Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sign 14 Players To Futures Contracts
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced they have signed 14 players to futures contracts for the 2024 season. All 14 players were on the Bucs practice squad to end the 2023 season. The futures contract gives the players a chance to stick around on the team's 90-man offseason roster and into training camp where they can compete for spots on the active roster or next season's practice squad.
Out of the 14 players re-signed, outside linebacker Jose Ramirez, the team's seventh-round draft pick in 2023, showed the most promise. He was rewarded for his contributions to the scout team and practice squad with an elevation by the Bucs for their Wild Card matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. While Ramirez was inactive he still received a playoff check.
The Bucs also liked what they saw out of tackle Silas Dzansi. The undrafted free agent spent the entire season with the team's practice squad after signing with the Buccaneers after the draft. He spent six weeks on the club's practice squad injured reserve list but was reinstated in Week 15. Like Ramirez, he too was elevated for a playoff game against the Detroit Lions.
Cephus Johnson also impressed the Bucs brass as the tall explosive wide receiver was routinely giving the defense looks as the opponent's star receiver. While Keenan Issac bounced on and off the active roster playing in two games.
The two players not signed to future deals were Derrek Pitts and Deadrin Senat. Though Pitts confirmed to me he was signing a futures contract it hasn't been announced. He initially made the team's 53-man roster out of training camp and played in the first four games of the season totaling two tackles. He was waived on the bye week and re-signed to the practice squad.
While Senat spent time on the active roster as well playing in three games and tallying one tackle. He could be back in Tampa as well given the uncertainty of the death on the Bucs defensive line with only four players set to come back in 2024.
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