Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Release Veteran Tight End

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are saying goodbye to another one of their most established veterans. Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the team is expected to release tight end Cameron Brate in the coming days.

#Bucs are expected to release tight end Cam Brate in the coming days, per source. Brate, who played nine seasons in Tampa, has a cap hit of around $5 million. A good run with 273 catches and 33 touchdowns.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 2, 2023

Brate has played nine seasons with the Bucs, amassing 2857 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns. He hauled in 14 receptions for 175 yards and one touchdown over the team's unforgettable Super Bowl-winning 2020 postseason run. Per overthecap, the Bucs are a league-leading $56.5 million over the 2023 salary cap; that will necessitate some very hard decisions with some much-beloved veterans.

Beyond sporting an untenable 2023 cap hit of nearly $5 million, Brate had a concerning 2022 season that included at least one concussion and a frightening neck injury that required him to be stretchered off the field. Though his leadership clearly has value, his production and health have declined steadily in recent years: he has averaged a mere 15.0 yards per game and 4.4 yards per target since 2021. It may be time for Brate to ride off into the sunset.