ClutchPoints
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t coasting into the 2025 NFL season. They’re coming in hungry. Fresh off an NFC South title and a second straight playoff appearance with Baker Mayfield at the helm, the Bucs are once again aiming for a deep postseason run. However, with a championship-caliber roster comes hard choices. This was particularly true when it comes to cap space and roster flexibility. As training camp nears, Tampa Bay is in a strong position overall. Yet, a couple of surprising names could still be moved before the real grind begins.
The Buccaneers had a strong offseason. They retained key veterans like Chris Godwin and Lavonte David while drafting Emeka Egbuka to ease Godwin’s recovery from injury. On defense, they addressed their 29th-ranked pass unit by adding edge rusher Haason Reddick and promising corners Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish.
Offensively, continuity should be maintained with the promotion of Josh Grizzard to offensive coordinator after Liam Coen’s departure. Though Mayfield will again adjust to a new play-caller, Grizzard’s familiarity with the system and player trust should keep the third-ranked offense firing. Most of the 2024 core remains intact, with Egbuka as the notable newcomer.
Tampa should face improved competition from the rest of the NFC South this season. However, it should again be considered the favorite heading into training camp. Here we’ll try to look at two players who are sneaky Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade candidates entering 2025 NFL training camp.
Jamel Dean has been a staple in Tampa Bay’s secondary since he helped the team capture Super Bowl LV. At his best, Dean is a rangy, physical corner with the speed to keep up with top wideouts and the experience to thrive in complex coverage schemes. However, he has a $15 million cap hit in 2025. The Bucs also have two promising young corners waiting in the wings. As such, Dean’s time in Tampa might be winding down.
The Bucs have spent recent draft capital addressing the secondary. They added Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish this spring. Now, the writing may be on the wall for Dean. He’s entering the third year of a four-year, $52 million extension. Tampa Bay could free up nearly all of that $15 million cap hit by dealing him now. In a league where every dollar matters, that flexibility could be vital down the stretch.
One team to watch would be the Las Vegas Raiders. With cap space to spare and a need for experienced, battle-tested corners, the Raiders could be an ideal landing spot. Tampa Bay and Las Vegas also share long-standing front office ties. That could grease the wheels for a deal.
This isn’t a knock on Dean’s talent—it’s about roster management and cap efficiency. Trading him would be painful, but the Bucs have quietly positioned themselves to absorb the blow and potentially benefit long-term.
Yes, Baker Mayfield just made his second straight...
