Cade Otton Will Return On A Multiyear Contract
March 9th, 2026
He’s back!
No, not Mike Evans. Not yet. It’s tight end Cade Otton. He’s returning to the Bucs on a three-year contract, per Adam Schefter on ESPN TV, avoiding free agency.
Otton had 59 catches last year and 59 in 2024. Consistency! Coaches and general managers like that. And Otton has been a model of consistency since becoming a Bucs fourth-round draft pick in 2022.
Joe hopes Otton can improve from being a solid player. He has flashed mad receiving skills at times, and perhaps new Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson can make Otton more lethal. Otton is an OK blocker, but veteran tight ends tend to improve their blocking over time. Otton turns 27 next month.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
SMH
March 9th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Why ?
March 9th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Eww
March 9th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Good. He is valuable.
Now, about our defense…. “Well, we’re waiting” (Caddyshack)
March 9th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Interesting, lets see what the numbers turn out to be. Otton is a solid starting TE – much better pass catcher than blocker.
Also frees up a draft pick that could go to a faster developing position, as TE is literally the slowest developing position in football, so even a highly drafted rookie likely wouldn’t do much for a year or even two years.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Why? There are more capable TEs on the open market: Njoku, Isiah Likely, just to name a few.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
This will be Jason’s last season as GM.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
Good move. Just needs a coaching staff to learn how to use him more & work on his blocking
March 9th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
We really need an upgrade at tight end. Hopefully Cade was cheap.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
He sucks man y
March 9th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Baker likes Cade . Nuff said.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
He’s decent
March 9th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
“ Ty is will be Jason’s last season as gm” then go root for someone else, I get so tired of the “fans “ who complain if it’s not the exact move they want done.. otten will be cheaper than any of the te you listed which allows us to save some money
March 9th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Another JL love affair with his picks. It was time to move on and spend elsewhere
March 9th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
“Otton had 59 catches last year and 59 in 2024. Consistency! Coaches and general managers like that. And Otton has been a model of consistency since becoming a Bucs fourth-round draft pick in 2022.”
I cautiously optimistic Robinson can get Cade involved in the pass game with a little more intent, and not the obvious knee-jerk, calling on him when/if attrition hits the WR room. Imagine that, using him like a weapon instead of a placeholder for other weapons when they aren’t available.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
Eric Says:
March 9th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
This will be Jason’s last season as GM.
Just stfu and support your team
March 9th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
Licht loves his homegrown guys lol someone tell him this ain’t baseball
March 9th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
Keep signing below average players Jason and you will not be working in tampa much longer. Way better options were available.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
Kgh4life Says:
March 9th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Why? There are more capable TEs on the open market: Njoku, Isiah Likely, just to name a few.
————
Likely isn’t better, if he was, the Ravens would have resigned him and not given old Andrews a new deal instead. I think they’re about the same level of player.
Njoku is better, but older. I think, per year, Otton might end up being cheaper – or at least his contract gives the Bucs a lot of room to play around with in terms of the cap number.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Solid player. Give me Mike Evans and/or Trey Hendrickson. I’d we miss out on the best pass rusher available, and fail to resign a franchise stalwart, I’ll be really down on Licht and Bowles.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Consistently mediocre.
Looking forward to more 1yd short catches, missed blocks and zero TDs
March 9th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Cade always behind the sticks on 3rd down lol
March 9th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Pay the man. 3yr 27 million. Another Licht Loser getting paid.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Solid TE just slightly above average
March 9th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Why? wtf?
March 9th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Weak move
March 9th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Let’s get M1K3 under contract!!!
March 9th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Yes and why not. This is the best way to continue be mediocre eh Licht. Don’t forget to resign Greg Gaines
March 9th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Couldve drafted Endries in the 4th, saved money, and spent what we did with Otton, on the D. Ok, all good. sht year anyway with todd in charge.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
He is okay but I guess we aren’t going to run the ball like we said. I have never seen anyone get blown up as often as Cade does when blocking. He gets put on his butt at least once a game.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Phillips signed with the Panthers
March 9th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
You don’t let a young versatile, scheme-friendly TE (great to have w/ a new OC & offensive coaching staff) who’s valued highly on the market by several/many teams as one of the top at his position in FA, with a position that’s traditionally one of the more slower developing in the NFL of all position groups go. Especially when your GM is a fan of homegrown talent and you have Mike Greenberg to fit them in under the cap just fine.
These are the solid kind of resigns. Not exciting, but solid business. We need Baker to have the weapons this year too, because that’s an important valuation going into this season with your QB on a contract year and coming off a less than inspiring season & awful finish to the year.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Never gets downfield
March 9th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Rod Munch Says:
March 9th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Interesting, lets see what the numbers turn out to be. Otton is a solid starting TE – much better pass catcher than blocker.
Also frees up a draft pick that could go to a faster developing position, as TE is literally the slowest developing position in football, so even a highly drafted rookie likely wouldn’t do much for a year or even two years.
_______
I would love to see the data backing that statement up about TE development.
