Breaking: Bucs' Will Trade or Release Veteran Offensive Lineman

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are planning on trading or releasing a starter from last season.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are exploring trade options for veteran offensive guard, Shaq Mason.

The #Bucs are exploring trade possibilities with guard Shaq Mason, per sources. With a $9.6M cap hit, Mason could become a cap casualty for the cap-strapped Bucs. A quality guard appears ready to enter the market.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 13, 2023

Mason's cap hit is something the Buccaneers are looking to shed as free agency gets fully underway. The possibility of a trade is likely, but if the Bucs are unable to find a viable trade partner for the Super Bowl winning offensive lineman they are expected to release him according to Tom Pelissero.

The #Bucs plan to release veteran guard Shaq Mason if they can't trade him in the coming days, per source. Mason is due $8.5 million in the last year of his deal.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2023

Mason spent the majority of his career with the New England Patriots who drafted him in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Georgia Tech.

Spending a majority of his time in New England with Tom Brady as his quarterback, the Buccaneers traded for him last season to help along the offensive line that was dealing with a multitude of issues.

Now that Brady has retired, it appears that the Bucs are looking to go young on their offensive front and have even played around with moving All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs over to the other tackle position as they look to put together the best possible line.

Mason, now entering his 7th season, should have plenty of suitors as he is still a quality guard. As it stands, Mason will be suiting up for a third team in his career - either via trade or release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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