Despite entering free agency with less cap space than any team in the NFL, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have actually managed to not only keep their team intact but add pieces to round out the roster. In fact, very few of the Bucs’ starting spots on offense should be much of a mystery.
Many of last year’s offensive starters are set to return, but not all. The most obvious subtraction is quarterback Tom Brady following his retirement, but it was the offensive line that saw the greatest attrition. The Bucs cut left tackle Donovan Smith and traded right guard Shaq Mason. This created much of the cap space the Bucs desperately needed, but left the offensive line in a rebuild mode.
Most of the likely starters are already on the roster. General manager Jason Licht clearly had a plan in mind before the offseason began to not only get the cap under control but also ensure the Bucs largely had a workable roster.
Here are the Bucs’ likely starters on offense following the start of free agency: