PFF: Free Agency A Mixed Bag For Bucs
March 21st, 2026
Defense still needs addressing.
Maybe Joe is looking at the Bucs through a weird prism, but Joe doesn’t see what some others see.
Joe actually heard someone on sports radio yesterday say the Bucs had a good free agency. Someone is going to have to explain to Joe how losing a Hall of Fame wide receiver and your best corner is in any way good.
And yes, Joe is well aware who the Bucs signed.
Mason Cameron of the PFF tribe doesn’t necessarily believe the Bucs had a good free agent period or a bad one. Still, in his post-free agency power ranking, Cameron has the Bucs at No. 20, which could mean he doesn’t expect the Bucs to be a playoff team this fall. But that ranking is better than what Cameron has for every NFC South team.
Without Mike Evans and [perhaps] Lavonte David, two of the longest-tenured Buccaneers in franchise history, a changing of the guard is underway in Tampa. The losses extended to Jamel Dean and Logan Hall, among other players with significant experience in the Buccaneers system. As the departures mounted, the Buccaneers moved to fill in the gaps with capable contributors, such as Alex Anzalone, Kenneth Gainwell and A’Shawn Robinson. Those moves allow Tampa Bay to get younger and potentially more productive in key spots, but it comes at the cost of familiarity.
Well, Lavonte David isn’t gone yet. Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht seemed to suggest in a sitdown this week with select Bucs media that the door is open for David to return to the Bucs right up until the start of training camp.
Despite David’s agent saying recently that David was close to a decision, as of yet, no word has come from David’s camp which way he will choose.
Until the Bucs beef up the defense, “this Joe” is pessimistic about the Bucs’ postseason chances.
March 21st, 2026 at 12:17 am
They were major players of the 2-7 meltdown team
I think this 2026 squad will be a lot better than last season
I’m fully confident of this team
I give Jason Licht a B for free agency
March 21st, 2026 at 1:45 am
I believe the Bucs will win the division on the strength of the offense. The defense will perform better, but the scheme will still be a handicap. We won’t be going deep in the playoffs. Mike Evans will add to his thousand yard seasons, and might be the reason we go home early.
March 21st, 2026 at 1:46 am
I started to think about it another way. Nobody by themselves can replace prime Evans. However, Godwin has a opportunity to step out of the shadow with EE to surpass 1000+ yards and 10 TD’s both players combined output. McMillan/Tez can accomplish the same thing 1000+ yards 10 TD’s combined output.
Bucs were willing to trade Dean or Davis for a 3rd a few years back. The replacements were drafted last year. Resigned Zion and walked Izen. All that is about a wash but got younger. LVD should come back for one more tackle. Even if it’s later in the season like JPP and Barrett did. That way we can cheer about something.
March 21st, 2026 at 1:55 am
Hardly good.
The secondary got thinner.
The D line still does not have a pass rusher.
The receiving corp is great, but got weaker.
Still need better depth for the O line.
The good news is the running back room is in great shape. Don’t know if they’re better, but I do not believe they got worse.
March 21st, 2026 at 2:43 am
I question LVD sitting on the fence like this. Are he and Jason even talking?
Frustrating to me because we have a draft coming up and a decision from LVD is needed to help solidify our draft board. Wondering what is really going on here.
Go Bucs!
March 21st, 2026 at 5:30 am
Think what you may of Jamel Dean, but his decision to take an unprecedented 70% salary cut in 2025 just to get out of here says something is rotten in Bucsville. Who does that? Who hates their job so much they leave 8.25 million on the table so they can work elsewhere? And with White posting a video of a departing jet at season’s end and our best receiver of all time bolting to the West Coast, you’d think the Bucs are being forced to shower in sewer water.
The Bucs played the end of 25’-26’ like they were going through the motions. Even outside observers were claiming Bowles had lost the team.
I’m not a conspiracy theorist (Oswald acted alone), but something is clearly going on behind the scenes with this team. Why is Todd Bowles still this team’s head coach? Where else would that happen? The Bills fired a 12-5 head coach, but we stick with 7-10?
