Buccaneers Using Offseason to Build Depth, Bolster Defense

Buccaneers Using Offseason to Build Depth, Bolster Defense

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not make splashy signings or trades this offseason. So far, they've prioritized shoring up their depth at key positions on both sides of the ball.

"What Tampa Bay went out and did is they tried to cover as many of their bases as possible from a depth standpoint," Matt Matera said on the "Pewter Report" podcast on Tuesday. "Then kind of get back to ... relying on impact players in the draft."

Depth is crucial for Tampa Bay, especially after injuries derailed the team's 6-2 start last season. The Bucs lost key contributors like defensive tackle Calijah Kancey and running back Bucky Irving for chunks of the season.

Most of the Buccaneers' offseason pick-ups have focused on defense, as the team signed linebackers Alex Anzalone and Al-Quadin Muhammad, defensive tackles A'Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nuñez-Roches and cornerbacks Kemon Hall and Chase Lucas.

Anzalone and Robinson may become starters in Tampa, but that depends on Bucs regular starters, like Kancey, getting healthy and getting back on the field this offseason.

"When you sprinkle these players in, if it becomes necessary, I think you feel pretty good about it," Matera said. "So, [with the] d-line, I thought they did a great job again addressing the depth."

Robinson last season totaled 65 tackles (21 solo) and 2.5 sacks in 17 games with the Carolina Panthers. Nuñez-Roches is coming off an injury-shortened 2025 season with the New York Giants, appearing in nine games.

Other than last season, the two-time Buccaneer has been a relatively healthy player, appearing in 16 games or more in eight NFL seasons. The Belizean defensive end has been in the league, on four squads (twice with Tampa Bay), for 11 years.

Robinson and Nuñez-Roches, who both signed one-year deals, and Elijah Roberts — whose role increased in Kancey's absence last season— provide Tampa Bay with more depth to rely on in case the injury bug hits the team again.

With the recent retirement of veteran Lavonte David, the organization is patching up the ranks of their linebackers this offseason.

Tampa Bay signed Muhammad to a one-year contract, and the 10-year journeyman could play backup behind Yaya Diaby. The 31-year-old pass-rusher recorded a career-high 11 sacks last season, but inconsistent play and league suspensions have not helped Muhammad build a successful resume.

David Walker, the Buccaneers' 121st pick, in the fourth round, from last year's draft, is returning from a torn ACL injury and reportedly will be ready for training camp. The 25-year-old's presence should reinforce Tampa's depth as Walker continues developing as an NFL pass-rusher.

Muhammad and Walker add depth to the linebacker position, and Tampa Bay could add more via next week's draft.

"You have Muhammad (and) you have a healthy Walker this time around, and then if you draft an edge rusher, you're not putting everything in one basket," Matera said.

While most of Tampa Bay's depth signings lean toward the defensive side, the team also added some depth on the offense. The Buccaneers signed Kenneth Gainwell, from the Pittsburgh Steelers, to a two-year, $14 million contract.

Gainwell, who rushed for 537 yards and five touchdowns last season behind Steelers starter Jaylen Warren, will likely back up Bucky Irving in 2026. Gainwell also adds a receiving dimension, as the sixth-year veteran collected 486 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his one season in Pittsburgh.

Irving dealt with shoulder and ankle injuries last season that sidelined him from Weeks 5-12, and nearly halved his previous production as a 1,000-yard rusher to under 600 yards.

The Buccaneers attacked the offseason with the mindset of adding depth at multiple positions to prepare for the trials and tribulations that may await them next season.

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