TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS NEWS

Kaevon Merriweather - Modest numbers in '24 season Merriweather posted 17 tackles (11 solo), including 1.0 sacks, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery across 14 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact The second-year safety's 244 snaps on defense were 95 more than he logged during his rookie 2023 campaign, and he also maintained a robust role on special-teams coverage and return units. Merriweather took on a bigger role down the stretch after he was brought back following his mid-November release, posting a career-best seven tackles across 53 snaps in Week 14 against the Raiders and also playing 63 snaps against the Saints in Week 18 while posting three tackles and a pass defensed. Merriweather is an exclusive-rights free agent this offseason, meaning the Buccaneers will retain control as long as they make him a qualifying offer.

37 MINS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Greg Gaines - Modest numbers in '24 Gaines provided 17 tackles (seven solo), including 1.0 sacks, across 15 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact The veteran played his fewest snaps (374) since the 2020 season with that total also representing an 81-play downturn from his 2023 Buccaneers debut campaign. Gaines primarily served in a rotational role on the defensive front, and he went into the offseason on the heels of his most productive game of 2024 by recording six tackles over 26 snaps in the wild-card loss to the Commanders. Given Gaines' minor role and the fact he'll be 29 by the time next season begins, it's likely Tampa Bay lets him explore his options when he hits the open market at the start of the new league year.

45 MINS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Chris Braswell - Very quiet rookie season Braswell recorded 18 tackles (11 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble across 17 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact The rookie second-round pick didn't come close to living up to expectations after finishing his college career at Alabama with 75 tackles, including 10.5 sacks, across 41 games. Braswell never topped four tackles in any game while playing 307 snaps in a rotational role, and he didn't record the first full sack of his career until Week 17 against the Panthers. Braswell posted just two total tackles and his fumble recovery from Week 15 through the wild-card loss to the Commanders, heading into the offseason on a particularly sharp downturn.

53 MINS AGO • ROTOWIRE

SirVocea Dennis - Limited to four games in '24 Dennis (shoulder) supplied 22 tackles (14 solo), including 1.0 sacks, over four regular-season games in 2024.

Impact Dennis played in just three games for all practical purposes, as he suffered what turned out to be a season-ending shoulder injury just five snaps into a Week 4 game against the Eagles. The second-year linebacker appeared to be on his way to a breakout season if the small sample size was any indication, considering Dennis had totaled 18 tackles, including 1.0 sacks, in the first two games of the campaign alone. Dennis still managed to collect nine additional tackles in nine fewer games during his brief time on the field in 2024, as he played two more snaps than in 2023 during those three-plus games. Dennis should be fully healthy by the time OTAs roll around, and with K.J. Britt slated to hit unrestricted free agency, Dennis could have a chance to make a case for a starting job this offseason and in training camp.

1 HOUR AGO • ROTOWIRE

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka - Poor showing in contract year Tryon-Shoyinka finished the 2024 season with 24 tackles (15 solo), including 2.0 sacks, two defensed passes and one fumble recovery across 15 games.

Impact Tryon-Shoyinka saw a snap reduction for the second consecutive season, but in only two fewer games and 41 fewer snaps than 2023, the 2021 first-round pick generated 21 fewer tackles, including three fewer sacks. It was a particularly ill-timed down year for Tryon-Shoyinka, who's slated to hit the open market when the new league year begins March 12 and will almost certainly be allowed to shop his services to other teams.

1 HOUR AGO • ROTOWIRE

Calijah Kancey - Boost in production in '24 Kancey furnished 28 tackles (22 solo), including 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery across 12 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact Kancey's 515 snaps on defense during the campaign represented a 40-play reduction from his 2023 rookie campaign, with the 2023 first-round pick also playing two fewer games. Nevertheless, Kancey finished with two additional tackles and 3.5 additional sacks compared to the prior season, but he only hit as much as the five-tackle mark on two occasions following a delayed Week 6 season debut due to a calf injury. The Georgia product could be set to take the next step in his development during the 2025 season given the improvement he showed this past season, although he headed into the offseason on a down note by tallying just a single tackle across 50 snaps during the wild-card loss the Commanders.

1 HOUR AGO • ROTOWIRE

Logan Hall - Career-best year in '24 Hall posted 28 tackles (17 solo), including 5.5 sacks, one defensed pass and one fumble recovery across 16 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact The third-year pro set new career highs in tackles and sacks despite his 511 snaps on defense representing a 10-play downturn from 2023. Hall served as the starting right defensive end in Todd Bowles' 3-4 scheme throughout the 2024 season, but he topped 40 snaps just twice. Hall did head into the offseason with a head of steam after posting a season-high seven tackles across 32 snaps in the wild-card loss to the Commanders, and he's slated to play out the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 at a cap hit of just under $3 million unless he receives an extension this offseason.

