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.