The Case For Ben Bredeson
February 14th, 2025
Bucs LG Ben Bredeson.
Joe doesn’t get this, someone help Joe out.
What’s the problem with Ben Bredeson? The Bucs’ left guard was a starter on one of the NFL’s best offensive lines. The Bucs finished third in passing and fourth in rushing.
Still, Joe sees from time to time Bucs fans looking for a replacement.
Why?
If he was so bad, how could the Bucs have had one of the best offenses in the game?
Over at Yahoo!, NFL columnist Frank Schwab took at a look at the Bucs’ main free agents.
Key free agents
WR Chris Godwin
LB Lavonte David
OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
G Ben BredesonWho’s in/out: The decisions on Godwin and David will be interesting. They’re franchise legends, but David is 35 years old and Godwin is coming off a major leg injury. Tryon-Shoyinka and Bredeson are starters, and it will be interesting to see how the Buccaneers prioritize them.
Joe will get this out of the way: Joe would be very, very surprised if Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is back. Partly because the Bucs are done with him but mostly his agent likely wants JTS to go somewhere that he thinks JTS will be developed and not have to worry about covering Adam Thielen.
Bredeson? Joe has no idea why they would let him walk, unless a team swooped in and dropped an insane amount of cash in his lap.
Joe does not believe in fixing something not broken. The offensive line is not broken, not even close.
And remember, Bredeson played just to the left of a rookie center who hadn’t played the position in three years. Who knows how many times Michigan Man Bredeson bailed out Graham Barton.
Shoot, the stat aggregator Football Insights had the Bucs as the second-best pass-blocking line in the game. You can’t tell Joe that Bredeson is a stiff.
So long as Bredeson doesn’t get some crazy offer from another team, Joe sees no reason for the Bucs to want to disrupt one of the best offensive lines in the game.
Like any in-house free agent, Bredeson can re-sign at any moment, long before he hits the market next month.
February 14th, 2025 at 4:03 am
Agreed on Bredeson, made a similar case on another post re: Hainsey. Obv depends on his market, but even if he loses out at LG to Klein, he still offers solid depth at both C & G. Appears to like Tampa & the OL room, seems like a no-brainer re-sign at a reasonable price. He’s only turning 27 next week too, so a 2-3 year deal wouldn’t be out the the question either imo.
February 14th, 2025 at 4:30 am
He is the weakest link, but good enough imo.
Saw a mock draft the other day that had us taking IOL in the first. That ‘analyst’ is clueless. smh
February 14th, 2025 at 4:34 am
He is a veteran and has experienced enough in the league to pass on some of his knowledge. I do remember Tristan repeating some imfo during a game from Bredison quoted in one of Joe’s articles. That tells me there is some trust and
communication and that is a good thing.
February 14th, 2025 at 4:40 am
Because fans view him as the worst on the line and always want to upgrade. I didn’t think he was that bad. Honestly the entire line is the least of my worries. I’ll be happy if we resign him. I’m not worried either way.
February 14th, 2025 at 4:53 am
I have to agree.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
It was great watching the O-line open up holes for Bucky, Rachaad and Sean to run through. Hadn’t seen our O-line do that in a long time.
February 14th, 2025 at 5:20 am
Swab considers JTS a “main” FA? Not Hainsey, Or Nelson?
Has he watched any Bucs games?
Now about Bredeson. The dude exceeded this fans expectations by a mile. Makes me wonder what Opeta might have done since he was the “front runner” prior to getting hurt. Just sayin. Do we consider bringing him back? To compete? As depth? Klien good enough for the same considerations? All good (cheap) problems to have me thinks.
Drafting or hitting free agency? Why? Pay the man! He earned it!
We got tons of more pressing needs folks. Last year we did need a LG desperately …We got one. Thanks Jason.
Go Bucs!
February 14th, 2025 at 5:42 am
Agree with the consensus here. “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” as far as Bredeson.
As regards JTS…
“his agent likely wants JTS to go somewhere that he thinks JTS will be developed and not have to worry about covering Adam Thielen.”
Does his agent therefore wish JTS to go to a 4-3 Defense where he can play with his hand in the dirt? The Bucs have him listed as an OLB. OLB is difficult to play because of the hybrid skills required. Yes there is hope for an edge rush. Shaq got 19.5 sacks from the OLB spot in the SB year!
But in a 3-4…Not only is the OLB responsible for outside containment and blitzing the QB, but they also have to perform pass coverage in the flats – sometimes called a drop. Outside linebackers pass coverages covers quick slants outside, in curls in the flats.
