Shaq Mason Traded To Houston
March 14th, 2023
Traded!
The Bucs received the NFL’s equivalent of a share-size bag of Twizzlers this morning in their trade of Shaq Mason to the Houston Texans.
Per NFL Network, Tampa Bay’s compensation for their starting right guard is a sixth-round draft pick this year, but the Bucs are also giving up their seventh-round pick in the deal. So the Bucs will not get an extra pick; they’re just moving up from Round 7 to near the top of Round 6.
Mason turns 30 this summer and was acquired by the Bucs for a fifth-round pick in a 2022 trade with the Belicheats. He was a good pass protector but his run push didn’t seem to be special, and the Bucs were looking to create salary cap room.
Mason leaving is no surprise and Joe wrote about this 11 days ago and talked about it on the Ira Kaufman Podcast. The Bucs want Robert Hainsey and Luke Goedeke on the field and at guard is their first choice. Those guys are the March favorites to be your 2023 starting guards alongside Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen.
For the record, Joe is not knocking a share-size bag of Twizzlers.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:06 am
Hainsey at LG and Goedeke at RG?
March 14th, 2023 at 10:08 am
In retrospect, I wonder if Mason is why the Bucs didn’t seem to favor running to the right last year??
March 14th, 2023 at 10:08 am
home much cap space did that free up?
March 14th, 2023 at 10:08 am
He served a purpose as a player Brady was familiar with. Mostly a salary dump…probably a smart move.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:09 am
Also turned a 7th round pick into a 6th, we’re already moving up on the board. I’ve said it before, we don’t need 5-6 day 3 picks for guys who could very well hit the UDFA market. Still a ton of moving around to do in order to get some more day 2 picks.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:09 am
only a sixth and we traded a 7th? Yikes
March 14th, 2023 at 10:13 am
I think it’s great they were able to get something for him. I think I would still trade Jensen, Devin White and possibly Godwin. It would really help the future salary cap and I think we could get some quality picks there. Don’t get me wrong I love Godwin but I think we need to several day 2 picks to reload the offensive line and defense.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:14 am
Better than releasing him outright
March 14th, 2023 at 10:16 am
That works
March 14th, 2023 at 10:16 am
Hey Joe does this change his cap hit vs if he was released.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:17 am
Salary cap dump n now picking near top of round 6 for a sp teamer lol good job bucs
March 14th, 2023 at 10:17 am
@ Iron
Bucs save $5M…
March 14th, 2023 at 10:23 am
interesting. i can see the line play out like this and be happy with it. Wirfs, Leverette, Jensen, Hainsey, Goedeke. If we can run more and be efficient it will give these guys time to become a solid unit in the pass game. I really think Goedeke at RT is the answer. his natural college position and he showed he can play it the last game of the season. Hainsey and Leverette already proved they can play. Also resign Stinnie who has proven he can play guard for competition/depth.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:23 am
Better than nothing I guess that’s why Belicheat traded him. And everyone thought Licht was a genius making the trade.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:23 am
Seems like a crap way to trade one of the good O linemen to hope the turnstile second round pick can start playing football. just to save 5M.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:23 am
It was the right move at the right time. Younger and cheaper. And perhaps better, we will see. Maybe not past protection wise but they will likely no longer be protecting an immobile quarterback either.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:23 am
Now let’s pay LVD he has earned it and is heartbeat of our defense!! Do the right thing Licht!!
March 14th, 2023 at 10:25 am
Still can draft a rookie interior lineman in rounds 3-5
March 14th, 2023 at 10:29 am
Like the move. Better than an out right cut. And every penny saved on cap is warranted. Still trying to figure out how they are going to sign an experienced, veteran QB when you see scrubs like Jaymiss, Stidham and White getting from 4 to 8M per year.
To put things ($$$) in perspective – Gabbert made about 6.5M in total over last 4 seasons.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:35 am
Danbucsfan Says:
March 14th, 2023 at 10:25 am
Still can draft a rookie interior lineman in rounds 3-5
^^^^^^^
I see the Bucs drafting a Tackle, Goedeke (and his short arms, 32-1/4″) belongs at Guard, IMHO.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:35 am
Good move, the guy didn’t have a “push” in the running game and is over priced. $5M in cap savings and a 6th rounder. Time to go with youth.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:35 am
Goedeke would have to improve 1000% to start
That pick may have been a waste.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:36 am
Geez………..what happened to Shaq Mason being this great O-Lineman that we only move up one spot to the 6th round??????
Seems like a desperate move on our GM Mr. Licht part to get so little for a good lineman……….sounds like Houston got one HELLUVA DEAL!!!!!
If the goal were to save money and clear cap space….then mission Accomplished.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:37 am
We are lucky we got anything for him.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:39 am
Great deal
March 14th, 2023 at 10:46 am
Wasn’t Goedeke a turnstile at guard last season?
March 14th, 2023 at 10:48 am
And how did our OL improve? Wow we gave a 5 last year for him and now trade him and a 7 for a 6. Where are the starters on OL. Where is the depth? Hainsey ok, Goedeke? He was poor all last season.
Someone said sign Stinnie, dude tore his mcl and acl. Ugh no!
March 14th, 2023 at 10:48 am
Hoping this savings puts LVD back on the roster
March 14th, 2023 at 10:49 am
We got something of value – a higher pick- for a guy who everyone in the league knew we couldn’t keep because of the cap and is now on the other side of 30. Not sure how this is anything but a win for us.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:50 am
Better than nothing……we were dumping him anyway…….getting younger by the day….clearing cap…..getting it done, Jason.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:51 am
Mason isn’t suited to our future run scheme, this is the best outcome
March 14th, 2023 at 10:54 am
What about playoff Lenny?
March 14th, 2023 at 10:54 am
Move up 32 picks to dump salary.
Okey dokey, fine with me.
March 14th, 2023 at 10:57 am
Nick Leverette is fiery I hope he can beat out Hainsey or Luke
March 14th, 2023 at 11:00 am
You guys complaining are idiots. Either release him outright or get something/anything in return. We moved up from round 7 to round 6…. that’s something. The other option was nothing.
March 14th, 2023 at 11:04 am
Good deal for both teams.
– Clearing $5.3M in cap space
– Trading up 51 spots in the draft
Now the Bucs have two 5th rounders and three 6th rounders. – That’s some decent ammo to trade up into the 3rd or 4th round for someone they want.
Nice job Jason!
March 14th, 2023 at 11:09 am
I guess Houston is now the place where careers go to die. It used to be Tampa for so long.
March 14th, 2023 at 11:12 am
Good move. Better than releasing him, which is what they would have done.
March 14th, 2023 at 11:14 am
More cap space and draft capital sounds good to me. Mason was serviceable at best last year. If Goedeke beats out Leverette or Hainsey next year it will mean he’s shown some growth through the off season and training camp. We could still draft a guard in the mid to later rounds to push the group as a whole, or at least add some depth. Hoping one of the better Offensive Tackles or edge rushers fall to us in the first round.
March 14th, 2023 at 11:15 am
RELOAD THE LINE!!!
R1: O’Cyrus Torrence
R4: Andrew Vorhees
Move Goedeke to OT and keep Hainsey as a backup and Jensen’s replacement.
DONE!
March 14th, 2023 at 11:15 am
This is a steal, a pick at the top of the 6th round for a guy we were about to cut and didn’t really fit into our new scheme anyways….
March 14th, 2023 at 11:16 am
Meh, I guess its better than nothing but now we just have yet another hole to fill.
March 14th, 2023 at 11:18 am
Better than getting nothing for him I guess, yeesh. Houston wins that trade.
March 14th, 2023 at 11:20 am
Trading Shaq Mason basically paid for Jamel Dean’s 2023 salary and bonus.
Good move.
Shaq was below average, turning 30 and no longer fit our offensive scheme.
March 14th, 2023 at 11:24 am
Bucs purging older players. Not feeling confident bucs will keep him
March 14th, 2023 at 11:27 am
Bucs will be drafting OL in 1st round for sure.
March 14th, 2023 at 11:32 am
LOL….what a trader JL is
March 14th, 2023 at 11:38 am
Great move.
I heard 6th round QBs can come into the league with a ginormous chip on their shoulder, and if given a shot, they can seize the moment and become the best among the game.
Go Bucs! Love this move. Move up around might get us something better. Or, as Licht has done, he can use this as Ammo to trade around.
March 14th, 2023 at 11:39 am
Goedonkey is a real and true matador. I understand needing to dump Mason’s contract, but Goedonkey is not an answer.
March 14th, 2023 at 11:40 am
@SlyPirate
Vorhees(awesome football name) tore his ACL at the combine, but I’d still be interested in him partially because he’s a swing OLmen that had he not torn his ACL would at the latest be a day 2 pick, but in his time at USC has played 4 of 5 OL positions with success throughout his tenure. Good player, but crap situation getting hurt showcasing his talent at the combine.
