Ryan Jensen’s Worth To Bucs Franchise
February 1st, 2024
Realized his value to Bucs.
Bucs center Ryan Jensen considers himself a humble guy. Just a guy paid, and paid very well, to do a job.
Sadly for Jensen, he can’t do his (football) job any longer because he had his knee destroyed in the first week of training camp in July 2022.
Jensen played in one game since, the blowout home loss to the Cowboys in the wild card round last season, and he shouldn’t have been on the field. He didn’t play at all this year. It’s a good bet he won’t play again.
Jensen never considered himself anything more than a cog in a football machine. He’s paid to protect the quarterback, protect his teammates and make sure running backs don’t get tackled behind the line of scrimmage.
But he was actually much, much more than that. And in a podcast sitdown he did with Jessica Kleinschmidt of Awful Announcing, Jensen detailed the time he realized he was more than just a replaceable player with the Bucs.
Jensen and his business partner, former Bucs offensive lineman Garrett Gilkey, did this podcast with Awful Announcing even though neither has any connection to media. They both own a company that builds luxury homes. The firm, known as “GILK,” also devotes a percentage of its revenue to mental health causes. They appeared on “Short and to the Point” to promote mental health awareness.
In the pod, Jensen explained how he learned his value to the Bucs. And it happened in the immediate hours after his knee was decimated.
Jensen first referred to being in the “trainer’s room.” He later referred to the location as “the doctor’s office.” Whatever the room, he said the Bucs’ front office, including Team Glazer and Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, waited outside hoping to hear good news.
Instead, they learned devastating news.
Jensen detailed the moment when Kleinschmidt asked him why he’s not an “@sshole” off the field.
“(Laughs) one of the things that I actually found out when I got hurt was how kind of important I was to the organization, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” Jensen said. “For me, I’m kind of a lunch pail guy. Go to work. Do my thing. Go hit people and throw people on the ground.
“I didn’t fully understand my impact that I had on the organization through what I did as a football player. … I didn’t understand the full impact that I had from an organizational [standpoint] until I got hurt.”
Jensen described the scene as the point in his career where he was the most vulnerable.
“I come out of the trainer’s room,” Jensen said. “Can’t walk, I’m on crutches. I remember making eye contact with Jason Licht. The whole front office, ownership, was standing outside the doctor’s office waiting for me to come out, hoping for good news.
“I remember locking eyes with Jason — I’m getting emotional talking about it right now — and feeling the weight of me getting hurt. It all — that hit me. ‘This is a really devastating blow to the team.’ Gave [Licht] a big ol’ hug and went about my day to go get my MRIs done.”
Joe doesn’t think it is hyperbole to say the Bucs’ chances of postseason success were destroyed right along with Jensen’s knee at that moment.
It was the moment, Jensen confessed, that he first thought of himself as a special player.
“Garrett said [I’m] one of the best to ever do it,” Jensen began. “I don’t see myself that way. I just look at myself as a guy who would put everything on the line for the guys next to him and the team.”
The Bucs miss him. Whether it’s for his Pro Bowl talent, his attitude, his hustle, his tone-setting or all of the above, Jensen’s absence is still felt by the Bucs.
Who knows when or if that will ever be replaced?
February 1st, 2024 at 11:44 am
Maybe he returns as one of our O-line coaches this year ???
February 1st, 2024 at 11:50 am
A great center with a bad attitude towards the opposing defenses which I loved!
Sorry to say since Hainsey took over seems like a huge drop off at center play.
February 1st, 2024 at 11:56 am
Coach?
February 1st, 2024 at 11:56 am
I don’t understand why this hasn’t been addressed. They know Jensens not playing again.
February 1st, 2024 at 12:10 pm
Never seen a guy 2 years from an injury still traveling with the team and attending all the games. Speaks volume to his character.
February 1st, 2024 at 12:13 pm
Best Center that Tampa has ever had.
February 1st, 2024 at 12:14 pm
Make him an oline coach or assistant oline coach to the new hire.
February 1st, 2024 at 12:16 pm
From what Joe can tell, he doesn’t miss a practice either.
February 1st, 2024 at 12:17 pm
He said in the same pod that coaching isn’t for him. He’s making good coin in his home-building business. Would work a whole lot less too.
February 1st, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Most impactful play of Logan Hall’s miserable ‘career’….