1 HOUR AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jacksonville Jaguars hire Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen as head coach

Jacksonville Jaguars hire Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen as head coach

3 HOURS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

2025 NFL mock draft: A first round with Arch Manning, all underclassmen eligible

Would Arch Manning or Jeremiah Smith go No. 1? Rob Rang forecasts who every NFL team would target with their 2025 first-round pick if every...

4 HOURS AGO

In stunning reversal, Liam Coen spurns Buccaneers to become Jaguars' head coach

The Bucs lose their offensive coordinator to a head coaching job for the second year in a row, this time just one day after thinking they'd...

16 HOURS AGO

Jaguars land Bucs OC Liam Coen as next head coach after drama-filled search, per reports

After several twists and turns, the Jaguars are reportedly hiring former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen as their new head coach...

17 HOURS AGO

J.J. Russell - Best season yet in '24 Russell registered 33 tackles (20 solo), one defensed pass and one fumble recovery across 16 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact After playing on 44 and 68 defensive snaps in his first two seasons, Russell was in on 236 plays from scrimmage in 2024 while also seeing his most extensive involvement yet on special teams (332 snaps). Russell filled a rotational role in the linebackers corps behind Lavonte David, and he was at his best down the stretch while recording between three and five tackles in eight of his last nine contests. Russell will be a restricted free agent come the new league year in March, meaning the Buccaneers will have the ability to match any offer put in front of him by another team.

21 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Josh Hayes - Takes next step in '24 Hayes recorded 35 tackles (22 solo), three defensed passes and one fumble recovery across 15 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact The 2023 sixth-round pick saw a boost in involvement during his second season despite playing in the same number of games, with his snap count on defense jumping from 28 to 256. Hayes is still looking for his first career sack and interception, but he posted a career-high 11 tackles in Week 18 against the Saints while filling in for Jamel Dean (knee) and provided four tackles over 23 snaps in the wild-card loss to the Commanders. Hayes will play out the third year of his rookie contract in 2025 and could carve out a case for a larger role with a strong offseason and training camp.

21 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Bills might be better, but Chiefs are favored for a reason

The Chiefs are slight favorites to beat the Bills on Sunday and get a shot at winning an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl

21 HOURS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jaguars hire Bucs OC Liam Coen as head coach after making necessary moves

The Jacksonville Jaguars have hired Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen as the eighth head coach in franchise history

22 HOURS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Anthony Nelson - Solid in rotational role Nelson totaled 40 tackles (25 solo), including 4.0 sacks, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery across 17 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact The veteran linebacker logged the second-highest snap count of his career on defense (538), and Nelson turned in a second consecutive 40-tackle campaign and third straight at least hitting that threshold. Nelson also recorded one additional sack compared to 2023, and he added five tackles during the wild-card loss to the Commanders over 49 snaps. Nelson also played a career-high 381 snaps on special-teams coverage and return units, and he's now finished out the two-year, $10 million contract he signed prior to the 2023 season. Given Nelson has proven to be such a reliable and effective fit as a complementary component of Tampa Bay's linebacker corps, it wouldn't be surprise for both team and player to be interested in reupping their commitment to one another this offseason.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Vita Vea - Career-high sack total in '24 Vea finished the 2024 regular season with 42 tackles (27 solo), including 7.0 sacks, and one defensed pass across 16 games.

Impact The mammoth tackle added a solo tackle over 47 snaps in the wild-card loss to the Commanders. During the regular season, Vea continued to profile as one of the best interior pass rushers in the league, setting a new career high in sacks while exceeding 5.0 sacks for the third straight season. Vea's tackle total was also the second highest of his career, and unless the Buccaneers opt to exercise an out in his deal this offseason at a dead cap hit of $11.5 million, Vea is due to play out the 2025 season in his usual capacity on the interior of Tampa Bay's defensive front.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Plenty of college reps helped Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix make an immediate impact in the NFL

Jayden Daniels threw 1,438 passes in 55 college games over five seasons

1 DAY AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lavonte David - Another standout season in books David posted 122 tackles (76 solo), including 5.5 sacks, six defensed passes, including his first interception since the 2020 season, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery a...

