the career ranks and keep him happy enough to convince him to stay in Tampa Bay. He had a change of heart last time and stayed – and he can do so again.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Jim Dedmon

My other convincing point for Evans is that working with Zac Robinson this year will be as close to Liam Coen as possible. Robinson just got a great season out of Drake London and can do so again with Evans. The Bucs can win more games with Evans and he can still get his numbers.

WR Sterling Shepard – 1 year, $1.7 million

Shepard is an important locker room guy and mentor to younger players. He’s also great friends with Baker Mayfield. Keeping him around brings value with Chris Godwin’s departure, and he’ll also provide a good game or two of production. Look at what he did in the home opener last season and his game winning touchdown at Seattle.

Unrestricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed 

ILB Lavonte David
OLB Haason Reddick
CB Jamel Dean
DT Logan Hall
TE Cade Otton
RB Rachaad White
DT Greg Gaines
OT Charlie Heck
CB Kindle Vildor
TE Ko Kieft
OL Mike Jordan
ILB Deion Jones
ILB Anthony Walker Jr.
QB Teddy Bridgewater
S J.T. Gray
OLB Markees Watts (ERFA)
OT Tyler McLellan (ERFA)

Restricted Free Agents Signed

RB Sean Tucker – $2.25 million 

Tucker has proved he can start in a pinch and the Bucs get him for slightly less money. He’s had enough big games in a Bucs uniform that they shouldn’t pass him up.

Bucs RB Sean Tucker and RT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: USA Today

DB Christian Izien – $2.25 million 

Versatility is so key in the secondary and Izien brings a ton of it. Izien is a very important backup safety that you trust starting or even moving him in the slot. Injuries cost him a lot last season, but when healthy he’s a big help for Tampa Bay.

OL Dan Feeney – $1.35 million

He has familiarity starting on this offensive line and fits well with the team.

New Unrestricted Free Agents Signed

ILB Alex Anzalone – 2 Years, $15 million

Don’t let his age – 31 – fool you and think this is just another older addition to the Bucs linebacker room like they did a season ago. This is completely different. Anzalone has been a starter on the Lions for several years and a leader on the defensive side of the ball. He won’t be the first or second linebacker off the board in free agency, making him more affordable than others.

Bucs TE Cade Otton and Lions LB Alex Anzalone – Photo by: USA Today

Anzalone has a very high football I.Q., as he often can diagnose the play before the ball is even snapped. He can be the guy to usher in a new era post-Lavonte David with the thought that the Bucs will draft some rookie inside linebackers to eventually take over in the coming seasons.

Anzalone is a great tackler and can hold his own enough in pass coverage. He recorded 95 tackles in 16 games last season in Detroit. The previous seasons in which he’s played at least 16 games he’s had 125 and 129 tackles, respectively. When available, Anzalone simply does not miss tackles and would clean up a lot of the mistakes the Bucs had in the middle of the defense a year ago.

RB Tyler Allgeier – 3 Years, $15 million 

It makes too much sense for Allgeier to jump on over to the Bucs and remain in the NFC South, following Zac Robinson from Atlanta. Allgeier has the talent of a starting running back, but just happened to have Bijan Robinson on the same team as him. Coming to Tampa Bay, he immediately fills the void of losing Rachaad White and is even better. Allgeier is a former 1,000-yard rusher who is a great receiver with a nose for the end zone. He can split carries with Bucky Irving as the Bucs form a 1-2 punch.

DT Daquon Jones – 1 Year, $4.5 million

This is the impact of having Marcus West as the defensive line coach. Jones follows West to Tampa Bay and helps solidify the team’s defensive tackle room before they draft another rookie. His 72 PFF grade was 24th among 127 defensive tackles. His 6-foot-4, 317-pound frame is what Todd Bowles is talking about with getting bigger players.

ILB Quincy Williams – 3 Years, $12 million

Williams was a team captain with the Jets and a former first team All-Pro. His play declined last season and he was eventually benched, but I’d chalk that up to not fitting in Aaron Glenn’s defensive system rather than his poor play continuing. He’s a do-it-all type of linebacker that can be very aggressive and cover all spots of the defense.

