The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made a surprising move by announcing the release of offensive tackle Donovan Smith. The decision comes as a shock to many, as Smith has been a cornerstone player for the team during his six seasons in Tampa Bay. With a new era of Buccaneers football on the horizon, it seems the team is looking towards other options to improve their offense. This move is sure to send shockwaves through the NFL community and leaves many wondering what the future holds for both Smith and the Buccaneers.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released Donovan Smith
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have decided to release starting left tackle Donovan Smith. This decision was announced on Friday, May 7th, 2021.
Donovan Smith’s Background
Donovan Smith was drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. He has since played for the Buccaneers for six seasons. During his time with the Buccaneers, Smith started 98 games in 100 appearances. Smith proved to be a reliable left tackle for the Buccaneers, providing solid protection for their quarterbacks.
Reason for Release
According to reports, the release of Donovan Smith was due to the Buccaneers needing to free up salary cap space. The Buccaneers needed to make moves to fit their new quarterback Tom Brady under the salary cap. Brady is known for taking a team-friendly pay cut, but his new deal included voidable years that make his salary-cap number $9.1 million for this season.
The release of Donovan Smith will save the Buccaneers $14,250,000 in cap space that will be essential to sign important free agents and veterans as they attempt to defend their Super Bowl title.
Impact of Release
The release of Donovan Smith raises some concern for the Buccaneers’ offensive line. The team must now find a replacement left tackle to protect Tom Brady’s blindside. However, the veteran quarterback is known for his ability to make quick decisions and release the ball, lessening the need for a premiere left tackle. The Buccaneers may also choose to address this need in the upcoming NFL draft or sign a free agent in the coming months.
The Buccaneers are also losing a durable offensive lineman in Donovan Smith. Over his six-year career with the team, Smith only missed two games. This level of consistency and availability on the offensive line will be missed.
Final Thoughts
The release of Donovan Smith is unfortunate for the Buccaneers, but it was a necessary move to provide flexibility in their salary cap situation. The Buccaneers will need to find a solution to fill their left tackle position, but they have proven successful in their decision-making during the Tom Brady era. Buccaneers fans will have trust in the team’s ability to make the necessary moves to remain competitive.
