Contracts Buccaneers Must Consider Cutting in 2023 Offseason

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will need to figure out their quarterback situation this offseason. Perhaps Tom Brady will return to the Bucs, but if not, they'll have to find a new starting QB for the 2023 season.

That's not the only item on Tampa Bay's offseason to-do list, though. It has other areas of its roster that it will need to address. And at this moment, the team doesn't have much financial flexibility to do so.

According to Over The Cap, the Buccaneers are projected to be $54.8 million over the cap for the 2023 season. The only team in the NFL that currently has a bigger cap hole to dig out of is the New Orleans Saints ($58.4 million over).

So Tampa Bay will need to clear some significant space in order to make any free-agent moves. Here's a look at several players the Bucs may want to consider cutting this offseason to do so.

Donovan Smith, OT

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Donovan Smith (76) walks toward the locker room after warmups before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022 in Tampa, Fla. The Chiefs defeat the Buccaneers 41-31. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)

One of the first moves that Tampa Bay should make this offseason is cutting offensive tackle Donovan Smith. The 29-year-old has been a starter for the entirety of his eight-year NFL career (all with the Buccaneers), but he's set to make a substantial amount in 2023.

Smith has a $17.9 million cap hit for next season, with $8 million of that being dead cap. Still, the Bucs can clear $10 million in cap space by releasing him.

Tampa Bay has too many other areas to address on its roster to pay Smith that much. He missed four games this past season due to a foot injury, too, and he'll be turning 30 in June. So he may not be quite as dependable in the future as he's been in the past.

It may be tough for the Buccaneers to part ways with a longtime fixture on their O-line, but it makes sense for them to do so. Otherwise, they're going to have even more trouble digging out of their cap hole.

Leonard Fournette, RB

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) carries in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Tampa, Fla., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Leonard Fournette's production decreased in a major way during the 2022 season. The 28-year-old running back ran for only 668 yards in 16 games while averaging just 3.5 yards per carry. He still scored six touchdowns, but he wasn't efficient in most games.

It may be time for the Buccaneers to go in a new direction with their ground game. Rachaad White flashed his potential at times as a rookie in 2022, and Tampa Bay may bring in another back via free agency or the draft this offseason.

Fournette has an $8.5 million cap hit for the 2023 season, and while the Bucs would still have to pay $5 million in dead cap, they'd be clearing $3.5 million in the process. And they need to do whatever it takes to get more financial flexibility.

Plus, if Fournette's role in Tampa Bay's offense is going to decrease, it may as well part ways with him now. Otherwise, the Buccaneers could end up paying him a decent amount just to be a backup on their depth chart.

Ryan Succop, K

AP Photo/Jason Behnken

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Ryan Succop (3) kicks a field goal against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

The Buccaneers need to be able to kick field goals from a longer distance than Ryan Succop's range. Head coach Todd Bowles has already made that clear.

"I think we've got to get past 47 yards, be able to kick from 50, 55 yards as well," Bowles recently said, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports.

Tampa Bay isn't going to carry two kickers on its roster, so Succop's time with the team may be ending after three seasons. If the Bucs do get rid of the 36-year-old, it would also help their financial situation, as they'd be clearing $3.3 million in cap space.

The Buccaneers can likely find a kicker with a bigger leg at a more affordable price. So it makes sense for them to cut Succop to save a bit of cap space, and then find a strong replacement down the line.