Bucs Advised Not To Be Buyers
October 23rd, 2025
“I could trade for Bradley Chubb, Mr. Glazer. I just don’t know if we need another coverage linebacker that badly.”
Don’t do it!
That’s the message from Dan Pompei of The Athletic. The long-time NFL scribe is begging Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht not to do it.
And despite the Sage of Tampa Bay sports, Ira Kaufman, pleading with Licht to get an edge rusher in a trade as the NFL trade deadline is in 12 days, Pompei says ignore the urge to trade for a receiver or a linebacker or an edge rusher, Licht should hold his cards.
The way Licht drafts, Pompei reasons, a fifth-round draft pick is more valuable to the Bucs than a three-month rental.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Stand pat
Barring the unlikely availability of a pass rusher — interior or edge — who could impact the defense without requiring too much compensation, the Bucs should stand pat. There are three reasons. One, they have shown that the players already on the team can compete with the best in the NFC. Yes, they lost to the Lions, but they have wins against the Seahawks and 49ers. Two, they await reinforcements as Chris Godwin, Luke Goedeke, Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving and maybe even Mike Evans are expected back from injuries at some point. And three, draft picks are worth more to the Bucs than other teams because general manager Jason Licht uses them so well. This team probably would be better served using picks in the draft than in trades.
Pompei makes a compelling argument. Licht’s draft picks quickly turn into productive starters. So in a roundabout way, a team trading the Bucs a rental could actually be fleecing Licht in the long run, if Licht trades a pick(s) rather than a player.
It boils down to whether Licht thinks his Super Bowl window closes after this year? Joe has zero intel on Lavonte David but you have to think this may well be it for the 35-year-old warhorse.
Evans? He’s in a contract year. Who knows if the 32-year old wants to return in 2025?
And a lot of players will need to be paid soon. They’ll likely include YaYa Diaby, Calijah Kancey, Cade Otton… and yes, Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield’s salary eventually will take a massive bite out of the available cap space. As a result, this Bucs roster may look far different in 2027 than it does now.
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:06 am
Superbowl windows always close quicker than you think. I don’t love trading draft picks, but if we can trade a late first that would just be another Braswell anyway for a rental player that gives us a better chance of a winning it all this year you have to do.
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:10 am
I would hope we wouldn’t pay big money for otton, kancey or Diaby…..keeping them with solid contract yes, but not breaking the bank. Out of the three the only one that has superstar potential is kancey and he can’t stay healthy.
Going into next season I think we’re in a good roster spot. I would identify edge rusher, mlb, oline depth, dline and wr as priorities. You should be able to find dline or edge in the first and then Jason is good at finding the gems on day two and three.
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:14 am
I don’t think there is a team or GM that drafts better than Licht.
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:14 am
If we can get a top shelf pass rusher, do it. We have a legit shot at a Championship. Thats what it’s all about.
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:16 am
Sign Tyler Lockett!!
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:17 am
Yeah guys need to get paid that’s the business, but you will also shed contracts.
IE. Evans, David Vea eventually.
Licht does really well in the draft, I agree in about 8 or 9 out of 10 categories/position groups.
We have discussed ad nauseum that Licht can’t draft and develop Edge.
It’s almost a proven fact, although Licht won’t admit it and Diaby could quickly change that narrative after the last 2 weeks.
If he gets a couple more in NO look out.
But seriously anybody seen Braswell? I’m not calling him a bust or anything but it is year 2 and NOTHING. We wouldn’t miss that draft pick. But what if we didn’t have the 4th round pick we got Bucky with for instance.
Problem is I can’t decide what is more important to this team an OLB or ILB that can cover.
And now that we have lost ME13 maybe for the season, do we go ALL-IN so to speak. If we go get Hendrikson, it shortens your SB window, that’s for sure, from a money standpoint alone.
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:25 am
The Bucs stand pat every year and every year its the same result. Whats is it called when you do the same thing over and over while expecting different results?
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:28 am
Don’t need another high priced dud like Reddick. Put Braswell out there for 6 games and see what he has. Afraid it is not much but past time to find out.
