The 2026 NFL Draft has concluded, and the Bucs added a number of potential impact players across the three-day event.

However, just two days after its conclusion, Tampa Bay made another move that helped sew up an important contributor for the 2027 season.

The team announced on Monday afternoon that it has picked up Kancey’s fifth-year option on his rookie contract.

Bucs pick up fifth-year option of DL Calijah Kancey

The Bucs drafted Kancey out of Pittsburgh in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the No. 19 overall pick. Kancey served as a significant contributor in the 2023 season, appearing in 14 games, all starts. He had 26 total tackles with 10 tackles for loss and four sacks.

He turned those numbers up in a big way in 2024. He totaled 7.5 sacks, which led the team, a half a sack ahead of DL Vita Vea. He was also second in tackles for loss with 11. Unfortunately, he missed five games with a calf injury.

Things went awry early for Kancey’s 2025 season when he suffered a pectoral injury in Week 2 against the Houston Texans. He was placed on injured reserve and returned for the Bucs’ season finale against the Panthers.

With the option exercised, Kancey is set to make $14,475,000 per Over The Cap. The question is, can Kancey stay on the field and prove that money to be well invested? The production is there, but with 22 games missed over his first three seasons, the availability needs to be as well.