With both the UFL and NFL in their offseason lulls, it's the perfect time to dive into some offseason content. As the UFL awaits the next wave of NFL signings for the 2026 player acquisition cycle, we're taking a look back at how each NFL team has utilized spring football as a developmental pipeline during the modern era of spring football since 2022. We continue the series with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, highlighting every spring league player the organization has signed over the past four years.
2022 Cycle:
The Bucs would sign TE Bug Howard as their lone signing of the 2022 cycle. Howard would be waived with an injury designation at the conclusion of training camp, returning to the Philadelphia Stars in 2023.
2023 Cycle:
The Buccaneers would find some value in 2023 with the signing of C.J. Brewer from the Houston Roughnecks. Brewer would remain with the Bucs for three seasons and is currently a free agent. Brewer appeared in 17 games since 2023 recording 16 tackles, and 2.5 sacks in his career.
2024 Cycle:
In 2024, post merger, the Bucs signed longtime spring football veteran TE Sal Cannella from the Arlington Renegades. Cannella for the third consecutive year would be released at the conclusion of training camp.
2025 Cycle:
The Bucs in 2025, would sign WR Jacob Harris from the San Antonio Brahmas only to release him at the conclusion of training camp. The team in the spring of 2026, would sign former Michigan Panthers Kicker B.T. Potter. Potter is currently on the roster and looking to compete with Chase McLaughlin who's been with the team since 2023.
Since 2022, the Buccaneers have signed five players from spring football leagues. Going into the 2026 season B.T. Potter remains the only “modern” spring football player on the roster with C.J. Brewer no longer on the roster. The Buccaneers have yet to sign any players from the 2026 signing class, and with NFL training camp set to begin this week, more UFL players are projected to earn NFL opportunities from the current signing cycle.