BSPN: Bucs May Want To Look At Trading For An Offensive Lineman
October 30th, 2025
How long?
The Bucs are beat up on the offensive line. We all know that.
And just when it appeared the Bucs were getting better with a stabilized left side of the line, it’s all falling apart.
Two weeks ago against the Lions the Bucs’ offensive line got worked over. Hey, no shame in that. The Lions have one of the best front-sevens in the league.
But last week against the slimy Saints? No excuse for that. Bucs All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs may have had the worst game of his spectacular career. Graham Barton was absolutely getting blown backward by bull rushes.
Joe shrugged off the performance in Detroit. Eh, it happens. But New Orleans? Joe’s antennae are up. Something is not right.
Now Aaron Schatz, the creator of DVOA and former chieftain of Football Outsiders (RIP), typing for BSPN, is of the mind the Bucs may want to trade for an offensive lineman as the trade deadline looms Tuesday.
Key position of need: Offensive line. With right tackle Luke Goedeke (foot) on injured reserve and right guard Luke Haggard dealing with a shoulder injury, the Buccaneers could use depth all across their O-line.
Well, the key here for Joe is what is the status of Luke Goedeke and Luke Haggard? The right guard, Haggard, did fine when he started. And obviously, Goedeke is one of the top tackles in the game.
If the Bucs don’t think Goedeke will return before December, maybe it is smart to trade for a tackle if the Bucs can get the guy for a bucket of used footballs.
Same goes for right guard.
But the key is when Goedeke and Haggard will be ready? If both are on the cusp, then there’s no need to swing a deal.
Only the Bucs and their medical staff have the answers.
As for the left side of the line, that needs to be figured out this week.
October 30th, 2025 at 12:13 am
There’s no chance that we trade for a lineman because we think said lineman might be able start before December. It would have to be a vet that has been in a similar system to unseat one of the options that are currently in the roster.
October 30th, 2025 at 12:24 am
We don’t have anyone coming back from injury at ILB, arguably our biggest weakness. Go get Jordyn!
October 30th, 2025 at 12:26 am
Licht loves his draft picks so if he does deal for someone, it will obviously be late day 3 pick and I doubt if he will trade for someone who will merely be a rental. Plus, if he dicides to trade, right now it seems like WR and an ILB who can cover running backs are also areas of need as is the elusive edge rusher. We know Licht will not go after all of these but which one is the most pressing need. It might be WR as the Bucs are down 3 of their top 4 receivers with McMillan and Godwin no guarantee to be back any time soon.
October 30th, 2025 at 12:30 am
Kevin Zeitler is a no brainer trade that we should have already made. He is on a one year contract with the Titans so he could be had for a 6th or 7th rd pick.
October 30th, 2025 at 12:41 am
I feel like I have a solid timeline for return from injury for a bunch of guys around the league.
Then no clue about 6 important guys on the Bucs. For instance…
Omarion Hampton. Can come off IR for next week but reports say it’s probably closer to week 12 return.
Purdy and Pearsall. Tricky injuries but if they don’t reaggravate on a ramp up then likely in the next week or two.
Above my pay grade, I have absolutely no right to know… but it’s frustrating as a fan. Maybe I wanna buy tickets for week 13 when AZ visits TB but I am not doing that with no idea if I will see Bucky or Luke or Godwin.
October 30th, 2025 at 12:48 am
We’re not trading for anyone. We just let everyone else get stronger & improve their team while we just sit back & do nothing like usual. Sure we’re in first & all still but we could use at least one more LB, one more OL, one more CB, maybe another WR, maybe another S & one more DE even though I still think they should consider moving Kancey to DE next year & get him to drop like 10 or 15 lbs. Then have him with Yaya & then keep Roberts with Vita & let Reddick walk.
October 30th, 2025 at 12:50 am
OR JUST BRING BACK MARPET!
