Following a promising but ultimately disappointing 2024 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers must make strategic offseason moves to stay competitive in the NFC. While the roster is well-balanced, one major weakness could hold them back—the pass rush.
With several veteran defenders set to hit free agency and questions surrounding the defensive line, strengthening the edge rush should be a top priority. That’s where Josh Sweat comes in. If the Buccaneers are serious about contending in 2025, pursuing Sweat should be at the top of their offseason to-do list.
Strong Start, Bitter End
The Buccaneers reaffirmed their dominance in the NFC South by securing another division title, maintaining their status as the team to beat. However, their postseason journey was cut short in heartbreaking fashion, as they fell to Washington on a last-second field goal in the Wild Card Round.
For the second straight offseason, the Buccaneers saw their offensive coordinator land a head coaching job. After Dave Canales left for the Carolina Panthers last year, Liam Coen followed the same path.
Despite their early playoff exit, Tampa Bay enters 2025 in a strong position. They’ve continued building on a solid foundation with a productive 2024 draft class and have successfully revitalized Baker Mayfield’s career. With smart offseason moves, the Bucs are poised to take the next step and make a deeper playoff push.
Here, we’ll identify the ideal free agent who can address Tampa Bay’s biggest need in the 2025 NFL offseason.
Defense Remains the Buccaneers’ Top Priority
The Buccaneers face several tough free-agency decisions this offseason, with Chris Godwin among the key names in question. However, no decision carries more emotional weight—or greater defensive impact—than Lavonte David’s future.
At 35, David remained a crucial leader for Tampa Bay, logging the most defensive snaps on the team. Yet, signs of decline emerged. His missed tackle rate nearly doubled from 7.2% to a career-worst 15.5%, and his PFF coverage grade dropped to a career-low 56.9.
General manager Jason Licht has a track record of keeping core players but also takes a forward-thinking approach to roster construction. Deciding David’s fate won’t be easy, especially with the potential need for two new starting linebackers. The Buccaneers’ defense could look significantly different in 2025.
That’s where Josh Sweat comes in. The former Pro Bowler is exactly the type of impact player Tampa Bay needs. Over the last six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Sweat has quietly become one of the NFL’s most disruptive edge rushers. His combination of power, speed, and explosiveness makes him a perfect fit for Todd Bowles’ aggressive defensive scheme.
With 25.5 sacks over the past three seasons, Sweat has proven to be a consistent force off the edge. His ability to win one-on-one matchups and generate pressure would provide an immediate boost to Tampa Bay’s pass rush, addressing one of their most pressing needs.