Buccaneers Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Calijah Kancey

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have exercised the fifth-year option on Calijah Kancey’s rookie contract, keeping the former first-round pick under team control through the 2027 NFL season.

Buccaneers Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Calijah Kancey

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have officially exercised the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Kancey, keeping the former first-round pick under contract through the 2027 NFL season.

According to reports, the option guarantees Kancey $14.475 million for the 2027 campaign, reinforcing the team’s long-term investment in its interior defensive line.

Injury History and 2026 Comeback

Kancey’s career has been impacted by injuries since entering the league in 2023. Most notably, he was placed on injured reserve on September 17 with a torn pectoral muscle that initially required what was believed to be season-ending surgery. However, he made a surprising return for the Buccaneers’ final game of the season.

The 25-year-old also dealt with calf injuries early in both his rookie season and the 2024 campaign. Despite those setbacks, he finished strong in 2024, recording 7.5 sacks over the final 12 games.

Career Production and Impact

Selected 19th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Kancey has shown flashes of high-level disruption when healthy. Across 29 career games (28 starts), he has totaled:

• 11.5 sacks
• 30 quarterback hits
• 55 total tackles
• 1 forced fumble
• 1 fumble recovery

What This Means for Tampa Bay

By exercising Kancey’s fifth-year option, the Buccaneers maintain continuity along their defensive front while betting on his upside and ability to stay healthy. If he can build on his late-season production, Kancey could become a cornerstone piece of Tampa Bay’s defense moving forward.