Cornerback Chase Lucas, shown playing for the 49ers during a game against the Cowboys in November, was signed by the Bucs on Thursday to a one-year deal. [ SCOT TUCKER | AP, 2025 ]
The Bucs doubled up at the cornerback position Thursday, agreeing to one-year deals with the 49ers’ Chase Lucas and the Titans’ Kemon Hall.
Tampa Bay lost starting cornerback Jamel Dean to the Steelers as an unrestricted free agent. It did not tender defensive back Christian Izien, who signed with the Lions.
The Bucs return cornerbacks Zyon McCollum, Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison, all of whom will play pivotal roles in Todd Bowles’ defense again this season.
But depth is always an issue at the position, and both Lucas and Hall bring experience.
Lucas, 29, became available when he went untendered by the 49ers as a restricted free agent. A seventh-round pick of the Lions in 2022, he played in 18 games over two seasons with Detroit, recording six tackles.
The 5-foot-11, 184-pounder played in 15 games last season with San Francisco, tallying nine tackles and one quarterback hit.
He will be used mostly on special teams, where he had more than 200 snaps for the 49ers last season and with the Lions in 2023.
Then-Cowboys cornerback Kemon Hall (43) tackles Ravens wide receiver Anthony Miller during a preseason game in August in Arlington, Texas. The Bucs on Thursday signed Hall to a one-year deal. [ RICHARD W. RODRIGUEZ | AP, 2025 ]
Hall, 28, entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Chargers in 2019. He also spent time with the Vikings, Saints, Cowboys and 49ers before joining the Titans last season.
Hall, 5-foot-11, 202 pounds, has 24 tackles, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 28 career games.
Adding experience and depth at cornerback before the draft makes sense. Josh Hayes, the most experienced backup, has been used primarily on special teams.
Say this about Bowles this offseason: He wants experience on defense. The Bucs have added eight free agents who are 28 and older.
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