Bucs Sign Former 49ers Cornerback Chase Lucas: What It Means for Tampa Bay's Defense

The Buccaneers add depth and experience to their secondary with the signing of the veteran cornerback.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:07am by

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football player in mid-motion, with their body broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The Buccaneers' signing of cornerback Chase Lucas adds depth and experience to their secondary, as they look to strengthen their defense ahead of the upcoming season.San Francisco Today

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed veteran cornerback Chase Lucas, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, in a move to bolster their secondary ahead of the NFL Draft. Lucas, who has played in 33 games over the past four seasons, brings experience and special teams prowess to a Bucs cornerback room that has been in flux.

Why it matters

With the Buccaneers' depth chart at cornerback in question, the addition of Lucas could provide a surprise starter or at least valuable depth. His versatility and special teams skills make him an attractive option, though he will face stiff competition from established veterans like Richard Sherman and Jamel Dean.

The details

Lucas was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round in 2022 and spent two seasons there before joining the 49ers for the past two years. While he hasn't started a game in his career, he has played in 33 games, including 15 last season with the 49ers, and has experience in the postseason. The Buccaneers are looking to add depth and experience to their secondary, with Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison currently slated as the starters, but neither having shown consistent performance.

  • The Buccaneers signed Chase Lucas on April 10, 2026, just two weeks before the NFL Draft.
  • Lucas was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
  • Lucas spent the past two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

The players

Chase Lucas

A veteran cornerback who was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after spending the past two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

Zyon McCollum

A cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who is currently slated as a starter, but has not shown consistent performance.

Benjamin Morrison

A cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who is currently slated as a starter, but has not shown consistent performance.

Jacob Parrish

A cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who was drafted after Benjamin Morrison and has shown promise.

Richard Sherman

A veteran cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who will compete with Chase Lucas for playing time.

Jamel Dean

A veteran cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who will compete with Chase Lucas for playing time.

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What’s next

The Buccaneers will need to carefully evaluate Lucas' strengths and weaknesses during training camp to determine if he can earn a starting role or provide valuable depth in the secondary.

The takeaway

The Buccaneers' signing of Chase Lucas is a calculated move to address their needs in the secondary. While Lucas brings experience and special teams prowess, he will face stiff competition from established veterans, and the team will need to carefully manage his integration and development to ensure he can contribute effectively.