3 Buccaneers Can Benefit with Strong 2026 in Contract Year

3 Buccaneers Can Benefit with Strong 2026 in Contract Year

Three Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be fighting for their future on the team and could benefit from strong seasons to earn an extension in Tampa Bay or elsewhere.

Each case is different -- some players must step up in a new role while others will look to bounce back from injuries or down seasons.

Vita Vea, Defensive Tackle

Vea is coming off a down year last season, finishing with 34 tackles (16 solo), 4.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. He's entering a contract year after playing a career-high 764 snaps.

While Vea's future is determined by his performance, there aren't many other defensive tackles who produce as he has for Tampa Bay. He's recorded five or more sacks in three of his last four seasons, finished with a 72.8 PFF grade (20th of 134 defensive tackles) last year and had 51 pressures last season (seventh of 134).

The 31-year-old is still an elite talent for the Buccaneers in the trenches, and his future is a tricky situation to handle.

Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle

Kancey's future with Tampa Bay is centered around health. A torn pectoral muscle limited him to three games last season.

The Buccaneers' 19th pick in 2023 hasn't played over 15 games in his entire career. However, he produces even in limited games.

Kancey had 7.5 sacks in 2024 and four sacks in 2023. He wreaks havoc when available, but that's his Achilles' heel. He is entering a pseudo-final year in 2026, with a fifth-year option that Tampa Bay has until May 1 to offer or decline.

Chris Godwin Jr., Receiver

Godwin Jr., similar to Kancey, has been injury-prone, which has affected his performance with Tampa Bay. The 30-year-old could become the lead receiver in the wake of in free agency.