This isn't necessarily a happy-go-lucky type of topic, but it's one worth mentioning.
The 2024 offseason has been all about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers retaining their best players. Thankfully, guys like Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. are all returning to run this thing back again.
But, after the coming season, there are a whole lot of free agents on the Bucs' current roster. And, not every one of the prominent names will come back in 2025.
Picking out a select few notable names, let's predict a few players who might not be back in Tampa after the 2024 campaign.
Chris Godwin, WR
Entering his eighth season with the Bucs, Chris Godwin is also in the final year of his current contract. The Bucs chose to pay Mike Evans this year, but the likelihood that they would choose to pay Godwin another long-term deal doesn't seem to be too high. It would have to be a modest deal in order for Godwin to stick around, especially because of all the other holes the Bucs are going to have to fill next offseason.
Lavonte David, LB
Speaking of a modest deal to return, longtime Bucs linebacker Lavonte David also came back on a 1-year deal for the 2024 season. The 34-year-old has been one of the most consistent at his position for a very long time, now. But, at age 35, you have to wonder what he'll have left in the tank. Not only that, but you'd have to wonder how much he'd actually be willing to cut from his salary next year in order to return.
Chase Edmonds, RB
This one is pretty easy. In fact, who knows if Chase Edmonds actually makes the roster this coming season, to be frank. He's a free agent in 2025, but the veteran is entering his age-28 season this year and hardly offered the Bucs much of anything last season. Tampa Bay would love to see a second-year jump from Sean Tucker and might even invest in the position later in this year's draft. If Tucker makes a jump during camp and the Bucs wind up with a rookie running back, Edmonds could be gone even sooner than next year.
Kyle Trask, QB
The Kyle Trask experiment did not pan out. Although, at this point, it's not a big deal. Baker Mayfield is the guy, and Bucs fans are thrilled. At best, Trask is a backup in this league. But, we don't even know the full capabilities of Trask if he were to be put in that position. He hardly has any experience, and once his contract is up, I could see the Bucs pursuing a different route to back up Mayfield.