Calijah Kancey And His Fifth-Year Option
February 27th, 2026
Fifth-year option thoughts.
While fans are buried in draft chatter and free agency rumors, there is another important decision by the Bucs looming that could directly impact the salary cap and draft strategy in the near future.
That would be the dreaded fifth-year option. First-round draft picks from the 2023 class will be the ones affected this spring. The deadline to grant a fifth-year option to the four-year rookie contracts is May 1.
Now beware: This analysis focuses on Bucs 2023 first-round pick Calijah Kancey. And the source of this analysis is from Thomas Valentine from the notorious PFF Tribe. The PFF Tribe is well-known for being Kancey Haters. In fact, they suggested Kancey was a bubble player during last year’s training camp. Bubble player!
Calijah Kancey’s first three seasons in the NFL have been a mixed bag. The former No. 19 pick has created the 25th-most tackles for loss or no gain among defensive tackles (21). He can absolutely make an impact along the Buccaneers’ defensive line, especially next to Vita Vea, but it hasn’t always looked like it works.
A big issue for that has been his ability against the run. Kancey’s … slashing style of play suits his role as a pass-rusher, but Kancey’s 9.1% pass-rush win rate is 58th among defensive tackles. Almost 75% of Kancey’s snaps in the NFL have been pass-rushing opportunities. That’s his wheelhouse, but the results just haven’t been as efficient as the Buccaneers would like.
Injuries have played a part in his inconsistencies as well. Kancey suited up just three times in 2025 and has appeared in just 29 of 51 available regular-season games since getting drafted. As the adage goes, the best ability is availability, and Kancey hasn’t proved that he can stay on the field. It’ll be hard for the Buccaneers to trust that moving forward.
Joe is torn on Kancey. Joe loves him as a player. But yes, he must somehow learn to stay on the field more. That’s a no-brainer.
Here is what Joe thinks: The Bucs often budget prospective contracts as far as three years out. Joe guesses the Bucs have already factored in Kancey’s salary for 2027.
So Joe thinks the Bucs will gamble and accept the fifth-year option. But in fact, it’s no real gamble. The money on that option is only due if Kancey makes the 2027 opening-day roster. He could be cut before that with no penalty. Joe doesn’t think the Bucs are ready to throw in the towel yet on Kancey.
But if Kancey continues to be a part-time player due to injuries, he won’t last long.
February 27th, 2026 at 9:14 am
I don’t have time to read the article right now, but this was something I brought up early last season, right after his injury! It’s a real tough decision, but you about have to. It’ll be interesting.
February 27th, 2026 at 9:20 am
Given how cheap the 5th year option is, it’s a no-brainer. The guy can play. Will he stay healthy for a whole season? Like the Magic 8 Ball says “Reply Hazy Ask Again Later”.
February 27th, 2026 at 9:43 am
I don’t have time to read Melvin Junior’s comment.
February 27th, 2026 at 9:50 am
I had time to read MelvinJunior’s comment, but now I wish I didn’t.
February 27th, 2026 at 9:57 am
Love him but we have to assume hes a depth player at this point. It’s got nothing to do with his ability as a player but hes NEVER healthy. Cant sit here and act like hes a starter if hes not even available. We should be treating this as a position of need.
February 27th, 2026 at 10:00 am
KICK CK94 OUTSIDE TO DE!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
February 27th, 2026 at 10:01 am
Great player but as Belichick said, the best ability is availability and he has no availability. I would replace him or at least have a quality backup for him who is starter material.
February 27th, 2026 at 10:11 am
Need to get better trainers to keep him healthy. Remember McCoy was on injured reserve his first 2 seasons. But he was a very good player.
February 27th, 2026 at 10:17 am
Restructure Kancey’s deal.
Most of his pay should be from incentive bonuses for:
– games started
– tackles for loss
– sacks/pressures
– fumbles caused/recovered
If he continues to be a China doll – he shouldn’t get paid.
One more injury filled year and he will labeled as a major BUST…
February 27th, 2026 at 10:31 am
I had the free time to read the article. And the time to read Geno711 and Funderstruck responses. And it was time well spent.
February 27th, 2026 at 10:41 am
This guy is hurt so much-he’s almost an after though that he is even on the team.
