Buccaneers Given “C” Grade For Trade Deadline Inactivity

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the potential to be one of the most interesting teams at the NFL’s trade deadline this past Tuesday. 

Instead, they were one of the least interesting. 

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At 3-6, Tampa’s season has fallen well short of expectations thus far. The Bucs entered the year as favorites to win the NFC South but stumbled out of the gate with an 0-4 start. 

However, the Bucs have gone 3-2 since and are only a half-game out of first place. They are likely the favorite to win the division once again. 

Tampa could have capitalized on the weakness of the South and bought at the deadline. 

They didn’t. 

The organization likely felt the team was more than a player or two from being a legitimate contender, which is understandable. 

The deadline also gave the Bucs a chance to sell off some of their veterans for valuable draft picks that could have helped turn them into contenders in the near future. At least one Bucs veteran was garnering strong interest around the league if Tampa wanted to make a deal. 

They didn’t. 

Tampa is stuck in the NFL's no-man's-land, and the trade deadline passed with the Bucs wasting an opportunity to move the needle in either direction.

Instead, the Bucs will proceed after their bye week as currently constructed and see what happens.

Eric Edholm and Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports graded each NFL team's trade deadline. For Tampa Bay, there were no moves to grade, but Yahoo gave the Buccaneers' decision to stand pat at the deadline a "C" grade.

Waiting For Offseason To Make Moves

Edholm and Schwab mentioned that the Bucs were more likely to sell than to buy, but made the Bucs are waiting for the offseason to make moves. They also reported that the New York Giants were one of the teams showing interest in defensive tackle Vita Vea, but Tampa decided to keep him.

"Like most NFC South teams, the Buccaneers had been more connected to selling than buying. Vita Vea's name popped up in some trade rumors in the past week, with the Giants reportedly among the teams interested, but nothing materialized after Vea signed a one-year, $30 million extension in August. And despite the Bucs needing some skill-position help on offense, they apparently were willing to wait until the offseason for any major additions."

Final Thoughts

The Bucs could have either increased their chances of making a run to the playoffs this season or started to plan for their future by shipping off a handful of players for future draft capital. Instead, they did neither.

I believe that was the wrong decision, one that will leave the team with several difficult decisions to make in the coming offseason.

If the organization doesn't believe the current roster can contend, will it be willing to give OLB YaYa Diaby a new contract worth $20-25 million per year? Will they pay guard Cody Mauch $15-20 million per year?

If either leaves in free agency, the Bucs will regret not trading them. The same goes for Vea if the team moves on from him before next season.

A'Shawn Robinson is only signed through this year and may also leave as an unrestricted free agent.

Tampa's lack of activity at the deadline was a surprise. 

Time will tell if it was the right decision.

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