Tampa Bay Buccaneers News & Rumors

Buccaneers Sign OLB Randy Gregory

April 4th, 2024 at 10:27am CST by Sam Robinson

APRIL 4: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Gregory’s deal has a base value of $3MM, and it can be worth up to $5MM. Re-establishing himself as a starter with a healthy season would thus help not only Gregory’s 2025 free agent prospects but notably add to his career earnings.

APRIL 3: Randy Gregory will head to a third team in eight months. The Buccaneers are bringing in the veteran edge rusher, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz tweets.

The 49ers used Gregory as a rotational rusher last season, acquiring him from the Broncos before the deadline. The former Cowboys starter will turn 32 later this year. It is a one-year deal for Gregory, per Fox Sports’ Greg Auman. The Bucs have since announced the signing.

Seeking an edge rusher to replace Shaq Barrett, the Bucs are reuniting Gregory with ex-Cowboys assistant George Edwards. The two worked together in Dallas from 2020-21, when Edwards served as a senior defensive assistant. After his Cowboys exit, Edwards joined Todd Bowles‘ staff as outside linebackers coach in 2023. While the Seahawks (who employ ex-Cowboys D-line coach Aden Durde as DC) showed interest, Gregory will link up with another familiar face in Tampa.

Gregory’s market pales in comparison to where it was two years ago. The Broncos gave the former suspension mainstay a five-year, $70MM. While that would have represented good value — based on where the edge rusher market has gone in the 2020s — had Gregory stayed healthy. He did not, missing most of his first Denver season. Upon returning, Gregory fell out of favor with Sean Payton. The Broncos’ new HC was willing to take on almost all of Gregory’s 2023 salary balance to move on, doing so for only a late-round pick swap.

As the Broncos committed to using their younger OLBs, Gregory became a Nick Bosa supporting-caster alongside Chase Young and Clelin Ferrell. The 49ers have retooled on the edge, seeing all three players depart. Gregory stayed healthy last season, totaling 3.5 sacks between his Denver and San Francisco stays. Gregory did not start any games with the 49ers; he played 27 defensive snaps in Super Bowl LVIII.

Still better known for his Cowboys tenure, Gregory has flashed better form in the recent past. He commanded that 2022 offer — one the Broncos made and the Cowboys matched, only to see a contract clause torpedo the deal — Gregory registered six sacks and 17 QB hits in 2021. He did so despite missing five games due to injury. Gregory, who missed extensive time due to a knee injury in 2022, also totaled six sacks in 2018. A suspension knocked him out of the ’19 season.

The fact that Gregory is still playing in the NFL reflects positively on his commitment, as he incurred four substance-abuse suspensions in the 2010s, and the NFL changing its policy toward a more lenient stance on recreational drugs. While he has moved past this chapter of his career, the former second-round pick will need to show he can remain healthy.

Gregory will join a Bucs edge-rushing crew now spearheaded by younger talent, with Barrett — a vital part of the team’s Super Bowl LV-winning season and a former NFL sack king — becoming a cap casualty earlier this year. Barrett signed with the Dolphins soon after. The Bucs still roster Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, 2023 draftee YaYa Diaby and sixth-year rotational cog Anthony Nelson. Diaby, who moved into the starting lineup midway through last season in place of Tryon-Shoyinka, led the 2023 Bucs with 7.5 sacks. It still seems like the Bucs may add another piece on the edge — perhaps in the draft — but they will give Gregory a shot.

