The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made significant moves in the first week of free agency and are continuing to strengthen their roster in Week Two, focusing on improving depth on the offensive line. On Monday, the Buccaneers signed sixth-year offensive tackle, most recently with the San Francisco 49ers, to a one-year contract.
He is expected to fill the swing tackle position, which was previously held by Justin Skule, who left in free agency last week to join the Minnesota Vikings. Skule started five games for Tampa Bay last season, playing four at right tackle and one at left tackle.
Heck brings considerable starting experience in the NFL. A fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft by the Houston Texans, he started 21 games over four seasons with Houston, including 13 at right tackle in 2021. He also started the last two games of the 2024 season at left tackle for the 49ers, the first of which came just five days after joining the team.
After completing his initial contract with Houston, Heck re-signed with the Texans for 2024 but was released at the end of the preseason. He then joined the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, was promoted to the active roster, and played in seven games before being moved back to the practice squad. The 49ers signed him off the practice squad on December 25.
Heck played college football at North Carolina, and his father, Andy Heck, had a 12-season NFL career as an offensive lineman and is currently the offensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Buccaneers are bringing back all five of their starting offensive linemen from last season, including guard Ben Bredeson, who re-signed last week. Tampa Bay ranked fourth in the NFL for rushing yards per game and was the only team to finish in the top five for both rushing and passing offense in 2024.
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