The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently in the process of making cuts to get down to their 53-man roster, and rookie tackle Benjamin Chukwuma is part of the bunch of players that could go either way.
Chukwuma had a big preseason after going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, adding on to an impressive training camp. With little football experience before making the jump to the NFL, the 24-year-old has been impressing the Buccaneers coaching staff with how quickly he’s been developing.
“[Chukwuma’s] a very strong individual, and he has a very good skill set and tools for the position, it’s just a matter of learning the game,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “And I think when he learns it, and he can learn, I think he’s going to be a very tough player, and a very good football player.”
“When he does it right, there’s nothing prettier to watch. So he’s just got to keep getting the reps and keep growing. And we feel like we have something to work with there.”
Chukwuma’s Story Shares Similarities With an All-Pro Tackle
Growing up in Nigeria, Chukwuma didn’t play football at any level until his final year of high school, focusing on soccer and basketball. After enrolling at Georgia State and not making it work on the basketball court, the 24-year-old decided to fully commit to football in 2023.
With a large, 6-foot-6, 310-pound frame, Chukwuma made his presence known in his final year of college. Heading into 2024, he had started just one game but played a huge role for the Panthers during his senior year, starting 11 games at tackle.
Having limited experience prior to the NFL hasn’t stopped other tackles from succeeding, with players like Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata using great athleticism and the ability to learn to turn into all-pro level contributors.
Mailata focused his time on rugby before moving on to the NFL, and has become one of the league’s premier protectors. Chukwuma is hoping to have a similar outcome, and seems to be heading down the right path to begin his career.
Success in the Preseason May Have Solidified a Roster Spot
Chukwuma began his time with the Buccaneers having to learn a new system, while continuing to learn how to properly play tackle at a high level. It seems that over time, with more experience, not only has his play improved, his confidence in himself has grown.
“Every game is a learning process,” Chukwuma said. “It’s just reassuring me, ‘yes, I can do it, yes, I can do it. Yes, I belong. Yes, I can go up against these top guys and perform the way I can perform.’”
The numbers back it up as well, with Chukwuma’s PFF blocking grades continuing to improve with each preseason game. Game one saw him finish with a 78.5 pass blocking grade, which improved to 79.1 in game two, and 87.2 in game three, which was the highest on the team.
With 126 snaps at left tackle and only six on the right side through the preseason, it seems that if Chukwuma makes the 53-man roster, he’ll be used as depth behind Tristan Wirfs.
Bowles and the rest of the organization have a tough decision to make, deciding whether or not Chukwuma’s potential is worth keeping around. The Buccaneers gave the rookie the highest signing bonus of all undrafted players, proving they see something in the 24-year-old.
“All I can do is do my part, do my work, and have faith in God and believe God will make something happen for me,” Chukwuma said.
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