The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had an eventful offseason as they prepare to enter a pivotal 2026 season that will determine the future of the franchise.
The front office made countless free-agent signings, draft picks and coaching changes in hopes of improving the team this season.
Now that the dust has settled and training camp is on the horizon, what were the best moves made by the Buccaneers this offseason?
Top 10 moves the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made during 2026 offseason
HM: Signing Jalon Daniels as a UDFA
Usually, an undrafted free agent signing wouldn’t earn much praise, but the Bucs might’ve struck gold with Jalon Daniels.
He’s made a strong impression on the entire organization and has the feel of a guy who could carve out a role and stick around for years to come.
HM: Signing A’Shawn Robinson
There’s an argument that A’Shawn Robinson is one of the best moves Tampa Bay made all offseason, and while he didn’t make my top 10, he earned a mention.
Robinson is a strong run defender, but his biggest impact will be felt with his leadership and demeanor.
Robinson is a proverbial bully and tone-setter. The Bucs defense has frankly been soft in recent years, and they needed a presence like Robinson’s in the room to help change the culture.
10. Drafting Josiah Trotter
The biggest guarantee for Tampa Bay heading into the 2026 NFL Draft was that the Bucs would draft an inside linebacker early.
With the struggles at the position in recent seasons, and Lavonte David’s retirement making the need even bigger, the Bucs needed a new face in the room.
Josiah Trotter is a physical, downhill thumper that will fit the scheme as an effective run stopper with developing coverage skills.
Trotter just turned 21 years old, so he has the chance to become a cornerstone in Tampa Bay for years to come.
9. Re-signing Cade Otton
Bucs fans are divided on Cade Otton, but he’s a rock-solid steady tight end.
He might not be an elite player, but he’s a player you can count on situationally, and the Bucs couldn’t afford to let him go given their lack of depth behind him.
Otton’s season average through four seasons is 56 receptions for 545 yards and three touchdowns. He could be in for an increased role in Zac Robinson’s offense that heavily utilizes the tight end position.
The Bucs got a great value on a three-year, $30 million contract with only $20 million guaranteed.
8. Signing Alex Anzalone
Alex Anzalone was the perfect veteran choice to replace Lavonte David.
Anzalone was a team captain for five consecutive seasons with the Detroit Lions, and he’ll bring that valuable leadership with him to Tampa Bay.
He also graded much higher in coverage than any Bucs linebacker last season, so his presence will benefit the team both on the field and in the locker room.
7. Signing Al-Quadin Muhammad
Al-Quadin Muhammad has seemingly flown under the radar, but he was a massive addition for the Buccaneers.
He’s coming off an 11-sack season with the Detroit Lions and is a huge upgrade to the pass rush rotation in Tampa Bay.
With Yaya Diaby, Rueben Bain Jr., and Muhammad as the first three in the rotation, this pass rush is night and day from last season and could wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
6. Drafting Keionte Scott
Keionte Scott has continuously been called the biggest steal of the 2026 NFL Draft.
A projected second-or-third-round pick, he somehow slipped to Tampa Bay in the fourth round, and he couldn’t have gone to a better team.
Scott is an incredible blitzer and run defender, leading all cornerbacks in sacks and QB pressures last season.
He’ll play for a defensive play caller in Todd Bowles that blitzes at one of the highest rates across the NFL. Bowles is going to fall in love with Scott’s ability to make plays in the backfield, and as a result, he could earn a significant role during his rookie year.
5. Drafting Ted Hurst
The Bucs lost franchise legend Mike Evans this offseason, and while the wide receiver room remained stacked, the team lacked a true boundary receiver to replace Evans.
Ted Hurst, at 6-foot-4, 206 pounds, is a natural fit for the X receiver role.
He’s a big play waiting to happen, leading college football with 34 catches of at least 20 yards over the last two seasons, and finding the end zone 15 times.
He’s raw, but if he develops to his full potential, he can become the No. 1 receiver in Tampa Bay down the line.
4. Hiring Zac Robinson as offensive coordinator
The Buccaneers need this offensive coordinator hire to be a home run, after swinging and missing with Josh Grizzard last year.
Zac Robinson coached Baker Mayfield in his brief stint with the Rams, and overlapped with Liam Coen. He plans to implement parts of Coen’s scheme that led to one of the best offensive seasons in franchise history back in 2024.
It’s hard to judge a coach until we see the product on the field, but Robinson has said all the right things this offseason to get Bucs fans excited about his offense.
3. Hiring Danny Smith as special teams coordinator
Special teams might not be as flashy as offense, but it plays just as big of a role in team success.
The Buccaneers were dreadful on special teams last season, and have been for a few years now.
Danny Smith, on the other hand, has overseen some of the best special teams units in the league in his 13 seasons with the Steelers.
He’s a player favorite and is one of the most energetic people on the field. The experience and passion he’ll bring to the Bucs sidelines is going to make a massive impact this season.
2. Signing Kenny Gainwell
After losing Rachaad White, who was a crucial member of the Bucs offense, there was suddenly a major need for a running back that could contribute on passing downs.
Kenny Gainwell, who was named Steelers MVP last season, recorded 73 receptions last season.
He was the perfect replacement for White’s role as a third-down back, but there’s a legitimate case that he’s a faster, more effective pure runner than White as well.
Gainwell could find himself with a significant role in the Bucs backfield, and he was the best free-agent signing Jason Licht made.
1. Drafting Rueben Bain Jr.
Drafting Rueben Bain Jr. was easily the headline addition for the Buccaneers this offseason. Tampa Bay has struggled to generate pressure in recent years, and they entered the draft looking for a game-wrecker.
Bain was one of the best pass rushers in all of college football, and was expected to be selected inside the top 10. When he fell to the Buccaneers at No. 15 overall, it was a no-brainer.
Bain is going to bring some serious juice to the pass rush, but he’s also going to bring a nasty streak that could help spark a culture change that the defense desperately needs.
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