Jenna LaineMar 9, 2026, 05:08 PM ET
CloseJenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the team since 2009. Jenna is a former cheerleader at the University of South Florida and speaks to the consistency of the program as being one of the top best in the nation.
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NFL free agency has begun, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2026 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts.
Teams can now negotiate with free agents, and signings can become official with the start of the new league year Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. The first round of the 2026 NFL draft begins April 23 on ESPN.
Here’s a breakdown of every 2026 NFL free agent signing by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and how each will impact the upcoming season:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing back tight end Cade Otton. Joe Nicholson/Imagn Images
What it means: Otton may not be the high-volume target that Kyle Pitts Sr. was under Bucs new offensive coordinator Zach Robinson last year, but he has been the most complete tight end the Bucs have had over the last four years in terms of pass catching, chipping and run blocking. He has had some drops (10 since 2022), but he’s also come up big in critical moments — most notably his game-winning touchdown catch against the Rams in 2022. As far as compensation, that has not been disclosed.
What it means: Sources told ESPN that Lavonte David will make a decision in the coming days and it will be either a return to the Bucs or retirement. Either way, they needed two inside linebackers, as SirVocea Dennis wasn’t the answer last season. Anzalone, signing on a two-year deal, brings elite coverage skills — which is something they’ve lacked — and he’s well-respected in the locker room, which is why he was voted a team captain five years in a row. Also, he’s worn the green dot in Detroit, so he’s comfortable quarterbacking the defense.
What it means: With Rachaad White not expected to return and Bucky Irving coming off foot and shoulder injuries, the Bucs needed not only a change-of-pace, third-down back, but someone who could do a little more, if needed (he’s coming off a season where he averaged 4.7 yards per carry on 114 rushing attempts). His 1,023 yards from scrimmage last season were second most of any position on the Steelers behind starter Jaylen Warren, and he tied with Warren for a team-leading eight touchdowns. He gave up one sack this past season on 41 pass blocking reps.