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:34 am
I think this is the last year of David at a high level. I think you have to trade for a d or o lineman to deal with the injuries we have had… but if we lose this week then you stand pat and wait for next year.
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:35 am
We are wasting @ 25% of our salary cap.
– LVD
– Evans
– Godwin
Sorry Buc fans but it’s time to move on…
I wish we still had D. Brooks, Lynch, Sapp, Rice and Ronde but that just isn’t the way things work in the NFL.
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:35 am
if its not jeffrey simmons than stand pack!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:38 am
JTS, Braswell, Dennis, they ain’t all exactly winners. Licht has missed a several 2nd rounders.
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:44 am
Why would Licht trade for a pass rusher when he knows, Braswell is on the verge of breaking out. All jokes aside, pass rusher is the one position I think he should consider trading for. Licht seems to have more of a penchant for identifying current NFL players who would be good fits, as an edge rusher, than drafting them. Licht has yet to draft a starter caliber edge rusher in the 1st or 2nd round.
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:44 am
“The way Licht drafts, Pompei reasons, a fifth-round draft pick is more valuable to the Bucs than a three-month rental.”
I have had wet dreams of the Bucs trading for Simmons with the T!tt!es. He is only 28, he fits perfectly with Todd’s interior rush philosophy, so that is a good match. There is not point in going after an OLB if he is going to drop into coverage… Sorry, I digressed…
I have to agree with Pompei, Licht finds such stars in the draft, why give up major draft capital for a rental
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:44 am
They’ve already flushed $14 Million down the toilet! You think the Glazers are now going to give up another $25 Million plus draft picks? They took their shot and it blew up in their face so don’t count on another signing.
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:45 am
Combo of draft picks and Reddick for Max Crosby
October 23rd, 2025 at 9:58 am
You could easily make the case this team is not in a Super Bowl window at all. They were 3 last second comebacks away from talking about a high draft pick and a new coach.
I think management is borrowing the outgoing Rays ownership approach – always be in the mix, often make the playoffs, but never be truly great or truly bad.
And I’ll post every time this comes up that breaking the cap for Baker will be a huge organizational mistake that will ruin this team for a decade. Reasonable deal or let him walk. I like Baker. He’s fun. But you can’t have $20-30M of missing players on this team and not expect to win 6 games a year.
October 23rd, 2025 at 10:04 am
Don’t wanna give up any high draft picks. Could me losing out on the next JTS, Logan Hall, or OJ Howard.
October 23rd, 2025 at 10:07 am
Seriously? Who out there would come at a price that won’t break the bank. By who, I mean someone that would definitely take this team to the next level. It’s a crap shoot. Stay pat with what we have. Once we get Goedeke and Bucky back and Egbuka is back to form, we’ll be good to go. I think the defense has found its groove. Get a win this week, then rest a week and make a solid run to the playoffs.
October 23rd, 2025 at 10:08 am
I fully agree with Dan Pompei. Licht has been killing it in the draft. And because of that, the Super Bowl window was wide open this season. Losing Kancey & Walker, and now Reddick, hurt our pass rush. And that, in combination with all the other injuries, could slam that window shut. Giving up draft capital to rent a player for several months is no guarantee of fixing the problem, but it will hurt the team in the future.
October 23rd, 2025 at 10:10 am
Everyone has forgotten about David Walker. Him coming back next year is equivalent to having an extra draft pick. He was projected to be very active at the linebacker position this year. He’ll have the same expectations next year.
That could prompt Licht to part with a 4th round pick for someone now
OR
He could play the long game and count it as having a bonus pick next year.
I suspect the long game scenario with no significant trade this year.
October 23rd, 2025 at 10:13 am
Kancey needs to play a full season before even thinking about paying him. Can’t help the club from the tub.
October 23rd, 2025 at 10:14 am
PSL Bob,
You are right the defense has found its groove and here it is. Give an opponent 400 plus yards and 4 TD’s per game. It is a bad defense no matter how anybody here tries to spin it. Said so at the start of the season and nothing I have seen so far changes that view.
October 23rd, 2025 at 10:16 am
……and I wouldn’t expect Irving to be 100% until next year.
