Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton is set to hit free agency this offseason. Coming off of his rookie contract, Otton has spent his four years in the NFL under head coach Todd Bowles. The 26 year old tight end has a bright future ahead of him regardless of where he continues his career.
Otton has posted 207 career catches on 300 targets, clearing 2,000 yards with 11 touchdowns. Those aren't top tier tight end numbers but they're solid. Tampa Bay isn't deciding on Travis Kelce or George Kittle, and Otton's usage doesn't reflect the same environment entirely. Otton's production wasn't elite, but he was reliable, and consistent.
When the Simple Answer Is the Right One
Tampa Bay had a rough season in 2025. Injuries marred the roster, and veteran, relied upon players missed significant portions of the season. With the departure of free agent Mike Evans, the Bucs will be relying on their veteran players more than ever, with new faces such as Emeka Egbuka needing to step up when it counts most. Otton could fit that template well.
Tight end Ko Kieft is also set to exit the Bucs organization due to free agency. If the Bucs allow Otton to walk, they'll be in need of a new TE1. Replacing him could cost $15 million-$20 million per season, and that's not where the Bucs should be spending free agent capital. Given Otton's stats and his output, it's likely that Otton would sign a club-friendly deal and worth under $10 million per season.
This decision isn't a question of Otton's ceiling, it's more a question of roster and cap stability, Otton has shown that he's a reliable tight end, and that he can perform at a high level. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is known to employ tight ends to move the chains. The move could also increase tight end usage in the red zone, and Otton would have the chance to raise his own ceiling.
Tampa Bay's approach at tight end should prioritize roster continuity and cap discipline over chasing theoretical upside. Otton has already proven he can deliver reliable production within his role, and doing so at a manageable cost carries real value for the Bucs. Creating a new need at tight end only adds messiness and unnecessary risk to a team already on the edge.