February 1st, 2024 at 12:25 pm
I’m not sure if that kind or level of attitude can be taught, but I’m sure that someone who has never had it, can’t.
I would be thrilled to see him as our next O- line coach almost as much as I would be thrilled to see him back on the field at 100%
February 1st, 2024 at 12:30 pm
New assistant O-Line Coach in 2024?!
We got O-Line Coaching vacancies, he is one of the best Centers in football in his era (would’ve been at least if not for his career cut short), he loves the team and the Bucs and that showed last season and him being with the Team the entire year even tho he could’ve gone elsewhere, and it’s now more than clear what the Bucs organization thinks of this awesome dude 🤷♂️
Would love to see Ryan on our Bucs staff. But I’ll take Ryan Jensen in any capacity as a part of the Bucs Krewe and family!
February 1st, 2024 at 12:34 pm
allbuccedup … ‘I don’t understand why this hasn’t been addressed. They know Jensens not playing again.’
I’m sure you’re right (Jensen’s not playing again), but the Bucs hands are tied. Ryan’s CAP Hit this year is $6.0 mil and his Dead CAP is $16.6 mil. He’s already been paid the money due to him under his contract. But because of how the NFL treats long-term injuries, Bucs would be liable for a LOT more this year than the $6 mil CAP Hit we’ll be paying. We made the contract, we eat it if the player gets injured long-term & can’t play again. I think it’s stupid because you not only have to pay huge $$$ to someone who can’t help you, but you still have to pay someone to replace that player, so you get hit with a double-whammy.
February 1st, 2024 at 12:37 pm
Jensen is the only offensive lineman’s jersey that I own. The only one I’ll probably ever buy!
Dude was a stud. Still is in my book. Seeing him on the sidelines made me smile and thankful he signed with the Bucs. Wish his story didn’t end this way.
Just sucks 🙁
February 1st, 2024 at 12:41 pm
Unfortunately, the $13 or so million Jensen will make this year does nothing to make this team better.
That’s what concerns me…..How do we get better?…..I’m just not seeing it….
Signing Mike, Winfield, LVD, Mayfield and McLaughlin makes us the same…not better.
And we certainly don’t look to be better at HC.
February 1st, 2024 at 12:41 pm
Just watched the Panther’s Press Conference with Morgan and Canales.
I think Canales is going to be a fantastic HC and we just missed a huge opportunity.
I have a BAD feeling we’re in for some serious trouble over the coming years with these guys in the division.
Let’s hope Tepper f***s it up.
February 1st, 2024 at 12:45 pm
“Who knows when or if that will ever be replaced?”
Probably this year hopefully lol. Mauch has the Jensen look but we need a true C
February 1st, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Jensen was one of those players that knew how to get under an opposing player’s skin. He’d play to the “echo” of the whistle, and would sometimes pull some shenanigans that would get that player called for a personal foul.
Not to mention, he was a hell of a talent at center. I’m surprised the Ravens let him walk.
Hope he does well in life, if in fact his football career is over.
February 1st, 2024 at 12:54 pm
I watched that lil POS Tyrann Mathieu take that cheap shot on Baker Mayfield, in the last Saints game.
And then watched our ENTIRE OLINE just stand around, looking at their feet.
I knew, that despite having 3 talented linemen, we would never win a Championship with that bunch.
Jensen or Donovan Smith would have crushed Tyrann.
They would have hunted him down the rest of the game.
Tyrann wouldnt have taken that cheap shot, if Smith or Jensen were Bucs.
But He knew something I didnt, until that play.
Our Linemen are pu**ys.
That was an embarrassment to O linemen everywhere.
Disgraceful
Jason Licht was an O-linemen. He understands that.
I guarantee that he drafts or Signs a hardass Olinemen this offseason.
I had hoped it would be Mauch, but Ciest le Vie
February 1st, 2024 at 1:15 pm
@ DR
“I think it’s stupid because you not only have to pay huge $$$ to someone who can’t help you, but you still have to pay someone to replace that player, so you get hit with a double-whammy.”
Exactly. This is why we are stuck with Robert Hainsey at center. He is ranked towards the bottom of the league at his position but you can’t beat the price…
February 1st, 2024 at 1:18 pm
It was mentioned on a podcast recently that Ryan Jenson and AQ Shipley should return as the Bucs O-line coaches this season.
