Buccaneers 2025 free agency tracker: Day 5 news and rumors

The legal tampering period of NFL free agency is officially here, as Monday at noon marks the time that teams can officially speak to players' agents about potentially moving to other teams — and deals will be getting done quick.

There have already been some moves via trade, such as former Seattle Seahawks wideout D.K. Metcalf getting shipped to the Steelers, for example, but there will be a lot of teams adding new players through free agency in the coming days. The Buccaneers have some players to bring back, too, and although one big name has already returned to the fold, there's another that every team in the NFL is watching.

Here's what the Bucs have been up to in free agency:

March 13, 9:30 p.m.

The Bucs are signing swing tackle Charlie Heck to a one year, $1.6 million deal. Heck's dad Andy is the Chiefs' o-line coach, and he'll step in to replace the loss of Justin Skule to the Vikings.

March 13, 5:30 p.m.

The Vikings are taking another important player from the Buccaneers, signing swing tackle Justin Skule. Skule started for five games last year in lieu of Tristan Wirfs, and he was able to perform solidly in his absence. Now, the Bucs will have to find another swing tackle.

March 13, 10 a.m.

The Bucs and Dolphins end up swapping linebackers, as Tampa Bay is signing former Dolphins linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. Walker is similar to Britt in his lack of coverage skills, so he should serve as linebacker depth for the team in 2025.

March 13, 10 a.m.

Linebacker K.J. Britt is leaving the Buccaneers to sign with the Miami Dolphins. Britt was a starter last year, but was phased out after returning from an ankle injury due ot his poor coverage skills.

March 13, 8 a.m.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are signing former Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor. Vildor is perhaps most unfortunately known for a football bouncing off his helmet and into the hands of Brandon Aiyuk for a touchdown in the 2023 NFC Championship game, but he is a special teams veteran who should fill the hole Thomas left.

March 12, 9:30 p.m.

The Bucs are bringing back quarterback Kyle Trask on a one-year deal worth $2.78 million. Due to a rare salary cap clause, Trask will only count for $1.34 million against the cap as he backs up Baker Mayfield for the third year in a row.

March 12, 4 p.m.

Buccaneers core special teamer Tavierre Thomas is leaving the Buccaneers and headed to the Minnesota Vikings. Thomas had some snaps on defense when injuries piled up, but the Bucs are losing a special teams ace.

March 12, 10:30 a.m.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing back DL Greg Gaines on a one-year, $3,5 million deal — the same deal he's been on for the last two years. The Bucs like Gaines as a depth piece and he comes back to help bolster the interior line once again.

March 12, 9:30

The Bucs are bringing back DL C.J Brewer on a one-year minimum deal. Brewer was an exclusive-rights free agent, so he was easily brought back by the Bucs.

March 11, 3 p.m.

The Buccaneers are bringing back edge rusher Anthony Nelson on a two-year deal worth up to $12 million. Nelson has been a reliable depth piece for Tampa Bay for years and potentially saved their 2024 season with a strip tackle on Chubba Hubbard against the Carolina Panthers, leading to an overtime victory.

March 11, 1:30 p.m.

Bucs 2021 first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is signing with the Cleveland Browns on a one-year deal worth $4.75 million. Tryon-Shoyinka has struggled to produce in Tampa Bay over his first four years and now gets an opportunity to produce elsewhere with a fresh start.

March 11, 11:30 a.m.

The Buccaneers signed punter Riley Dixon from the Denver Broncos on a two-year deal worth $6 million. Dixon is a veteran who was top 10 in the NFL in net yards per punt last year, so the Bucs address a desperate need early in free agency.

March 10, 4:40 p.m.

Bucs center Robert Hainsey has agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars with $13 million guaranteed. He was the backup center for the Bucs last year, and now, he's getting the chance to start in Liam Coen's offense.

March 10, 12 p.m.

The Bucs brought back wide receiver Chris Godwin on a three-year deal worth $66 million, per the NFL's Ian Rapoport. Godwin did techically hit free agency, in the end, but the Bucs secured him with a new deal, and he'll return to Tampa Bay after a dislocated ankle cut his season short in 2024.

March 10, 12 p.m.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are signing pass rusher Haason Reddick to a one-year deal worth $14 million, per Ian Rapoport. Reddick held out of his contract while playing for the New York Jets after being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles last year, and while he only netted a sack after returning late in the year, he's had four seasons in a row with 11 or more sacks from 2020-2023.

March 10, 11 a.m.

The Buccaneers are bringing back guard Ben Bredeson on a three-year deal, per NFL Network's Sara Walsh. There was some talk that the guard market could balloon as free agency begins, but the Bucs avoid dealing with that by bringing back Bredeson. Bredeson came to Tampa Bay from the New York Giants last season and contributed to one of the league's best offensive lines.

March 9, 9 p.m.

The Buccaneers will not tender linebacker J.J. Russell, per FOX Sports' Greg Auman. Russell stepped in during the 2024 season when linebacker K.J. Britt got injured and stuck around a tad after, but his $3.2 million low tender might be too much for Tampa Bay. The Bucs can bring him back for a cheaper deal, as he's been a subtle contributor since the Bucs signed him as a UDFA three years ago.

March 7, 6:40 p.m.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing back Lavonte David on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million with $9 million guaranteed, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. David mulled retirement this offseason, as he has for the past few, but he decides to play with the Buccaneers again for a staggering 14th season after netting 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2024.

March 7, 10:00 a.m.

The Bucs are bringing back safety Kaevon Merriweather, who was an exclusive rights free agent, per FOX Sports' Greg Auman. Merriweather was cut by the Bucs mid year and had a very short stint with the Lions, but he returned to the team and stepped up amid injuries to Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead.

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2025 offseason.

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