Photo Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have exercised the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, ensuring he remains under contract through the 2027 season.
As a former first-round pick (No. 19 overall in 2023), Kancey’s option year will pay him roughly $14.5 million fully guaranteed. The move signals Tampa Bay’s continued belief in his impact, even as durability concerns linger.
Notably, he becomes the first Buccaneers first-rounder to have his fifth-year option picked up since Tristan Wirfs.
Production vs. Availability
When on the field, Kancey has delivered. Across 29 career games, he has recorded 11.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, and 30 quarterback hits—strong numbers for an interior defensive lineman.
His 2024 season stood out in particular. Despite missing time, he led the team with 7.5 sacks while adding 11 tackles for loss and consistent backfield disruption.
The challenge has been staying healthy.
Kancey has dealt with multiple injuries early in his career, including calf issues in each of his first two seasons and a torn pectoral muscle that sidelined him for most of last year. Still, his late-season return—earlier than expected—underscored both his toughness and value to the defense.
A Larger Role Ahead
With longtime leader Lavonte David no longer anchoring the unit, Kancey is expected to take on a bigger voice in the locker room.
That leadership role could extend to mentoring younger additions like first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr., as Tampa Bay transitions toward a new defensive core.
Betting on Upside
This decision ultimately comes down to projection. The Buccaneers are betting that Kancey’s production will outweigh his injury history if he can stay on the field consistently.
For Kancey, the goal is simple: availability.
“My main goal is to play every game,” he said recently.
If he achieves that, Tampa Bay’s investment could look like a bargain for a disruptive interior presence entering his prime.
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