February 27th, 2026 at 11:07 am
Take the otion. It’s not really a commitment.
February 27th, 2026 at 11:20 am
I would decline the option and make him play the contract year.
February 27th, 2026 at 11:28 am
BUST!
February 27th, 2026 at 11:28 am
I do wonder if he wouldn’t be better suited to an edge rusher role. Maybe the Bucs need to switch to a 4-3 front.
February 27th, 2026 at 11:29 am
Buster Kancey is too small to play that position without getting hurt often. Trade him to a sucker and use that draft capital to go and select Caleb Banks who is huge.
February 27th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Can’t help the club from the tub.
February 27th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
For all the individual stats for Kancey, our team sure wins a lot more when he is on the field.
Joe, could we get a summary on his injury history (apologies if this already exists). Are his injuries random freak things or is it more that his body can’t handle a high snap count. Based on my terrible memory I remember more random injuries.
Really curious if we could have him be our 4th quarter guy if that would help him stay healthy.
February 27th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Can’t see him on the field, can see passing until he proves more durable. He seems to have issues keeping muscle connected to his frame (calf, peck…). I just feel that it is not coincidence and will continue to plague him throughout his career
February 27th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Geno711 Says:
February 27th, 2026 at 9:43 am
I don’t have time to read Melvin Junior’s comment.
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I read the comment, but it was a waste of 5 seconds of my life I’ll never get back.
February 27th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Get this guy out. He hasn’t done anything since coming into the league.
February 27th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
It’s wild to me so many only talk about his injuries. He’s pitiful against the run and, as the article states, his forte is as a pass rushing specialist, yet he ranks 58th among DTs in pass rushing! That’s truly awful.
And in the 3 games he played this past season? 1 tackle, 0 sacks
February 27th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
I didn’t even realize he played 29 games- seems like much less
February 27th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Wow time fly by.
February 27th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
Calaija who? Another flop pick.
February 27th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
He too small.
February 27th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
It’s a no-brainer. You’ve got to accept the fifth-year option.
Yeah, it’s a risk, but every personnel decision is a risk, 100% of them.
We can sign Maxx Crosby to a huge contract, invest significant draft capital, and then he suffers a year-ending injury during training camp. We’d be screwed.
Kancey can be great if he stays on the field. He hasn’t so far, but if we cut him, he may go to another team and make the Pro Bowl for the next 8 years.
February 27th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
The fact that Licht still gushes about this guy is concerning
February 27th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
HC Grover Says:
February 27th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
He too small.
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Yeah, he’s too small, just like Aaron Donald is.
February 27th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
No brainer. You pick it up.
February 27th, 2026 at 1:37 pm
It doesn’t matter who plays for Todd. The result will be the same.
February 27th, 2026 at 1:40 pm
I just read an article that talked about the salary cap and how the Eagles manage theirs. Did you all know every player on their roster gets the league minimum? Using their salary cap philosophy the Bucs could get $130 M in salary cap space for this season and still be projected to have $84 M next season.
February 27th, 2026 at 1:41 pm
Pick up the option-no risk. Make or break year. If he is on IR again cut him loose. He still needs to be moved outside.
February 27th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
Kansey is a good player when he’s there. Approving his 5th year option can wait, but they’ll probably do it eventually. I’m on the fence myself, but I’d probably exercise it if it were up to me.
February 27th, 2026 at 2:01 pm
As much as Let There Be Licht wants to pay his picks…oftentimes overpay and extra early…he may want to pass on this one. We all had higher hopes from him last season…only to see him suffer a season ending injury. Seems like once Daniels faked him outta his jock in the 2024 playoff loss…he’s been on the decline.
February 27th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
And despite the Pitt Panther and position connection…that’s where the Aaron Donald comparisons should end. Donald had brute strength from mostly muscle. Kancey is buttery like Bowles in the boiler. Makes him injury prone ( obviously ).
February 27th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
Dude is the most overrated player that hardly plays. Let him play out his 5th year. He’s been a bust.
February 27th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Availability is key. If Dean availability or lack thereof is a reason to let him go. Same can be said for Kancey.
No reason to pick up option- let him go
February 27th, 2026 at 3:45 pm
Has Kancey been healthy for more that 20 games yet? He should actually owe the Bucs money from his first contract before they worry about his 5th year option.
