The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have the highest percentage of "homegrown" players on their roster to start the 2025 season in the NFL, continue to focus on not only developing in-house talent but also turning those into long-term mutual commitments. The latest example: On Wednesday, the Buccaneers signed standout right tackle Luke Goedeke to a four-year contract extension that runs through the 2029 season. Goedeke was heading into the final season of his rookie deal before potentially hitting free agency next spring.
The Buccaneers originally drafted Goedeke in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, with the 57th overall pick after trading a sixth-round selection to the Buffalo Bills to move up three spots. The Central Michigan product had played right tackle in college but initially moved to left guard in his rookie season. After that reassignment produced unsatisfying results, the Buccaneers moved Goedeke back to right tackle in 2023 and he has since emerged as one of the NFL's best players at his position.
Though he missed three early-season games due to a concussion, Goedeke returned to give Baker Mayfield excellent protection on the right side throughout the 2024 campaign. He was credited with allowing a total of 17 QB pressures and three sacks in his 14 games played, and in 10 of those 14 contests he allowed one or zero pressures.
The Buccaneers have invested heavily in their offensive line in this decade, beginning with the drafting of Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs 13th overall in 2020. Wirfs has since emerged as one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL, most recently earning first-team Associated Press All-Pro honors at left tackle in 2024. He is the only player in the history of the NFL to be a first-team All-Pro at both left and right tackle. First-round pick Graham Barton solidified the Bucs' center position in 2024, 2023 second-round pick Cody Mauch had a breakout second season at right guard and left guard Ben Bredeson played so well in his first season with the Buccaneers that he earned a new multi-year deal this offseason.
The Buccaneers' offensive line was a major strength in 2024 as the team won a fourth straight NFC South title, and as soon as Wirfs returns from his knee injury, which could be within the first few weeks of the season, all five starters from last season will be intact. Tampa Bay ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game and third in yards per rush while finishing 17th in sacks allowed per pass play. The Buccaneers were the only team in the NFL to rank in the top five in both rushing and receiving yards in 2024.
