Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2021 free agency outlook

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew out the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 55 to secure their second-ever world championship, but that doesn't mean they can ease up ahead of the 2021 season. The reigning champs will have to buckle down to stay competitive and field a team capable of reaching the final stage again. The Bucs can still improve in a few areas, and tracking their offseason moves to see where they focus on improving could be interesting. Several key playmakers on the defensive end could walk, but keeping the receiving corps together is also important.

Lost revenue due to COVID-19 will impact every team, but with so many free agents the likely drop in the league-wide salary cap number could make things difficult. The 2020 number was around $198 million, while the 2021 number could drop to $176 to $180 million, according to Over The Cap, but is subject to change.

Franchise/Transition Tag possibilities

Chris Godwin is entering unrestricted free agency and is viewed as one of the Bucs’ most valued offensive weapons. While his contract year numbers were affected by the four games he missed because of injuries, re-signing him is expected to be a priority. Mike Evans has already been paid the big bucks, and Shaquill Barrett played under the franchise tag in 2020. If Godwin doesn’t get a long-term deal, he'll likely get the franchise tag.

Salary cap

Estimated 2021 cap space: $XX,XXX,XXX

2021 transactions

Free agent signings

TBD

Free agent departures

TBD

Trades

TBD

Notable unrestricted free agents

* Denotes Restricted Free Agent (RFA)