Cade Otton has been a steady hand at tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a familiar face who’s stuck around through thick and thin.
Over three seasons, he’s been there for Tom Brady’s swan song in 2022 and Baker Mayfield’s free-agent arrival in 2023. After a 2023 season where he hit career highs in receptions and yardage, the Bucs tight end is facing a pretty big opportunity, but so too is his new boss.
The Bucs promoted Josh Grizzard to replace Liam Coen as offensive coordinator, and with that might come some changes. It should be a if it’s not broke don’t fix it approach but Tampa Bay will need to make at least some alterations if it wants to keep the success going and those decisions will fall on Grizzard to make.
If he’s smart, he’ll keep the train on its tracks to see just how much Otton can plow through as one of his top targets next season.
Buccaneers need to make Cade Otton a huge piece of the offense in 2025
Otton’s got one year left on his four-year deal—a classic prove-it season. Nothing lights a fire under a player like a contract on the line, and Otton’s got every reason to show up hungry in 2025. The numbers back him up: since landing in Tampa in 2022, he’s been climbing the stat sheet.
Between 2023 and 2024, his receptions jumped 25 percent, and his receiving yards spiked 31.87 percent. He’s been Mr. Reliable with four touchdowns each year, averaging a tidy 9.7 yards per catch—solid for keeping the passing game humming.
Then there’s the hot streak in 2024: a three-game tear where he racked up 258 yards—43% of his season total—and three of his four scores. That’s the kind of stretch that makes you sit up and take notice. Playoffs? He’s got that too. In the 2023 Wild Card romp over the Eagles, Otton hauled in 8 catches for 89 yards to seal the deal. He followed it with 5 grabs for 65 yards and a touchdown in a nail-biter loss to the Lions in the Divisional Round. When the lights get bright, Otton doesn’t often blink.
Should the Buccaneers consider other options?
This is a controversial route, but all options should be on the table — even ones the team probably shouldn’t explore. He’s entering the final yea of his contract, which puts some pressure on what happens next in more than one way.
Otton’s good, not great. The Bucs could swing for the fences in 2025, especially with Grizzard bringing a fresh set of eyes to the offense. Otton’s paycheck—1.40% of the team’s salary cap—is peanuts, so splashing cash or draft picks on an upgrade isn’t a budget-buster. His stats tell a tale: sure, receptions and yards are up, but four touchdowns a year—3.33 average over three seasons—won’t scare anybody. A tight end who can pile up scores could really improve the offensive attack.
And then there’s the 2024 Wild Card flop against the Commanders: 2 catches, 32 yards, and a whole lot of nothing when it mattered most. Maybe Otton’s ceiling is lower than the Bucs need to climb the NFC South ladder again.
Free Agency and Draft Options
If they shop free agency, Mike Gesicki’s a name—ex-Bengal with hands and pedigree. Or take a flier on Noah Gray, a Chiefs backup itching to break out from Travis Kelce’s shadow. Gray would come relatively cheap—worst case, he pushes Otton in camp; best case, he steals the starting job.
As far as potential options in the NFL Draft, Penn State's Tyler Warren is the top prospect, but he’s top-ten bait, and the Bucs would need to mortgage picks to snag him. More their speed is Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson—a 6-5, 255-pound monster who blazed a 4.63 40 at the combine, fastest among tight ends. He’s got the size to box out defenders and the legs to stretch the field. If he’s there in round two or three, the Bucs could pounce.
Otton’s Crossroads
Cade Otton’s a safe bet—steady, improving, and clutch when it counts. He’s earned a case to stay TE1, with room to grow into something more in 2025. But the Bucs can’t ignore the itch for a game-changer, whether it’s a free-agent spark or a draft-day steal.
With Grizzard calling plays and Otton’s deal expiring, this isn’t just a roster tweak—it’s a statement on where Tampa’s headed. This off-season's tight end call could be the difference between another playoff snuff and a legit Super Bowl run. Bucs fans, buckle up.
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