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Buccaneers release defensive tackle Chris Baker

By Michael Horan

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy #93 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and defensive end Noah Spence #57 converge on quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks for the sack during the first quarter of an NFL game on November 27, 2016 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy #93 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and defensive end Noah Spence #57 converge on quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks for the sack during the first quarter of an NFL game on November 27, 2016 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now officially in the market for defensive tackle help.

In a move predicted by many, the Buccaneers have officially released veteran defensive tackle Chris Baker after just one season with the team. Baker, an undrafted free agent, joined the Buccaneers last off-season after five seasons with the Washington Redskins. He signed a three year deal worth $15,750,000, and releasing him will save the Buccaneers $4,875,000 towards their 2018 cap. The move comes just hours after the Buccaneers released veteran running back Doug Martin, which saved the team $6,750,000 for this season. Not bad for a Tuesday in February, eh?

Chris Baker was amongst the most hyped up free agent moves last off-season but could never figure things out on the field for the Bucs. He totaled just half of a sack and 33 combined tackles in fifteen games played and was mostly invisible for the entire season. These were lows that Baker hadn’t seen since his rookie season in 2012, and in his final season with the Redskins he was very productive. That seems to suggest that Baker got his big contract and went on auto-pilot, but it’s hard to see an undrafted free agent not give it his all (though his bad practice habits were a running joke on Hard Knocks). Either way it was clear that this divorce had to happen.

The Buccaneers now find themselves squarely in the defensive tackle market. Look for them to be aggressive in both free agency and the draft as they pursue both a starting nose tackle to play next to Gerald McCoy along with multiple players for depth and development.

Next: Buccaneers Release Doug Martin

So Buccaneer fans, what do you think about the move? Were you hoping the team would give Chris Baker another season, or are you glad to see them looking for fresh faces? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to keep your eyes open for more Buccaneer cuts in the coming days and weeks.

"ICYMI: The guys from Locked on Bucs talked about a cap situation involving the release of Baker and Doug Martin. Joined by Brent Allen of the PewterCast, it was a good one!"

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