April 3, 2026, 10:16 p.m. ET

After finishing the 2025 season with an 8-9 record and missing the playoffs for the first time in six years, the Buccaneers had a lot of work ahead of them. They needed major upgrades to the defense and stood to lose a number of major contributors on both sides of the ball.

While many fans clamored for big-money free agent deals, Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht remained true to his longtime strategy of prioritizing value signings to round out the roster. None of the Bucs’ 2026 free agent deals are valued for more than $20 million or extend beyond the 2027 season.

That is not to say the Bucs did not make valuable additions. They added at least one starter and addressed some of the problematic depth issues that plagued them last season. While their roster still needs work, the Bucs got what they needed from free agency.

Here are the Bucs’ free agent signing grades for 2026:

LB Alex Anzalone – two years, $17 million

Inside linebacker was Tampa Bay’s weakest position over the last two seasons, so an upgrade this offseason was vital. The former Detroit Lions linebacker is a clear upgrade over SirVocea Dennis and likely over an aging Lavonte David, who is contemplating retirement.

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While the Bucs likely still need to draft a long-term starter at the position regardless of David’s decision, Anzalone sets a baseline of play that the Bucs sorely need. While all but $5 million of Anzalone’s contract is guaranteed, it remains a solid deal for Tampa Bay. Anzalone’s $8.5 million annual average salary is nowhere near top of the market money and ranks just eighth among deals signed by linebackers this offseason and is 23rd among all linebackers. Despite their issues at linebacker, the Bucs did not panic and did not overpay for help.

Grade: B+

RB Kenneth Gainwell – two years, $14 million

The Bucs’ running game took a definitive step back in 2025 thanks largely to injuries to Bucky Irving. The run game was buoyed by 2022 third-rounder Rachaad White, who left Tampa Bay for Washington during free agency. To fill White’s third-down and passing role, the Bucs brought in former Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell.

What Gainwell lacks in size, he makes up for in speed and burst. He will not be able to grind out yards like White was able to do, but Gainwell will definitely move the chains. His 23 first downs in 2025 only trailed Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. Paired with Irving, the Bucs may have an even more potent pass game. He is a little expensive with a $7 million annual average salary, but his compensation is on par with other veteran running backs with significant roles in their offenses.

Grade: B

DT A’Shawn Robinson – one year, $10 million

Defensive tackle depth was a sneaky need for Tampa Bay coming into the offseason. Logan Hall and Greg Gaines were both free agents, with Hall signing in Houston and Gaines apparently not returning to Tampa Bay. Instead, the Bucs replenished their defensive line rotation by signing former Panthers DT A’Shawn Robinson.

With a one-year, $10 million deal, Robinson comes in on the expensive side, but he is a definitive upgrade over Gaines, who offered next to nothing as a pass rusher and was just adequate in run defense. In 2025, Robinson had nearly four times as many quarterback pressures as Gaines in less than double the snaps per PFF. While Robinson will not revolutionize Tampa Bay’s defensive line rotation, it should be more effective than it was last season.

Grade: B

OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad – one year, $6 million

The Bucs have been looking for an effective pass rusher to pair with Yaya Diaby for two seasons. Signing Haason Reddick last season was a resounding failure, leading to the Bucs signing a different veteran edge rusher, former Lions defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad.

Muhammad is less comparable to Haason Reddick than he is to former Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett. Though Muhammad is an elite athlete, he parlayed Detroit’s multitude of injuries along the defensive line into an 11-sack season in which he pressured quarterbacks at the same rate as Aidan Hutchinson. Given Muhammad’s age and single year of production, the Bucs still managed to sign him a reasonable one-year deal that maxes out at just $6 million. After passing on the big money free agent edge defenders, the Bucs bet low on Muhammad and likely turn their eye to the draft to round out their 2026 pass rush.

Grade: B+

S Miles Killebrew – one year, $1.8 million

The Bucs signed former Steelers safety and special teams standout Miles Killebrew to a veteran minimum deal. It is clear that Killebrew followed his longtime special teams coach Danny Smith from Pittsburgh. While he is not likely to contribute on defense, Killebrew is a core special teamer, earning All-Pro recognition in 2023. Special teams was a major problem for the Bucs last year, particularly in kickoff and punt coverage. Adding a veteran like Killebrew is a necessary move to remake the culture of Tampa Bay’s special teams.

Grade: B

QB Jake Browning – one year, $1.4 million

The Bucs added former Bengals quarterback Jake Browning to back up Baker Mayfield. Tampa Bay has not paid the backup quarterback position much mind since signing Mayfield, but it potentially cost them a game last year when Teddy Bridgewater had to spell him in Week 12 due to a shoulder injury. Bridgewater looked well out of his depth, which is why the Bucs sought experienced depth this offseason. Browning played significant snaps for Cincinnati in place of the oft-injured Joe Burrow in 2023 and 2025. In an otherwise functional offense, Browning can lead a team to victory as he did for a three-game stretch in 2023, but the Bucs will hope that he stays on the bench next season.

Grade: C