Jason Licht Reports Bucs Re-Sign Ko Kieft
March 13th, 2026
Bucs TE Ko Kieft.
Jason Licht is at it again.
In what has become an annual tradition, late in free agency, Licht will announce on Twitter that “a source confirms” the Bucs signed (insert name).
The source is, of course, the Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager himself.
Today, Licht announced Ko Kieft will return to the Bucs.
Kieft was one of many offensive players who got hurt and was lost for the 2025 season, or most of it, which had a direct impact in the lack of blocking for the Bucs. Kieft will never confuse anyone as being the next Cade Otton, forget Brock Bowers. But Kieft is gnarly and is known for blowing up linebackers. Defensive backs don’t want to tangle with him.
So Kieft is a valuable, low-cost asset in the Bucs’ run game when he’s on the field and he’s very capable on special teams.
The signing means four members of the Bucs’ 2022 draft class are still on the roster after Rachaad White (Commanders) and Logan Hall (Texans) left in free agency.
Per source, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed to terms with Ko Kieft. 🏴☠️ 🛥️@FifthThird pic.twitter.com/I1q79bU3yJ
— Jason Licht (@jasonrlicht) March 13, 2026
March 13th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
I approve of Ko Kieft
March 13th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
I like Ko Kieft, he’s an old school nasty blocker. Go Bucs!
March 13th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
Our run game is better with him in it. Flat out and period and on that aspect.
March 13th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
He was a big loss. Happy to have him back blowing up DEs and LBs!
March 13th, 2026 at 3:32 pm
Glad to see him back.
March 13th, 2026 at 3:32 pm
Who’s gonna be that Ryan Jensen, Beau Allen, Ko Kieft, Cody Mauch, type of player/person Jason gets in this upcoming Draft….
He knows when it’s time to sprinkle one in here and there
March 13th, 2026 at 3:37 pm
OK Jason…
now go draft an OG first round and we’ll be cooking with gas lol
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 13th, 2026 at 3:38 pm
Running game missed him last year. Good signing.
Not.thrilled about.losimg M1K3 and that’s on Todd. Didn’t like his apparent lack of aggressiveness, but JL is doing a good job filling holes with lo risk solid upgraded talent.
Providing David comes back, a stud Edge and CB are our 2 remaining glaring holes apart from depth. Aside from Edge Rd1, an absolute necessity .. we now have draft flexibility.
March 13th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
Rn apart from Edge we are a better team once our true #1 CB and WR emerges from the crops
March 13th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
Need Oline depth, defensive depth.
Must go Edge Rd 1, Mohammad is no Myles Garrett
March 13th, 2026 at 3:42 pm
Just the hits keep coming.
March 13th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
I.love this signing
Ko Kieft is a solid blocker, and sound Special Teams player
And he’s a physical player, exactly what we need
Licht been knocking it out the ballpark
March 13th, 2026 at 3:53 pm
Ko Kieft plays with an edge to his game.
Give me a full roster of players with that mentality.
Someone that isn’t afraid of a fight.
A role player on the offense that always gives his best.
Glad he’s signed again.
March 13th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
Love KK, he’s a good blocker. I’d like him to visit with Ryan Jensen to pick up some nastiness and pancake defenders more often! 😉
March 13th, 2026 at 4:20 pm
Looking at your last 4 stories Joe. With accompanying photos. Robinson, Muhammad, Kieft, and Otten. Blew up the photos and looked into their eyes.
March 13th, 2026 at 4:30 pm
Not bothering to find someone to fill his roll once he was lost for the season may have been the dumbest personnel decision the Bucs made last year, perhaps second to completely dissing Jamaal Dean.
There were many close games last year with quickly failing fourth quarter drives on offense that gave the opponents the one last chance at the defense that was needed to turn victory into defeat.
Add four quarters of the occasional dose of smash mouth from Ko Kief to those drives, and a some games likely end differently.
And, that is not even considering his special teams contributions. Thinking back, did we need help on special teams?
March 13th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
Cool.
March 13th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
We got our fullback, back?
March 13th, 2026 at 4:36 pm
Cool.
Our offense is set except for improved IOL depth… and maybe another back-up WR.
Look for one or both to be drafted in rounds 3-6.
March 13th, 2026 at 4:40 pm
Our kicker barely made it from 65 yards last year, better get a new one in the 1st couple of days…
March 13th, 2026 at 4:41 pm
TBBF approves enthusiasticly
March 13th, 2026 at 4:47 pm
To this point no one mentioned Mike Evans. Refreshing!
March 13th, 2026 at 4:58 pm
Glue Guy. Welcome back Ko! More tough guys on the roster and active on Sundays is what we need. I see you Jason Licht. There is a plan in place.
March 13th, 2026 at 5:37 pm
So what do we draft now?
Edge- definitely
OL depth – definitely
QB – late round to develop in case Baker leaves?
CB – definitely?
ILB – depends on LVD? I still think so though
DT – more depth or are we good?
TE- ?? Or do we roll with Otton, Ko, Payne, Culp?
Other – if so, what?
Thoughts?
March 13th, 2026 at 5:43 pm
Big Boi,
Id hold on the QB. If it hits the fan, the class next year is chock full. Id be fine with riding with the TE’s we got. Pretty much agree with your assessment.
Id give a kidney for Sonny Styles but we’re not getting him at 15. Gotta move up, and probably way up.
March 13th, 2026 at 5:52 pm
Draft Edge, ILber, OL, DL
Add FA CB
March 13th, 2026 at 6:11 pm
Super Bowl here we come!!!
I jest, of course! I like Ko!
March 13th, 2026 at 6:13 pm
Eagles have a dude just like Ko, except they call him a fullback
March 13th, 2026 at 6:20 pm
HC Grover Says:
March 13th, 2026 at 3:42 pm
Just the hits keep coming
What is wrong with this signing?
Are you a fan or a troll? You can never give the Bucs props for anything
You will be the guy when the Bucs start winning ,you will change your screen name and say you were supporting the team the whole time.
March 13th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
Met his parents before Skins game….Great people and said Ko would rather give a pancake block than a TD…love it !!!
March 13th, 2026 at 6:31 pm
Bringing back K.K. is a good thing. A good depth piece that is a tough guy for ST ,.plus his teammates all seem to like his work ethic..