Heavy doses of White as the predominant back this year.
October 23rd, 2025 at 10:26 am
@Gotti-Dog-05-20-84,
If Licht could get a good pass rusher in exchange for a 4th round pick that can dramatically help the team right now, he might pull the trigger on the deal. But what team out there now has a good pass rusher they’d be willing to give to the Bucs in exchange for a 4th round pick?
It would have to be a team out of the playoff hunt needing to do a rebuild and having a pass rusher they want to get rid of. Is there anyone out there in that situation now?
October 23rd, 2025 at 10:44 am
The Bucs WILL stand pat…outside of the possibility of a minor risk move.
October 23rd, 2025 at 10:49 am
@BucsFanSince1996
Precisely why I don’t see Licht making any trades
October 23rd, 2025 at 10:59 am
If Bucs were healthy there probably wouldn’t be a need for a trade.
Bucs are so unhealthy, that it’s gotten way riskier to push chips and give up future assets.
Licht covets his picks.
Unless he deals 6th/7th for a depth piece rental, I don’t expect anything to happen.
October 23rd, 2025 at 11:03 am
Watch the 49rs make a big trade.
October 23rd, 2025 at 11:05 am
Agree with Pompei. Licht’s draft history is pretty impressive. Sure there have been a few busts, but not that many. With 10 games left, I’m not even thinking about SB. I just want the Bucs to get healthy. This injury plague has been way, way beyond the pale.
October 23rd, 2025 at 11:23 am
The pass rush hasn’t been all that bad when they are allowed to rush,,,, I like Bowels but I do grow weary of the announcers talking about Bowels exotic, complicated , brilliant schemes
October 23rd, 2025 at 11:43 am
Licht would rather have his full compliment of picks versus being relevant in the playoffs
October 23rd, 2025 at 11:44 am
“A lot of players will need to be paid soon. They’ll likely include YaYa Diaby, Calijah Kancey, Cade Otton.”
QUESTION:
How many of those guys do you want back? And, how many get “the bag”?
Yaya
Maybe. He’s adequate. He’s replaceable if the price is too high.
CK
No. Bust. CK’s body can’t handle the NFL. Before the injury, he almost had 0s in every category over 3 games.
Otton
Definitely. He’s not a premier tightend. He won’t be expensive. If so, he’s replaceable.
October 23rd, 2025 at 11:59 am
Yeah let’s keep those Hall, Braswell, McNicholls, JTS, Arguyo picks just to name a few. The window is barely open. Get a player or two for the next few years and the window opens dramatically.
No biscuit if you don’t risk it.
Pass rushers are game changers.
October 23rd, 2025 at 12:01 pm
There’s no way Kancey deserves a raise. He should play out his entire contract and if healthy then franchise him but don’t pay a broken player.
October 23rd, 2025 at 12:11 pm
I would be a buyer for a pass rusher…
Had a thought on someone…..
Jermaine Johnson, New York Jets DE..
Jets are going nowhere, and this guy is definitely got some skills.
He’s just getting back from an injury I think.
October 23rd, 2025 at 12:39 pm
Yes, its a waste with Bowles. Even if you get Crosby he will look lost with Bowles.
October 23rd, 2025 at 12:48 pm
Give me the rental. This team is close and desperate for a consistent pass rush.
October 23rd, 2025 at 12:51 pm
Licht knows this season is cursed by too many injuries to go all the way. He’ll hold onto his picks, get back the key hurt players, extend Baker, and make an all out SB push in 2026.
October 23rd, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Depends on who we get. Miles Garret or take a look at the Dolphins roster they will be selling pretty much anyone after Atlanta blows them out Sunday.
October 23rd, 2025 at 1:23 pm
His edge defenders don’t turn to productive players that’s for sure inside linebacker isn’t looking too hot either if you can get an upgrade at either of those positions pull that trigger as fast as you can Jason.
