Calijah Kancey missed most of last season, clouding his fifth-year option call. However the 2023 first-round pick’s lengthy injury-driven absence also reduced his option price, creating an interesting decision for the Buccaneers.
The team will bet on the Pittsburgh alum, announcing Monday it’ll exercise Kancey’s option. This can bring a $14.48MM guarantee for the 2027 season. Kancey, who missed two games as a rookie and five in 2024, has not been especially reliable in Tampa. But he has impressed when on the sphere. The Bucs will hope for higher health moving forward.
That 2024 12-game season brought 7.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss; Kancey’s rookie yr featured 4 sacks and 10 TFLs. The Bucs, who lost 2022 second-round pick Logan Hall to the Texans in free agency, still have loads of Kancey stock. While the team did re-sign Rakeem Nunez-Roches and add A’Shawn Robinson in free agency, Kancey still profiles as Vita Vea‘s top sidekick on this defensive position.
More to return.