What is with the gripping about asking guys to play their position. As far as VV in coverage that’s obviously thinking outside the box. VV was a star RUNNING BACK in high school, he has a unique skill set!
So let me get this straight. We do not wish to have Todd Bowles think “outside of the box” or be creative or pioneering in any way?
I get if some of you are simply arguing that a 4-3 is a better D than a 3-4 but you need to get over seeing OLB’s in coverage it’s part of their job!
February 14th, 2025 at 5:49 am
The biggest thing you hear in regards to OL is continuity. It takes time to build that trust. Is Bredeson an all-pro? No. But you will never have all-pros across the line. 5 guys who are capable and know exactly what the guy next to them will do? Invaluable.
February 14th, 2025 at 5:55 am
This is a no-brainer: re-sign Bredeson. Bucs finally have a quality Top-5 OLine that’s proven itself to be very good at BOTH run-blocking AND pass-blocking. Pay the man & let’s focus on fixing other problems that really do need fixing.
BTW, Wirfs new contract (5 years) has him making a tad over $28 mil per year. The REST of our starting OLine (Bredeson, Barton, Mauch & Goedeke) made a tad over $14 mil TOGETHER last year. Our backups (Hainsey, Skule, Opeta, Klein & Newman) cost $6 mil more … TOTAL.
The first 3 (Hainsey, Skule & Opeta) are also UFAs in a couple of weeks. Re-signing Bredeson plus those 3 OLinemen shouldn’t be cost-prohibitive and should be a priority. They’ve developed excellent chemistry as a group and being together for 1-2 more years with the same OLine coach & QB can only help that improve even more.
February 14th, 2025 at 6:06 am
Bredeson is the weakest link on the o line. The tape don’t lie. And the Bucs ran well due to Coen the Great’s scheme. Expect a huge step back without the genius of Coen calling the plays. The Clueless Todd’s look like an 6-8 win team .
February 14th, 2025 at 6:20 am
St Pete … ‘I get if some of you are simply arguing that a 4-3 is a better D than a 3-4 but you need to get over seeing OLB’s in coverage it’s part of their job!’
I LOVE that whole discussion that you brought St Pete about JTS & OLB responsibilities. It’s not just Todd Bowles’ version of the 3-4; OLBs have ‘some’ coverage responsibilities in every 3-4 scheme from what I’ve read elsewhere. Todd may take that to a whole new level (I’m not sure), but his 3-4 isn’t unique in assigning OLBs some of that responsibility.
Your discussion about those OLB responsibilities in his defense is spot-on …
‘Not only is the OLB responsible for outside containment and blitzing the QB, but they also have to perform pass coverage in the flats – sometimes called a drop. Outside linebackers pass coverages covers quick slants outside, in curls in the flats.’
Look back through last year’s schedule, and HALF (9) of the games we played featured very mobile QBs. Containment is critical in games like that, because if the QB breaks contain you’re probably looking at a very big play. Since that’s the OLBs’ Job#1 in Todd’s eyes, I suspect that’s why sacks from our OLBs have been down these past couple of years. A ‘controlled pass rush’ that maintains QB contain might result in pressure, but not that many sacks.
The ideal situation (looking back to 2019-2021) seems to be getting awesome interior DLine pressure that moves the QB laterally, into the arms of the OLBs. Having Vea & Suh & RNR in there creating interior pressure in 2019 had to play a huge role in Shaq getting 19.5 sacks that year. Vea was out most of 2020, and Shaq was down to a more pedestrian 8 sacks. The following year (2021) Vea was back in there, and Shaq worked his way back up to 10 sacks.
And that’s why I’d love to see us draft a beastly DT to rotate in with Vea (like Suh used to) … to create more consistent interior DLine pressure. I’m convinced that it’d help guys like YaYa & Braswell feed, even as they maintain containment. Even with another beast DT though, we’d STILL need to fix our ILB corps AND our Secondary. Lots of sacks throughout the NFL come as ‘coverage sacks’.
February 14th, 2025 at 6:29 am
I don’t care if they put a 180 lb wr at tackle to block JTS, the results will be the same, he’ll run around like a chicken with his head cut off. He’s not mentally or physically fit to play with the big dogs. After four years of JTS doing the same thing and Bowles expecting different results is insane.
February 14th, 2025 at 6:37 am
Bredison was just ok. He was the worst player on a good offensive line. Why wouldn’t you look to improve every position. He’s stout but he’s not athletic. If the offensive scheme stays the same, it requires the lineman to make reach blocks and blocks down field in open space. Bredison is serviceable but not good at this. As for Hainsey, why would you pay vet money to a backup center that has never shown position versatility in the NFL?
