Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Donovan Smith could become an unrestricted free agent this month, but it seems like the Buccaneers are not going to allow that to happen.

According to Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay will place a franchise tag on Smith before the March 5 deadline. However, this does not necessarily mean that Smith will be playing out the 2019 campaign on a one-year deal, as the Bucs have been holding extension talks with Smith and could come to an agreement at a later date.

The two sides would have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal. If Smith ends up simply playing out the season on a franchise tag, he will make $14.1 million.

Smith, who played his collegiate football at Penn State University, was originally selected by the Buccaneers in the second round (34th pick overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft.

He was immediately cast as a starter during his rookie campaign, starting all 16 games at left tackle.

Since then, the 25-year-old has been a staple along Tampa Bay's offensive line, never missing a start.

The Bucs are coming off of a season in which they won just five games, marking their second straight 5-11 campaign.

The Buccaneers have not made the playoffs since 2007-08, which represents the second-longest active drought in the NFL. Only the Cleveland Browns, who have not qualified for the postseason since the 2002-03 campaign, have been out of the playoffs longer.

Tampa Bay fired Dirk Koetter as head coach at the conclusion of this past season and have since replaced him with Bruce Arians.