This offseason, I took control of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in GM Mode on StickToTheModel with a focus on rebuilding the defensive front, adding depth across the roster, and staying competitive despite tight cap constraints.

Here’s how the offseason played out.

The Big Picture

• Starting Cap Space: $20.0M
• Final Cap Space: $8.6M

• Contracts Restructured: 4
• Extensions: 1
• Trades Made: 2
• Free Agents Signed: 9
• Draft Picks: 9

• Overall Grade: A-

Despite a tight cap situation, Tampa Bay stayed aggressive and built a deeper roster.

Restructures

Four contracts were reworked to create additional flexibility.

Tristan Wirfs
+$15.8M

Chris Godwin
+$8.8M

Antoine Winfield Jr.
+$7.8M

Ben Bredeson
+$2.7M

These restructures helped Tampa Bay free up space to stay active in free agency.

Extension

Michael Wilson

The Buccaneers extended Wilson after acquiring him via trade, keeping a young offensive weapon in the offense long-term.

Trades

Tampa Bay made two moves to add draft capital and improve the roster.

Sent Vita Vea to PIT
Received 2026 Pick #53, Pick #76, Pick #85

Sent 2026 Pick #77, Pick #154 to ARI
Received Michael Wilson

Free Agency

The Buccaneers added several defensive contributors and offensive depth pieces.

Trey Hendrickson — EDGE
2yr / $20.1M APY

John Franklin-Myers — IDL
1yr / $12.1M APY

Nakobe Dean — LB
1yr / $11.0M APY

D.J. Reader — IDL
1yr / $4.6M APY

Chidobe Awuzie — CB
1yr / $3.6M APY

Josh Jones — RG
1yr / $3.3M APY

Charlie Kolar — TE
1yr / $3.2M APY

Khyiris Tonga — IDL
1yr / $2.3M APY

Joel Bitonio — IOL
1yr / $1.4M APY

These additions focused heavily on strengthening the defensive front while adding veteran depth on offense.

Draft Class

Tampa Bay added nine players through the draft.

Round 1 — Pick 15
Sonny Styles (OLB, Ohio State)

Round 2 — Pick 53
Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)

Round 2 — Pick 56
Jadarian Price (RB, Notre Dame)

Round 3 — Pick 70
Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt)

Round 3 — Pick 81
Keylan Rutledge (OG, Georgia Tech)

Round 3 — Pick 85
Devin Moore (CB, Florida)

Round 4 — Pick 116
Tyreak Sapp (DL5T, Florida)

Round 6 — Pick 195
Markel Bell (OT, Miami)

Round 7 — Pick 228
Cade Klubnik (QB, Clemson)

Final Take

The Buccaneers managed a difficult cap situation while still improving the roster, rebuilding the defensive front and adding a strong draft class.

Run Your Own NFL Offseason

I built this roster using GM Mode on StickToTheModel, where you can run your own NFL team, manage the salary cap, make trades, sign free agents, and run the draft.

Try it yourself here:
https://sticktothemodel.com/