October 30th, 2025 at 1:17 am
Wyatt Teller
October 30th, 2025 at 1:45 am
DUH! Been saying this for over a month
October 30th, 2025 at 2:35 am
Right now would be the time to pounce on a proven ILB (&/or) a DT if a goodin for the right price becomes available, with a little meat on the bone left on his contract. At least then, they wouldn’t have to burn an ‘early-round pick’ on the unknown this upcoming offseason. And, could keep us out of the position of HAVING TO draft ‘TWO’ ILB’s just hoping to get ONE that could immediately contribute (or start), in the event that LVD retires.
October 30th, 2025 at 2:38 am
I’m really hating all the secrecy and smoke with these injuries. Are Godwin, Luke and McMillan a lost cause this season? Is the staff just that confident and trying to bring guys back slowly to help ensure a legit run at the ring? Last I heard Bucky Irving was getting a “second opinion” and poof… Never heard another word. I know whining about it does nothing but as a fan the lack of information is infuriating. I can’t really grasp how it benefits the team. It raises more questions and doubt. I can’t freakin stand it.
Ok. End of rant.
October 30th, 2025 at 3:39 am
They aren’t going to trade draft capital for a short term rental. They just aren’t. We have an extremely high chance to make the playoffs DESPITE the injuries. Goedeke will be back by playoff time if not much sooner. Why would we sacrifice a draft pick for a guy to play MAYBE a handful of games?
October 30th, 2025 at 4:24 am
Do u think Jason is wishing he would have waited for Luke contract. Maybe could have gotten him cheaper with all the time missed?
October 30th, 2025 at 5:06 am
MelvinJunior … ‘could keep us out of the position of HAVING TO draft ‘TWO’ ILB’s just hoping to get ONE that could immediately contribute (or start), in the event that LVD retires.’
Was wondering yesterday about LVD retiring after this year. I’m now convinced that he will. Lavonte’s a true warrior, and he’s giving all he has, but his play on the field has slipped. Our ILB group total performance has slipped IMO from the strength of our defense to probably the weakest link. And opponents are figuring out how to take advantage.
I think Todd Bowles has a real dilemma in our ILB group. He’s now tried THREE different MLBs in 3 years (White, Britt, SVD). None of the 3 IMO has been the LEADER that TB needs to operate this defense, but LVD has picked up the slack each year, as the leader. Extremely, yet critical, role to fill.
We’ve been spoiled by having Brooks then LVD providing that key leadership: Brooks from 1995-2008 (14 years) and David from 2012-today (14 years). (Quincy Black & Geno Hayes covered 2009-2011). That’s 28 of 31 years with only 2 super-stars covering a key position & providing fantastic leadership. And both Brooks & LVD was a key to us winning a Super Bowl championship. Yup, we’ve been spoiled, big-time.
October 30th, 2025 at 5:31 am
Need a veteran ILB to replace Voss. Always need help on the Oline and for that matter D line. The problem is only Todd and Jason have an idea when our players will return from injury.
October 30th, 2025 at 6:11 am
Have we ever made a trade at this point of the season? Seems to me we are never involved at the trade deadline. “We got who we got”. Is t that what Bowles says?
October 30th, 2025 at 6:23 am
We lost our right guard for the season and I have yet to see either our right guard or right tackle play a starting caliber game. We can’t run the football consistently without both. If Goedeke is coming back for sure get a guard. It’s easily the biggest need on the team with players coming back in most other positions.
October 30th, 2025 at 6:29 am
If only some of you knew how bad everyone from a Bredson, to Barton, Heck and whoever is playing RG for the week is graded. Bottom tier. As in bottom 5. Bad. Awful. Now you even had Wirfs getting owned by a journeyman. If you can’t trust Wirfs then WHO can you trust. Your franchise mfing quarterback is the most inportant human on the team. First, second, and third priority is to protect him and put him in a position to succeed, and yet some of you guys’ main focus is running of an improving ILB. What.
October 30th, 2025 at 6:40 am
Nope!
October 30th, 2025 at 6:54 am
been saying that except so what if Goedeke comes back? We have need at more than one spot and given the various injuries this year wanna bet you might not lose another on the oline sometime this season ?
IF we don’t fix the line then the Carolina version of Baker will return and settle in . Then we aren’t even going to win one playoff game.
