For the first time in years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers actually had some salary cap wiggle room and the team absolutely made the most of it. Rather than making big splashes, the Bucs made smart ones that both brought in some potentially impactful players while bringing back some key guys at important positions.
Haason Reddick and Riley Dixon headline the external moves the Bucs made. Dixon has the chance to be one of the best signings of the offseason and finally gives Tampa Bay the replacement for Jake Camarda the team has been looking for.
Reddick is an easy signing to like, as he freshens up a pass rush that got stale last year and brings with him the sort of chip on his shoulder that the Bucs have made a core part of their identity.
Jason Licht also found the middle ground between adding new guys and taking care of players already in the building. Chris Godwin is the biggest re-signing, but Anthony Nelson was brought back early on in free agency and is one of the more underrated moves of the Bucs made.
That’s something the national media, who usually dog the Bucs, are taking note of.
Buccaneers get some praise for bringing back Anthony Nelson
SI’s Matt Verderame handed out his early free agency grades and had a lot of great things to say about the Buccaneers. Signings like Chris Godwin, Ben Bredeson, and Haason Reddick got high marks, and there was also praise for bringing back Anthony Nelson to add some pass rush depth.
"General manager Jason Licht found common ground with edge rusher Anthony Nelson, re-signing him to a two-year deal worth up to $12 million. Nelson, 28, is a nice rotational defensive end for Tampa Bay, notching 18.5 sacks over six seasons,” Verderame wrote. “With Nelson back in the fold, the Buccaneers still could use edge help but don’t need nearly as much between his return and the addition of Haason Reddick on a one-year deal."
Nelson has been a consistent presence with the Bucs since being drafted out of Iowa back in 2019, and his longevity with the team speaks to how well-respected he is in the building. It’s a bit of a steep price tag on the surface for a guy who will be rotational, but Tampa Bay needs pass rush depth and we know Jason Licht loves to keep it in the family, so to speak.
It’s Nelson’s third contract with the Bucs, which says a lot. He’s struggled at times when called upon in games but he usually steps up with a big play when the defense needs it. Look no further than his safety in the Wild Card game against Philly two years ago, a play that helped spark confidence that the team is still feeding off now.
Reunion was the theme of last offseason and it’s continued once again with the moves the Bucs have made. Nelson might not be as flash a signing as Godwin, but he’s someone who brings continuity to a key area of the defense that will almost certainly see more turnover.
Tampa Bay is likely going to use a high draft pick on a young edge rusher, and Nelson being in the room to help mentor him makes a lot of sense. Reddick will be the main threat, and pairing him with Calijah Kancey is delicious for Bucs fans, but Nelson has been important depth for years and having that back can’t be overlooked as an important move this offseason.
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