Buccaneers Telling Teams TE O.J. Howard Is Not Available For Trade

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that one team who recently called the Buccaneers about TE O.J. Howard was told he’s not available.

Yesterday, Jenna Laine reported the Buccaneers have shifted their stance on Howard and now would consider trading him for a “substantial offer.”

Laine says she was told two weeks ago that he wasn’t available, echoing other reports.

The Patriots have come up as a potential trade partner for Howard, but it sounds like he’ll remain in Tampa Bay. 

Howard, 24, is a former first-round pick of the Buccaneers back in 2017. He signed a four-year, $11.094 million contract that included a $6.208 million signing bonus and he stands to make a base salary of $1.47 million for the 2019 season. 

Howard’s contract includes a fifth-year option for the team to consider in 2020.

In 2019, Howard has appeared in six games and caught 13 passes for 176 yards receiving and no touchdowns.

We’ll have more on Howard’s status ahead of the trade deadline as the news is available.