The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to cut former Penn State offensive tackle Donovan Smith, according to Scott Reynolds of the Peter Report.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to release OT Donavan Smith.
This will save the Bucs $9.9M in cap space.
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) February 28, 2023
Smithโs anticipated to be given released by March 15, which is the start of the new league year. Heโll count $17.9 against the cap, and the Buccaneers, despite Tom Bradyโs second retirement, currently are a league-high $56,531,921 over the salary cap.
By releasing Smith, Tampa Bay will save $9.95 million but $7.95 million will count in dead money.
Smith, 29, played at Penn State from 2011-14 and started 31 games.
He then went in the second round, No. 34 overall, to Tampa. From there, he started all 123 games that he was available for and was the starting left tackle for the Bucs when they won Super Bowl XLV, beating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9.
Smith had a down year in 2022, playing on a line that was hampered by injuries. He missed four games himself with a hyperextended elbow. He had an unimpressive Pro Football Focus grade of 59.3, including a horrific 40.8 run-blocking grade.
Tampa Bayโs expected to move former first-round pick Tristian Wirts from right tackle to left tackle to replace Smith.
Smith will try to get fully healthy and bounce back on another team looking for a proven commodity at left tackle. He could also make a switch to right tackle if needed, as he has being a blindside protector for Brady on his resume.
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