The new league year in the NFL kicked off Wednesday. 

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this free-agency period has included swapping backup quarterbacks, bringing back a tight end and losing a franchise legend. Here's an early roundup of the additions and subtractions.

The Buccaneers have a new backup quarterback to Baker Mayfield, as they signed former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning. Browning started three games for the Bengals in 2025 after the injury to quarterback Joe Burrow, throwing for 771 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions before the Bengals acquired Joe Flacco from the Browns. He also started seven games in 2023, also for an injured Burrow, throwing for 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The Buccaneers re-signed tight end Cade Otton to a three-year deal worth $30 million, including $20 million guaranteed. Otton caught 59 passes for 572 yards and one touchdown, helping keep the offense steady while the team dealt with injuries across the wide receiver room.

Former Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone is joining the Bucs on a two-year deal worth $17 million. Anzalone spent the last five seasons in Detroit, becoming the heart in the middle of the defense. In 2925, he posted 95 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, four tackles for a loss, nine passes defended and one interception.

Kenneth Gainwell is effectively the replacement for Rachaad White. The former Pittsburgh Steeler is signing a two-year, $14 million contract with the Buccaneers. Gainwell rushed 114 times for 537 yards and five touchdowns, while also catching 73 passes for 486 yards and three touchdowns.

The Buccaneers and Lions essentially swapped a pair of free agents. Anzalone goes from Detroit to Tampa Bay, Teddy Bridgewater goes from Tampa Bay back to Detroit. Bridgewater played one season in Tampa, after un-retiring, and appearing in four games, including taking over for an injured Baker Mayfield in Week 11 against the Rams. Bridgewater spent two seasons (2023-2024) in Detroit before retiring to coach his high school alma mater.

Defensive lineman Logan Hall is heading to the Houston Texans on a two-year deal worth $13.75 million, including $9 million guaranteed. Hall, the 33rd pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, played in 66 games for the Buccaneers, including all 17 last season, and has 101 total tackles, 10 sacks and one fumble recovery in his career.

Cornerback Jamel Dean is joining the Pittsburgh Steelers on a three-year deal worth $36.75 million. The Buccaneers drafted Dean in the third round in 2019. He played 14 games in 2025, picking off three passes and recording 46 tackles. He has 11 total interceptions and 359 tackles for his career.

The big one so far, of course, is the loss of Mike Evans, who is joining the San Francisco 49ers. Evans played 12 seasons with the Buccaneers, winning Super Bowl LV and posting over 1,000 yards in the first 11 seasons. He is tied with Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards to start a career. Injuries limited him to eight games, 30 catches, 368 yards and three touchdowns.

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