The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' list of potential free agents in 2026 is shorter than it has been in recent years, but it still includes some very prominent names.
Lavonte David and Mike Evans, two of the most accomplished players in franchise history, are on the list and will reportedly decide whether or not to continue their playing careers in the coming weeks. David just finished his 14th season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Ronde Barber and Derrick Brooks as the only players to suit up for that many campaigns as a Buccaneer. Evans has played 12 seasons and is the franchise's all-time leader in virtually every receiving category.
The list includes four members of the team's 2022 draft class – defensive lineman Logan Hall, running back Rachaad White and tight ends Cade Otton and Ko Kieft – all of whom just completed their original four-year rookie contracts. Two other members of that class, tackle Luke Goedeke and cornerback Zyon McCollum, signed contract extensions just prior to the start of the 2025 regular season.
The list could be shorter by the time the NFL's 2026 league year begins on March 11, as the Buccaneers and all NFL teams have an exclusive window to negotiate with their own free agents until 52 hours before the start of the new league year. A "negotiation period" (commonly referred to as the "legal tampering period") opens at noon on March 9, allowing teams to speak to representatives of potential free agents from other teams and even enter into contract negotiations. That period lasts until 3:59:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday the 11th.
Unrestricted free agents are players with four or more accrued seasons and an expiring contract; restricted free agents have three accrued seasons; exclusive rights free agents have two or fewer accrued seasons. Teams may also begin placing franchise tags on potential free agents on February 17.
Here is Tampa Bay's list of potential 2026 free agents.
Unrestricted Free Agents
- QB Teddy Bridgewater
- LB Lavonte David
- CB Jamel Dean
- WR Mike Evans
- G Dan Feeney
- DL Greg Gaines
- DL Logan Hall
- T Charlie Heck
- LB Deion Jones
- G Michael Jordan
- TE Ko Kieft
- TE Cade Otton
- OLB Haason Reddick
- WR Sterling Shepard
- CB Kindle Vildor
- RB Rachaad White
Restricted Free Agents
- S Christian Izien
- RB Sean Tucker
- OLB Markees Watts
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
- LS Evan Deckers
Club Option for 2026
- P Riley Dixon
The Buccaneers have a club option for a second year on punter Riley Dixon's contract; if that option were to be declined, Dixon would join the list of unrestricted free agents above.
The Bucs' UFA list includes eight players who were starters for the Buccaneers as the 2025 season came to an end: David, Dean, Evans, Feeney, Hall, Jordan, Otton and Reddick. Feeney, Hall and Reddick were all in their first seasons in Tampa, with the former two moving into the starting lineup to replace guards Ben Bredeson and Cody Mauch, who were lost to injured reserve.
David led the Bucs' defense with 114 tackles and added 3.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, three passes defensed, an interception, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Evans was limited by injuries to eight games and finished with 30 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns, marking the first time in his career he did not surpass the 1,000-yard mark. Evans ranks 10th in NFL history with 108 career touchdown catches. Otton was the Buccaneers' second-leading receiver, with 59 grabs for 572 yards and one score. Dean led the defense with three interceptions.
The RFA trio of Izien, Tucker and Watts represents very good work by the Bucs' scouting department in the so-called "eighth round" of the draft in 2023. All three were signed as rookie free agents shortly after the draft and not only made the 53-man roster that season but were able to remain on it throughout the full three years of their initial deals.
