Feb. 13, 2026, 1:37 p.m. ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have quietly reached a crossroads with tight end Cade Otton. As the offense continues to evolve around Baker Mayfield and a veteran core that includes Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the front office now has to decide what Otton truly is: a long-term piece worth investing in, or a replaceable contributor in a league that constantly reloads at tight end.

Otton, a 2022 fourth-round pick out of Washington, has steadily grown into a reliable presence in Tampa Bay’s offense.

He’s not flashy, but he’s been available, durable, and productive in stretches when the offense needed stability. Availability matters. Otton has been one of the more dependable pass-catchers on the roster in terms of health, and that consistency has real value. When injuries hit the receiver room or the offensive line, Otton became a security blanket over the middle for Mayfield. He’s shown he can work seams, settle into zones, and convert in high-leverage situations.

Then there’s the blocking, and this is where Otton’s value really shows up beyond the box score.

Tampa Bay’s offensive line dealt with injuries and inconsistency over the past couple of seasons, forcing tight ends to take on heavier responsibilities in protection. Otton stepped up. He chipped edge rushers, helped stabilize the edge in outside zone concepts, and served as an extension of the offensive line when needed. In the run game, he’s been a willing and technically sound blocker, sealing linebackers and safeties at the second level. You can argue that Otton’s blocking helped offset some of the offensive line injuries and allowed the Bucs to stay balanced offensively.

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Now the other side.

Production versus opportunity must also be weighed. While Otton has had solid seasons statistically, he hasn’t fully developed into a dynamic mismatch tight end. There have been stretches where he disappeared in the passing game. More concerning are the dropped passes. Otton has had multiple drive-killing drops in key situations, including contested red-zone opportunities and third-down throws that hit his hands.

The NFL is increasingly about explosive mismatches at tight end. Teams like the Chiefs, Ravens, and 49ers weaponize the position. Otton is more steady than spectacular. If Tampa Bay believes it needs a more athletic, field-tilting option to elevate the offense, it may hesitate to commit significant money to a player whose ceiling might already be visible. There’s also the financial factor. With major contracts on the books, including Mayfield, Godwin, and keeping Evans, and upcoming defensive extensions, the Buccaneers must be selective. Investing mid-tier tight end money into Otton means passing on either drafting a cheaper replacement or chasing a higher-upside option.

The real question for the Bucs isn’t whether Otton is good; he is. The question is whether he’s good enough to justify being “the guy” long-term. Otton makes sense. His blocking, durability, and steady presence give the offense a dependable floor. But if the front office wants to raise the ceiling and add more explosiveness and eliminate inconsistencies like dropped passes, they may decide the position needs an upgrade.