March 14th, 2023 at 11:49 am
Ok move. Squeezed something out of nothing. Stay the course Bucs.
March 14th, 2023 at 11:57 am
Better than nothing for a player that isn’t part of this rebuild
March 14th, 2023 at 11:59 am
If I were Mason I’d be happy the organization traded me away from the incapable Kyle Trask. At least in Houston they are about to draft a real franchise QB he can protect
March 14th, 2023 at 12:03 pm
Dam good day for former Bucs’ kickers.
March 14th, 2023 at 12:04 pm
So Kendrick got 2 years @ 13.25mil. 6.5 a year.
Maybe that sets a price for David.
March 14th, 2023 at 12:05 pm
Brady’s #1 fanboi won’t be happy since he’s a Bucs fan now
March 14th, 2023 at 12:06 pm
Matt Gay, $5mil a year. HA!
March 14th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
Better than nothing…but not much better.
March 14th, 2023 at 12:21 pm
The Gay Kicker – good for him. Maybe had the most historically bad missed FG ever against the Giants when he fat-shanked that chip shot after Jameis found Mikey deep. Should have been a heroic comeback after Bloweszo had his defense totally crater against rookie Daniel Jones.
Bloweszo is horrible at coiching, in case anyone doesn’t know.
March 14th, 2023 at 12:25 pm
They lost their minds.
March 14th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
I get it they are trying to get more cap space but some of these moves are questionable. I mean they pretty much gutted the offensive line. Which the backups they want to use as starters suck even worse than smith and mason which they just dumped.
March 14th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
I guess Licht is that confident and comfortable in drafting a RG. I see the Bucs rolling with Wirfs at LT and Goedeke at RT.
March 14th, 2023 at 12:43 pm
OK.
Sign the quarterback. Then I can go back to bitching full time about Bloweszo.
March 14th, 2023 at 12:45 pm
Goatfarmer Says:
March 14th, 2023 at 11:39 am
Goedonkey is a real and true matador. I understand needing to dump Mason’s contract, but Goedonkey is not an answer.
^^^^^^^^
Have you ever heard of a player improving upon his rookie year? Do you remember a guy named Alex Cappa? He got better with time.
March 14th, 2023 at 12:49 pm
Joe in Michigan – ever heard of O’Neil Cousins?
If Goedonkey is fortunate, that’s his career upside. You need to take something for that irritable Bowels syndrome of yours.
March 14th, 2023 at 12:49 pm
Seeing as they were going to cut the guy anyway…..
March 14th, 2023 at 12:49 pm
I just hope no twizzlers were harmed during the writing of this article.
March 14th, 2023 at 1:03 pm
Im not sure what games you people were watching, but Mason was not a problem on the line. Maybe overpaid, but I think he only let up one sack last season. You can’t expect one player to help a putrid running attack. Like has been. Said, this was a salay dump. They were never going to get more than a 5th.
March 14th, 2023 at 1:03 pm
So “Goatfarmer ” you a jaymiss fan?
March 14th, 2023 at 1:06 pm
Idk I think Goatfarmer is an old jaymiss troll in New troll clothing, man really sucks that 3 is going to be DeStRoYiNg us for the next 10 years L O L.
March 14th, 2023 at 1:09 pm
Houstons 6th is like a late 5th, which is what we gave up for him
March 14th, 2023 at 1:09 pm
It was inevitable that Mason would either be traded or released because of his salary.
Somewhat ironic though that the Bucs used 11 different OLinemen last season (not counting Jensen & Stinnie). We just traded away the one who played in the most games and had the most offensive snaps. Everyone else either got hurt & missed games or couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity they were presented with.
March 14th, 2023 at 1:11 pm
We basically paid a 7th to get the pick back, 1 year rental and clear 5m cap
March 14th, 2023 at 1:17 pm
NO, do not move Goedeke to RT, keep him in the competition at BOTH guard spots and go draft us some tackles with the ideal measurements, footwork, and hand speed to actually not get cooked by NFL OLBs/DEs. You dont take a guy that struggled on the interior of the OL and put him in 1v1 matchups against NFL DEs/OLBs and just cross your fingers that he doesn’t get cooked
March 14th, 2023 at 1:23 pm
Good Future Savings.
Instead of paying him 9 million this year + 3ish million towards the cap next year(deadcap) we trade him and save about 7 million total between 2023 and 2024.
March 14th, 2023 at 1:24 pm
Goedeke was a rookie guys out of a smaller school playing a new position chill out before we use the B word
March 14th, 2023 at 1:28 pm
YucsBall Says
“only a sixth and we traded a 7th? Yikes”
Was more about freeing cap space.
