It’s rare for a starting-caliber offensive lineman to be stashed away on a team’s bench, but that’s exactly the case for Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Ben Chukwuma.
Chukwuma isn’t a household name. He came to Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia State in 2025. Chukwuma comes from Nigeria and didn’t begin playing football until 2020 — but he’s born to protect the quarterback and open up holes in the running game.
With starting right tackle Luke Goedeke out due to a calf injury in Week 7, Chukwuma stepped in as the starter. The offensive line didn’t miss a beat. In fact, it was their best game of the season.
Buccaneers backup Ben Chukwuma is a future starting offensive tackle
Chukwuma started two games as a rookie in 2025, both at left tackle. Sunday was his first NFL start at right tackle.
He allowed just one pressure and was called for zero penalties through 63 offensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
Head coach Todd Bowles came away impressed with the offensive line as a whole, but particularly his young swing tackle.
“I thought [Chukwuma] did a great job. I mean, 258 yards rushing, all those guys up front did an amazing job. [Chukwuma] with his first start of this year coming in did an outstanding job. He’s got great size, he's an athlete and he’s very strong so the run game kind of benefits him… He has a huge future in this league as a full-time starter," said Bowles.
The Buccaneers bullied the Panthers for all four quarters, racking up their season high in rushing yards. Bucky Irving rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns, Kenny Gainwell rushed for 88 yards, and Sean Tucker rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown.
That success all starts with the blocking up front, where Tampa Bay was clearly the most physical team on the field. Chukwuma played a key role in that success.
Bowles is adamant that he’s a future NFL starter, but the question is, does that mean he’ll soon be suiting up for another team? Starting-caliber offensive linemen, especially tackles, don’t grow on trees. It’s one of the most valuable positions when building a roster.
The Bucs saw it first hand with center Robert Hainsey, who was one of the best depth pieces in the NFL on Tampa Bay’s bench before being snatched up the second he hit free agency to start for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
the bucs have a tackle on their bench that’s better than half the tackles in the league
— َ (@viceouttahere) October 26, 2026
Chukwuma truly is better than some team’s starting options, and he’d only develop even further with more reps in a starting role. Front offices will be licking their chops to get their hands on him as a free agent, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Jason Licht is already getting trade calls.
Chukwuma signed a three-year contract with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent, so luckily, he’s under contract through the 2027 season.
Once that contract expires, considering Tampa Bay already has its starting tackles in Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke, Chukwuma is likely heading elsewhere for a full-time starting role.
He’ll be highly sought after, and while the Buccaneers will hate to see him go, there will be teams lined up to offer him the starting role and the coexisting contract that he deserves.
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