The Buccaneers are getting set for free agency to kick off very soon. Tampa Bay has signed some of their top players that were scheduled to become free agents before the 2025 season even began in Zyon McCollum and Luke Goedeke but they still do have a solid list of pending free agents.
Let’s take a look at some of the bigger names and what their fate may ultimately be in Tampa Bay.
This is the big fish that everyone is talking about and for good reason. Evans is arguably the best offensive player in team history, and one could argue he may be the greatest player ever in team history. Since being drafted by the team seventh overall in 2014, Evans has broke record after record for the Bucs and has spent all 12 of his seasons in red and pewter.
However, his contract is now up and the 32 year old Evans may be open to looking at some different situations. The Buccaneers are still firmly in the mix for Evans, but he will also likely hit the open market and see what other teams have to offer before making a decision. If I’m being honest, this time feels a little bit different with Evans. I think Bucs fans should be preparing for the very real possibility that the franchise receiver is elsewhere in 2026. At the end of the day though, I think Evans will value the loyalty aspect of the game and be a true Buc for life.
**Prediction: Evans re-signs with the Bucs.**
David is another longtime Buccaneer who has been a member of the team even longer than Evans has. David has put together a hall of fame career and is a franchise legend. He has continued to sign one-year deals to return to the team the past few seasons but this year I believe that will change. David has made it clear that at this point it is either back to Tampa Bay or retirement and this time around I believe the latter is more likely.
Lavonte David’s name will be up in Raymond James Stadium in no time, and he should be putting on a gold jacket as well.
**Prediction: David retires**.
On social media, Otton is actually a pretty polarizing player. There are some that think he’s a top 15 tight end in the league while others believe the Bucs need to find a way to replace him this offseason. This might be the trickiest one to predict. Otton will likely at least go to the market and see what is out there and Tampa Bay may even check in on the tight end market themselves. The 26 year old tight end could end up being out of Tampa Bay’s price range as the tight end free agency class isn’t great but at the same time, I could see a world where the interest in Otton just isn’t there and he comes back. This one feels like a coin flip, but we know how much Jason Licht likes to reward players the team has drafted and developed.
**Prediction: Otton re-signs with the Bucs.**
For as difficult as the Cade Otton prediction might’ve been, this one is the opposite. Rachaad White has had plenty of good moments in the red and pewter, but it seems like the running back is ready to move on. Shortly after the season ended, White posted multiple cryptic photos and messages on social media suggesting that he would not be back in Tampa Bay. His role was reduced in 2024 with the emergence of Bucky Irving and while they had to rely on White probably more than they planned to in 2025 with Irving sidelined, as soon as Irving returned they immediately went back to him being the top guy and White getting very little meaningful snaps. There’s a really good chance White is elsewhere in a few weeks.
**Prediction: White does not return to the Bucs.**
It’s almost that time. Free agency will be here before we know it, and the Buccaneers and Jason Licht sure have a lot of work to do over the next month or so to improve this team.
See More:
* [Tampa Bay Buccaneers Free Agency](/tampa-bay-buccaneers-free-agency)
* [Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rumors](/tampa-bay-buccaneers-rumors)