Bucs’ TE Coach: Cade Otton Keeps Showing Up
May 20th, 2025
Bucs TE Cade Otton.
One has to be a bit of a film junkie to be an NFL assistant coach.
So this offseason, which is normal, Bucs tight ends coach Justin Peelle was poring over Bucs tape trying to find ways to help his tight ends improve.
One thing consistently jumping out at Peelle on tape was Cade Otton. The Bucs’ starting tight end was hard not to notice, Peelle said. It wasn’t just catching the ball.
Peelle said everything you want to see a tight end do, Otton was popping up on film. Blocking, getting open, catching the ball, you name it.
That is obviously a good thing. But then there is the bad thing: Otton missed the Bucs’ final three regular-season games with a knee injury.
Prior to the injury, Otton was having his best season in the NFL. He virtually carried the Bucs’ passing game after Mike Evans and Chris Godwin each missed four games with injuries as Evans nursed a bad hamstring and Godwin was lost for the season with a dislocated ankle.
Peelle also noted that so far this offseason, Peele believes Otton has picked up his quickness. Asked to elaborate, Peele said it is Otton’s game speed (practice speed?) that has improved.
In a low-key way, Otton is entering a contract year. Hard to believe he’s been just about a three-year starter.
Is Otton a top-shelf tight end? No, Joe wouldn’t go there. Middle of the road, sure. Maybe top-12. The Bucs could do a whole lot worse.
Joe is sort of intrigued to see what Otton can do, so long as he doesn’t take a nagging injury like he did last year with his knee.
READ NEXT
Winners And Losers Of Bucs Draft