BUCS FACE TOUGH DECISIONS AS NFL FREE AGENCY LOOMS

Even before the Bucs learn whether Mike Evans plans to play in 2026 — and if he does, if it will be somewhere other than Tampa Bay — this already shapes up as a defining offseason for the franchise.

Coach Todd Bowles’ team has pressing needs on defense, starting with a true edge rusher, and could find impact help available via free agency or trade.

Whether 36-year-old linebacker Lavonte David decides to return or retire, there remains a riddle in the middle of Bowles’ defense that must be solved. The salary-cap situation is workable but hardly wide open, and Evans isn’t the only key contributor the Bucs may be weighing a reunion with as they chart their course for next season.

On Friday, five days after Super Bowl 60, the contracts of several prominent players expired, though the 2026 NFL league year doesn’t start until March 11 at 4 p.m. The legal tampering or negotiating period is two days prior at noon.

Evans was among the notable players whose contracts voided, a list that also includes David, outside linebacker Haason Reddick, cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Kindle Vildor, tight end Cade Otton, running back Rachaad White, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, and defensive linemen Logan Hall and Greg Gaines.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield is under contract through 2026, the final season of a three-year, $100 million deal. It’s possible, but unlikely, the Bucs would attempt to extend him before the start of the season.

The NFL salary cap is projected to be between $301 million-$305 million in 2026. But Bucs assistant general manager Mike Greenberg, a savant at manipulating the cap, has to work some magic. According to the NFL Players’ Association, the Bucs will be rolling over $15,723,758 from 2025 to 2026. If the salary cap is set at $301,500,000, the Bucs number is roughly $317,223,758.

The Bucs have more than $274 million in liabilities for 2026, meaning they would begin the new league year with roughly $43 million in cap space.

But then, about $12 million is earmarked for the rookie salary pool, and they need to split $16 million to form a practice squad and have money to sign players when some go on injured reserve.

Fortunately, the Bucs can create plenty of cap space by restructuring the contracts of players such as Mayfield, tackles Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke, safety Antoine Winfield Jr., cornerback Zyon McCollum, defensive tackle Vita Vea, guard Ben Bredeson and outside linebacker Anthony Nelson.

All told, that would create more than $105 million in cap space. It’s unrealistic to think they would restructure that many deals, but there are substantial savings to be had. A more reasonable figure is $50 million.

How much would it take to re-sign Evans? The Rams’ Davante Adams is a good comparison, and he fetched a two-year, $46 million contract with the Rams last March.

But if the Bucs lock up Evans, can they address their biggest need through free agency? Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, said last Sunday the 12th-year receiver’s competitive nature will likely prompt him to play.

Bengals outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson is available, and he could get $20 million-$25 million annually. Hendrickson, 31, finished the year on injured reserve in December due to a serious hip/pelvis injury that required core muscle surgery. Prior to that, he averaged 14.1 sacks over the previous five seasons.

The Bucs could attempt to trade for Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, but he has a $30 million salary for 2026, and it likely also would cost them two first-round draft picks.

What if the Bucs wanted to sign Jaguars free-agent inside linebacker Devin Lloyd, who is projected to average about $16 million per year on a three-year deal? That and an edge rusher could cost them Evans.

Re-signing Otton is certainly an option. His value is projected at around $12.5 million per year. But there are other free agents that could interest the Bucs, such as Browns tight end David Njoku, who could fetch a salary in the $10 million per-year range. Former Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is a free agent, but his salary projection is $16 million per year.

White seemingly has burned every bridge on his way out of Tampa Bay. But the Bucs could use a third running back to go with Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker, who is a restricted free agent. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson likely will try to get the Bucs to sign former Falcon Tyler Allgeier.

Bucs free agents

Unrestricted

QB Teddy Bridgewater, LB Lavonte David, CB Jamel Dean, WR Mike Evans, G Dan Feeney, DL Greg Gaines, DL Logan Hall, T Charlie Heck, LB Deion Jones, G Michael Jordan, TE Ko Kieft, TE Cade Otton, OLB Haason Reddick, WR Sterling Shepard, CB Kindle Vildor, LB Anthony Walker, RB Rachaad White

Restricted

DB Christian Izien, RB Sean Tucker, OLB Markees Watts

Exclusive rights

LS Evan Deckers

Club option for 2026

P Riley Dixon

2026-02-15T12:20:11Z