Buccaneers Claim Chiefs CB With Clear Role in Mind

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the waiver-wire period without plans for a major roster overhaul. After reviewing roughly 1,000 available players, the team initially decided its existing 53-man roster remained its best option.

“I mean, you always look at guys,” said Head Coach Todd Bowles via buccaneers.com. “You know, everybody is kind of letting go the same guys. It’s either sign the guys back that [have] been in your system, unless you see somebody that you really want to go out and get, maybe one or two guys, but not a total overhaul as far as what we saw.”

That approach changed Monday when the Buccaneers found a player who addressed a very specific need. Tampa Bay successfully claimed second-year cornerback Kevin Knowles after the Kansas City Chiefs released him.

Knowles had initially survived Kansas City’s roster cuts after spending much of his rookie season contributing on special teams. The Chiefs then claimed two players Monday, forcing them to make additional roster moves and ultimately making Knowles available.

The Buccaneers saw an opportunity and submitted a claim Sunday night. They were awarded Knowles ahead of the Chicago Bears, who also placed a claim on the former Florida State standout.

Tampa Bay Has a Clear Plan for Knowles

Knowles provides additional depth to a secondary that surprisingly entered the season with only eight defensive backs. However, his value extends well beyond simply giving the Buccaneers another cornerback.

Bowles immediately identified Knowles’ special teams ability as the primary reason Tampa Bay wanted him.

“[He’s a] heck of a special teams player,” Bowles stated on Tuesday. “With [Josh] Hayes down, we’re probably short a gunner. He’s a very good gunner, a very good kickoff guy.”

That need became obvious when the Buccaneers placed Hayes on injured reserve Sunday. He will miss at least four games before he can return, leaving Tampa Bay without one of its most reliable special teams contributors.

Hayes has been an important part of the Buccaneers’ gunner rotation throughout his three seasons with the team. Gunners line up outside the main punt formation and can immediately sprint downfield after the snap, giving them a critical role in forcing fair catches and making tackles.

That responsibility helped Hayes become one of Tampa Bay’s most productive special teams players. He led the Buccaneers with 15 kick-coverage tackles in 2025 and recorded the team’s only forced fumble on special teams.

Knowles Brings Proven Special Teams Production

The Buccaneers aren’t simply hoping Knowles can fill that role. His production with Kansas City suggests he already has the necessary skill set.

Knowles spent his rookie season moving between the Chiefs’ practice squad and active roster. He was also elevated from the practice squad three times on game day, ultimately appearing in 13 games.

Despite his limited opportunities, Knowles tied for Kansas City’s team lead with eight solo kick-coverage tackles. He also recovered a fumble, showing exactly why Tampa Bay viewed him as more than just another depth corner.

The Buccaneers have made improving their special teams a priority this offseason. The team hired highly regarded coordinator Danny Smith and made several other moves designed to strengthen its kicking and coverage units.

Adding Knowles is another indication that Tampa Bay isn’t finished addressing that area of the roster. The Buccaneers clearly believe special teams can have a significant impact on their season.

Bowles certainly does.

When asked how many victories a strong special teams unit can potentially be responsible for during a season, he estimated, “Three to four.”

That number carries even more weight considering how narrowly Tampa Bay missed the playoffs in 2025. One additional victory would have been enough to change the Buccaneers’ postseason fate.

Knowles now has an opportunity to help make sure Tampa Bay doesn’t find itself in that position again.

Quotes and concept via the team’s website.