The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a busy opening week of free agency and they're back at it again in Week Two, this time landing much-needed depth for the offensive line. On Monday, the Buccaneers signed sixth-year offensive tackle Charlie Heck, most recently of the San Francisco 49ers, to a one-year contract.
Heck could step into the swing tackle role previously occupied by Justin Skule, who left in free agency last week to join the Minnesota Vikings. Skule started five games for the Buccaneers last year, four at right tackle and one at left tackle.
Heck has plenty of starting experience in the NFL. A fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft by the Houston Texans, he started 21 games over four seasons in Houston, including 13 at right tackle in 2021. He also opened the final two games of last season at left tackle for the 49ers, the first coming just five days after he signed with the team.
After finishing his first contract in Houston, Heck re-signed with the Texans in 2024 but was later released at the end of the preseason. He landed on the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad and was later promoted to the active roster, appearing in a total of seven games before being moved back to the practice squad. The 49ers signed Heck off of that unit to their active roster on December 25.
Heck played his college football at North Carolina. His father, Andy Heck, played 12 seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman and is currently the offensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Buccaneers are returning all five of their starters on the offensive line from last season after the re-signing of guard Ben Bredeson last week. Tampa Bay ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game and was the only team to finish in the top five in both rushing and passing offense in 2024.
View images of T Charlie Heck, the newest member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Houston Texans offensive tackle Charlie Heck (67) plays during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Houston Texans offensive lineman Charlie Heck (67) lines up for the snap during an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

Houston Texans offensive tackle Charlie Heck (67) blocks during an NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, Aug 21, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. Houston won 20-14. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Houston Texans offensive lineman Charlie Heck (67) wears a towel on this head on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)

Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Charlie Heck (67) stands on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)

Houston Texans offensive lineman Charlie Heck (67) during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

Houston Texans offensive lineman Charlie Heck (67) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

Houston Texans offensive tackle Charlie Heck (67) sets a block during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. Texans defeated the Jaguars 30-16. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Houston Texans offensive lineman Charlie Heck (67) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

Houston Texans offensive tackle Charlie Heck (67) readies to block during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. Texans defeated the Jaguars 30-16. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Houston Texans offensive lineman Charlie Heck (67) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

Houston Texans offensive lineman Charlie Heck (67) lines up for the snap during an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

Houston Texan lineman Charlie Heck (67) during the second half of an NFL football game with the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Houston Texans offensive lineman Charlie Heck (67) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the New York Jets , Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

Houston Texans offensive tackle Charlie Heck (67) plays during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Houston Texans offensive tackle Charlie Heck (67) prepares to block during an NFL preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)