Cade Otton Bio
Cade Otton is an American professional football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played college football for the Washington Huskies before being selected by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Otton has developed into a reliable receiving threat and key contributor for Tampa Bay’s offense through his first several professional seasons. He signed a three-year, $30 million contract extension with the Buccaneers in March 2026, securing his place with the organization long-term.
Early Life and Background
Cade Otton was born on April 15, 1999, in Tumwater, Washington. He attended Tumwater High School in his hometown, where he established himself as a versatile and dominant player at the high school level. As a senior, Otton earned The Olympian’s All-Area Football Player of the Year honors after recording 39 receptions for 733 yards with 13 touchdowns on offense. Defensively, he recorded 107 tackles and three sacks, showcasing his two-way ability.
His outstanding high school performance attracted attention from multiple college programs. Otton ultimately decided to continue his football career close to home, committing to play college football at the University of Washington. The decision to stay in Washington state would prove instrumental in his development as a player and set the foundation for his eventual professional career.
Path to the NFL
Otton began his college career at Washington in 2017, redshirting his freshman season to adjust to the college level and develop physically. The following year in 2018, he made an immediate impact, playing in all 14 games with 10 starts. He finished that season with 13 receptions for 174 yards and three touchdowns, demonstrating his potential as a reliable target in the passing game.
His sophomore season in 2019 saw him take on an expanded role, starting all 13 games. Otton recorded 32 receptions for 344 yards and two touchdowns, establishing himself as a consistent contributor in Washington’s offense. His junior season in 2020 was cut short due to a shortened COVID-affected season, but he still managed to start all four games and produce 18 receptions for 258 yards and three touchdowns. His performance earned him First-team All-Pac-12 honors, validating his status as one of the conference’s top tight ends.
Otton made a significant decision to return to Washington for his senior season in 2021 rather than enter the 2021 NFL Draft. The extra year of development allowed him to refine his skills and increase his draft stock. His college career demonstrated consistent growth and reliability, making him an attractive prospect for NFL teams seeking a complete tight end capable of contributing both as a receiver and blocker.
Cade Otton Career
Rookie Season (2022)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Cade Otton in the fourth round, 106th overall, in the 2022 NFL Draft. Joining a Buccaneers team coming off a Super Bowl championship, Otton entered a competitive roster with high expectations. Despite the challenge of earning playing time on a veteran-heavy team, he worked his way into a significant role as the season progressed.
Otton appeared in 16 games with 11 starts during his rookie season, finishing with 42 receptions for 391 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. One of the standout moments of his rookie year came in Week 9 when he caught the game-winning touchdown from legendary quarterback Tom Brady in a 16-13 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The clutch play demonstrated Otton’s ability to perform under pressure in crucial moments.
Second Season (2023)
Otton’s second professional season saw him take on an expanded role within the Buccaneers’ offense. Appearing in 17 games during the 2023 campaign, he finished with 47 receptions for 455 yards and four touchdowns. The increase in production reflected his growing comfort in the NFL and his developing chemistry with the quarterbacks. His reliability as a possession receiver made him a trusted target on third downs and in critical situations.
Third Season (2024)
The 2024 season represented a breakout year for Otton as he emerged as one of the Buccaneers’ most consistent receiving threats. Appearing in 14 games, he set career highs with 59 receptions for 600 receiving yards and four touchdowns. His 14-game production nearly matched his full 16-game rookie season, highlighting his efficiency and importance to the offense when on the field. The performance solidified his status as a building block for Tampa Bay’s future.
Driving Style and Strengths
Otton’s game is built around reliability and versatility at the tight end position. His 6-foot-5 frame provides an advantage in contested catch situations and red zone opportunities. He has developed a reputation for consistent hands and the ability to make difficult catches in traffic. His football intelligence allows him to read coverages effectively and find soft spots in zone defenses. Beyond receiving, he contributes as a willing blocker, making him a three-down option for the coaching staff.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his consistent production, Otton achieved several significant milestones during his time with the Buccaneers. The game-winning touchdown reception against the Los Angeles Rams during his rookie season remains one of the defining moments of his early career. In March 2026, he reached a major career milestone by signing a three-year, $30 million contract extension with Tampa Bay, securing his long-term future with the organization and recognizing his value to the team.
Cade Otton Career Wins
Through his first three NFL seasons, Otton has established himself as a productive and consistent receiving threat for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His career totals reflect steady improvement each season, with his reception and yardage numbers climbing as he took on a larger role in the offense.
NFL Statistics Highlights
Otton has compiled 148 receptions for 1,446 yards and 10 touchdowns across his first three NFL seasons. His rookie campaign featured 42 receptions for 391 yards and two touchdowns, including the memorable game-winning catch against the Rams. The 2023 season saw him increase his output to 47 receptions for 455 yards and four touchdowns. His 2024 season represented his best statistical year with 59 receptions for 600 yards and four touchdowns despite playing just 14 games. As of the 2025 season, his career totals stand at 207 receptions for 2,018 yards and 11 touchdowns.
College Achievements
Before his NFL career, Otton earned First-team All-Pac-12 honors during his junior season at Washington in 2020. He started all four games that season and recorded 18 receptions for 258 yards and three touchdowns. His college career totals included games started across multiple seasons, demonstrating the consistency that would translate to his professional career.
| Season | Team | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 42 | 391 | 2 | 16 |
| 2023 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 47 | 455 | 4 | 17 |
| 2024 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 59 | 600 | 4 | 14 |
Cade Otton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cade Otton comes from an athletic family with football connections. He is the nephew of former NFL quarterback Brad Otton, who played in the league and provided a family legacy in professional football. Having a family member with NFL experience likely influenced Cade’s path and provided guidance as he pursued his own professional football career.
Personal Life
Off the field, Otton married Sierra Snyder in 2021. He has a brother named Ryan Otton who also played college football at the University of Washington, following in Cade’s footsteps as a member of the Washington Huskies program. The Otton family continues to maintain their connection to Washington football with Ryan’s career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks an important chapter in Cade Otton’s career as he enters his fourth year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coming off his breakout 2024 campaign where he set career highs across multiple categories, Otton is positioned to take on an even larger role in the offense. His consistency and reliability have made him a trusted target, and the coaching staff increasingly relies on him in key situations.
With his new contract secured, Otton enters the season with financial security and organizational commitment from the Buccaneers. The three-year, $30 million extension demonstrates Tampa Bay’s belief in his value and their plans to feature him as a core piece of the offense moving forward. His combination of size, receiving ability, and football IQ makes him a matchup problem for opposing defenses.
The trajectory of Otton’s career shows a player who continues to improve and expand his impact each season. From his early days as a reliable rookie to his emergence as a primary receiving threat, he has demonstrated the work ethic and skill set necessary to succeed at the NFL level. The 2025 season offers him the opportunity to build on his momentum and establish himself as one of the league’s more consistent tight ends.