Whether Bucs tight end Cade Otton should come back to Tampa Bay next season has been a point of contention. Just look at this Point-Counterpoint conversation that was had recently about it on PewterReport.com. But considering that Otton is a free agent in the 2026 offseason, its not just the Bucs and only the Bucs that would be interested in his services. He can pursue any team the same way that other teams could be suiting for him.
Tampa Bay isn’t the only team that could use another tight end. There’s been an AFC opponent that has history with the Bucs who could wind up poaching Otton if everything lines up correctly. In an article on Clutch Points by Gerard Angelo Samillano, it is suggested that the Kansas City Chiefs should be a team that should sign Otton in free agency.
Could Bucs See Otton Go To Their Most Recent Super Bowl Opponent?
Of course the Chiefs have legendary tight end Travis Kelce, who is mulling over retirement this offseason. But even if he decides to come back, which does some like a legitimate possibility, Cade Otton still would a good consideration for Kansas City to set up their future with the position. Here’s his reasoning behind the thought of it:
Bucs TE Cade Otton – Photo by: USA Today
“Even if Kelce returns for a final year, having another tight end would help the Chiefs. Noah Gray hasn’t had the best 2025 season and the options outside of him are underwhelming at best. Kansas City needs a proven pass-catcher from the position, and they have a potentially cheap option in Cade Otton.
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end has enjoyed a quietly productive career. He’s been a reliable target for Baker Mayfield, notching 1,627 with the star quarterback. When the Buccaneers’ wide receiver room was decimated by injuries, Otton became one of the go-to options for the team. He’s no Kelce, but he can help fill the massive void that will be left by the legend when he hangs up his cleats for good.”
There some flaws with this overall thought process when it comes to Otton and Kansas City. One of them being that the Chiefs are well over the salary cap for the time being at $58 million. Plus, contract projections have fluctuated for Otton. OverTheCap.com has him at around $8 million per season while Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo has him at $12 million. A Chiefs team that needs more explosiveness on offense would probably be better using that money on another receiver than a tight end.
Bucs TE Cade Otton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
That aside, Otton does have experience coming in after a legendary tight end exits. Remember, when Otton was drafted by the Bucs in 2022, it was a season after Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from the game for the second time after two season in Tampa. It’s extremely difficult to come in and fill the shoes of a Hall of Famer and yet that’s what Otton was tasked with.
Otton’s numbers don’t jump out compared to other tight ends. He’s never had more than 600 yards or four touchdowns in a season. The most recent year he had just one touchdown and it came in the season finale. But as far as consistency goes, Otton fits that bill, and it makes this a tough decision for the Bucs to decide over, too.
What Would The Bucs Offense Look Like Without Cade Otton?
Bucs TE Cade Otton and Lions LB Alex Anzalone – Photo by: USA Today
What Tampa Bay needs to decide for themselves is first and foremost is what kind of offense are they going to be? That can’t really be answered until the situation with star wide receiver Mike Evans is resolved. Because if Evans is not back, that may open the door for offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to have more involvement at the tight end position in the passing game to make up for the production they won’t have with Evans no longer there.
What if Tampa Bay decides to lean into the running game more with Bucky Irving and company? Does that entice the Bucs to keep Cade Otton and rely on his blocking ability, or find an upgrade over him that can block even better but won’t be as expensive? There are a lot of options for the Bucs that will impact both the team and Otton moving ahead.