Baker Mayfield and Vita Vea drama is overshadowing 4 more Bucs contract decisions

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offseason has been dominated by Baker Mayfield’s contract standoff and Vita Vea’s trade request, but they’re not the only impending free agents who need new contracts. 

Tampa Bay will have some difficult decisions to make next offseason with a laundry list of key players set to enter free agency. 

The front office won’t be able to pay everybody, and fans may have to prepare to say goodbye to some players who have become staples of Bucs football in recent years.

4 Buccaneers who could be playing their final season in Tampa Bay

WR Chris Godwin Jr. 

At the end of the upcoming season, the Buccaneers will have to decide whether to exercise the club option on Godwin’s contract or decline it, which would make him a free agent. 

Godwin signed a three-year, $66 million deal last offseason, but none of this 2027 salary is guaranteed.

He’s missed 18 games over the last two seasons, and set career lows in both receptions and receiving yards in 2025. 

This season, Godwin has to prove he can stay on the field and be a productive part of the offense, or it’ll unfortunately become an easy decision to move on and save $22 million next offseason. 

OLB Yaya Diaby

Diaby is quietly one of the most important defensive pieces for Tampa Bay. He’s been one of the team’s lone impactful pass rushers in recent years, leading the Buccaneers in sacks in two of his three NFL seasons. 

He’s an obvious candidate for a breakout year after the front office went all-in on revamping the defensive front this offseason. Diaby will be surrounded by the best supporting cast of his young career, and is in position to record his first double-digit sack season. 

Spotrac currently projects his next contract value at $18.1 million per year over three years, which is a hefty price tag, and one the Bucs must decide whether they’re willing to pay. 

RG Cody Mauch

Mauch suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2 last season, just as he was starting to separate himself as one of the best guards in the NFL.

When he was healthy in 2024, Mauch ranked as Pro Football Focus’ No. 14 guard, and No. 6 in pass blocking. He was credited with just two sacks and one quarterback hit allowed. 

Mauch continues to improve, and the Bucs need to decide if they're comfortable allocating even more money to the offensive line after already paying both Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke over $20 million annually. 

K Chase McLaughlin 

McLaughlin has been nails for the Buccaneers, cementing himself as one of the best kickers in franchise history since arriving in 2023.

He’s made 91% of his field goals as a Buc, including 86% from 50+ yards. 

McLaughlin made NFL history in 2025 with 11 consecutive field goals made from 50+ yards to start the season. 

The Buccaneers dealt with a kicker curse for over a decade, so they know better than most teams not to take a nearly automatic kicker for granted.

He’s due for a well-deserved raise that reflects his value as one of the NFL’s best kickers, and re-signing him should be an easy decision.

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