The Tampa Bay Buccaneers really struggled in their pass coverage in 2024. The team had a young secondary led by Zyon McCollum and Tykee Smith due to injuries to veterans off and on all year.
While the secondary tries to heal up this offseason, Jason Licht and the Bucs front office may be having to get more creative in their approach.
This offseason will be tough for the Bucs as several prominent players, such as Chris Godwin and Lavonte David, are free agents. The team only has $11 million in salary cap space at this moment, though that could change. If it does, the team may want to take notice of a post from a certain free-agent cornerback.
Whatever team I’m on next year gone get the best version of ME. I’m HUNGRY.
— Charvarius Ward (@itslilmooney) February 4, 2025
49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward announced earlier this year that he would not return to the team for personal reasons. Ward and his family suffered the loss of their young child this past season, and he cited the pain connected to the area as being too much for his family to bear to be around constantly. Ward returned to finish the season with the team but he now seems eager for a fresh start as his family takes the next steps in the grieving process.
From a football perspective, Ward would be a tremendous addition to the Bucs’ defense.
Ward entered 2024, coming off an All-Pro season in 2023, along with a Pro Bowl selection. While 2024 was not the year for him in any dynamic, he is still just 28 years old and has plenty left in the tank to showcase against opposing wide receivers.