Bucs Gameday

Former Buccaneers offensive player signs with Arizona Cardinals

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost some guard depth to the Arizona Cardinals.

River Wells

Detailed view of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet against the New Orleans Saints.
Detailed view of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet against the New Orleans Saints. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
In this story:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are losing a depth piece on the offensive line in free agency.

Many believed that the Buccaneers would try to keep one of their depth guards, Royce Newman, in free agency, but that didn't end up being the case. Newman signed with the Arizona Cardinals on Friday, which leaves the Buccaneers a bit lacking at guard depth heading into the 2025 season. Newman played for the Green Bay Packers prior to Tampa Bay.

Newman didn't end up playing too much — he was inactive for nine games and active for seven but didn't play. That being said, he was a part of Tampa Bay's depth on the offensive line, and that depth has gotten considerably thin with his departure. The Bucs also lost center Robert Hainsey to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and with two backup linemen now gone, Tampa Bay will need to pick up some more additions on the interior after shoring up the exterior by bringing in swing tackle Charlie Heck.

The Bucs do still have guard Elijah Klein, who they drafted late last year, but it wouldn't be shocking to see Jason Licht do so again this year with Newman's departure. Be it either the draft of free agency, Tampa Bay should look to bolster an offensive line that is already one of the best in the NFL.

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2025 offseason.

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook

More Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

• Is the Buccaneers' Tristan Wirfs the best OT in the NFL?

• Former Buccaneers OC joins Colorado Football’s staff with Deion Sanders

• Major Buccaneers potential NFL draft target undergoes surgery

• Buccaneers land two free agent signings on FOX Sports' biggest bargains rankings

Published
River Wells
RIVER WELLS

River Wells is a sports journalist from St. Petersburg, Florida, who has covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2023. He graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Florida in 2021. You can follow him on Twitter @riverhwells.

Home/Tampa Bay Buccaneers News