The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading into a pivotal offseason, and one of the more intriguing decisions on their plate involves tight end Cade Otton. While he’s not exactly a household name across the league, Otton has quietly been a steady presence in Tampa Bay’s offense since stepping into the starting role after Rob Gronkowski’s retirement in 2021.
Let’s be clear-Otton isn’t Gronk. He’s not going to leap over defenders or bulldoze his way into the end zone.
But what he has done is consistently lead the Buccaneers’ tight end group in production for four straight seasons, including 2025. That kind of consistency matters, especially in a position group that’s often overlooked unless it’s producing highlight-reel plays.
Otton’s best season came in 2024, when he posted a career-high 600 receiving yards despite missing three games. This past season, he played in 16 games and finished with 572 yards-just a shade below his previous mark-but managed only one touchdown, the lowest of his career.
Even so, he remained a key piece of the offense. Only rookie standout Emeka Egbuka saw more targets from Baker Mayfield, and Otton’s 80 targets (per Pro Football Focus) underscore how much trust the quarterback had in him.
Inside the locker room, Otton has earned praise for his work ethic and football smarts. Coaches and teammates alike value what he brings to the table. But when you dig into the advanced metrics, the picture gets a little murkier.
Per PFF, Otton ranked 56th out of 75 qualifying tight ends with an overall grade of 57.4. His receiving grade (58.1) came in 42nd out of 52, and his run-blocking grade (56.1) was 56th out of 87. Those numbers suggest a player who’s dependable but not necessarily dynamic-a guy who can do the job, but may not elevate the offense in a significant way.
And that’s where the Buccaneers face a tough call.
Otton’s projected market value sits in the $7-10 million per year range, according to Spotrac. That’s not an outrageous number for a starting tight end, but it becomes a lot more complicated when you consider the team’s other financial priorities.
Mike Evans, the face of the franchise and still a game-changer at wide receiver, could command upwards of $15-22 million annually if he chooses to keep playing. Then there’s the defense, which is likely to be the front office’s primary focus in both free agency and the draft.
So the question becomes: Can the Bucs afford to invest significant cap space in a tight end who, while reliable, hasn’t proven to be a difference-maker?
If Tampa Bay decides to move on, the draft could offer a potential solution. Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is a name to watch.
He’s the kind of athletic, pass-catching tight end who could make an immediate impact, much like Tyler Warren did for the Colts or Colston Loveland for the Bears this past season. If the Bucs want to inject some fresh juice into the offense, Sadiq could be a compelling option in the first round.
Still, all signs point to defense being the priority this offseason. That could leave Otton on the outside looking in, especially if the front office decides that his production doesn’t quite justify the price tag.
Cade Otton has done everything asked of him since taking over the job. But in a league where teams are constantly balancing production against potential-and cap space against positional value-he might find himself a casualty of the numbers game.
Whether that means a reduced role, a restructured deal, or a fresh start elsewhere, the Bucs have a decision to make. And it won’t be an easy one.