Cap-saving cuts the Bucs could make this offseason
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are officially entering the post-Tom Brady era, and there are some rough seas ahead, thanks to a daunting salary cap situation, and a long list of key free agents on both sides of the ball.
Currently projected to be around $55 million over the salary cap for the 2023 season, the Bucs are going to have to make some tough personnel decisions in the coming weeks, especially if they want to retain any of those pending free agents.
While a few restructured contracts could help, it’s likely the Bucs will have to make some uncomfortable cuts to save some cap space.
Here are a few that seem the most likely:
OT Donovan Smith
(AP Photo/Alex Menendez)
Smith’s best ability has been availability, a durable presence for Tampa Bay at a premium position since being drafted in the second round back in 2015. That said, his play has been inconsistent at best throughout his career, and last year’s injury-impacted campaign was the worst of his career.
He’ll turn 30 in June, with a cap number around $18 million for the 2023 season. Finding starting-caliber left tackles isn’t easy, but the Bucs might be able to find a replacement with a higher ceiling (and maybe even a higher floor) for cheaper.
RB Leonard Fournette
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Fournette was obviously a huge part of Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl run, and delivered arguably the best season of his entire career in 2021. But last year, he was outplayed by third-round rookie Rachaad White, who should be atop the depth chart heading into his second NFL season.
Having just turned 28, Fournette is way older and way more expensive than White, and the Bucs could find a No. 2 back who is younger and cheaper to pair with their new starter moving forward. Even though Fournette signed a three-year extension just last year, Tampa Bay could still a decent chunk of change my cutting ties.
TE Cameron Brate
(AP Photo/Alex Menendez)
One of the longest-tenured Bucs on the roster, Brate went from undrafted free agent to one of the most reliable pass-catchers in franchise history, currently ranking third on the team’s all-time touchdown receptions list. The Harvard grad has been a stalwart presence over the years, which would make it hard for many Bucs fans to see him go.
But even after Rob Gronkowski’s retirement last year, Brate’s role in the offense continued to shrink, as Tampa Bay gave more snaps to a pair of rookie draft picks in Cade Otton and Ko Kieft. Brate turns 32 in July, so it won’t be surprising if the Bucs move on after going younger and cheaper at the position.
K Ryan Succop
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Succop may have been the Bucs’ most consistent source of scoring this season, but he still continued his downward trend of efficiency and production since a stellar performance during Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl season in 2020.
He’ll turn 37 in September, though, and his inability to convert long-distance kicks was a huge source of frustration for Tampa Bay this past season. The Bucs can save nearly $4 million by cutting him, so look for them to find a younger, cheaper replacement who can hit those 50-yarders with more consistency.
