Greg Gaines

Career StatsF

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		108	14.5	186	25
2025		17	2.0	23	4.5
2024		15	1.0	17	3
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Greg Gaines' one-year, $3.5M deal with Tampa Bay represents a slight overpay for what amounts to depth piece production, earning a C- CVI that reflects the Buccaneers paying above-market rate for rotational interior line help. While $3.5M AAV isn't franchise-altering money, it's elevated compensation for a player who projects as a solid backup rather than an impact starter, particularly when considering the $2.2M in guaranteed money that limits Tampa Bay's flexibility. The 28-year-old defensive tackle brings veteran experience and gap-plugging ability, but his production ceiling appears firmly established as a complementary piece rather than a difference-maker along the defensive front. The short-term structure does provide the Bucs with an easy exit after 2024 if Gaines fails to justify the investment, though the guaranteed portion still represents meaningful risk for depth-level output. This signing feels like Tampa Bay prioritizing familiarity and reliability over value optimization, paying a premium for a known commodity in their defensive rotation.

Performance Analysis

Greg Gaines earns an F grade as a veteran defensive tackle whose production has declined since leaving the Rams for Tampa Bay. His 14.5 career sacks and 186 tackles across 108 games over seven seasons show a player who was a useful rotational piece in Los Angeles but has not been as effective as a primary contributor. The 25 tackles for loss demonstrate some interior disruption ability, though the numbers have thinned out as he has moved further from his best years. Gaines played all 17 games in 2025 for the Bucs, showing durability, but the F grade indicates his on-field impact has fallen below replacement level. He is a veteran presence on a young Tampa Bay defensive line, but the production no longer justifies a significant role.