NFC Contract Details: Bucs, Mayfield, Eagles, Sweat, Parker, Rams, Garoppolo, Saints

April 3rd, 2024 at 5:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the details from some of the recently agreed-upon contracts around the NFC:

Baker Mayfield, QB (Buccaneers). Three years, $100MM. Of the $50MM in Mayfield guarantees, $40MM is fully guaranteed. The other $10MM will shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the 2025 league year. Mayfield can also earn $5MM per year via incentives, Fox Sports’ Greg Auman notes. Half of those are stat-based incentives. If Mayfield finishes in the top 10 in the NFL (or top five in the NFC) in passer rating, TD passes, yards, yards per attempt or completion percentage in any of the three years, he would earn $500K per category, Auman adds. The other $2.5MM per year comes through playoff incentives. Mayfield would earn $500K for a Bucs wild-card win, $750K for a divisional-round conquest and $500K for an NFC championship game win. If the Bucs are to win a Super Bowl with Mayfield at the helm, he would collect another $750K.
Darious Williams, CB (Rams). Three years, $22.5MM. Only $7MM of Williams’ $15MM guarantee is locked in at signing, per The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue. This contract’s key date will come on Day 5 of the 2025 league year, when the remaining $8MM will shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee. Barring injury, this effectively makes 2024 a “prove it” year for the now-two-time Rams CB.
Josh Sweat, DE (Eagles). One year, $10MM. The Eagles’ Sweat rework will bring $9.5MM guaranteed for the veteran defensive end, per OverTheCap. Philly used four void years to spread out the cap hit, which sits at $8.1MM for 2024. If Sweat signs elsewhere before this contract’s March 2025 expiration, the Eagles will be tagged with $16.4MM in dead money.
Cedrick Wilson, WR (Saints). Two years, $5.75MM. The Saints are guaranteeing Wilson $2.85MM, ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell notes. The second-generation NFL wideout will be due a $200K roster bonus in 2025; none of Wilson’s ’25 salary ($2.7MM) is guaranteed.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB (Rams). One year, $3.18MM. Previously reported as including $4.5MM in base value, the Rams’ Garoppolo contract (via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe) contains $3.18MM in base pay.
Ben Bredeson, G (Buccaneers). One year, $3MM. Bredeson’s Bucs pact includes $1.75MM guaranteed, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan tweets.
DeVante Parker, WR (Eagles). One year, $1.21MM. The Patriots are paying most of Parker’s deal, with $3.19MM guaranteed remaining on his 2023 extension. The Eagles are not guaranteeing the former first-rounder anything, Volin tweets. The Pats will receive a $1.98MM cap credit if Parker plays the whole 2024 season.

Draft Notes: Barton, ’30’ Visits, Wilson

April 1st, 2024 at 12:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

The 2024 tackle class has drawn rave reviews in the lead-in to this month’s draft, but Graham Barton is among those expected to play on the inside upon entering the NFL. The Duke product has nevertheless helped his draft stock recently.

Barton was already gaining steam as a rising prospect before his Pro Day, as noted by ESPN’s Jordan Reid. He battled injuries during the 2023 season and was forced to miss the Senior Bowl as a result, but the two-time All-American managed to take part in the Blue Devils’ Pro Day last week. Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda reports Barton’s performance was highly impressive, and it secured his status as a Day 1 prospect.

Following up on the strong workout, Reid notes Barton could now work his way into the top 15 come draft night. Many NFL teams view the first-team All-ACC selection as a center, but he could also see time at guard at the pro level. Wherever he lines up as a rookie, Barton will face high expectations and no doubt draw the attention of many teams near the top of the order in need of reinforcements up front.

Here are some other draft-related notes from around the NFL:

Missouri’s Darius Robinson has also seen his stock rise in the wake of the Senior Bowl, and NFL teams are keeping an eye on him. The Steelers recently hosted him on a ’30’ visit, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He adds Robinson has 20 meetings with teams on the books, making him one of several potential first-rounders who will remain busy as the draft approaches. O-lineman Taliese Fuaga is among the prospects who also met with the Steelers, as noted by Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Staying in Pennsylvania, the Eagles hosted Laiatu Latu on a ’30’ visit, Geoff Mosher of Inside the Birds reports. The UCLA product is one of the best edge rushers in the 2024 class, having earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023. His college resume includes a medical retirement, however, so there will be risk involved in selecting him. Philadelphia and all other prospective suitors will no doubt have a vested interest in Latu’s medical examinations. The Eagles traded Haason Reddick to the Jets, creating the need for a new investment along the edge.
The inside linebacker class is not believed to have a Day 1 prospect, but Edgerrin Cooper is among the top options teams will have to choose from. The Texas A&M product had a strong Pro Day showing, and he has a number of ’30’ visits lined up. Per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the list of interested teams includes the Texans, Eagles, Cowboys, Panthers, Chargers and Buccaneers. Cooper was a consensus All-American in 2023 after racking up 84 tackles (including 17 for loss), eight sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
Pittsburgh, Dallas, Carolina and Tampa Bay are among the teams also set to host Western Kentucky wideout Malachi Corley, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes. Garafolo adds the Browns, Ravens, Seahawks and 49ers have also booked a visit with the small school standout. Corley is a member of a very deep receiver class, but his 180 catches, 2,279 yards and 22 touchdowns over the past two seasons along with a strong pre-draft process has put him firmly on the draft radar.
Marshawn Kneeland has also drawn considerable pre-draft attention. The Western Michigan defensive end has either already met with (or plans to visit) the Eagles along with the Chiefs, Saints, Jaguars, Jets, Vikings, Colts and Commanders, per Pauline. Kneeland spent four years with the MAC program, totaling 12.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss while establishing himself as a power rusher and strong run defender.
While a number of prospects have helped their stock recently, the opposite is of course true of others. Michigan receiver Roman Wilson appears to have fallen into the latter category, per ESPN’s Matt Miller. He notes Wilson is in danger of falling to the late second round or early in the third, something which could become increasingly possible if a run on the draft’s other pass-catchers takes place. Wilson averaged 16.4 yards per catch and scored 12 touchdowns on a run-heavy Wolverines offense last season, but his size (6-0, 180) and mediocre statistics from his three other campaigns could make him less appealing than other WR options.

NFC South Coaching Updates: Marrone, Cooley, Peelle

March 22nd, 2024 at 9:20pm CST by Ely Allen

New Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien is set to take yet another NFL coach onto his new staff. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, former Saints offensive line coach and former NFL head coach Doug Marrone is set to join O’Brien’s staff.

Marrone joins former Patriots tight ends coach Will Lawing at Boston College. Lawing left New England’s NFL team for his first offensive coordinator opportunity at the collegiate level. Both Lawing and Marrone worked under O’Brien at Alabama in 2021.

Bringing his experience as a head coach at Syracuse and for the Bills and Jaguars, Marrone will serve in the role of senior analyst for football strategy/research.

Here are a few other coaching updates from around the NFC South:

The Panthers have granted a promotion to secondary and cornerbacks coach Jonathan Cooley. After one year with the team, Cooley was part of a defensive staff under coordinator Ejiro Evero that was completely retained under new head coach Dave Canales. In his second season with the team, Carolina has made Cooley their defensive passing game coordinator, per Joe Person of The Athletic.
This week, the Buccaneers announced the hire of Justin Peelle as their new tight ends coach. Formerly the tight ends coach of the Falcons, Peelle was not retained after the firing of Arthur Smith and will cross the division to join Liam Coen‘s offensive staff in Tampa Bay. Peelle, a former NFL tight end himself, has had plenty of success during his coaching career, mentoring players like Zach Ertz in Philadelphia and Kyle Pitts in Atlanta. In Tampa Bay, he’ll inherit a position group that features Cade Otton.

Buccaneers Re-Sign LS Zach Triner

March 22nd, 2024 at 1:19pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Buccaneers have a new special teams coordinator for 2024, but the team’s kicking operation will have continuity. The team announced on Friday that long snapper Zach Triner has re-signed on a one-year deal.

Triner has been in place with Tampa Bay since 2019, playing a full season all but once during his five-year tenure with the organization. He was limited to nine contests in 2021 due to a finger injury, but he has been healthy and consistent since then. Coming off a two-year, $2.35MM deal, Triner could have headed elsewhere in free agency, but instead he has elected to remain with the team he has seen his only NFL action with.

