The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ free agency overhaul is officially underway, and it’s already reshaping both sides of the roster. While longtime cornerback Jamel Dean is heading north to join the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Buccaneers are countering with new additions, bringing in running back Kenneth Gainwell and veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone as the team begins building toward the 2026 season.

Dean’s departure marks the end of an era in Tampa Bay’s secondary.

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The 29-year-old cornerback, originally a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Auburn, was the last remaining defensive back from the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV championship roster. Over seven seasons in Tampa Bay, Dean developed into one of the league’s fastest and most reliable coverage defenders when healthy.

At the NFL Combine, Dean turned heads with a blazing 4.30-second 40-yard dash, ranking among the fastest times ever recorded for a cornerback. That elite speed translated to the field throughout his career.

Even in an injury-shortened 2025 season, Dean still produced one of his most efficient campaigns. He recorded three interceptions, two forced fumbles, a sack, two quarterback hits and nine passes defended while allowing just a 41.7 percent completion rate as the nearest defender, according to Next Gen Stats.

The biggest challenge during his Tampa Bay tenure was durability. Dean missed 21 regular-season games across seven seasons, including three contests last year due to hip and shoulder injuries.

While Tampa Bay loses a veteran presence in the secondary, the front office has already begun replacing production elsewhere.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell arrives in Tampa Bay after a breakout year in which he was named his team’s Most Valuable Player. Gainwell led Pittsburgh with 73 receptions on 85 targets, finishing the season with 1,023 yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns.

The 26-year-old playmaker also brings versatility. He averaged 24.3 yards per kick return and split backfield duties while maintaining a 4.4 yards-per-carry average throughout his career.

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On defense, Tampa Bay adds leadership with Alex Anzalone, a veteran linebacker coming off another productive season with the Detroit Lions. Anzalone finished last year with 95 tackles, four tackles for loss, and served as a team captain for the fifth straight season.

Across four seasons in Detroit, Anzalone accumulated 490 tackles, 9.0 sacks and three interceptions, proving he can anchor a defense with both physicality and experience.

With these moves, Tampa Bay is clearly pivoting … losing familiar faces while adding versatile veterans who can keep the roster competitive in the NFC.