Impact David was his usual stalwart self while playing in every regular-season game for the second time in the last three seasons, and he also totaled eight tackles, including 1.0 sacks, across 68 snaps in the wild-card loss to the Commanders. The seemingly ageless linebacker played the 2024 campaign on a one-year, $8.5 million contract, and given he's still clearly productive at age 34, it wouldn't be surprising to see David re-up with the Buccaneers yet again, even if it's just for another season.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Yaya Diaby - Solid second season Diaby provided 54 tackles (39 solo), including 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery across 17 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact The 2023 third-round pick played in every regular-season game for the second time in as many NFL campaigns, and he upped his tackle total by 16 while playing an additional 259 snaps on defense compared to his rookie season. Diaby also logged 52 snaps in the wild-card loss to the Commanders, supplying four tackles. Diaby did record three fewer sacks in the regular season despite the increased playing time, a matter he'll look to rectify as he enters the third year of his rookie deal in 2025.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Tykee Smith - Impresses in rookie season Smith posted 54 tackles (38 solo), seven defensed passes, including two interceptions, and three forced fumbles across 13 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact The rookie third-round pick mostly delivered on the promise he'd shown during his college days at Georgia, playing a robust rotational role in the Buccaneers' secondary right from the onset of the season and finishing with three tallies of eight or more tackles along the way. Smith also put together an impressive showing in the wild-card loss to the Commanders, helping make up for Jamel Dean's early exit due to a knee injury and supplying seven total tackles across 57 snaps. Smith missed four games with a knee injury in Weeks 8, 10, 12 and 13, but he otherwise proved a reliable presence and could push for a starting role this coming offseason and training camp.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jamel Dean - Endures injury-plagued season Dean (knee) finished the 2024 regular season with 59 tackles (45 solo), seven defensed passes, including one interception, and a forced fumble across 12 games.

Impact Dean played a career-low 12 games in 2024 while dealing with injuries to his hamstring and both knees. He aggravated a late-season knee issue in the wild-card loss to the Commanders after playing 46 snaps and tallying four tackles and a defensed pass. When healthy, Dean was serviceable in coverage, recording his first interception since 2022 while bringing down the completion percentage he allowed in primary coverage from 2023's 61.2 percent to 56.6 percent and surrendering just one touchdown. Dean should have a good chance of being back to full health by the start of OTAs, and as long as the Buccaneers don't opt to exercise an out in Dean's contract that would lead to a $6.8 million dead cap hit, he'll return for the third year of his current deal in 2025.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Antoine Winfield Jr. - Solid in injury-shortened year Winfield (knee) provided 60 tackles (34 solo), including 2.0 sacks, three passes defensed and a fumble recovery he returned for a touchdown across nine regular-season games in 2024...

Impact Winfield missed Weeks 2-5 and the last four games of the regular season due to calf and knee injuries, respectively, leading to a career-low number of games played. The large swaths of missed time naturally had a ripple effect on all of Winfield's stats, leading to a career low in tackles and the first interception-less campaign of his accomplished five-year career. Winfield also tied career lows in sacks and defensed passes, and although he failed to force a fumble for the first time as well, the fumble recovery he returned for a touchdown against the Saints in a lopsided Week 6 win marked his first ever trip to the end zone. Winfield was able to suit up for the Buccaneers' wild-card loss to the Commanders and recorded seven tackles across 69 snaps, and he should therefore be ready for all offseason activities and training camp as he approaches the second season of a four-year contract extension he signed prior to the 2024 campaign.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

K.J. Britt - Career numbers in contract year Britt supplied 72 tackles (40 solo), including 0.5 sacks, and one defended pass across 14 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact Britt moved into a starting role at left inside linebacker in Todd Bowles' defense in 2024 and made good use of the opportunity, recording at least six stops in six contests while logging a career-high 588 snaps. Britt missed three games in Weeks 14-16 with an ankle injury, but he otherwise gave a solid accounting of himself in what was the final year of his rookie deal. Given the 2021 fifth-round pick only has one season of extensive play on film, it's possible Britt can be a cost-effective re-signing for the Buccaneers this offseason unless another team on the open market is willing to pay up for his potential.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Christian Izien - Improved numbers in shortened '24 Izien, who finished the 2024 season on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury, recorded 75 tackles (48 solo), three passes defensed, including one interception, and one forced fu...

Impact Despite playing three fewer games than in his rookie 2023 campaign, Izien logged just 27 fewer snaps on defense and exceeded his prior-season tackle total by 10 stops. Izien allowed just 55.6 percent of passes thrown his way while in primary coverage to be completed, and he impressively recorded at least 10 tackles in three games, including 13 stops during his final contest of the season against Dallas in Week 16. Izien will enter the third year of his rookie contract in 2025 and should be healthy enough to resume his role as the Buccaneers' top slot cornerback by the time training camp begins, if not earlier in the offseason.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE