Sean Tucker: Everything you need to know

The Buccaneers signed Tucker, who had been a restricted free agent, on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Tucker recorded 320 yards on 86 carries in 17 games during the 2025 regular season, while working behind Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. While White is now with the Commanders, the Bucs added Kenneth Gainwell to their backfield via free agency last month, and the presence of the former Steeler sets the stage for Tucker to remain the team's No. 3 RB in 2026.

The Buccaneers are giving Tucker a restricted-free-agent tender, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Reports last week suggested the Bucs wouldn't use the tender and would allow Tucker to become an unrestricted free agent. They ended up using the tender, despite signing RB Kenneth Gainwell to a two-year contract with $10 million guaranteed. Tucker could still leave Tampa Bay if another team gives him an offer sheet and the Bucs opt not to match, but the more likely scenario is some kind of agreement to stick around for another year as the No. 3 RB.

Tucker won't be tendered a contract by the Buccaneers as a restricted free agent, so he will become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins March 11, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. Tucker had only 320 rushing yards in 2025 as part of a backfield that also included Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, but the 24-year-old running back out of Syracuse led the team with seven rushing touchdowns. Given Tucker's effectiveness in the red zone in 2025 after he averaged 6.2 yards per carry on 50 regular-season rushing attempts in 2024, he should garner some interest on the open market and could work his way into part of a backfield platoon depending on his landing spot.