The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2025 season was a tale of two halves - and not in a good way. After jumping out to a promising 6-2 start, the wheels came off.
Tampa Bay lost seven of its final nine games, finishing 8-9 and missing the playoffs for the first time in five years. That stumble also ended a four-year run atop the NFC South.
For a team that had become a postseason fixture, it was a jarring fall.
The offense sputtered late in the year, but there’s reason to believe a turnaround could be on the horizon - especially with a new offensive coordinator set to take the reins in 2026. The more pressing concern lies on the other side of the ball. The Bucs' defense has glaring holes at inside linebacker and on the edge, and if they want to re-establish themselves as contenders, those spots need immediate attention.
The good news? There are impact players hitting the market who could step in and help right away.
General manager Jason Licht has never been afraid to make bold moves, and this offseason should be no different. Let’s take a closer look at three free agents who could be difference-makers in Tampa Bay.
Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals
Edge rusher has been a persistent problem for the Buccaneers, and Trey Hendrickson could be the kind of high-upside swing that finally addresses it. The Bucs were linked to Hendrickson last offseason when he requested a trade amid a contract dispute in Cincinnati.
At the time, he looked like a perfect fit - a proven pass rusher who could immediately elevate Tampa Bay’s front. But instead of moving on, Hendrickson signed a one-year, $30 million extension with the Bengals, and the trade buzz died down.
Then came a rocky 2025. Injuries limited Hendrickson to just seven games, and he finished the year with four sacks and a forced fumble - far below his usual production.
But here’s the thing: even in limited action, he still showed flashes of the disruptive force he’s been for years. According to Pro Football Focus, Hendrickson earned a 90.0 pass rush grade in 2025, sixth-best among all edge defenders.
That’s elite territory.
Let’s not forget who we’re talking about here. Before this season, Hendrickson had posted 17.5 sacks in back-to-back years and had at least eight sacks in five straight seasons. The résumé speaks for itself.
Sure, the Bucs tried a similar move last offseason with Haason Reddick, hoping he’d bounce back after a down year with the Jets. That gamble didn’t pay off - Reddick managed just 2.5 sacks in Tampa Bay.
But Hendrickson’s track record is stronger, and his fit in Todd Bowles’ system makes a lot of sense. If he’s healthy, he could be the missing piece to a pass rush that’s lacked bite for too long.
Kaden Elliss, LB, Atlanta Falcons
With Lavonte David expected to retire, the Buccaneers are staring at a major void in the middle of their defense. SirVocea Dennis is currently penciled in as the starter, but after grading out as one of the league’s worst coverage linebackers in 2025 (84th out of 88 qualifiers per PFF), it’s clear the team needs help - and fast.
Enter Kaden Elliss.
Elliss has quietly become one of the most reliable and productive linebackers in the NFC South. After four years in New Orleans and three more in Atlanta, he could continue his division tour by landing in Tampa Bay. He’s played all 17 games in each of the past four seasons - a testament to his durability - and in 2025, he racked up 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and continued to show why he’s one of the best blitzing linebackers in the game.
That last part is key. Bowles loves to dial up pressure from all over the field, and Elliss fits that scheme perfectly. His 84.6 pass rush grade ranked fourth among all linebackers in 2025, and his ability to get after the quarterback would bring a new dimension to the Bucs’ interior defense.
At 30, Elliss isn’t a long-term fix, but he’s exactly the kind of veteran presence this defense needs right now. He brings experience, versatility, and a proven ability to impact both the run and pass game. And with David likely stepping away, the leadership component matters, too.
The Bucs still need to invest in a young linebacker through the draft, but Elliss would immediately raise the floor of the position group and bring stability to a unit that desperately needs it.
K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, New England Patriots
If Tampa Bay wants to add juice to its pass rush without breaking the bank, K’Lavon Chaisson might be the move.
After bouncing around early in his career, Chaisson has found his stride. He posted a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2025 with the Patriots, building on the five he notched with the Raiders the year before. That kind of year-over-year growth is exactly what you want to see from a player entering his prime.
For context, no Buccaneers defender had more than seven sacks this past season. Chaisson outproduced everyone currently on the roster - and he did it while playing a rotational role. He’s only 27, and the arrow is pointing up.
What really stands out, though, is how he’s performed in the postseason. In New England’s two playoff games this year, Chaisson has delivered three sacks, a forced fumble, and a game-changing QB hit that led to a pick-six. He’s showing up when it matters most, and that’s the kind of edge the Bucs could use - both literally and figuratively.
Chaisson isn’t the headline-grabbing name that Hendrickson is, but he’s a high-upside player who’s still ascending. His price tag should come in lower than the top-tier options, making him a smart value play for a team that needs to stretch its cap space.
Bottom Line
The Buccaneers don’t need a full rebuild - they need a targeted retooling. The offense has pieces in place and a new coordinator on the way. But the defense, particularly at linebacker and on the edge, needs reinforcements.
Trey Hendrickson would bring proven star power to the pass rush. Kaden Elliss offers a plug-and-play solution in the middle of the defense. And K’Lavon Chaisson could be the kind of under-the-radar signing that ends up paying huge dividends.
If Tampa Bay wants to bounce back in 2026 and reclaim its spot atop the NFC South, it starts with getting aggressive in free agency - and these three names should be at the top of the list.