The Glazers are the only ones who can fix this mess, but they uncharacteristically no longer seem to care. Initially, I did not believe the decision to extend Todd in lieu of hiring Coen would hurt this team for years to come—short term, maybe.
But it’s beginning to look that way … and some things are true whether you believe them or not.
March 21st, 2026 at 6:29 am
Treading water.
March 21st, 2026 at 6:59 am
I AGREE TOTALLY WITH JA. SOMETHING IS GOING ON. WE SAY WE HAVE A GREAT CULTURE. WE HAVE TARGETED PLAYERS TO CHANGE THE CULTURE IN FREE AGENCY. MIKE LEFT US BECAUSE OF CULTURE. A PROBLEM WITH CULTURE STARTS AT THE TOP. NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER YEAR LIKE LAST YEAR JUST BECAUSE BOWLES IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE IN SALARY. IT IS PNNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH.
March 21st, 2026 at 7:01 am
Need 2-3 more starters on defense. Mike had 30 receptions for 368 yards in 2025 out of 5447 total offensive yards not much miss there other than leadership- They saved almost 7-8 million in dead cap by redoing Deans contract in September for this year and next. He was loafing untill that time. I would definitly take Dean after September but we were all complaining until than. Looking much younger love LVD but he was hurt all year. Need to get younger and spend money on defense.
March 21st, 2026 at 7:04 am
Dean threw out the last year because a 30 year old corner would NEVER get a 3 year contract, but a 29 year old COULD.
Of the 4 players–David, Evans, Hall and Dean, Dean’s loss is the only one that lessens the team, and his exit was a know quantity before the season started
March 21st, 2026 at 7:16 am
Lakeland, exactly, they were part of the problem last year. I for one do not hope David comes back, he’s done. Anz can take David’s spot, then pair him with Rodrigez, or Allen. We also need players who can practice. Mike, and David got to many vet days off. Don’t need players watching practice in rocking chairs on the sideline. We need some new juice.
March 21st, 2026 at 7:21 am
Dean is not that great of a loss. He was always hurt, didn’t like to tackle and he’s not worth the he contract he got. He just wasn’t as good as some think. That said, can we stop the crying about Mike now? Let’s move on and build a team.
March 21st, 2026 at 7:22 am
One Joe is pessimistic, the other Joe is optimistic
I’m not sure how you cannot see an upgrade with every player that was replaced with the exception of Evan’s.
March 21st, 2026 at 7:47 am
Rod Munch – top of the morning you scrotum licking insect. Here’s your problem Rod. All those years of eating cool ranch Doritos and mayonnaise sandwiches has caused massive inflammation, which is a primary driver of depression and low motivation. Further, Obesity = low T. It is my medical opinion that this is why you’re so sad/pathetic. Consider this diagnosis free of charge. Go outside, and take a walk. Don’t try to run or lift weights, you might drop dead – you gotta start small.
March 21st, 2026 at 7:49 am
The Bucs were not a good team with Evans, LVD, Dean, etc. You seem to be saying they are going to be ok without them with massive holes on the defense. I’m not sure I grasp that illogic. No, I don’t have any confidence in Benjamin. To compare him to Barber is ridiculous. The Bucs look to have a terrible defense. Front 7, yeah, ok. Backend, with Mr I’m Bored, Mr I Quit Winfield, and other non-NFL starters. Yep, the makings of a Super Bowl team.
March 21st, 2026 at 8:02 am
Honestly, the loss of Mike Evans isn’t as bad as people make it out to be. The guy’s body is just worn out. If he wants to play in the land of fruit and nuts and dodge steaming brown landmines on the sidewalk every day let him. I wonder of his sisters taught him how to play hopscotch as a kid. In SF he will need it. Enjoy the taxes and crime.
March 21st, 2026 at 8:09 am
When your wrong about things, it makes ones perspective to be foggy. Human nature and all.
Now aside from believing Evans would never leave, he took his ball and..left.
Dean was a solid CB when healthy. He was a solid draft pick by JL and unlike many CBs in Bowles scheme, he was actually pretty good. But, losing him isn’t the end of the world. The Bucs spent draft picks on Zyon, Morrison and Parrish. Despite folks wanting to write off Morrison based on a rookie season (ridiculous for a CB), he is super talented and needs to be given the chance to start.
