Heading into the NFL’s trade deadline this past Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season was at a bit of a crossroads. 

At 3-6, Tampa’s season has not gone as planned, leaving the organization in a difficult spot. 

However, the Bucs are only a half-game out of first place in the weak NFC South and have a clear path to making the postseason and hosting a playoff game. 

That could easily have motivated the team to buy at the trade deadline. Adding an offensive playmaker could have boosted a disappointing offense and potentially given the Bucs a shot at doing some damage in the playoffs. 

The team decided against trading away any future assets to strengthen its roster for a second-half run this year. 

Which is an understandable decision. Even if the Bucs win their division, they likely wouldn’t be considered a legitimate contender, even with a home playoff game. 

Since Tampa Bay opted not to sacrifice any of its future for a long shot this year, the deadline provided an excellent opportunity for the Bucs to strengthen their future by trading away any of a number of attractive veterans for valuable draft picks that could help transform a questionable roster into a future contender. 

The team decided against that as well. 

So, now the Bucs remain in NFL purgatory, stuck in the league’s no man’s land. 

Tampa isn’t good enough to win a title, and the Bucs aren’t bad enough to earn a top draft pick that could change the franchise’s fortunes. 

The Bucs wasted an opportunity to move the needle in either direction. The team reached a crossroads and kept going straight, deciding to keep rolling with a roster that has proven to have a low ceiling. 

It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if pays off for ‘em. 

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, there was strong interest around the NFL for at least one of the Bucs' veterans, defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson.

Tampa Bay signed Robinson to a one-year deal this offseason, and he has been a force in the middle of the defensive line. Through nine games, Robinson has 24 total tackles, one sack, and two interceptions.

He is PFF's fourth-highest-graded interior defensive lineman, and second-highest against the run.

Robinson has been a terrific signing for the Bucs and is exactly the type of player a non-contender should trade at the deadline.

However, Tampa decided against selling high on a valuable player who may very well leave next offseason without the Bucs getting anything in return.

Trading Robinson could have also given Tampa an opportunity to see what they have in fifth-round rookie DeMonte Capehart, who has only been active for one game and hasn't played a single defensive snap.

As Fowler notes, the Bucs rarely make trades at the deadline and turned down a prime opportunity to flip their free-agent hit into a valuable future asset.