After uncertainty in the 2024 campaign, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely cut $41 million wide receiver Sterling Shepard before the new season begins. According to Bleacher Report, they believe the Buccaneers will release the wideout despite re-signing him this offseason. The team had some question marks with the wide receiver unit since Chris Godwin was a trade candidate, but they found a way to extend him as well. However, the Buccaneers are getting older, and they know Godwin and Mike Evans won’t last for more than three seasons.
Luckily, they got Emeka Egbuka with the first-round pick this year and drafted Tez Johnson in the seventh round. With that, this makes Shepard expendable, especially when he only put 334 receiving yards and just one touchdown after 32 receptions. Many should expect Godwin to be ready for week one, and if that happens, it doesn’t leave much room for the Buccaneers to keep Shepard on the roster. Originally selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the former Oklahoma product spent most of his career with the New York Giants, recording 65 receptions for 683 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.
Shepard couldn’t stay healthy or be productive for the last two of his seasons with the Giants, so the Buccaneers snagged him in last year’s free agency to be the WR3 and reunite with Baker Mayfield in their college days. The wide receiver won’t garner the best interest, but he could be solid depth for these five teams.
Bleacher Report: Buccaneers Will Cut $41 Million Veteran Sterling Shepard – 5 Suitors Emerge
Potential Destinations
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys finally got some relief in their passing attack this offseason, trading for George Pickens to give the team two dynamic playmakers. However, they will need the depth for them to be successful. Jalen Tolbert is entering a crucial 2025 regular season since he’s in his contract year. Shepard could swoop in as a solid veteran to help keep the backend of this offensive unit afloat if they can’t extend Tolbert or find much from Jonathan Mingo.
Kansas City Chiefs
Meanwhile, the Chiefs need a wide receiver despite re-signing Marquise Brown this offseason. Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice will be explosive as long as they stay out of trouble. Brown is on for at least one more year, but they could use Shepard as a rotational weapon to help JuJu Smith-Schuster in the aerial attack.
Los Angeles Chargers
However, the Los Angeles Chargers are in dire need of a proven wide receiver. 2024 draft pick Ladd McConkey is the only one who has elite hands. Veteran Mike Williams could be cut before stepping on the field, and Tre Harris won’t be ready for full-time duties. Shepard could streamline this entire unit at least as a WR3.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have all the marbles in the basket to win the Super Bowl with this offense. After signing DeAndre Hopkins this free agency, he could bring some life to this unit, but he’s on the verge of retiring. The plan for Baltimore is to keep Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. However, the team has been struggling to find its consistent WR3, and that could be Shepard.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Meanwhile, the Steelers have yet to acquire a wide receiver to play alongside Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson. After losing George Pickens, they need a true WR1 to start the season, no matter if Aaron Rodgers comes to Pittsburgh. Shepard is not at least WR2, but he could add some more stability to this receiving corps.
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