Gainwell was a rock solid signing and helps stabilize the RB position and brings ST value.
They got bigger on the DL with Robinson. Added a cheaper option at edge than Reddick and a much hungrier player.
They massively upgraded LBer by replacing Dennis with Anazlone.
JL drafted JMac, Tez and EE. They need to see the field.
March 21st, 2026 at 8:11 am
Lakeland … ‘I think this 2026 squad will be a lot better than last season. I’m fully confident of this team. I give Jason Licht a B for free agency’.
I agree Lakeland, as things have gone thus far. But we NEED a strong draft to really fill 2 remaining starting holes & 2 DEPTH holes.
o We’ve got 1 starting NT (Vea). Lose him early in the season & we’re toast. We NEED to draft 1 more key rotational NT/DT (very high). Thankfully, there are several beefy DT/NT to choose from in the draft this year, but they won’t last.
o We’ve got 1 starting ILB (Anzalone). We NEED to draft 1 more starter (very high). Thankfully, this is the year of the ILB in the draft. A LOT to choose from. Might also be prudent to draft a SECOND ILB this year since SVD is our only depth?
o We’ve got 3 starting CBs (McCollum, Morrison, Parrish) but nothing currently behind them. The first 2 missed 11 games last season. Might be prudent to draft a CB high to fill in when necessary?
March 21st, 2026 at 8:35 am
The only player the Bucs wanted back is ME13, and he bolted because he lost faith in Baker and he wanted to play with Purdy for a title. Purdy is way underrated and the 49ers lost to the Bucs last year because Purdy was hurt.
The Bucs didn’t want Dean and Hall back, not even tendering them an offer. So no big losses there. While I liked Dean’s play, he is soft and never played hurt. Replacing Dean, Morrison was hurt during nearly all of OTA’s and camp, so maybe a full offseason will allow him to compete with Parrish for corner, allowing Parrish to stay at nickel. A’Shawn seems like an upgrade over Hall both in play and attitude. But A’Shawn seems like a run stopper while the Bucs still need an interior DL pass rush.
The Bucs have Feeney and Haggard as backup guards. Michael Jordan is unsigned so I think another experienced G will come in to compete for backup G in camp.
For me Anzalone is a huge addition, replacing SVD. I’m hopeful that LVD’s knee surgery will allow him to play better this year. I’m guessing that LVD is looking at his knee rehab to make a decision on coming back another year. If LVD is back and healthy, I feel very good about ILB. The Bucs still need 2nd and 4th round ILB’s in the draft.
March 21st, 2026 at 8:59 am
“I give Jason Licht a B for free agency”
– – – – – – – – – –
I think that is a little generous. “B” is above average, which means the Bucs improved thru FA. I don’t see it. Losing Dean is huge. The “black hole” we had at ILB in the middle of the field, just got moved to the secondary. I am not a big Dean fan, but moving Morrison up is clearly not an improvement. In fact, it is potentally scary.
WR: Losing ME is definitely a loss, sorry haters. Not bc we did not replace him, our WR room is good. But do we have anyone else who can draw double coverages? A WR that needs to be bracketed? That opens up the field for Godwin, EE and JMac. I don’t think so, but we will see.
RB: close to a swap, maybe an upgrade. KG may be a slight upgrade. But remember, when Grizz was not coaching White, White was a darn good receiver, blocker and an acceptable RB.
DL: A’Shawn Robinson over Logan Hall, probably an upgrade. I like that we got bigger and that Robinson can sub in for VV – the Bucs needed that badly. So maybe slightly positive.
ILB: lol, Alex Anzalone clearly an upgrade to a black hole. But we need more, a lot more.
Edge: Muhammad, who had 11 sacks last year, signed a one-year deal worth up to $4M that can go up to $6M (I believe). 11 sacks is a boat load, that sound very exciting. But do you know how many Edge rushers signed for $20M++ that had less than a third of that many sacks? Yes, Muhammad is 30 years old and that is a factor. But we signed useless Reddick for almost triple that last year and he gave us 2.5 sacks. This signing is likely a wash at best.
