Cody Mauch

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Buccaneers locked up their young interior lineman at a reasonable price point, landing what amounts to a fair deal that slightly favors Tampa Bay. Mauch's $1.9M AAV sits in the sweet spot for a developing guard who showed flashes of competence as a second-year player, though his production hasn't yet reached the level where this contract looks like a steal. At 25, he's entering his prime years with enough upside to justify the four-year commitment, and the $4.6M in guaranteed money provides Tampa Bay with flexibility to move on after two seasons if his development stagnates. The deal structure works well for both sides — Mauch gets security and a pay bump from his rookie contract, while the Bucs avoid the risk of him breaking out and commanding significantly more money in free agency. This C+ CVI reflects a competent front office move that addresses a key position without overpaying for potential, giving Tampa Bay a cost-controlled starter who could outperform this modest investment if he continues progressing.

Performance Analysis

Cody Mauch enters the 2026 season firmly in the below-average tier at guard, and with a performance grade of F through two games, there is essentially nothing in the early sample to suggest he is holding his own at this level. The current season stats are too thin to isolate a clear statistical strength, and that scarcity of data is itself a problem for a third-year player who should be establishing himself as a dependable presence in Tampa Bay's offensive line rotation. The glaring weakness right now is simply production — two games into the season with an F grade signals either significant ineffectiveness or limited opportunity, neither of which is acceptable for a second-round pick from 2023 who should be pushing toward a starting role. At $1.9M AAV on his rookie scale contract, the financial exposure is minimal, but the Buccaneers drafted him 48th overall with the expectation that he would develop into a legitimate starter, and that return on draft capital is not materializing. The mediaFraming around Mauch is tellingly quiet — no controversy, no acclaim, just the kind of anonymous profile that tends to follow depth linemen who haven't locked down a starting job — and that neutrality feels generous given the early-season struggles. With the regular season still 132 days away from its next milestone, there is time for Mauch to reshape this narrative in the preseason, but the ceiling as currently framed is a reliable rotation piece rather than a foundational building block.

Current Sentiment

Cody Mauch enters the 2026 season with a neutral media and fan perception profile typical of depth offensive linemen in the NFL. As a guard with three years of experience on a modest $1.9M annual contract, he occupies a functional but unspectacular roster role with the Buccaneers. The absence of recent news coverage suggests he operates as a solid contributor without generating either notable acclaim or significant controversy. His standing likely depends heavily on consistent performance in run-blocking and pass protection rather than marquee highlights or storylines. Barring injury or unexpected performance shifts, Mauch figures to maintain his current status as a reliable if unheralded member of Tampa Bay's offensive line rotation.