The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have quietly excelled at retaining their key free agents in recent years. While other teams often grab headlines by signing high-profile free agents from elsewhere, the Buccaneers’ efforts to keep their own talent have flown somewhat under the radar.
However, the Buccaneers’ efforts often receive the recognition they deserve, particularly when it comes to maintaining continuity with talented players.
This year was no exception, as the Bucs successfully retained key players like wide receiver Chris Godwin and guard Ben Bredeson, who proved to be savvy signings given the market trends. ESPN analyst Ben Solak took notice, ranking the Buccaneers’ free agency class fifth among all 32 NFL teams.
What caught Solak’s attention was the value the Buccaneers secured, particularly the discounted deal for Chris Godwin and the relatively modest investment in Ben Bredeson compared to other guards who signed in free agency.
“You won’t find the Buccaneers on many winners/losers lists, but they grade very highly for me given how well they spent their money… All 11 starters from their offense last season are back on the roster. That’s great business.”
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The Buccaneers boasted a top-five offense last season, and with new coordinator Josh Grizzard bringing a similar system and experience working under Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson’s replacement, Liam Coen, there’s potential for continued success. If the offense remains potent, Tampa Bay’s decision to retain key players like Godwin and Bredeson could prove to be a shrewd move.
However, Solak’s assessment wasn’t entirely glowing. He noted that the Buccaneers played it relatively safe by sticking with Kyle Trask as their backup quarterback, suggesting that a team with championship aspirations should ideally have a more established and reliable option behind their starter.
“What happens if Baker Mayfield goes down for a month while the 7-4 Buccaneers are in the thick of the NFC South race?” Solak wrote. “Do they really trust Trask to go 2-2 and keep them on a playoff pace?”
While Mayfield’s durability and willingness to play through pain are admirable traits, having a capable backup plan in place is crucial. Nevertheless, the Buccaneers’ offense appears poised for another strong season, and general manager Jason Licht’s shrewd free agency moves have been instrumental in positioning the team for success.
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