March 14th, 2023 at 1:31 pm
Goatfarmer Says:
March 14th, 2023 at 12:49 pm
Joe in Michigan – ever heard of O’Neil Cousins?
^^^^^^^^^
Oneil Cousins was 30 years old when he played for the Bucs, not a rookie.
March 14th, 2023 at 1:36 pm
Dooley Says:
March 14th, 2023 at 1:17 pm
NO, do not move Goedeke to RT, keep him in the competition at BOTH guard spots and go draft us some tackles with the ideal measurements, footwork, and hand speed to actually not get cooked by NFL OLBs/DEs. You dont take a guy that struggled on the interior of the OL and put him in 1v1 matchups against NFL DEs/OLBs and just cross your fingers that he doesn’t get cooked
^^^^^^^^^^
Dooley, the voice of reason! Draft an OT.
March 14th, 2023 at 1:38 pm
Definitely need to draft an LT with the first pick. There is some good depth available in this draft. Can also get another OG in Round 6.
March 14th, 2023 at 1:50 pm
Agree with Joe, O-line could be a strength next season. Question is who is replacing Donovan Smith?
March 14th, 2023 at 1:55 pm
@ DR
We played more games poorly than any other Buc lineman.
FTFY buddy…
Shaq only allowed 1 sack but allowed 27 QB pressures and was even worse at run blocking with @ a 61 RBR.
Plus – this move just paid for Jamel Dean… Who would you rather have?
March 14th, 2023 at 2:03 pm
@Joe in Michigan
Yea, usually when collegiate tackles get pushed inside to the interior as pros, the next stop for them if they do not work out as Gs is the practice squad. Not saying that Goedeke stinks or cannot improve, but that’s alot of transitioning for a year 2 player that hasn’t started year 2 yet. As it stands, we’ve got 4 tackles, 3 guards and 2 centers(Jensen & Hainesy) on the roster. Draft a LT & G, add a whole bunch of UDFAs to that mix and let the competition sort things out. I just hope we can go into and come out of the preseason much healthier on the OL this summer than we were last year.
March 14th, 2023 at 2:11 pm
Should’ve thrown in Ryan Succop instead of a 7th, because if we rolling with Succop, we better be red zone close
March 14th, 2023 at 2:34 pm
A bad move in my opinion, but doing the math, this trade could have been how they got the Dean deal done, so if that’s the case, then it’s a good move. But I’d have tried to find money somewhere else. Losing a good offensive lineman, for $4.5m in cap space, isn’t a good deal.
March 14th, 2023 at 2:55 pm
@Rod
Trading Mason saves $5.3 million in cap this year, but also saves $1.08 million that was counting against cap each year in 2024, 2025, 2026.
March 14th, 2023 at 3:10 pm
geno711 – sorry, I got the cut and cap saving numbers backwards.
As far as the cap saving for next year, I’m not sure. Spotrac says there is no further hit to the Bucs, yet OTC says the Bucs will still have the void year hit next year. My understanding of how void years work, is that it doesn’t transfer to the new team, that hit stays with whoever did the void year deal, meaning Tampa is still going to have to pay that. However, I could be wrong as I have yet to really see a detailed explanation of how this works.
March 14th, 2023 at 3:13 pm
My source was a guy named Greg (last name starts with Au and then ends with man). He is usually correct. But I am not sure.
March 14th, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Joe’s apparently do not like that dude because it would not let me post his full name.
March 14th, 2023 at 3:24 pm
geno711 – That’s funny, the filters they use here make no sense. For example, you can’t say the full name of the former Bucs WR J. Waston. Makes no sense.
As for Greg, you’re correct, he’s normally right on all this stuff as I think he gets his info direct from the Bucs front office. So if he’s saying there are no further hits, then that’s good to know. Still, I’d rather have a solid starting offensive lineman over saving $5m, but the cap situation is extremely tight, in particular since the Fournette and Brate cuts don’t help you get under the cap by the deadline.
March 14th, 2023 at 4:02 pm
I love Twizzlers.
March 14th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
The Bucs have a plan. But they don’t tell us what it is.
They prolly figure, it’s none of our business.
March 14th, 2023 at 7:43 pm
Licorice or strawberry?
March 15th, 2023 at 9:57 pm
Does anyone know which 6th rd pick that Tampa Bay received from Houston?
March 15th, 2023 at 9:59 pm
Considering that Tampa was going to cut him something (in this case) is better than nothing