Buccaneers Face Tough Offseason Decisions

Roster overhaul looms as 16 key players hit free agency

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing a critical offseason with 16 of their top players set to hit free agency. This includes several key starters and Pro Bowl talents, leaving the team with difficult decisions on who to re-sign and who to potentially trade away to acquire more assets.

Why it matters

The Buccaneers are coming off a successful season, but the impending free agency of so many core players threatens to significantly reshape the roster. How the team navigates this offseason will have major implications for their competitiveness in the coming years.

The details

Among the Buccaneers' notable free agents are running back Sean Tucker, safety Christian Izien, and edge rusher Markees Watts. The team may also consider trading away high-priced veterans like wide receiver Chris Godwin, safety Antoine Winfield, and defensive tackle Vita Vea in order to free up salary cap space and acquire draft picks or other talent.

  • The Buccaneers' 16 key free agents will hit the open market on March 15, 2026.

The players

Sean Tucker

A restricted free agent running back who had a breakout season for the Buccaneers.

Christian Izien

A starting safety who is also a restricted free agent this offseason.

Markees Watts

An edge rusher who is an exclusive rights free agent, meaning the Buccaneers can retain him if they choose.

Chris Godwin

A Pro Bowl wide receiver with a $22 million base salary in 2026, making him a potential trade candidate.

Antoine Winfield

A Pro Bowl safety with a $27.4 million cap hit in 2026, another player who could be traded.

Vita Vea

One of the best defensive tackles in the NFL, Vea has a $22.2 million cap hit in 2026 and is entering the final year of his contract.

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What they’re saying

“The real question here is which of these FAs do the Bucs resign? The List of FAs is a Who's Who of the Best Buccaneers Players”

— Johnny Dean, Author (bucsreport.com)

“Finding a trade partner for Vea would not be too hard (probably even a trade war for him). The Kicker here is It's Vita VEA!”

— Johnny Dean, Author (bucsreport.com)

What’s next

The Buccaneers will need to make decisions on which of their key free agents to re-sign before the start of free agency on March 15, 2026. They will also need to determine which players, if any, they will look to trade in order to acquire additional assets and create salary cap flexibility.

The takeaway

The Buccaneers are facing a critical offseason that will significantly reshape their roster. How they navigate the free agency of their top players and any potential trades of high-priced veterans will be crucial in determining their competitiveness in the coming years.