Bucs pick up 5th-year option for defensive tackle Calijah Kancey

The only question the Bucs have about Calijah Kancey is whether he can stay on the field. They're willing to spend $14.9 million to find out.

Despite missing 22 games in three seasons, the Bucs on Monday picked up the fifth-year option on their first-round pick out of Pittsburgh in 2023.

Kancey, 25, tore his pectoral muscle in a Week 2 win at Houston and missed most of last season. He finally had appeared to solve the recurring calf injuries that plagued him his first two NFL seasons.

"Honestly, before the injury, man, I just know I was about to hoop (play great)," Kancey said last week. "I knew I was about to hoop. But hey, man, everybody's time is different."

When heathy, Kancey has been a big part of the Bucs defense. In his first two seasons, he recorded 11.5 sacks, including a team-leading 7.5 in 2024. He also had 29 quarterback hits and 21 tackles for loss in that two-year span.

In fact, Kancey was only one of two players in the NFL in 2024 to record a quarterback hit in 10-plus consecutive games, joining the Texans' Danielle Hunter. As a rookie in 2023, Kancey earned NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month in November. He finished that campaign tied for second among all rookies with 10 tackles for loss.

The decision to pick up Kancey's fifth-year option was somewhat procedural but came with a steep, fully guaranteed one-year contract. Last week, running back Sean Tucker also signed his one-year, $3.52 million tender as a restricted free agent.

Despite his pectoral injury, Kancey battled back last season to play in the regular-season finale at Carolina. He played 28 snaps and registered one quarterback hit. But it was more symbolic of his desire to be with his teammates.

"It was great. Football is all I know," said Kancey, "it's all I've been taught. I've been playing football since I was 4 years old, so whether it's an injury or if I can return or I can't, I'm going to do whatever to try and get back on the field. That was my whole goal.

"Just being able to put on my helmet and go out there and ball with my brothers, whether we got the win or not, I just wanted to show them I'm here for y'all. I eat, sleep, everything. I live football (and it) lives through me. That was just me showing my love for them and how much they mean to me."

Kancey has more modest goals in mind for this season.

"My main goal is to play every game," he said. "That's my main goal. There's no stats, no nothing at all. Just be ready to play every game."

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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 5:15 PM.