The former UDFA spent time with the Jets and Packers before joining the Bucs on a futures deal. He took over from Garrison Sanborn after the latter’s contract expired, leading to this successful ongoing tenure in Tampa Bay. Triner was a member of the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl winning team and he has amassed 10 career special teams tackles (including three stops last season).

The 33-year-old will be working under special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey after he was hired to take the place of the retired Keith Armstrong. The former will have the same three players at the long snapper, punter and kicker positions to work with as the latter did in 2023, though. Triner, Jake Camarda and Chase McLaughlin are on the books for at least one more year; McLaughlin inked a three-year pact earlier this offseason after his succesful debut campaign in Tampa.

2023 saw the Buccaneers post an 18th-place finish in special teams DVOA. McGaughey will aim to guide the team to an improvement in that regard this season, and Triner will play a small role in that effort for a sixth season in his current home. Tampa Bay also has long snapper Evan Deckers on the books due to the futures contract he signed in January, but his path to playing time in Tampa Bay has been narrowed.

NFC South Notes: Cousins, Falcons, Ramczyk, Saints, Davis, Evans, Panthers

March 20th, 2024 at 3:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Falcons are under investigation for tampering during their Kirk Cousins pursuit. Cousins said during his Falcons intro presser he spoke with the team’s trainer ahead of his official signing, which would be a violation. Cousins may well have revealed another tampering violation, indicating (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio) he offered to call Darnell Mooney to help close the Falcons’ pitch to the former Bears wide receiver. Mooney committed to the Falcons on Day 2 of the tampering period. With Cousins’ deal not yet official at that point, such recruitment on behalf of the team would be a violation as well.

None of this will result in the Falcons losing Cousins, but a fine and/or a draft choice being stripped would be in play if the team is found to have violated the tampering policy (albeit during a stretch referred to as the legal tampering period). Given the multiple issues here, the Falcons certainly run the risk of being punished.

Here is the latest from the NFC South:

In a division with two of the league’s restructure mavens, the Panthers are hoping to avoid such moves under new GM Dan Morgan. The former Carolina assistant GM said (via The Athletic’s Joe Person) he will aim to avoid kicking the can down the road in the form of restructures. Teams have turned to restructures more in the 2020s, as the larger cap spikes have helped clubs manage the bigger cap hits down the road, but both the Buccaneers and Saints have needed to take some medicine at points this decade due to restructures.
Having said that, the Panthers did reach a restructure agreement with Shaq Thompson to both create cap space and retain their longest-tenured player. This will reduce the 10th-year linebacker’s base salary to $3.1MM and clear around $3MM in cap space, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Headed into his age-30 season, Thompson is coming off a two-game campaign halted by a fractured fibula. He is now on the Panthers’ cap sheet at $3.19MM.
Ryan Ramczyk finished last season on IR due to a knee injury that he admitted bothered him for nearly the entire season. A cartilage defect in his knee also brought some ominous comments from the standout right tackle, but he is on track to play an eighth season with the Saints. Ramczyk underwent what Dennis Allen (via NOLA.com’s Matthew Paras) labeled a minor knee procedure; he is expected to be ready for training camp. Additionally, Ramczyk agreed to a reworked contract that guarantees him $6.5MM this season, ESPN’s Field Yates tweets. Ramcyzk’s 2021 extension previously had no guarantees left, but it called for a $27MM 2024 cap number. This reworking brought that down to $12.9MM, and NewOrleans.football’s Mike Triplett refers to it as a significant pay cut. Ramczyk is signed through 2026, but no guarantees are due beyond 2024.
The Saints also brought James Hurst‘s cap number down from $6.5MM to $2.9MM, NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill tweets. Two void years are present in Hurst’s deal, but the veteran O-lineman, who has been needed to start over the past three seasons, is due for free agency in 2025.
New Orleans’ latest Demario Davis contract (two years, $17.25MM) will bring $13.25MM in guarantees, ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell tweets. The team is guaranteeing $2.5MM of Davis’ $6.5MM 2025 base salary, with Terrell adding a $1.75MM roster bonus will be due next year. That roster bonus will be key in determining if Davis plays the 2025 season in New Orleans; the new deal dropped Davis’ 2024 cap hit from $18.1MM to $6.2MM.
Not quite as prolific as the Saints on the restructure front, the Buccaneers have been aggressive here since the Tom Brady signing. Tampa Bay has already restructured Mike Evans‘ deal, per MLFootball, with his $21.8MM roster bonus into a signing bonus. This freed up $17.4MM in cap space, which the Bucs put to good use as they re-signed Baker Mayfield and Lavonte David following the application of Antoine Winfield Jr.‘s franchise tag.
The Panthers‘ Dane Jackson contract is for two years and worth $8.5MM in base value, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. While this NFL period has featured Carolina-to-Buffalo moves, the veteran cornerback will make the reverse trip and do so for $5.12MM guaranteed. The guarantees cover $1MM of Jackson’s 2025 base salary ($3.74MM).

