Bucs keep DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches on two-year deal

Rakeem Nunez-Roches is staying in Tampa Bay. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers keep DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches on two-year deal

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 3/18/21

"Keeping the band together" is a mantra repeated by Tampa Bay Buccaneers stars such as quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski this month. That includes holding onto depth pieces who can contribute when needed.

The Athletic's Greg Auman reports that defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches agreed to a two-year contract to remain with the Buccaneers:

I can confirm Bucs have re-signed DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches. Two-year deal -- $2.25 million (guaranteed) in first year, $2.75m in second year, another $1.5 million in playtime incentives. Top rotational player who stepped up well when Vita Vea was injured. @caplannfl had it first.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 18, 2021

Nunez-Roches was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015 and joined the Buccaneers in 2018. The 27-year-old has mostly been a reserve but, as Joey Knight noted for the Tampa Bay Times, started in Tampa Bay's final 11 games of the 2020 regular season after Vita Vea fractured his ankle.

Nunez-Roches recorded 20 total tackles and three QB hits while playing 45 percent of the team’s defensive snaps this past campaign, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk.

Tampa Bay had already retained Brady, Gronkowski, wide receiver Chris Godwin, linebacker Lavonte David, star pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett and guard Aaron Stinnie. The Super Bowl champs are preparing for a repeat and could be even better during Brady's second full year with the organization.

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