The Benjamin Chukwuma Saga
September 3rd, 2025
What does the future hold?
Twice now, since the preseason ended, Bucs coach Todd Bowles has absolutely raved about the work of rookie free agent offensive tackle Benjamin Chukwuma and the way he has looked in practices and worthless preseason games.
The native of Nigeria has only played three years of organized football: one year of high school and two years at Georgia State.
Despite this, the Bucs seem to think they have something in Chukwuma. Shoot, he made the 53-man roster, didn’t he?
At times, Bowles has referred to Chukwuma’s play as “pretty.” And Bowles likes how he has grown his game to play both left and right tackle. He could be the Bucs’ next swing tackle if Charlie Heck ever leaves.
Here is what Bowles said about the raw Chukwuma this week:
“He did well, he did well,” Bowles said of the Backup Bowl to end preseason against Buffalo. “We really like him. He did a lot of good things at left tackle.
“So, to see him go to right means his learning curve is coming along very well and he did well over there. We’re excited to see what the future holds for him and we really like where he’s at right now.”
Joe wondered if the Bucs would try to use Chukwuma as leverage against Luke Goedeke since Goedeke — until last night — was in a contract year. Or were the Bucs planning for life after Goedeke?
Obviously, after last night’s news, Goedeke isn’t going anywhere for several years.
Chukwuma is under contract through 2027, per Spotrac.com. And he obviously comes cheap.
Could Chukwuma be insurance against — God forbid — Tristan Wirfs if his injury never heals? It seems Wirfs may be dealing with a bone-on-bone issue. That’s not good.
Wirfs, 26, is still young, so we shall see.
The NFL future is always unclear. Might Chukwuma become trade bait? Who knows who will be running the team in 2028? None of us know if Todd Bowles or Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht will be here in three years.
If Chukwuma is as good as Bowles thinks he is, given his inexpensive contract, the Bucs would not want him to walk in March 2028 for nothing since they’re developing him.
Chukwuma could become a helluva poker chip.
September 3rd, 2025 at 3:55 am
This is football. Injuries happen. You can never, never have enough good players on your bench.
September 3rd, 2025 at 5:19 am
There has got to be some underlying reason for Bowles comments.
He’s pretty good at misdirection and deflection…..
September 3rd, 2025 at 5:28 am
Get this guy some developmental live snaps while Wirfs is sidelined!
We’ll see what Heck looks like. If he struggles – I hope they don’t wait very long to give Chukwuma a chance to show he is an upgrade….
September 3rd, 2025 at 5:52 am
What a treat for Carberry. He is developing a hungry strong linemen. Benjamin is in good hands. Licht does it again.
Go Bucs!!!
September 3rd, 2025 at 6:45 am
Jason is not only good but lucky when it comes to O linemen. OLB? not so much. LOL
Good stuff Joe. This is a great problem to have. We are gonna potentially have a very expensive O line sooner or later so Chuk will possibly pay dividends.
Go Bucs!
September 3rd, 2025 at 6:57 am
If Heck struggles-play him.
September 3rd, 2025 at 7:07 am
Good grief. 2028 is so far away. So many things could happen before then. Lets see how this season unfolds before we start speculating about seasons three years from now. What’s so wrong about keeping a swing tackle on the roster when the future rolls around, anyway?
September 3rd, 2025 at 7:29 am
Dang Joe – that post felt like doom and gloom.
September 3rd, 2025 at 7:41 am
Todd will drop him into coverage on offense.
September 3rd, 2025 at 8:51 am
You don’t trade a potential young LT who’s on the cheap. You just don’t. Wirfs knee has me spooked, it should have Bucs brass spooked too.