February 14th, 2025 at 7:00 am
I’m old enough to remember when people wanted to run Goedeke and Mauch, too.
February 14th, 2025 at 7:05 am
The Bucs will keep Bredeson. Another year in what will be basically the same system. All of their draft picks MUST be on the other side of the ball. JTS is very expendable. A rookie draft pick can easily duplicate his pedestrian numbers!
February 14th, 2025 at 7:30 am
Hey grandson since you’re up early today go mow the grass and that garbage can better be put up when I get home loser
February 14th, 2025 at 7:40 am
The thing people forget is you aren’t going to be elite with every single person at some point you need very good players along your elite players. Wirfs is elite Bredeson showed us he can be very good. I think Bredeson is a lock to be back for the right price. There is also hope he could continue to develop he doesn’t have a ton of starting experience
February 14th, 2025 at 7:40 am
Bradeson is fine, but not above being replaced. But if you tell me in the offseason the Bucs had significant upgrades at XYZ positions (everyone has their favorite priority) but there were no changes to the OL I would be more than happy to welcome him back.
February 14th, 2025 at 7:41 am
If possible re-sign:
– Godwin
– LVD (if he doesn’t retire)
– Bredson
– Nelson
– Gains
– Hainsey
– Russell
– Merriweather
February 14th, 2025 at 8:05 am
In a couple years, all the linemen NOT named Bredeson are gonna be either all-pro or at least pro-bowl. Bredeson is SLIGHTLY better than most of the guards in the league, and he’ll probably get a little better, don’t see the probably here
February 14th, 2025 at 9:09 am
The Bucs could have 4 All Pro lineman and one Pro Bowl lineman and fans would want to run the Pro Bowler. Fact.
February 14th, 2025 at 9:32 am
DR says he’d love us to find another “beastly” defensive tackle. Let’s get the best one available with our first round pick. And signing Bredeson is absolutely a no brainer. And Hainsey and Skule too. First thing you need building a football team is an OLine with depth. Next we need a DLine with depth. We need more quality DLine depth. If Winfield can stay healthy and Itzien and Hall are healthy I think McCollum still has room to grow at corner. I like Dean and would like to see us keep him another year. We’ve got enough DBs , safeties and nickel’s, for pretty good depth. Draft Billy Bowman 3rd round and plug that playmaking ballhawk anywhere in the secondary! Then let’s concentrate fully on inside linebacker from both the draft and the “trash heap”.
February 14th, 2025 at 9:35 am
If he’s cheap I’d re sign Skule,, after the Hutch debacle he played pretty good as a back up,,, keep our Depth in tack w him and Hainsey
February 14th, 2025 at 9:55 am
Damn Bucs fans are spoiled and arrogant you would think we had as many super Bowles as the patriots. Weakest link on a good o line? Were any of you watching the Bucs run game last year? This is one of the best o lines in the nfl and that’s not my take. There is no reason to break up the band because of these weak pff grades fans are giving. The dude exceeded expectations, I thought Klein would take his job.
The case for coaching has been made. Harold Goodwin and that other yahoo leaving for Carolina was the best thing to happen to Tampa’s offensive line. Barton gets hurt, Hainsey comes in and our back up Tucker comes in and runs for 250. Continuity matters and coaching matters Bowles. Licht if you’re going the same ol’ route and we’re going through yet another year without credible pass rusher meaning a sorry pass defense then go all out and go cheap and start Klein
February 14th, 2025 at 10:11 am
Weakest link on a strong line. We have had crazy success drafting lineman. If Breds is between 5-10 mil per year, why waste that when we can likely draft a starting guard in round 2-3 that develops along the lines of Mauch Goedeke and hits the cap below 1.5 million. Seems like a no brainer to me.
February 14th, 2025 at 10:20 am
When Shaq got his 19.5 sacks, Bowles reported to BA, who liked his pass rushers rushing the passer instead of selling hot dogs in section 112. Bowles reports to himself now, the fox is guarding the henhouse. No one to tell him that his genius is in his mind only, not translatable to the field in 2025. It’s why good players don’t develop or regress. They are thinking too much instead of playing fast. Too many assignments on every play, depending on which way the clouds are moving and if a duck lands on the field.
Joe is so right, JTS or any pass rusher should want to play where they get to rush the passer.
