It took letting go of 37 players, but the Bucs have what they believe are the best 53 players on the roster to begin the 2025 season. With every NFL team needing to get down to 53 players on Tuesday at 4:00 PM ET, Tampa Bay released the full list of who did not make the cut.
With that, it means that this will be the initial squad, not accounting for additional moves that might be made with hundreds of players across the league hitting the waiver wire.
Some Positions Are Questionably Thin To Begin The Year
What is interesting about how the Bucs put together the first iteration of the 2025 squad is what positions they left thin to make up for having to keep wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. and left tackle Tristan Wirfs on the 53-man roster. Doing so means only carrying eight offensive linemen to begin the year.
Outside of Wirfs and the five healthy starters, that leaves just 2024 sixth-round pick Elijah Klein and undrafted rookie Ben Chukwuma as the only other big guys on the active roster. Another injury leaves the team dangerously bare in the trenches, so expect a few offensive linemen like guards Luke Haggard and Ben Scott, center Jake Majors, and tackle Raiqwon O’Neal to return on the practice squad.
The defensive line is also short a player, as Tampa Bay usually keeps six defensive linemen but chose to have just five right now. Each of them will serve a critical role, even 2025 fifth-rounder Elijah Roberts after he dominated during the preseason. C.J. Brewer and Adam Gotsis were among the omissions who will likely stick around, barring another opportunity. Outside linebacker also saw just five players make it, and if the team can upgrade over Markees Watts through the waiver wire or the open market, there is a chance they will pull the trigger.
The Bucs Made Surprising And Difficult Moves In Forming 53-Man Roster
The most polarizing decision made by the Bucs during roster cuts came under center. Veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater joined the team during training camp but ended up beating out former second-round pick Kyle Trask, a move that spoke volumes about the Bucs’ changing priorities.
Trask had shown flashes of solid play this preseason, but he also suffered a shoulder injury last Saturday against the Bills. The team was no longer willing to gamble on development over reliability. Bridgewater may not bring upside, but his steadiness started to gain the interest of other NFL teams, and he offers Tampa Bay more comfort in the short term.
Bucs QB Teddy Bridgewater and GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“Well, obviously [Teddy Bridgewater] brings experience, but he brings a wealth of knowledge,” Bowles said. “He can command the offense right now. Him being older has a lot to do with it, but him being accurate and understanding what we’re trying to do has a lot to do with it as well. We had Kyle [Trask] for four years and it was a good four-year run. We just feel like we’ve got a better chance with Teddy.”
Beyond quarterback, special teams is the determining factor for the final handful of players on the roster. Undrafted inside linebacker John Bullock edged out Nick Jackson despite Jackson having an impressive preseason.
Why?
Bullock carved out a niche on kick coverage and punt units, an often overlooked but vital piece of roster construction.
Bucs ILB John Bullock – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“He did a heck of a job on special teams this past game,” Bowles said about Bullock. “He had three tackles on the kickoff, he blocked very well and we’ve been talking about it all camp – we need guys that can cover. He went out there and he played his butt off and he covered. He’s been very consistent at that the past three games in preseason, and he did very well at linebacker. He fared very well. He’s a smart player. He’s a tough player and he’s a hard-nosed player and he earned it.”
Similarly, cornerback Kindle Vildor won a spot over Bryce Hall thanks to his versatility in coverage and special teams ability. Same goes for running back Josh Williams, who made the roster as the fourth running back and will likely factor in as a kick returner. Williams joins Bullock and offensive tackle Ben Chukwuma as the undrafted rookies who survived the cuts.
Which Former Bucs Draft Picks Were Let Go And Who Could Return On Practice Squad?
None of the moves the Bucs made were easy, but of the 37 players that have walked the plank, 17 of them will be brought back on the practice squad counting international exemption and 6-foot-9 offensive tackle Lorenz Metz. Todd Bowles discussed just how difficult it was to part with talented players. With a talented, playoff-contending roster, it will not be a surprise to see several of the players let go latch on with other squads.
Bucs OC Josh Grizzard and QBs Kyle Trask and Connor Bazelak – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“Yeah, as far as talent, but they’re all hard,” Bowles said of the moves made. “They’re all hard in that aspect. As far as talent and cutting good players that you know can latch on somewhere else and play, this has been one of the toughest.”
Quarterback Kyle Trask was joined by wide receiver Trey Palmer and outside linebacker Jose Ramirez as former draft picks who did not make the team. When assessing who might return to the practice squad, Tampa Bay might look to keep one or two veterans will giving new unheralded players a chance. Quarterback Connor Bazelak, wide receiver Garrett Greene, and inside linebacker Nick Jackson will presumably be among the undrafted free agent rookies the team prioritizes and hopes to keep around.
Pewter Report will be keeping its eye on the moves to come and whether the Bucs will look to add any new players to the 53-man roster. Jason Licht, Todd Bowles, and the front office will surely be assessing the landscape over the next 48 hours as waivers start to process.
Stay tuned.
