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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Taking 'Risky' Approach in Free Agency

In an anonymous survey conducted by The Athletic, an NFL executive said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are approaching roster building in a risky way.
David Harrison|
Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht.
Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht. | Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing back several key players from their surprising 2023 success and trusting their own processes are firmly in place to ensure that things that look the same actually continue to grow.

While most everyone loves the Buccaneers re-signing receiver Mike Evans, quarterback Baker Mayfield, safety Antoine Winfield Jr., and linebacker Lavonte David, there are some who have their misgivings about what general manager Jason Licht and coach Todd Bowles are doing with their roster these days.

READ MORE: Bucs Add Pass Rusher From Super Bowl Contender

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht.
Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht. | Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

“It is sticking with what you know, but it is also risky to say, ‘We are just going to run it back and the ball will bounce the same way it did in 2023,'” an NFL executive told The Athletic about the free agency approach in Tampa Bay.

“Re-signing Baker Mayfield was good; re-signing Mike Evans was a must,” the exec said. “I wonder if they could have made some building-block improvements with guys who help now and, two years from now, you’re still happy they are there.”

The team isn't going to look exactly the same, of course, especially after trading cornerback Carlton Davis III to the Detroit Lions and cutting loose outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett who has since signed with the Miami Dolphins and swore to make the Bucs sorry for doing so.

READ MORE: Bucs Reveal Jersey Numbers

On Wednesday the Buccaneers signed edge rusher Randy Gregory who represents a very small amount of activity pursuing external free agents leaving the NFL Draft later this month as the primary method of adding to an already talented roster of returning players.

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

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David Harrison
DAVID HARRISON

David Harrison has been in sports media since 2015 using written, audio, and video media to cover athletes, coaches, and games. In addition to covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for BucsGameday and Locked On Bucs he also covers the Washington Commanders for Commander Country and Locked On Commanders and the Washington Wizards for Inside the Wizards. David also covers the NFL as a whole as one of the Friday hosts for Locked On NFL. He is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and previously spent 20 years as an active member of the United States Army. Contact David via email at david.w.harrison82@gmail.com or on Twitter @DHarrison82.

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