Things can change quickly in the NFL, and few players illustrate that better than Tampa Bay Buccaneers right guard Cody Mauch.
Just one year ago, Mauch looked like a long-term cornerstone along the offensive line. Now, after an injury-shortened 2025 season, he enters the final year of his rookie contract facing questions about his future.
According to Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante, Mauch is one of the NFL players under the most pressure entering the 2026 season.
A Contract Year Adds Another Layer
Infante believes Mauch has plenty riding on the upcoming season.
“Things were looking up for him, but he only played in two games last year due to injury,” Infante wrote. “Now entering a contract year, Mauch has the potential to make some serious money next offseason, whether that’s from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or somebody else. He just has to stay healthy and get back to full strength this year.”
That raises an important question for Tampa Bay.
Should the Buccaneers wait and let Mauch prove himself again, or should they move now and try to secure a long-term extension before his price climbs?
All Signs Point to a Healthy Return
The good news for Tampa Bay is that Mauch appears to be fully recovered from the torn meniscus that ended his 2025 season after just two games.
He has participated throughout the offseason program without reported setbacks, and there is little reason to believe the injury will affect him entering training camp.
If the Buccaneers are confident in his recovery, they may have an opportunity to negotiate from a position of strength before the regular season begins.
Waiting Could Become an Expensive Gamble
Before his injury, Mauch was developing into one of the better young guards in the NFL.
He became a starter early in his career and quickly established himself as an important piece of Tampa Bay’s offensive line. If he returns to that level in 2026, his market value is almost certain to increase.
That is why waiting carries significant risk.
If Mauch puts together a healthy, productive season, the Buccaneers will no longer be negotiating against uncertainty. They’ll be negotiating against the rest of the league.
Free agency has a way of driving prices higher, especially for proven offensive linemen. A strong season from Mauch could make retaining him far more expensive than extending him today.
There is certainly pressure on Mauch to earn his next contract.
At the same time, there is just as much pressure on the Buccaneers to decide whether they believe he is part of their long-term future. If they do, getting a deal done before the season could prove to be the smartest business decision they make all year.
Shout out to Parker Hurley of heavy.com for the article idea.
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