October 30th, 2025 at 7:01 am
Goedeke is a ghost. One day he disappeared into thin air never to be seen or heard from again. He’s as useless as Callijah Kancey. A glass tiger if there ever was one. Godwin’s status is a massive disappointment for this team. A major mistake resigning him to that contract knowing he’s damaged goods. He’s 29 going on 40. I absolutely doubt he’ll ever be the same player again if he even takes the field again that is. Hat’s off to the team for still being in the playoff conversation at all.
October 30th, 2025 at 7:03 am
Bucky as RB1 average rush 4.3 yards.
White as RB1 average rush 3.2 yards.
October 30th, 2025 at 7:04 am
ILB is the only trade that would ALSO apply to next year, as LVD is gonna retire. STILL probably won’t happen
October 30th, 2025 at 7:06 am
The trade deadline will come and go quietly.
October 30th, 2025 at 7:11 am
Gofortheface30, that’s being a little too harsh. Wirfs was blocking Chase Young. I think that dude was so good at Ohio State that he was in Heismann consideration. Tristan can face a few matchup problems like any player or team can face. Young hasn’t had the career many expected but he’s a great player. I think Wirfs held his own, in fact he was not the problem. Communication across the line is very different for the RT and center when you’ve got a different RG every week. Mauch and Goedecke were real strengths for us and now the right side of our line is a mess. We should be doing everything in our power to get that cleaned up and we will. A few more games for Freeney, Haggard heals up that shoulder and Jordan gets healthy I think we can right the ship. But for now it’s our weakest spot. Barton, with the new guys next to him every week, is playing slower because he’s got more on his mind than just letting it rip. The line is called the unit. They have to play together and they aren’t there yet. You can bet Bowles and Carbs and Griz are focusing on that very unit right now. If we can get Goedeke back it would sure help.
October 30th, 2025 at 7:42 am
Brian in FL Says:
October 30th, 2025 at 3:39 am
They aren’t going to trade draft capital for a short term rental. They just aren’t. We have an extremely high chance to make the playoffs DESPITE the injuries. Goedeke will be back by playoff time if not much sooner. Why would we sacrifice a draft pick for a guy to play MAYBE a handful of ga
_______
A trade doesn’t necessarily mean draft capital.
As much as I like CG, if he can get healthy soon, now would be the time to move him.
October 30th, 2025 at 7:42 am
Luke’s missing the season. His long term deal was a huge mistake. The endless concussion from last year was a massive red flag and Licht missed it.
October 30th, 2025 at 8:00 am
imo, our run game has struggled since Barton returned to C….
it may be time for another oline shuffle….i’d think about flipping Barton at LG and Bredenson at C…plug in the healthiest olinemen at RG lol
6-2!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
October 30th, 2025 at 8:10 am
Oh good! Jeff said Luke won’t be back, so now he will.
October 30th, 2025 at 8:14 am
JoeBucsFan continues to ignore Bredeson is horrible.
October 30th, 2025 at 8:51 am
I heard Jackson Powers Johnson has been benched in LV. He was heavily mocked to the Bucs before they took Barton. Word his JPJ has some character issues, possibly work ethic which is why JL shy’d away. But he was a beast in college and could be worth a shot. Perhaps a late pick combined wtih Carberry’s magic could help turn his career around. Mauch out for the year, JPJ can play C or Guard. Barton hasn’t exactly been a stud in the middle either.
October 30th, 2025 at 9:01 am
Of course little jeffy knows everything except how to wipe his arse with granny having to get those bacon stripes off his tighty whiteys
October 30th, 2025 at 9:03 am
Elijah Klein needs to play.
October 30th, 2025 at 9:04 am
even if they are supposed to come back, there is still a ‘need’ to get depth. they could easily last just minutes before getting hurt again, as we keep seeing elsewhere.
October 30th, 2025 at 10:12 am
Are the Glazers, Licht and Bowles all content with another division title and 1 and done in the playoffs? Because right now that’s about where they stand unless Godeke, Bucky, and McMillan or Godwin comeback making significant impact. The defense is getting better but Dennis is a huge liability in coverage. This division isn’t always going to be as easy as it’s been for Bowles his 1st 4 years as head coach here.
