This has been a solid week for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in terms of NFL free agency. They managed to re-sign veteran star wide receiver Chris Godwin, even though many thought it would be too expensive for them to do so. They also snagged veteran pass rusher Haason Reddick and held on to linebacker Lavonte David, who has been one of their mainstays on defense for many years.
On Friday, they got another one of their veterans to stay put on a new deal. Wide receiver Sterling Shepard reportedly agreed to a one-year deal in order to remain in Tampa Bay.
The Bucs have agreed to terms with WR Sterling Shepard on a 1 year deal, per source. @FifthThird @OU_Football @Scoop_A1 🛥️
— Jason Licht (@jasonrlicht) March 14, 2025
Shepard isn’t a prolific player — he has never reached 1,000 receiving yards in a season — but he is a nice depth piece for a Buccaneers team that has made the playoffs four years in a row and is looking to take the next step.
They signed him last June after he had spent his first eight seasons with the New York Giants. In 2024, he caught 32 passes for 334 yards and one touchdown while adding 69 rushing yards on eight attempts.
The Oklahoma native put up 683 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2016. He was originally a second-round draft pick that year, and Friday’s move will allow him to continue to catch passes from quarterback Baker Mayfield, his old teammate from his last season with the Oklahoma Sooners.