I doubt it will happen but it would be a decent coaching combo IMO.
February 1st, 2024 at 1:23 pm
Any contract with guaranteed money always has a risk of backfiring. That is the way it is for all players!
February 1st, 2024 at 2:07 pm
Comeback Player of the Year, 2024 (unless of course a reserve special teams guy dies during a game and is revived).
February 1st, 2024 at 2:38 pm
It would be one hell of a comeback story if Jensen were able to play in 2024…
That sounds highly unlikely though….
As it stands – the Bucs had to eat $26M against the salary cap for Jensen’s availability in only 1 game – an ugly playoff loss.
DR is right about the need for the NFL to adjust the way long term or permanently injured players are counted against the cap.
February 1st, 2024 at 2:53 pm
Allbuccedup Says
“I don’t understand why this hasn’t been addressed. They know Jensen’s not playing again.”
They have not addressed it publicly. They probably have plans they have not told us about. It’s the season of misdirection, so believe nothing you hear right now.
February 1st, 2024 at 2:54 pm
Going to miss Jensen. Hopefully we can land the best center in the draft somehow.
February 1st, 2024 at 2:57 pm
Hainsey is a smart player but he’s definitely the weakest link in our Oline. He’s terrible and he didn’t show any signs of improvement this season. He’s always getting pushed back into the Quarterback no matter if he’s run blocking or pass blocking. Our first round pick needs to be a center.
February 1st, 2024 at 2:59 pm
Maybe Jensen becomes an O-Line coach one day
February 1st, 2024 at 3:23 pm
Ryan Jensen is a dopey redneck bum. Cut him, Shaq, and Gage. Reconfigure some other contracts and resign Mayfield, Evans, David, and Winfield.
February 1st, 2024 at 3:48 pm
Nothing!
He is old and has not played in 2 seasons
February 1st, 2024 at 4:12 pm
THIS!
Speaks volumes.
As to everyone asking about cutting him- they have to wait until June or else we eat a lot of dead cap money.
February 1st, 2024 at 5:41 pm
Ugh don’t just post random thoughts that come into your head. So many people have spelled this out…it hurts us more to cut him than to keep him at this point. After June 1st if OTC is correct the Bucs can then save a little over a million dollars by cutting Jensen.
February 1st, 2024 at 5:58 pm
TomBucsFan Says: February 1st, 2024, at 12:13 pm
The best center that Tampa has ever had.
Best Centers in Bucs History
• Tony Mayberry<–
• Ryan Jensen
• Jeff Faine
• Randy Grimes
• Bruce Reimers
Honorable Mention: John Wade
February 1st, 2024 at 5:58 pm
TomBucsFan Says: February 1st, 2024, at 12:13 pm
The best centers that Tampa has ever had.
Best Centers in Bucs History
• Tony Mayberry<-
• Ryan Jensen
• Jeff Faine
• Randy Grimes
• Bruce Reimers
Honorable Mention: John Wade
February 1st, 2024 at 6:26 pm
Jensen’s 3yr-$36M contract extension seemed like a panic move to lure Brady back, at the time…& it showed that the FO did not believe Hainsey was ready to be the guy the C they drafted him to be.
I doubt Jensen sees the field ever again, which is a shame…Big Red had the dawg in him & that’s sorely lacking in the group we all witnessed in 2022/23 without him on the field.
February 1st, 2024 at 6:42 pm
He may come back and play joe doesn’t know that he wont
get it together !
February 1st, 2024 at 9:33 pm
This is about the organization and how they are impacting players.
Baker spoke of it. Brady landed here because of it. Dont get it twisted.
This is execution by a front office staff that is showing compassion, empathy, daring, and salesmanship. Licht, Spytek and team are some of the best.
We are fortunate Bucs fans. Look around the league. No front office is 100%.
All we can ask is to be competitive and maybe win a ring. Oh wait … check that one off. Hopefully other free agents hear of this and know this is a family.
Bravo Bucs! Bravo.
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:21 am
I’d like to see Hainsey at left guard. Get a true center with attitude at center, second year for Mauch at RG, Goedecke at RT, Wirfs at LT. Could be a solid line.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:43 am
Football games are won (and lost) at the line of scrimmage. The game has changed and evolved but this hasn’t.