There were a total of seven trades on deadline day on Tuesday but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were not involved in any of them.
It's not surprising at all, though, as general manager Jason Licht is always quiet ahead of the deadline and this was just the latest example of that.
According to the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud, the Bucs were inactive because of their desire to hold on to their draft picks.
He also noted that the team is banking on the returns of injured players like Mike Evans, Haason Reddick, Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin and Luke Goedeke.
"Staying true to form, the Bucs and GM Jason Licht make NO trades before the deadline. They’re banking on players such as Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin, Luke Goedeke, Haason Reddick and even Mike Evans returning from injury," he said.
"Bucs value their draft picks and past drafts show why. But they have razor thin margins at several positions and cannot afford any more significant injuries," he added.
The Bucs had multiple needs to address on both sides of the ball, including at wide receiver and edge rusher, where the team is dealing with the aforementioned injuries Stroud talked about.
But both markets were expensive, based on reports. The Jets were looking for a second-round pick for Jermaine Johnson, for example, and Jakobi Meyers and Rashid Shaheed both cost two Day 3 picks, including a fourth-rounder each.
It remains to be seen when Irving, Godwin and Reddick will be back, but it could be any week given the fact that none of them are on injured reserve.
As for Goedeke, he has been designated to return from injured reserve, so his return appears to be imminent and could come as soon as this week or in the next few weeks after that.
Evans, on the other hand, is not expected back until around mid-December, so it's going to be a lot longer for the star wideout.
If Godwin can get back healthy, the Bucs have the horses to weather the storm until Evans gets back. Tampa Bay is also aided by a weak division, so they should be able to take care of business.
More NFL News
- How Colts' blockbuster Sauce Gardner trade was graded by experts
- How Dallas Cowboys' Williams, Wilson trades were graded by experts
- Bears, 49ers trade rumor offers details on failed pursuit of Jets EDGE
- Titans trade rumor explains why Tennessee didn't trade T'Vondre Sweat
- Jets' updated list of 2026, 2027 draft picks after Gardner, Williams trades
- Raiders' updated list of 2026 draft picks after Meyers trade