The #Bucs are trading veteran guard Shaq Mason to the #Texans, per source. pic.twitter.com/yTuKnw1Xgs
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2023
The Bucs’ starting line is going to look a little different in 2023.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have traded guard Shaq Mason to the Texans after reportedly shopping him on Monday. The Bucs acquired Mason for a fifth-round pick in 2022, but they didn’t get it back in this trade — Ian Rapoport reported that the Bucs got a sixth-round pick and gave up a seventh in the trade for Mason.
The move likely comes from a need to clear up cap space for Tampa Bay, which is still hunting for space despite moving under the cap a few days ago. Mason is still a starting-quality tackle, but the Bucs may want to give their younger talent a chance and would like the extra cap that comes with dealing Mason. Meanwhile, the Texans could use a lineman like Mason to protect what most assume will be a rookie quarterback heading into next year, so both teams made progress in their own way from the trade.
Along with drafting a lineman, the Bucs could also move 2022 center Robert Hainsey to guard and will have Nick Leverett and Luke Goedeke as options to fill his place as well.