Former Chiefs Sixth-Round Pick Reaches 150 NFL Games with Buccaneers

Rakeem Nunez-Roches, a defensive end from Belize, has signed a one-year deal to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:19pm

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Rakeem Nunez-Roches, a 32-year-old defensive end from Belize, has signed a one-year deal to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nunez-Roches was a sixth-round draft pick for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015 and has defied expectations to prolong his NFL career, now set to surpass 150 games played. He previously played for the Buccaneers from 2018 to 2022, including starting in their Super Bowl LV victory over the Chiefs in 2021.

Why it matters

Nunez-Roches' longevity in the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick is an impressive feat, especially for a player from a small country like Belize. His return to the Buccaneers, where he was a key part of their Super Bowl-winning team, also highlights the team's continued efforts to build a physical, stout defensive front.

The details

Nunez-Roches played 68 times for the Buccaneers, starting 22 games and recording 81 tackles, 2.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and eight quarterback hits. He spent the last three seasons with the New York Giants, where he had a career-high 3.0 sacks and 24 starts. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles mentioned Nunez-Roches by name when discussing the team's plans to add more physicality to the defensive line, citing him as an example of the type of sturdy, physical player they want.

  • Nunez-Roches was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015.
  • He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2018 to 2022, including their Super Bowl LV victory in 2021.
  • Nunez-Roches spent the last three seasons with the New York Giants before re-signing with the Buccaneers in 2026.

The players

Rakeem Nunez-Roches

A 32-year-old defensive end from Belize who was a sixth-round draft pick for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015. He has played in the NFL for over a decade, including stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants, and is now set to surpass 150 games played in his career.

Todd Bowles

The head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who has emphasized the need for more physical and sturdy players on the defensive line, specifically mentioning Nunez-Roches as an example of the type of player they want.

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What they’re saying

“They had edge. I don't know if we were sturdy enough upfront defensively from a size standpoint. We've had, like you said, we've had [William] Gholston and we've had [Nunez-Roches] and we've had [Ndamukong] Suh. So we haven't had the sturdiness, so to speak. And with A'Shawn coming in, I think he brings some of that and Al brings that type of attitude too. So we're trying to get back to having a stout defensive front that can help everybody else.”

— Todd Bowles, Head Coach, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

What’s next

Nunez-Roches will look to continue his impressive NFL career with the Buccaneers, where he will be a key part of their efforts to build a more physical and sturdy defensive line.

The takeaway

Rakeem Nunez-Roches' journey from a sixth-round draft pick to a 150-game NFL veteran is a testament to his perseverance and talent. His return to the Buccaneers, where he was a key contributor to their Super Bowl victory, shows that hard work and dedication can pay off, even for players from smaller football backgrounds.