October 30th, 2025 at 10:20 am
I do think we should trade Chris Godwin for capital and/or a player.
Otherwise, I see no point in trading at all. People are dreaming if they think we’ll get a useful, long term player. Licht won’t give up a high rounder. And as far as low rounders, there are guys on the street who can come in as depth.
October 30th, 2025 at 11:16 am
what the heck is wrong with Goedeke’s foot? Dude has been walking around in flip flops for weeks.
October 30th, 2025 at 11:20 am
Godwin at this point has < zero trade value. Injured…possibly career threatening while carrying a high salary and/or cap hit. Licht probably should have let Jax or New England top him off financially. Easy to say now and it was no doubt an emotional decision.
One guy I heard floated about the inter web was Calais Campbell. Clearly past his prime…but like Steve McClendon in the 2020 SB season, he could possibly provide a spark. Probably a 6th for Campbell and possibly a 7th in return would do the trick.
Light will probably stand in business…while second guessing the Godwin deal as well as the Goedeke early extension.
October 30th, 2025 at 11:27 am
Bucmania:
It’s possible like a lot of bigger fellas who are carrying too much artificial/inflated weight can cause stress fractures and other damage to the lower extremities. His “natural” weight is probably closer to 240-245 lbs. That and he’s probably about as motivated as a trust fund teenager with the early extension/top off. He couldn’t put any weight on that foot when he re-aggravated the injury. I’d be shocked if he made it back into the starting lineup this season. Bucs are being cagey and coy with injuries…as they should be.
October 30th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
@ DR – 💯 going into the season I felt-like, maybe we’d get another year out of LVD after this season… I thought he’d definitely, try in every way he could to go after the NFL ‘all-time’ tackles record. But, I’ve also noticed that he’s really lost a step this year, too. So, I think it’ll be awfully hard on him to ‘want to’ come back and go through everything again, for next season. Maybe, in a different, much smaller role… But, it’d be tough.
October 30th, 2025 at 1:57 pm
Need a wide receiver
October 30th, 2025 at 2:04 pm
Starting to think the Bucs are getting cheap. This is another year currently under the cap a significant amount. Get a proven player instead of drafting Hall, Hargreaves. Arroyo, Gay, Braswell, JTS, and Jake the punter. Get some help to get us a good seed and we just might get mike and Chris back for the run.
October 30th, 2025 at 2:54 pm
You see we are not trying to win the Bowl, we are still in a perfect position to grab
The #1 seed. Nope they think we are good enough 🤷🏾♂️terrible
October 30th, 2025 at 7:16 pm
If there’s anyone available at a decent price, they should go get them as they don’t have any depth left at this point. Also, I’m not as sold on Haggard as others are – not saying he’s bad or anything, but he hasn’t had a ton of snaps, and lets keep in mind that Jordan was the best offensive lineman on the team through the first two games, so a small sample size isn’t something you should bet your season on.
With that said, Licht isn’t going to do anything. While he’s been doing a great job, he’s the anti-Lightning GM, meaning he values future picks over all else. And lately his picks have worked out, but lets keep in mind that 2021 draft as well – and don’t just assume you’re going to have a great draft every year. If you can flip a pick for a guy who legit can help you win in the playoffs, get it done.
October 30th, 2025 at 9:26 pm
If Licht thinks we really have a good chance of playing in the Super Bowl then I think he would try and find an offensive lineman if there is someone willing to deal. If he doesn’t believe it’s possible with all of the injuries we have had, then he will stand pat and wait until the draft.
October 30th, 2025 at 11:26 pm
IF WE GO ONE AND DONE AGAIN IF WE MAKE IT AT ALL .ITS TIME FOR BOWLES TO GO . LIGHT BLEW IT !! COEN SHOULD HAVE GOTTON THE HEAD COACH JOB ! SAME OLD SAM3 OLD RESULT ! TIME FOR A WHOLE NEW COACHING STAFF !!
October 30th, 2025 at 11:58 pm
LOL This is a dogwhistle for “GoneGator.” Chum in the water for him. The nerve you have not to bow to Todd Bowles. Better hide in the corner.