No, a B for Licht is way too high. For me, this was a very disappointing free agency. There were better players out there JL could have signed and did not want to spend the money, clearly!
C- is a fair grade. Slightly below average, that is who are GM is becoming. Just like at the trade deadline, the lack of making a move shows JL does not believe we are close to winning a super bowl. Look at the signings JL did when Brady came here. Those were ALL IN MOVES. JL is NOT all in on this team.
March 21st, 2026 at 9:46 am
Evans missed a lot of games and LVD is below average at this point. Time to open the windows and let some fresh air in.
March 21st, 2026 at 9:54 am
I don’t believe ME left because of Baker. It was because of Bowles and our cheap ass owners who kept him on instead of replacing him with a competent head coach and DC. The Bucs also had some of the poorest grades for how they treat their players which falls 100% on the “cheap
Ass” Glazers.
March 21st, 2026 at 10:48 am
Evans has not played at a HoF level the last two years. He only got 1,000 yards two years ago because the Saints showed some sportsmanship and played it straight, not ganging up on him when the whole stadium knew he was the target for a meaningless short pass. Last year he was physically unable to play most games and was not always mentally in rhythm with the game because of the rust. Dean had a prove-it career year. I don’t think we can assume that he would be the top cornerback this year. I also think David will no longer be playing up to the high standards he has set for himself. I take no joy in writing this, but I think it untrue to claim that we are talking about irreplaceable losses. I think that if the three were in the lineup this year, there would be some very painful decisions to make in mid-season and no viable replacements.
March 21st, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Lakeland = DR =dopes! Example= DR mentions 3 positions we need to draft high. Is the 3rd round high? 1st round at #15 is medium high. 2nd round is low high and 3rd round is scrape and hope. So much for three positions drafted high. JL could raid some other rosters and fill one of those needs, but that is like waiting for Gogot
March 21st, 2026 at 1:40 pm
Who cares about ranking this time of year.
Let’s see how we do in the draft and if we can stay healthy.
If this team is not as good on paper as last years but they mostly stay healthy, they are a better team already. 3 upgrades on defense and 3 on special teams (counting the coach) makes a difference.
March 21st, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Man I’m with Lakeland an agree they were all major players in the Bucs 2-7 collapse I’m excited for all the new guys that were brought in to from the Lions who Bust ass Gainwell came from Philly won a Superbowl Robinson is just an angry Big Body Beast who is a Seasoned Vet who has heart an plays angry
March 21st, 2026 at 2:37 pm
I guess you can say replacing a 33 and 36 year old with some 31s makes you younger. It doesn’t make you young. But don’t worry. We will be younger. We will have a rookie MLB and two 2nd year starting corners and who knows who the backups are. Muhammad is rotational so the starter there may be a guy who never played a snap off IR last year. Kancey an unknown for health so maybe a rookie DE playing too. It’s a good thing the offense is pretty well set barrig injuries because the defense sure is depending on a lot of It’s. The rank at 20 sure is reasonable, but, you’re allowed to believe in Bowles and the tooth fairy.
March 21st, 2026 at 7:59 pm
There’s nothing mixed about it, it’s an F.
You lose Mike and White because they’d rather be anywhere else than spend another minute around Baker Mayfield, then you lose Dean as well. No way to spin this as anything good.
March 22nd, 2026 at 7:37 am
Hey Rod Munch (on this). We lost Mike and White because they’d rather be anywhere else than spend another minute around Baker Mayfield. And White got league minimum and Mike was the Niners 3rd choice and also signed for peanuts. It’s because Rod, they had become a couple of malcontents who could care less about the Bucs team. We’re going to be a better team, much better, without those babies whining about their sore little booties, or feelings, or whatever.
March 22nd, 2026 at 7:48 am
The Bucs are acting like they were division champs and did damage in the playoffs with the way they conducted themselves in free agency.
Meanwhile the 2025 NFCS division champs added Phillips and Lloyd. The Falcons having cap and lacking draft resources remain aggressive upgrading their team under a new coaching staff with Matt Ryan overseeing it all. And the Saints who were supposed to be in cap hell aggressively upgraded RB and G.