The Bucs released Donovan Smith after eight seasons as the “Ironman Left Tackle.”

Tampa Bay released one of their best offensive linemen.

Over the past eight seasons, Donovan Smith has started 131 of a possible 137 games, postseason included, for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers will now be looking for a successor to their ironman left tackle in 2023.

During Smith’s career for the Bucs, he started 95% of his games.

“I want to thank Donovan for all that he has done for the Buccaneers on and off the field over the past eight seasons,” says Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht.

The Buccaneers drafted Smith out of Penn State with the second pick of the second round in 2015, making him the 34th selection overall. He stepped immediately into the starting lineup at left tackle and did not miss a single start over his first four seasons.

After being drafted in the second round, he became an immediate starter for the Bucs.

“He stepped in as our starter at left tackle in 2015 and his durability and dependability at one of the most important positions in football played a significant role in our offensive success during his time here,” says Licht.

Smith was a key contributor to some of the best offensive seasons in franchise history. The Buccaneers set a new single-season record for points scored every season from 2018 through 2021, peaking at 511 points in 2021.

He proved he was one of their best lineman they have had.

“He has given us eight solid seasons. He has also managed to stay healthy up until last season. I hate to see him go, particularly since our offensive line is terrible, but I guess this makes sense in the long run,” says a fan on NBCSports.

Smith’s 124 starts rank 10th in Buccaneer annals. The only offensive tackle in team history to start more games was Ring of Honor member Paul Gruber, with 183.