Jets ILB Quincy Williams – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Julian Leshay Guadalupe

QB Gardner Minshew – 1 Year, $3 million

Tampa Bay needs a backup quarterback and Gardner Minshew needs a place to play. Minshew is coming off of surgery so heshould be healthier than he’s been in two seasons. He’s played in 67 games with 43 career starts so Minshew is well experienced. Plus, the duo of Baker Mayfield and Minshew together can make for some hilarious moments in practice.

CB Joshua Williams – 1 Year, $1.25 million

Williams has starting experience coming from Kansas City and yet only played 17 defensive snaps last season. Over his four seasons he’s played in 65 games with 12 starts, recording one interception and 18 pass breakups.

Matera’s 2026 Bucs Draft Picks

Round 1 (No.15) Georgia ILB – CJ Allen

Allen is a human sledgehammer when it comes to his physicality and ability to tackle. He’s kind of a throwback player in a that way with today’s game getting less physical and more cautious, it’s Allen that imposes fear against his opponents. He can fly and fill holes in the run game while also being above average in pass coverage. His football I.Q. is at a high level as he can read a play before it develops. During his three years at Georgia Allen made 205 tackles with 13.5 tackles for loss in 41 games.

Round 2 – Oklahoma Edge R Mason Thomas

A player with attitude and edge, it’s the tenacity of Thomas that Bucs fans will love. Thomas has an explosive first step and is relentless getting after the quarterback. The way he takes angles is often used to his advantage. While undersized, he keeps a low pad level because of it and helps him win his matchups. Thomas recorded 22 sacks in 23 games over the last two seasons.

Round 3 – Florida State DT Darrell Jackson

I was very impressed with what I saw from Jackson at the Senior Bowl coming in on the second day and immediately unseating the opposing offensive linemen. He has gargantuan size at 6-foot-5, 317 pounds. He’s a big, physical tackle that is capable of playing nose and eventually replacing Vita Vea in time, or 4i defensive end to replace Logan Hall immediately. Jackson has an enormous 72-inch wingspan and gigantic, strong hands to help control gaps and shut down interior running lanes.

Round 5 – Notre Dame TE Eli Raridon

This will be a bit of a roll of the dice with Raridon due to his injury history. He’s torn his ACL on his same leg twice. With that said, Raridon has enormous size at 6-foot-6 and immediately causes a mistmatch to opposing defenses becasue of it. He will find the open spots in different levels of the defense and can also go vertical. His blocking is physical enough to get the job done and he posted 482 yards playing a full season.

Round 5 – California CB Hezekiah Masses

It’s always a risk making the jump from a smaller school like FIU to a major program like Cal, but it paid off well for Masses. During his only season for the Golden Bears, his play jumped off the page as he recorded five interceptions. That’s production worth taking a chance on in the fifth round. He’s got the kind of size and speed that Todd Bowles likes, too.

Round 6 – Indiana C Pat Coogan

A championship-winning center that anchored the offensive line as a leader? This sounds like a Tampa Bay type of draft pick. Coogan has an extremely high football I.Q. that can handle several different things thrown at him at the line of scrimmage. He wins at the point of attack with his hand placement. His versatility also allows for him to play guard, filling a spot for the Bcus on the interior of the offensive line.

Round 7 – Ohio State S Lorenzo Styles Jr.

The Bucs couldn’t get Sonny Styles, but they’ll settle for his brother, Lorenzo. Styles turned heads at the Combine running a 4.27 40-yard dash. That type a of speed is definitely worth taking a look at. Styles began his career as a wide receiver at Notre Dame before transferring to Ohio State and playing safety. He’s a solid tackler that plays relentlessly. Styles also brings versatility at a kick returner, scoring a touchdown this latest season. Tampa Bay can find a spot for him with his skillset.

Matera’s “Way Too Early” Bucs 53-Man Roster Projection

QUARTERBACKS – 2

QB Baker Mayfield
QB Gardner Minshew

Analysis: The big question is if Mayfield can regain his 2024 form with Zac Robinson as OC. It’s a huge year for Mayfield, who wants another big contract. Minshew is capable to step in if Mayfield is banged up. The Bucs PR staff has some golden opportunities with this duo to create some great commercials and promos for the season in a Step Brothers or “Bash Brothers” type of role. Bazelak continues to be a developmental project.