Buccaneers To Sign CB Tavierre Thomas

March 18th, 2024 at 3:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Buccaneers created a vacancy at the cornerback spot by trading away Carlton Davis, but the team has made a few moves aimed at adding replacement options. That has included a deal with Tavierre Thomas.

The latter has agreed to terms on a deal with the Bucs, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. This will be a one-year agreement, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Thomas was on the Buccaneers’ radar last offseason, and that remained in the case in 2024. The 28-year-old recently visited the team, as noted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Thomas played sparingly on defense during his three-year run with the Browns to begin his career. He had been in Houston since 2021, though, and the Texans provided him with a much larger workload. The former UDFA started 19 games over the past three years logging snap shares between 56%-60% along the way. He will compete for playing time in the slot with Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers dealt Davis to the Lions, a team known to be in the CB market. Tampa Bay also brought in Bryce Hall last week, though, and he will provide another depth option in the secondary. The team used undrafted rookie Christian Izien in the slot last year, and he impressed in that role. Thomas (who posted posted 178 tackles and five forced fumbles with the Texans) could see time on the inside, or at a minimum he will be in line for special teams duty.

A Detroit native, Thomas visited the Lions prior to this Bucs agreement, per Wilson. Instead of joining his hometown team, he has elected to head to the NFC South champions for 2024. Tampa Bay has retained a long list of incumbents on both sides of the ball, and the secondary will also have a new but familiar face in the form of safety Jordan Whitehead. Thomas will join that unit and attempt to establish himself as a full-time starter along the way.

Buccaneers To Re-Sign QB John Wolford; Team To Add OL Sua Opeta

March 15th, 2024 at 3:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Amid an offseason that has featured nearly the level of roster retention their 2021 blueprint brought, the Buccaneers will keep a lower-profile player. GM Jason Licht confirmed the team is re-signing QB John Wolford.

The Bucs are also re-signing O-lineman Justin Skule and bringing in ex-Eagles swingman Sua Opeta, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine and SI.com’s Curtis Allen. Both the O-linemen will be attached to one-year contracts, with Laine adding Wolford is also rejoining the team on a one-year agreement.

One season remains on Kyle Trask‘s rookie contract, with Wolford, 28, back in place to be the team’s third-string quarterback. The Rams showed interest in bringing Wolford back to Los Angeles, following Matthew Stafford‘s thumb injury last year, as did ex-Rams OC Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota. But Wolford preferred to stay in Tampa; the Bucs then promoted him to the active roster.

The 2024 campaign will be Wolford’s sixth NFL season. The former Alliance of American Football arm may be an even better with the Bucs in 2024, with ex-Rams OC Liam Coen stepping in as the play-caller.

