Mike Evans, Lavonte David, and 5 more established Bucs veterans could be playing their last game in Raymond James Stadium
A core group of Bucs players are set to become free agents in 2026 and it’s not guaranteed they’ll return for a variety of reasons.
It’s wild to think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season could end on Saturday, but that’s the reality of where we are.
If this does happen, it’ll mark the start of what will be not only a crucial offseason, but a very intriguing one. We would likely be looking at massive changes to the coaching staff and some very notable, established veterans could leave the Buccaneers, as well.
So, with the season on the line, let’s take a quick look at several Bucs who could be playing their last game in Raymond James Stadium and what the future could hold for each one.
WR Mike Evans
The skinny: A franchise legend and perhaps the greatest player to ever be drafted and play for the Bucs, Evans is a surefire Hall of Famer. The 2025 season is the last of a two-year extension he signed back in March 2024 and while it’s nearly impossible to envision a scenario where the Bucs don’t/can’t re-sign him during the offseason, he may not leave them with much of a choice.
That’s because Evans could retire after this season. He’s made it very clear the end is near on several occasions and not only is the 1,000-yard streak dead – 2025 was his first NFL season where he’s experienced a major injury.
It’ll totally be up to him and what he wants to do.
Prediction: My gut says 2025’s frustrations will key Evans to stay for one more year. Especially since Baker Mayfield and the vast majority of the offense will still be here. That could change if Todd Bowles is fired and who the predecessor is, though, because Evans may not want to endure another round of key infrastructure changes.
LB Lavonte David
The skinny: Like Evans, David is another franchise legend that could retire.
David has clearly lost a step and he’ll be 36 when the new league year starts. He’s had an amazing run in Tampa Bay and has built his own Hall of Fame resume, so it’s much more likely he retires after this year.
Prediction: LVD hangs it up. His passion and love for the game are still there, but he’ll have to accept a major role change if he wants to stick around and that comes with lower pay and whatnot. It’s been an incredible run and his name will certainly be around the top of the list of the greatest Bucs of all-time.
CB Jamel Dean
The skinny: Dean is enduring the best year of his career after he took a major pay cut and shaved a year off his contract. The production has put him in a spot to land a huge payday once the offseason rolls around.
He’s 29 and will turn 30 midseason 2026, but still has the size, speed, length, and valued ability to man up and take opposing receivers 1-on-1. He’s also upped his ball skills this year, which is something that he’s sorely lacked in the past.
Prediction: Despite his success, I think the Bucs move on. There’s just too much up-and-down history, here, and one year won’t fix it. Yes, Dean has improved tremendously, but the one flaw that hasn’t changed are the nagging injuries. He’s missed two games and played less than 25% of snaps in two others – with one being a 3.8% total. Tampa Bay will look to pay others instead of Dean and it makes sense.
RB Rachaad White
The skinny: White has been very serviceable during his time with the Bucs and has proven to not only be effective on the ground and through the air, but in pass protection, too.
With 19 yards on Saturday, White will have reached 500 rushing yards in all four years of his career. 10 receiving yards will give him three straight years of 300+ receiving yards, as well. He’s really rounded out his game over the last four years and is a valuable player on the Bucs’ roster.
Prediction: White will look for a larger role next year, as he should. He’s in the prime of his career and as mentioned earlier, he’s a do-it-all back that can stay on the field for all three downs. I look for a team like the Washington Commanders to take a big swing at him in the offseason.
TE Cade Otton
The skinny: Otton has had a really weird year. A year after either setting or matching career-highs across the board, he’s disappeared from the offense for a variety of reasons.
At first, he had to help block and chip more due to the offensive line injuries and then he went through a stretch where he saw a decent amount of action (29 receptions and 319 receiving yards on 37 targets from Weeks 5-9) before disappearing again.
It’s been a tough year for the offense, as a whole, and it’s left Otton in a strange spot where before it seemed like he was a lock to sign a second deal.
Prediction: I do think the Bucs bring Otton back, but it won’t be a surprise if they move on. They’re looking for more playmaking ability at tight end and Otton is as steady as they come but he’s not going off for 6 catches and 100 yards anytime soon. Still, he’s very solid and a great team player, which is valuable in its own right.
TE Ko Kieft
The skinny: Kieft saw his 2025 season get cut short just two games in. He’s made a play or two here and there on offense, but his main value comes from special teams, where he’s considered a viable asset and his absence is a big reason why the Bucs have struggled in that area.
Prediction: The Bucs special teams needs as many upgrades as it can get and it’ll prompt them to bring Kieft back on a one-year deal.
DL Logan Hall
The skinny: Hall has been mediocre, at best, and hasn’t lived up to his draft billing. He’s best viewed as a rotational player at this point in his career. He still flashes potential and will make plays from time-to-time, but shouldn’t be counted on as a starter, moving forward.
Prediction: The Bucs need to upgrade the defensive line, even with Calijah Kancey’s impending return. Hall doesn’t provide enough in either run defense or pass rush to justify sticking around.
OLB Haason Reddick
The skinny: The Bucs launched a Hail Mary hoping Reddick could be their No. 1 pass rusher and so far, it’s resulted in a paltry 11.9% pressure rate and just 2.5 sacks. Reddick has also missed five games.
The first part of the season started out promising, but it’s fallen apart like everything else during the bye week. It’s safe to say Reddick’s days are far behind him and he’s not the No. 1 option the Bucs hoped he’d be.
Prediction: Reddick and the Bucs will move on after the failed experiment, even if it leaves them thin at EDGE.
Remaining quick-hitters that are in the last year of their deal
- RB Sean Tucker – The projected tender for RFAs is $3.4 million, which would be a lot for Tucker, but I think he’s improved enough to where the Bucs will tender him and maybe even extend him to lower the payout.
- DB Christian Izien – He’s dealt with a lot of injuries in 2025, but the staff still likes what he can do. If Bowles stays, Izien should stay.
- WR Sterling Shepard – Shepard has had a solid year. He’s also a retirement candidate, but I predict he’ll come back for one more season with Mayfield.
- DL Greg Gaines – He’s had an OK year for a rotational player. The Bucs will probably bring him back.
- OG Mike Jordan – The veteran has struggled immensely throughout the year. It’ll be a surprise if he returns.
- OG Dan Feeney – It’s the exact same with Feeney as it is with Jordan.
- QB Teddy Bridgewater – He’s rarely played, which is expected. I think he’s back next year.
- QB Connor Bazelak – The Bucs really liked what they saw as Bazelak went through camp and the preseason. It’d be a surprise to see him go elsewhere.
- LS Evan Deckers – Of all the issues on special teams, longsnapper isn’t one of them. Expect Deckers to be re-signed.
- CB Kindle Vildor – He was solid during camp and the preseason, but has faded during the regular season outside an earlier interception. Still, the Bucs need veteran depth at corner, especially if Dean leaves. Right now, I’d say Vildor returns.
- T Charlie Heck – The Bucs have opted to go in other directions than Heck on multiple occasions. He’s not returning in 2026.
- EDGE Markees Watts – The staff really likes Watts, but he can never ascend past EDGE4-5 status. It’s hard envisioning his return in 2026.
- LB Deion Jones – Right now, the Bucs are potentially facing some major holes at inside linebacker, next year. I think they keep Jones because of that and his special teams play.
- LB Anthony Walker Jr. – See above, plus the fact the Bucs really liked what Walker Jr. was doing before a camp injury changed everything.
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