I mean real data, literally.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Think he’ll be return to form under Robinson, much like he was under Coen. Grizz’s scheme didn’t seem to favor TE production.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Dayummmm, one of my edge rushers just got PAID!!
Jaelen Phillips to the Carolina Panthers 🙁
Ughhhhhhh!!!
4 yrs/$120 million….
Carolina D-line gonna be fierce this season..
March 9th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Otton, seems to just play soft sometimes. But you could do much worse, just depending on how much, continuity means a lot.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
A machine that turns easy 1st downs into turnovers.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Could care less if its not Hendrickson or Evans returning
March 9th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
So much for drafting the TE instead we stay soft as cotton and lose Evans
Wtf
March 9th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
My fing Word!! You people eith the doom and gloom need to just take a hike. Otton is a very solid TE and has become a decent blocker. The TEs yall mentioned dont block at all.
Hopefully this a team friendly deal and makes TE a non need in the draft.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
So we know that if the Glazers like you, they’ll accept mediocrity (Bowles & Otton).
March 9th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
Funny how short memories are. Otton gets ignored until Mike,CG and McMillen get hurt and then quietly goes about his business and leads Bucs in receptions. He’s a pro’s pro, not diva like Njokeyou. Give me Otton all day. We were never paying 47 million for a TE like Likely.
March 9th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
Some are saying that the Otten signing means ME is gone. Thoughts…
March 9th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Seriously wtf is going on
March 9th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Otton is a second TE not worth losing Evans
March 9th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Drafting defense for certain round 1
March 9th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
@CrazyHorse54, I hope not!!!
March 9th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Hopefully league minimum with a cash bonus to reduce the cap number
March 9th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
Content with Otton if we sign Trey Hendrickson and keep M1K3.
To be 1st signing and lose out on them is BS
Not going to celebrate FA because we kept Otton wtf
March 9th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
He’s decent. Serviceable and been valuable in different aspects when we have needed him so I’m just fine with this. We can’t afford a big money TE right now with other holes needing to be filled. I believe Panthers got better signing the Philips guy from Miami…..Licht???? Where ya at???
March 9th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
Glad I’m not the only one not happy about this. Are we going to let Mike go to keep him? That could’ve been Mike’s money, whatever they’re paying him. They could’ve paid a rookie to replace him. You can’t replace Mike. I hope I’m wrong.
March 9th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
On what basis are you people saying he’s a bad blocker? He’s rated as one of the better blocking tight ends in the league
March 9th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
I for one am happy. He’s earned it IMO. Welcome back Cade!
March 9th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
Cade sucks
March 9th, 2026 at 1:10 pm
“On what basis are you people saying he’s a bad blocker? He’s rated as one of the better blocking tight ends in the league”
The 5 blocking reps they can remember, doesn’t even matter if he won them or not, he could’ve lost 1 of 5 and that’s all that matters to them.
March 9th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
Did we sign gainwell?
March 9th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
Sorry…………..We have all seen it…Cade Otten is not “clutch” never gets to
the other side of the FD maker….his drops that turn into fumbles have killed
us….I hope they did not pay him that much!
March 9th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
Kenny G Baby!!! Let’s go
March 9th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
probably will improve with zac and now licht wont be tempted to use pick 15 on a te
March 9th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
Reports that Me13 is being offered north of 27 million by teams….
March 9th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Cade otton and kenneth gainwell! Super bowl son! Lol! What a joke. Mike is definitely leaving.
March 9th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Alex anzalone to the bucs
March 9th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
If me is being offered north of 27, then let him go
March 9th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
AA is a stud signing. Doubt we spend $27 mil a year for Evans. I personally wouldn’t
March 9th, 2026 at 1:30 pm
Njoku is a horrible blocker. I’d take Otton over him every day. Likely was already signed by his old coach who in now with the Giants.
March 9th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
He’s a proven War Horse!
March 9th, 2026 at 1:37 pm
Signing Otton was a good move. Watch him have a great ‘26 season. His blocking will improve too. Would have been bad to let him go.
March 9th, 2026 at 1:40 pm
No one wants Dean yet? Wonder why.
March 9th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
barf…….dude is by far the best at getting 1/2 yard short of a first down
March 9th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
Someone commented Cade Otten plays soft. And a certain someone wouldn’t know football from the crack of his a$$.
March 9th, 2026 at 1:57 pm
So White is probably a goner. Gainewell is not too shabby at all. He is the type running back that can hang a bunch of total yards and I ain’t whistling Dixie.
March 9th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
Eh I would have rather drafted his replacement. What’s his contract details ?
March 9th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
Meh, he’s okay. Not amazing, not terrible. Can be reliable when he’s not fumbling the ball to the opposing team with butterfingers… but he’s not a huge threat passing or blocking, so yea… it’s meh.
Would like to see what the numbers are. Really hope Jason didn’t overpay him a la Zyon, Antoine, etc…
March 9th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
Why am I certain we overpaid? Hopefully 7 mill but I bet it’s 10.