Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign 5 to futures contracts
By Ryan Doyle
Tampa Bay continued to sign more players to futures deals. These players could be in the running for roster spots come training camp.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued to set up their roster for the 2019 season by adding another five players by way of futures contracts.
Tampa Bay brought in quarterback Joe Callahan, punter Hayden Hunt, defensive end Hunter Dimick, linebacker Corey Nelson and long snapper Zach Triner.
Out of all of the new signings, Nelson has the most NFL experience. He played in 54 games in his career, garnering six starts with the Denver Broncos in 2016. He also played in one game with the Atlanta Falcons last season.
With a thin linebacking corps, Nelson could provide veteran depth and special teams production in 2019.
Callahan will get another shot with an NFL team after spending time with the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. Callahan was a Div. III quarterback at Wesley College before he made the jump to the NFL.
A true underdog story, Callahan was able to get his first NFL action in 2017. He completed five of seven passes against the Detroit Lions in mop-up duty. He could be in line to battle for the Buccaneers backup job as both Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Ryan Griffin are free agents.
Punter Hayden Hunt also has a path to Tampa Bay’s regular-season roster in 2019. Current Bucs punter Bryan Anger hasn’t lived up to his $3 million per year contract. He finished tied for last in the NFL with just 15 punts inside the 20-yard line.
If Hunt performs well in camp next season, the Bucs could save some cap room by cutting Anger. Either way, it should be a training camp battle to keep an eye on next summer.
The Bucs could have a battle at long snapper as well. Garrison Sanborn held long snapper duties last season. He beat out Drew Ferris is camp. Zach Triner will be Sanborn’s competition next season (Long snapper battles, yes!). Triner recently spent time with the Packers and New York Jets.
Hunter Dimick will try to break through and get his first regular-season action with the Bucs. He was with the Jaguars for the past two seasons.
Next. 5 moves that will make Buccaneers Super Bowl contenders. dark
These signings come after the Bucs announced the signings of eight other players to futures deals on Monday.