October 23rd, 2025 at 1:23 pm
Not sure Jason can trade out of his preseason stupidity at this point. Reddick pick was just stupid, Jason would have done better with a udfa from a top program. There are so many devastating injuries, not sure what could actually help this team via a trade for one player. Plus Todd would put a new edge rusher in coverage anyway. lol. Jason might be a great drafter, but the guy is a slow learner. Todd is a toad stool of a coach. Slow to react, slow to change, and slow to learn from their mistakes. lethal combination.
October 23rd, 2025 at 1:30 pm
Yeah, as of right now, I don’t see anyone worth-it. Never make a move just to be making a move. IF, you see an opportunity for a potential franchise cornerstone, then POUNCE. Take advantage. Otherwise, bank the $$$ and wait until next time. If I could, I would be trying to take the upcoming “Kancey-situation” completely outta MY hands. Try to offer him for some ‘picks’ in return, or float him to the Titans plus a pick, for Simmons!? They’re going to be in a position where they’ll have to pick-up his 5th-year BEFORE they even see him on the field again. That’s pretty tough. Which, could also mean that no one else will want him. Not a great situation to be in at all, with him.
October 23rd, 2025 at 1:57 pm
Yes, Licht is a good drafter, but let’s be realistic. He hasn’t drafted a Pro-Bowler in 5 years. He hits a lot of singles and doubles. Other teams are more aggressive and will likely leap-frog us if we continue to ‘stand pat’ every year.
MLB is the biggest weakness we can’t hide from. SVD is a massive liability but it takes players 7 years to learn Todd’s ridiculously complex scheme, so not sure a rental will be much help.
October 23rd, 2025 at 2:08 pm
There is NO WAY that the Bucs could even come CLOSE to matching what the Cowboys could offer the Raiders for Max Crosby… They have PLENTY of assets from the Parsons trade. And, we DON’T. They could easily offer at 1st (an even better one), and whatever else. Maybe, we could include Kancey!? LoL probably only if we’re dreaming hahah. We made the inevitable mistake of holding onto high-mileage, aging (banged-up, injured, with LOTS of wear & tear) players for just way too long. Moving forward, we cannot continue making that same mistake again. We could’ve had lots of extra picks instead. And, doesn’t JL “The God” love hims some picks!?
October 23rd, 2025 at 2:16 pm
Not on the edge. Being successful in the draft keeps you competitive, like the Steelers, but FA gets you rings, what happened with JPP. GM’s cannot be one dimensional or you end up like an offense that throws 50x vs 11 runs
October 23rd, 2025 at 2:49 pm
Suh
October 23rd, 2025 at 3:07 pm
If you truly believe the Buc’s can advance to the Superbowl this season then I think the Bucs need to add an edge!! Even if it’s just for one season!! ALL IN or not? If you believe the Bucs should go all in next season instead of this season, perhaps you do nothing. We’ll see what the front office truly believes soon.
October 23rd, 2025 at 3:19 pm
Edges in a 3-4 have a different role than in a 4-3. Only 1 of them rushes per play if you want to rush 4. Simmons would be awesome though. Diaby has been playing well.
October 23rd, 2025 at 3:24 pm
Funny that some bad teams have edge guys ,, Raiders , Bengals , Browns , titans
October 23rd, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Jason is a genius for drafting ee and tez, nobody wanted tez, he’s too small… tez is a rock star he’s going to be a great asset going fwd he’s got speed and moves more than anything he has heart and hunger to make it
October 23rd, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Super Bowl?
This team isn’t in a SB window. Theyre going to be in a battle to win the division and will be the underdog in any playoff game they may make.
The truth is one or even two rental players will not make a difference here.
This years version suffers from the same ailment as the prior 3: slow starts, unpreparedness, and lack of intensity. Its s coaching issue, not a player issue – always has been.
October 23rd, 2025 at 5:10 pm
The Bucs won a SB by not standing pat. They went out brought in Antonio Brown despite all the morons saying the Bucs didn’t need him. They brought in Fournette. They obviously after getting Brady, traded for Gronk. They also brought in LeSean McCoy.
They didn’t sit still and not make moves, even after training camp was over.
If you got a window, and right now the Bucs do, use it. Don’t worry about lottery tickets, if there’s a deal to be made that makes sense, then go get it done.