Baker Mayfield and Charlie Heck
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and offensive tackle Charlie Heck.
When it comes to NFL offensive tackles, they don’t get much worse than Charlie Heck.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans got to see that up-close-and-personal in 2025 thanks to a rash of injuries to their offensive line that led the 6-foot-8, 311-pound Heck to play in all 17 regular-season games with 6 starts.
Heck’s Pro Football Focus overall grade of 45.2 put Heck at 85th out of 88 eligible NFL offensive tackles last season, and now, that talent is headed to the Miami Dolphins in free agency on a 1-year contract.
“We have signed T Charlie Heck,” the Dolphins wrote on their official X account on Monday. “Let’s get it!”
The “get” of that could be easily interpreted as the other team “getting” sacks for how Heck has played throughout his career.
“Dolphins signed veteran OT Charlie Heck, who spent last season with the Buccaneers,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on Monday.
“The Dolphins announced the signing of former Buccaneers OT Charlie Heck,” Preme Football wrote on its official X account. “Was drafted in the 4th round of 2020 by Houston.”
Bucs Fans Happy for Charlie Heck to Leave Town
The reactions from both sides — Buccaneers fans and Dolphins fans — seemed to be on the same page. Bucs fans were happy to see him go. Dolphins fans were dreading his arrival.
“Have not watched Charlie Heck tape, so take this with a grain of salt, but he gave up 32 pressures on 289 pass blocking snaps last season,” Sports Illustrated’s Dante Collinelli wrote on X. “(Dolphins offensive tackle) Jonah Savaiinea allowed 45 on 579.”
Heck was 1 of a group of Buccaneers their fans really wanted to leave in free agency.
“I want to be the first to say BYE BYE to Cade Otton, Greg Gaines, Logan Hall, Charlie Heck and Teddy Two-(Expletive),” Loose Cannons 813 podcast host Samer Ali wrote on his official X account on March 9, which was the 1st day of NFL free agency. “(Expletive) all y’all.”
“Every comment so far is that this is a ‘solid move’ … Is it?” Fantasy Points’ Kyle M wrote on his official X account. “Heck earned a 45.2 Overall PFF Grade in 2025 (86th/89) — In 2024 it was 41.2 — In 2023 it was 48.1. I understand you take PFF grades with a grain of salt, but this seems like he just isn’t a good offensive lineman.”
Heck is being brought in to back up starter Austin Jackson at right offensive tackle. Jackson, 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, has only played 14 games over the last 2 seasons due to injuries.
Charlie Heck Playing for 5th Team in 4 seasons
Heck was a 3-year starter at North Carolina, including 2 seasons at right offensive tackle as a sophomore and junior, and 1 season at left offensive tackle as a senior in 2019.
The Houston Texans selected Heck in the 4th round (No. 126 overall) of the 2020 NFL draft, and he played there for his first 4 seasons, but only spent 1 year as a full-time starter with a career-high 13 starts in 2021.
Heck spent the 2024 season with 3 teams, starting out with the Texans followed by stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals before landing with the Buccaneers on a 1-year, $1.5 million contract in 2025.
Through 6 seasons, Heck has approximately $8.5 million in career earnings.