The Bucs already signed Ben Bredeson, a 16-game Giants starter last season. Opeta spent the past four seasons with the Eagles and started six games in 2023. The former UDFA has experience at both guard and tackle, giving him an onramp to a swing role. The Bucs, however, have not re-signed Matt Feiler; Aaron Stinnie, a longtime backup who started 11 games last season, has committed to the Giants. Skule played in 17 games as a backup last season.

Buccaneers To Sign OL Ben Bredeson, CB Bryce Hall

March 15th, 2024 at 12:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Two former New York residents are heading to Tampa to compete for Buccaneers jobs. The Bucs are signing offensive lineman Ben Bredeson and cornerback Bryce Hall, according to Pewter Report and Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, respectively.

Bredeson spent last season as a full-time Giants starter at guard, while Hall is a former Jets starter who also played out his rookie contract in New York. Bredeson is joining the Bucs on a one-year deal worth up to $3.5MM, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo.

Amid an injury-ravaged season on the offensive line, the Giants relied on Bredeson as a 16-game starter. The Giants put Bredeson — a 2020 Ravens draftee acquired in a trade a year later — in competition for guard and center spots last summer. As expected, second-round pick John Michael Schmitz won the center job. But Bredeson was in place at guard as turnover occurred across Big Blue’s front.

As could be expected on a line that gave up the second-most sacks (83) since the league began charting them in the early 1960s, Bredson graded poorly in 2023. Pro Football Focus viewed the Michigan alum as one of the NFL’s worst guard regulars last season. He has 25 starts on his resume, however. The Bucs have not re-signed guards Matt Feiler or Aaron Stinnie — during an offseason that featured higher-priority player-retention tasks — opening the door for Bredeson to compete for a starting job or settle in as a swing backup.

The Jets chose Hall in the 2020 fifth round and used him as a starter in 26 games. Twenty-four of those came over Hall’s first two years, as the Jets refrained from investing in corners. That changed in 2022, via the D.J. Reed signing and Sauce Gardner draft pick, relegating Hall to a bench role. Hall did return a fumble for a touchdown last season but only played 138 defensive snaps.

The Bucs traded Carlton Davis to the Lions this week. While Hall could conceivably be thrown into a competition to replace the veteran cover man, it seems likely the Bucs will bring in a higher-profile option as the favorite to start opposite Jamel Dean.

Eagles To Sign LB Devin White

March 14th, 2024 at 6:54pm CST by Ben Levine

As expected, Devin White won’t be returning to the Buccaneers in 2024, but the linebacker will be sticking in the NFC. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, White is signing with the Eagles.

It’s a one-year deal for the linebacker, according to Schefter. The contract has a max value of $7.5MM.

The former first-round pick had a productive first four seasons in Tampa Bay. After forcing three fumbles and scoring two touchdowns as a rookie, White followed that up with three-straight seasons of 120-plus tackles. He earned a second-team All-Pro nod in 2020 after compiling nine sacks, and he added 38 tackles in three playoff games en route to a Super Bowl championship. That Super Bowl win also featured a crucial pick-six on Patrick Mahomes.

White made a Pro Bowl after finishing with a career-high 18 QB hits in 2021, and he added another 124 tackles and 5.5 sacks to his resume in 2022.

Set to play the 2023 campaign on his fifth-year option, the former fifth-overall pick sought out a massive extension last offseason. A deal didn’t materialize, and White ended up requesting a trade from the organization. Little interest was shown around the league, and White ultimately played out the 2023 campaign on his expiring contract.

The linebacker did little to increase league-wide interest with his play. He ended up splitting snaps with K.J. Britt down the stretch, and he didn’t start either of the team’s two playoff games. White finished the campaign with a career-low 83 tackles, with Pro Football Focus ranking him as the league’s third-worst linebacker in 2023.

White should have an opportunity to bounce back in Philadelphia. The team only returns a pair of inside linebackers in Nakobe Dean and Ben VanSumeren, so White should be in line for a significant role in 2024.

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