February 27th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
Joe … ‘He can absolutely make an impact along the Buccaneers’ defensive line, especially next to Vita Vea, but it hasn’t always looked like it works.’
Disagree Joe. Kancey’s in the WRONG POSITION (right next to Vea) and he’s getting beaten up. He’s NOT Aaron Donald & never will be, even though they’re of similar height & weight (Donald was MUCH STRONGER than Kancey is & could take a lickin’ and keep on tickin).
To write that “He must somehow learn to stay on the field more. That’s a no-brainer” is so wrong.
o 2023: Calijah had calf problems for 5 games; missed 3. Has no business playing with calf problems that would limit his mobility.
o 2024: Calijah had more calf problems for 6 games; missed 5. Again, would’ve had no business playing with calf problems that would limit his mobility.
o 2025: Calijah had pectoral problems for 15 games; missed 14. Has no business playing with pec issues that would limit his attack & tackling skills.
Calijah’s injuries weren’t something that he dreamed up OR could practice/play through. Injuries that hurt a player’s ability to react on the field hurt the team if he’s allowed to play through it.
Kancey needs to be moved further out to DE (hey, we’ve only got Vea, Kancey & Elijah Roberts under contract as of right now, and we need to replace (or re-sign) Gaines & Logan Hall as a minimum. Our DLine last year IMO was a liability & NEEDS to be upgraded this season (preferably with 1 beastly NT/DT to replace Gaines, with 1 beastly DT to replace Kancey, and by moving Kancey further out to DE to replace Hall). Our DLine NEEDS to exert much better interior pass rush IF it’s gonna be able to help our OLBs produce better.
I can see giving Kancey a 5th year option by May 1st, but with the understanding in the front office that there’s an excellent chance he won’t be on the 2027 Bucs.
February 27th, 2026 at 4:30 pm
When “random freak injuries” pile up, they are no longer random or freak.
Unrelated, perhaps, to each other, but not necessarily to the player injured.
February 27th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
Kancey is good when he is playing. I agree a shift is position might work. However we really need a Baines or Mesidor at edge.
February 27th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
He’s a bust until he’s not.
February 27th, 2026 at 6:58 pm
Tired Says:
February 27th, 2026 at 3:45 pm
“Has Kancey been healthy for more that 20 games yet?”
If you had actually bothered to read the article, you would know the answer to that.
February 27th, 2026 at 7:25 pm
Draft capital. Trade his sorry arse
February 27th, 2026 at 8:58 pm
He is NOT a DT, he is a base LE in a 4-3 and his body is puffy and not muscular
Bust of a pick, not an Alpha in any way – one trick undersized pony they gets swallowed up inside
No way in heck I would resign him, he is the epitome of the Bowles era…
February 27th, 2026 at 9:37 pm
I’m a hard NO on Kancey’s 5th yr option…He’s not worth the ~$14.M that would cost….27 games played vs 22 games missed since being drafted in 2023.
Reject the 5th yr & see if he can “play” for his next contract…You can always try to resign him, if he earns it on the field.
I would be perfectly fine with the FO drafting both Vea & Kancey’s 2027 starting IDL replacements in this draft class.
February 27th, 2026 at 11:19 pm
Of course they’re picking up the 5th year option.
February 28th, 2026 at 9:48 am
I took the 45 seconds to read the article. Kancey will have his 5th year option taken, easy decision. Unlucky with the injuries and if he can every stay on the field for an entire year, he can be a difference maker. He’s not too small, but needs to work hard to get stronger and more flexible. Big year for him.
February 28th, 2026 at 9:53 am
We’ve been in this movie before – the Bucs pick up the 5th yr option. He’ll go on to have a great mostly injury free 2026…JL having beer goggles for one of his draft picks will sign him to an extension before that 5th yr option, say, 5yr 100m with 60m guaranteed…and then he’ll presume to go back to being available for 50% of the games.
February 28th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
Have Kancey lose 15 -20 lbs and make him an ILB.
February 28th, 2026 at 7:59 pm
Last year, in limited snaps of course, Kancey was our best defensive lineman, and it wasn’t even close. And yes, better than Vita.
March 2nd, 2026 at 7:05 am
He was supposed to be AD 2.0 but guess not