The Buccaneers may have struggled on offense for most of the season in 2022, but one bright spot in most weeks was rookie tight end Cade Otton.

Otton looked like a bonafide starter from the midway point of the season on, and accomplishing this transition so fast is extremely uncommon for rookies at the position.

After earning the starting role in a room that already had two veterans, Otton became the obvious TE of the future in Tampa, and the Buccaneers have finally opened that door up further with the announcement that Cameron Brate's time is up with the team.

This was always the right move for the Buccaneers. In fact, it is more than fair to ask why it has taken the team this long to make the decision with Brate and his decline over the past few years.

Still, the good news is that a change is coming, and Cade Otton looks up to the task of filling the role of the lead tight end in 2023's new-look offense in Tampa.

While there are always going to be speed bumps for rookie tight ends, Otton looked extremely comfortable in most situations that he faced during his debut. The year-end stat line may not jump off the page, but 42 receptions for 391 yards and two touchdowns is nothing to scoff at.

Rookie tight ends on most teams would struggle to put up such numbers, and Otton doing so in one of the worst offenses in the NFL was a great sign of what is to come.

With an opening at official TE1 and heading into the season with a new offensive coordinator, Cade Otton is going to have a huge opportunity to make a name for himself as one of the top guys for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Featured image via Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports