Buccaneers now have the inside track to sign two-time Pro Bowler in a few weeks
It’s so easy to connect the dots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Danny Smith is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ new special teams coordinator, and he brings a wealth of experience, success, and knowledge to the Buccaneers’ coaching staff.
He could also be bringing a two-time Pro Bowler along with him, as well.
Buccaneers have inside track to S Miles Killebrew in free agency
Miles Killebrew is set to become a free agent and has played the last five seasons with the Steelers. He earned back-to-back Pro Bowls and an All-Pro nod in 2023 and 2024, with Smith leading the way. An injury cut Killebrew’s 2025 season short, which is why he couldn’t extend his streak to three-straight seasons.
A career special-teamer, Killebrew has played nearly 3,000 special teams snaps, yet he didn’t earn any accolades until he played under Smith’s tutelage. Teammate Ben Skowronek filled Killebrew’s void in 2025 by earning his own Pro Bowl nod after a very strong year, showcasing just how good a coach Smith is.
Killebrew won’t be expensive, by any means. The veteran minimum salary for the soon-to-be 11th-year player is $1.30 million in 2026, and his last contract was a two-year $6.5 million deal.
It makes all the sense in the world to bring in a guy like Killebrew, who not only knows Smith’s system like the back of his hand, but can lead and teach the other guys to make sure they hit the ground running. He was also the Steelers’ special teams captain, which further underscores his leadership abilities.
And why wouldn’t Killebrew want to stay with the coach that’s led him to the peak of his career? It works for everyone involved, and the Buccaneers have the key in Smith to make it all happen.
Killebrew’s ACL recovery is the only red flag
As mentioned earlier, Killebrew’s 2025 season was cut short. He tore his ACL in Week 6, and that caused him to miss the rest of the year.
We all know how difficult the recovery timeline that comes with ACL tears can be, especially for an older player like Killebrew, who turns 33 in May. There’s no guarantee he’s the player he was before the injury, but there’s also a chance his play stays intact or even gets better (think Adrian Peterson in 2012).
Either way, it’s not like he tore the ACL in January or anything like that. He should be good to go when things kick off in May or, at worst, by mandatory minicamp in June.
It’s all laid out for the Buccaneers – they just have to go out and get the guy.
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