Tight end isn’t the No. 1 thing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need, nor is any offensive position, for that matter.
The Bucs defense finished 20th in the league in scoring last year, and therefore, that is where the team will spend most of its time looking to improve, whether that’s in free agency or the draft.
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But if the Bucs were to address their offense, tight end would be a good area to upgrade, with Cade Otton being a free agent.
The best receiving season for a Tampa Bay tight end took place in 2009, when Kellen Winslow Jr. posted 884 receiving yards.
When Kyle Pitts of the Atlanta Falcons was a rookie, he eclipsed 1,000. Although Pitts hasn’t matched his 2021 numbers in the four seasons since, he was one of the league’s best tight ends this season under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who the Bucs hired for the same position late last month. Pitts ended the season with 928 receiving yards, the second most amongst tight ends.
It also would have been 10 behind Emeka Egbuka for Tampa Bay’s receiving lead.
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Pitts is a star, and he’s familiar with Robinson, but is that combination enough for the Bucs to invest in Pitts?
If Pitts’ makes what he’s projected to make, he will be one of the five highest-paid tight ends in the NFL. Although the Bucs could use a tight end, it’s fair to ask if they need one that badly to pay him that much.
Tampa Bay’s receiving outlook for 2026 depends on whether or not Mike Evans will still be in the fold.
Evans is a free agent, and at 32 (33 in August), it’s no guarantee that he’ll be playing anywhere next season.
But let’s assume the Bucs still have Evans for 2026. Tampa’s pass-catching options would be a mix of veterans in their 30s (Evans, Chris Godwin) and guys who just finished their rookie seasons (Egbuka, Jalen McMillan). Pitts would provide QB Baker Mayfield with middle ground, since he’s played five NFL seasons, but is still only 25 and won’t be 26 until October.
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Pitts’ youth could also work against the Bucs if they do want to sign him.
Sportac projects Pitts to sign a four-year deal worth between $43 and $46 million.
This means Pitts would make between $14 and $16 million a year, and the Bucs only have $24 million in cap space, which would make it hard for Tampa to commit to Pitts and Evans.
The Bucs are a franchise that values loyalty, as evidenced by them signing Godwin to a long-term extension months after a serious ankle injury. So if it comes down to the greatest receiver in franchise history and a guy who has never played for the Bucs, Tampa will probably go with the former.
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