It’s why we shouldn’t expect any splash FAs to come play for Todd despite a bag of money. Regression is the theme of the defense and the defensive coach.
February 14th, 2025 at 10:22 am
That’s true.
February 14th, 2025 at 10:24 am
To show how stupid people really are. He is the weakest link. But then show nothing to back it up. Where? How? The film. Ok. What on film stands out? Did he get the run stuffed ? QB constantly sacked? No you can’t you need someone to decide to replace so this year he is your man.
.
February 14th, 2025 at 10:32 am
agreed, plus, on paper he sucked before coming here. peeps will worry he was only successful here because he was surrounded by studs. might even be true
February 14th, 2025 at 10:37 am
6 penalties 104th/135 guards
2 sacks allowed 76/135 guards
3 hits allowed 85/135 guards
34 total pressures 123/135 guards
February 14th, 2025 at 10:53 am
It’ll come down to $$$. Bredeson is replaceable. If he wants $6-8M a year, they can draft a guy in 4-5th or sign (another Bredeson) FA.
February 14th, 2025 at 11:07 am
Baker was still running for his life sometimes – a lot of folks chalk it up to improved athleticism but sometimes it was a breakdown (stuff happens). I did notice a few times in the WAS game Bredeson got beat. All for continuity and improvement but not worth a raise imo and if the Bucs are able to trade down in the draft id love Zabel. Bucs will be fine on defense, they just have to coach it better and play it better.
February 14th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Aqualung … ‘When Shaq got his 19.5 sacks, Bowles reported to BA, who liked his pass rushers rushing the passer instead of selling hot dogs in section 112.’
Creative; love the hot dogs metaphor. I’ll always have my doubts though that BA put ANY reins on Bowles in the 2019-2021 years, but that’s just me. That was Bowles first year here, and he was probably experimenting with multiple formations trying to figure out who was best at what.
On looking at Shaq’s advanced stats in the 2019-2021 period, something very interesting jumps out (that supports your analysis BTW). Shaq blitzed the most of his career, by far, in 2019, the year of his 19.5 sacks.
o 2019 (16 games): Blitzes-174 … Sacks-19.5 … Targets-11 … Completed-9 … Def snaps-889 (Vea, Suh, RNR, JPP healthy)
o 2020 (15 games): Blitzes-121 … Sacks-8 … Targets-23 … Completed-19 … Def snaps-822 (Suh, RNR, JPP healthy)
o 2021 (15 games): Blitzes-66 … Sacks-10 … Targets-11 … Completed-9 … Def snaps-767 (Vea, Suh, RNR, JPP healthy)
So Shaq’s lowest sack total (8) came the year (2020) that Vea was out (less interior pressure?). That was also the year that Shaq was apparently used the most in coverage (23 targets).
And Shaq’s highest sack total (19.5) came in the year (2019) that he not only had Vea, Suh & RNR manning the interior, but he also had JPP exerting pressure from the other side. Just happened to be the year when he apparently was used the least in coverage (11 targets)? Coincidence? Hmmm
And that Aqualung is why I say beef up the interior DLine (add another beast to provide more consistent internal pressure) and let the OLBs feed (as long as they provide containment). An interior with Vea, Gaines, Kancey, Hall, 1 beastly DT & 1 beastly DE could rule the NFL.
February 14th, 2025 at 2:50 pm
Continuity my friends, continuity. The offense line is very unpredictable and very difficult to assemble any consistency. If Jason can afford Bredeson, bring him back. He has been pretty good.
February 14th, 2025 at 7:03 pm
We have two outstanding tackles, an above average guard, and potentially an all pro Center.
Bredeson is below average. He is the weakest link.
We have so many bigger issues, that replacing Bredeson is probably not a priority.
But replacing the worst player in every unit should ALWAYS be the goal.
One guy riding his coworkers coattails isn’t the recipe for a great team
February 14th, 2025 at 8:52 pm
Ah, Ben’s agent is back. Nice to see ya, man.
Honestly, I have no real interest in seeing the guy replaced – but only if he comes on a decent (low) contract. Because he’s not a great player – he’s not a total liability, but not a strength either. Just ok.
You can replace him at a likely low cost (with a few different options) and get similar production – so don’t overpay.
February 15th, 2025 at 2:56 am
LG in the 1st is the wisest investment.
Wirfs is on a very expensive deal.
We invested a 1st in Barton.
Why not trade back from 19 to around 25 and draft one of the best guards in the draft?
Hopefully a guy who has some center experience to back up Barton.
I’m all about having 2-3 guards with center experience.