Pat O'Connor's Retirement Adds to Tampa Bay's Offseason Checklist

Pat O'Connor officially retired on July 17, closing out a nine-year NFL career at 32. The defensive lineman was part of the Buccaneers' 2021 Super Bowl championship squad, and his departure thins a trench unit that Tampa Bay will need to sort out before training camp opens.

The roster currently lists Yaya Diaby, Calijah Kancey, and Mohamed Kamara as the top three at defensive line, with Elijah Roberts, Nash Hutmacher, and DeMonte Capehart behind them at defensive tackle. Whether that group carries enough depth through a full camp and season is the question O'Connor's retirement sharpens.

It is one more item on a list that already includes Bucky Irving's questionable status at running back. Tampa Bay finished 8–9 last season, dropping seven of its final ten games, and the margin for roster shortfalls is not wide heading into 2026.