What do you call it when you predict you’re going to lead the NFL in sacks … but don’t register a single sack that season?
We call it the third year in the disappointing career of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey, the team’s 2023 first round pick who can’t seem to get right when it comes to injuries, and has missed 22 games through his first 3 seasons.
Kancey could very well be down to his last chance with the Buccaneers in 2026, and the easiest path to that should be turning down the fifth year option on his contract — something Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti pointed out after Tampa Bay’s season ended after the Atlanta Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints to eliminate the Buccaneers in Week 18.
The loss by the Saints — and the Buccaneers going 8-9 overall — ended a streak of 5 consecutive playoff appearances and 3 consecutive NFC South Division titles.
“A #19 overall pick out of Pitt, Kancey was looking to build off of a breakout campaign in 2024 (8 sacks, 1 forced fumble), but was limited to just 2 2025 games due to a torn pec,” Ginnitti wrote on January 5. “The Bucs will need to decide on a projected $14.25M 5th-year option for Kancey by May 1st.”
Kancey Returned for Regular Season Finale
Kancey was ruled out for the season with a torn pec muscle in Week 2 but worked his way to return for the regular season finale — a 16-14 win over the NFC South Division champion Carolina Panthers in Week 18.
The Buccaneers, who have lost 7 of their last 8 games before Week 18, put Kancey on the active roster as part of a flurry of roster moves one day before the game.
“The Bucs have activated DL Calijah Kancey off injured reserve, where he has been since Week 3 due to a pectoral injury,” Buccaneers.com’s Scott Smith wrote on X on Friday, January 2. “He is available to play against the Panthers Sunday. Rookie LB John Bullock was waived.”
Kancey led the Buccaneers with 7.5 sacks in 2024 despite missing 5 games due to injuries.
It’s not unfair to think Kancey coming back for even just one game is a sign of good faith to the franchise in terms of his commitment — because in any other terms Kancey seems like a bust.
What else do you call a player who has missed 22 games due to injuries over his first 3 seasons?
In Kancey’s eyes, 2025 was going to be the year he made the leap to an elite NFL interior defensive lineman — something we now must wait to see if it happens in 2026.
“I think you would be looking at the (NFL) sack leader,” Kancey told Buccaneers.com’s Brianna Dix before the season when asked what a fully healthy season by him might look like.
Instead, Kancey finished with zero sacks for the first time in his career.
Buccaneers Should Draft Defensive Front
The Buccaneers have their biggest need on the defensive front, where they should take a long, hard look at when it comes to drafting an edge rusher in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Tampa Bay is now locked in at the No. 15 overall pick in the first round — their highest pick since taking 3-time NFL All-Pro offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs at No. 13 overall in the 2020 NFL draft.
Buccaneers Urged to Decline Option on Injury Prone First Round Pick