Former Atlanta Falcons starting center Joe Hawley signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday.

Terms weren't disclosed, but Hawley earlier told ESPN that he was signing a two-year contract.

The Buccaneers waived guard/center Eric Kush to fit Hawley on their 53-man roster.

The Falcons released Hawley last week after claiming center Gino Gradkowski off waivers from the Denver Broncos.

Joe Hawley is expected to continue his NFL career in the NFC South by joining the Bucs after being released by the Falcons last week. AP Photo/John Bazemore

First-year Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter held the same position with the Falcons from 2012-14 and is familiar with Hawley.

A 2010 fourth-round draft pick out of UNLV, Hawley had been penciled in as the Falcons' starter coming off major knee surgery. He played in four games last season before tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee at Minnesota.

He continued to experience soreness in the knee this preseason.

Evan Smith is atop the Buccaneers' depth chart at center, with Jeremiah Warren listed as his backup.

ESPN's Vaughn McClure and Adam Caplan contributed to this report.