The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for a fresh start in the 2026 season after a disappointing finish to last year. Their late-season collapse raised questions about the team’s competitiveness and overall identity.
Now, Tampa Bay faces the challenge of winning back trust while trying to restore the defensive standard that once defined the franchise. However, the Bucs also have a glaring issue on offense entering training camp.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Are Urged to Sign Jonnu Smith in Free Agency to Solve Their Tight End Room
The Bucs’ tight end group finished last in the NFL in receiving yards, leaving a major hole in Baker Mayfield’s supporting cast. Because of that, PFN identified Jonnu Smith, who has 32 career touchdowns (30 receiving and 2 rushing), as the ideal addition.
“It has been an offseason of change for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after parting ways with franchise icon Mike Evans,” PFN’s Priyanshu Choudhary mentioned in his report. “As a result, the offense is going to have a new look to it, as Baker Mayfield remains without a contract beyond this year.”
“While they have quality options at wide receiver, the tight end room is wafer-thin,” he added. “Cade Otton, for all his promise, hasn’t been a consistent enough contributor for the Bucs. As a result, a veteran presence like Smith could be the perfect one-year rental for them.”
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Tampa Bay is bringing back the same tight end unit that struggled to produce through the air a season ago. Otton has remained dependable, recording between 40 and 60 receptions in each of his four NFL seasons.
Beyond Otton, the depth chart features Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp, and Bauer Sharp, with each player still battling for roster security and meaningful snaps. That leaves them with little proven production behind their starter.
As a result, Smith stands out as an experienced solution who could immediately strengthen one of Tampa Bay’s thinnest position groups and justify his status as the perfect fit.
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In 2024, Smith had a career-best season with the Miami Dolphins, setting personal highs in both catches and receiving yards. That breakout performance also earned him the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.
Next season, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, as he couldn’t agree on an extension. Since then, he has yet to find his rhythm.
According to PFN’s TE Impact Metric, Smith posted a 67.4 impact score in 2025, placing him 45th among qualifying tight ends. That’s a significant drop from the previous season, when he ranked third in the league with an impressive 85.0 score after his standout year in Miami.
However, one of the reasons Smith struggled is how the Steelers used him. The Steelers kept Pat Freiermuth ahead of him on the depth chart, limiting Smith’s role throughout the season. As a result, he finished with his lowest receiving yardage total since entering the league.
Now Smith is a free agent, and the Bucs could still benefit from taking a chance on him. To be honest, it can be a win-win situation for both parties.
Smith will have a chance to prove himself, while the Bucs would strengthen a position that badly needs proven production. Now, the only question is whether Tampa Bay decides to make that move.
