Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton is set to play out the 2025 NFL season on a contract year. Tampa Bay’s top tight end for the past three years, Otton expressed hope for an extension in a recent media appearance (via FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz and Greg Auman), though he seemed to indicate that the feeling may not be mutual.
As a rookie fourth-round pick out of Washington in 2022, Otton immediately surpassed long-time backup Cameron Brate for the top tight end honors in the wake of Rob Gronkowski‘s second retirement. With Gronk out of the offense, quarterback Tom Brady didn’t look often to his tight end group to move the ball, so it didn’t take much, but Otton’s 42 catches for 391 yards and two touchdowns were all team highs at the position.
He and fellow rookie Ko Kieft — picked two rounds after Otton — were the only two returning tight ends in 2023. Kieft played much more of a blocking tight end role, earning more starts than Otton in 2022 but recording far fewer yards. Kieft was joined in that role by a sixth-round 2023 draftee, Payne Durham. With Kieft and Durham in blocking situations most of the time, Otton once again quietly led the group with 47 receptions, 455 yards, and four touchdowns.
For the third year in a row, the Buccaneers spent another Day 3 pick on a tight end in 2024, using a seventh-rounder to bring in Otton’s former Huskies teammate Devin Culp. Once again, Kieft, Durham, and Culp remained mostly nonfactors in the passing game, leaving Otton to post a career-best receiving line of 59-600-4, despite missing three games.
The reason Tampa Bay hasn’t come forward to discuss an extension yet may be the same reason they’ve been taken flyers on late-round tight ends each year. Sure, they’ve been appreciative of Otton’s contributions as the leading tight end, but every year there’s been an expectation that he might take off. Yet, despite the lack of a serious competitor, instead of taking leaps, Otton has merely continued taking steps forward. He’s improved each year but not to the level of a clearcut TE1.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that this is Otton’s last year in pewter and red (and, occasionally, Creamsicle). While he has his sights set on his future, Otton has 17 games ahead of him in which he can give Tampa Bay every reason why they should extend him as their tight end of the future. Otherwise, the Buccaneers may just go back to the draft for the position in 2026.
Decent tight end but really a 5-6th option in this offense even when Evans and Godwin are no longer big parts he is likely a 4th if Bucky continues to be a good rb.
Ship him off to Chargers for a pick
Just because they might not lock him up long term doesn’t mean he’s expendable right now.
Give me credit didn’t I predict Robinson to Niners ?
Didn’t you predict one of like five different teams?
Also Washington has other backs. I don’t think Tampa has a starting tight end if they trade Otton.
I predicted in order Niners Vikings Chiefs you can look up my comment. And you said they wouldn’t take I had a hunch they would and they did
Ok. That doesn’t answer why a playoff team would trade their starting tight end without a good answer behind him on the depth chart.
It happens alot. Not saying he’ll be gone this season though
Cade needs to wear Receivers Gloves. Unbelievable that he can’t realize his dropped passes he has had would have been catches if he had gloves on
Buy and wear a right hand and left hand receiving glove and wear them. His fumbles are also from being too bone headed in not wearing them. He could be an exceptional TE.