RUNNING BACKS – 3

RB Bucky Irving
RB Tyler Allgeier
RB Sean Tucker

Analysis: Hopefully Irving bounces back from his injury. There’s a lot of potential in this group, though if he is. Allgeier is an upgrade over Rachaad White in my opinion, and knows Zac Robinson’s system well. Tucker can always hit the big play.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 6

WR Mike Evans
WR Emeka Egbuka
WR Jalen McMillan
WR Tez Johnson
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Kameron Johnson

Analysis: The Bucs still have a great depth and a better number one with Evans back. There’s also huge room for growth with Egbuka and Johnson in year two, and McMillan getting a full season without injury. This is a fantastic group.

TIGHT ENDS – 3

TE Eli Rairdon
TE Payne Durham
TE Devin Culp

Analysis: Is Rairdon an upgrade over Cade Otton? We’ll find out. He definitely brings the size that Todd Bowles has asked for. Durham can expand his role, too, while Culp has the the chance to line out wide more.

OFFENSIVE LINE – 10

LT Tristan Wirfs
LG Ben Bredeson
C Graham Barton
RG Cody Mauch
RT Luke Goedeke
OT Ben Chukwuma
OL Elijah Klein
OL Dan Feeney
OL Luke Haggard
OT Pat Coogan

Analysis: When healthy, this is arguably the best starting unit in football. Mauch is the one to watch in terms of his recovery. I love the depth that the Bucs have at tackle with Chukwuma. They need to find that next man up for the interior. Coogan’s center experience helps.

DEFENSIVE LINE – 6

DT Vita Vea
DT Calijah Kancey
DT Daquon Jones
DT Darrell Jackson
DT Elijah Roberts
DT Jayson Jones

Analysis: We’re bringing in an extra player due to Calijah Kancey’s injury history. Its a big year for Kancey and Vea, but together they’re a great duo. Daquon Jones solidifies the group, and I’m optimistic about Jackson as a rookie and Roberts going into his second year.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
OLB Yaya Diaby
OLB R Mason Thomas
OLB David Walker
OLB Anthony Nelson

Analysis: Talk about a revamped room. There’s a lot of potential with Thibodeaux if he reaches his potential. Having Thomas and Walker also provides help if that doesn’t come through. Its the best pass rush the Bucs have had in years. Braswell gets cut. That experiment is over.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

ILB Alex Anzalone
ILB CJ Allen
ILB Quincy Williams
ILB SirVocea Dennis
ILB Nick Jackson

Analysis: The Bucs get veteran starting experience and have an aggressive group flying around between Anzalone and Allen. Williams will also play an important role, but Walker is the future of the group.

CORNERBACKS – 5

CB Zyon McCollum
CB Benjamin Morrison
CB Jacob Parrish
CB Josh Williams 
CB Hezekiah Masses

Analysis: There are lots of questions with McCollum and Morrison, who are heading this group. McCollum needs vast improvement from a season ago, and Morrison needs to get through a training camp and preseaosn. There’s lots of potential, but some risk involved.

SAFETIES – 5

S Antoine Winfield Jr.
S Tykee Smith
S Christian Izien
S JJ Roberts
S Lorenzo Styles Jr.

Analysis: I like the talent of this group especially with Winfield and Smith as the starters. Izien is a do-it-all reserve and Roberts lives up to the vast potential he showed last year as a rookie before tearing his ACL in camp. Styles is a good developmental depth piece.

SPECIALISTS – 3

K Chase McLaughlin
P Riley Dixon
LS Evan Deckers

Analysis: The biggest addition is Danny Smith as special teams coordinator. This group remains the same. Less blocked punts and more big kick and punt returns.

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What Did You Think Of Matt Matera’s Bucs Battle Plan?

Did you like my Bucs Battle Plan? Which player acquisitions did you like the most? What changes would you’ve made if you were in charge of Tampa Bay’s free agent signings and draft picks? Sound off below in the article comments!