The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face a crucial decision this offseason regarding reserve offensive lineman Robert Hainsey’s future with the team.
Hainsey’s versatility has been a valuable asset to the Buccaneers’ coaching staff, providing depth across the interior of the offensive line, particularly at the pivotal center position.
As the Buccaneers weigh their options, they must decide whether Robert Hainsey’s experience and reliability are enough to warrant re-signing him, or if they should explore alternative options to bolster their depth.
Despite not being a full-time starter in 2024, Hainsey – a 2021 third-round draft pick – continued to prove his value as a dependable and versatile reserve.
Buccaneers.com Senior Writer Scott Smith on Hainsey,
“Hainsey transitioned back into a reserve role in 2024 after the drafting of Barton, but center proved to be one position that the Buccaneers had far more than adequate depth to fall back on. Hainsey was only called upon to start one game this past season, but he performed quite well when needed. Now he’s headed for free agency in an interesting situation. Does he want to return to the Buccaneers and their very tight-knit offensive line group, and possibly compete for a starting job again if Ben Bredeson leaves in free agency? Will he find other suitors who are lacking in O-Line depth and may have very real starting opportunities for him?”
Smith continued,
“Hainsey surely has quite a few years left in his NFL career, and we’ll find out within a couple weeks or months if any of them will be in Tampa. He is one of 22 players from Tampa Bay’s season-ending 2024 roster who are due to become unrestricted free agents in March. Prior to the opening of the market we are taking a look at 10 of them – what they’ve accomplished, where they are in their careers, what the market and the draft look like at their positions, and so on.”
The Buccaneers offensive line remained remarkably healthy in 2024, limiting Robert Hainsey’s starts to just one game. However, when called upon, he made a significant impact. His lone start came in Week Six against the New Orleans Saints, where he played a key role in a dominant team performance.
In that 51-27 blowout victory, the Buccaneers set a new franchise record for single-game offense, racking up 594 total yards, including 277 on the ground.
As Robert Hainsey hits the free agency market, the Buccaneers face a crucial decision: is re-signing the versatile lineman the right call? While Hainsey’s ability to provide depth is undoubtedly valuable, Tampa Bay must carefully consider the move amidst salary cap constraints and fierce competition for roster spots.
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