Greg Gaines Returns As Defensive Tackle
March 12th, 2025
Returns.
Jason Licht is keeping the band together.
The four-time NFC South champs are sticking together. Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is seeing to that. This morning as left guard Ben Bredeson was speaking to the local pen and mic club via Zoom about his return, another trench warrior decided to stay put.
Defensive tackle Greg Gaines is coming back for $3.5 million, per Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. It’s a one-year deal.
Joe finds it funny that all the caterwauling about the Philly Tush Push, it is the Bucs who have had a lot of success against it.
Part of that is Gaines is a beefy tackle who is very difficult to move. Gaines and Vita Vea are the human walls to stop the Tush Push.
March 12th, 2025 at 10:59 am
It’s not “caterwauling” to point out that the Tush Push should be illegal if only existing NFL rules were applied.
You can not assist the runner. That’s the rule. The caveat to the rule is that it says “you can not pull” and does not say “push.” Violates the spirit of the rule, but not the letter.
March 12th, 2025 at 11:09 am
I was kinda hoping we could upgrade him, but he’s a decent enough run stopper
March 12th, 2025 at 11:09 am
Eventually everybody will figure out how to neutralize it.
March 12th, 2025 at 11:18 am
Yes, Fred, but I think we were the first. After neutralizing it twice (that I remember), they may not attempt it against us again. GO BUCS! 🙂
March 12th, 2025 at 11:18 am
Day 3 of free agency and so far the 2 biggest signings are a 1 sack defense end and a 1 legged wr… I don’t get all the euphoria ????
March 12th, 2025 at 11:19 am
Vea, JTS, Gaines, Jmac … so many hucking fuskies!!! … Well, JTS is gone.
Need more Buckys. Need more Ducks.
Go Ducks!
March 12th, 2025 at 11:21 am
1 year, $3.5mil
March 12th, 2025 at 11:26 am
I’m fine with this signing but I too had hoped the Bucs would be able to upgrade the IDL this off-season.
Maybe the position will be updated via the draft.
Let’s hope so.
March 12th, 2025 at 11:30 am
Vita probably has 3 good years left tops
March 12th, 2025 at 11:37 am
We need another DT.
We lose too much when Vea subs out.
I really hope we use our first round pick on a DT/DE. A big boy.
1st round picks should be used on big boys!
Remember when we drafted Vernon Hargreaves over Jeremy Tunsil?
Play it smart!
1st round? A Big boy! DT/DE
2nd round? CB
3rd round? ILB
4th round? CB
5th round? ILB
6th round? OG/RT
7th round? WR
March 12th, 2025 at 11:38 am
I would have loved to see Calais Campbell in a Bucs uniform
March 12th, 2025 at 11:51 am
Beeej Says:
March 12th, 2025 at 11:09 am
“I was kinda hoping we could upgrade him, but he’s a decent enough run stopper”
We still can. We build thru the draft now.
March 12th, 2025 at 11:56 am
Tellitlikeitis Says:
“Day 3 of free agency and so far the 2 biggest signings are a 1 sack defense end and a 1 legged wr… I don’t get all the euphoria ????”
Loser teams with bad GMs build thru free agency. Good teams build thru the draft and only supplement with free agency.
March 12th, 2025 at 12:06 pm
ZERO HOLES … Licht usual MO. I would be shocked if we didn’t sign a CB, S, AND MLB this week. No big names. Just solid position players.
March 12th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Tellitlikeitis Says:
March 12th, 2025 at 11:18 am
Day 3 of free agency and so far the 2 biggest signings are a 1 sack defense end and a 1 legged wr… I don’t get all the euphoria ????
I didn’t realize you are a general manager at Burger King.. please stick to your day job
March 12th, 2025 at 12:10 pm
Super solid. Licht proving he is a true genius at the GM business.
Now — get Bryce Hall back!
March 12th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
#99
Everyone is entitled to an opinion why do you have to act like a 2 year old
March 12th, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Continuity for offense….good.
March 12th, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Tellitlikeitis is not a Bucs fan… or football fan for that matter.
Jeff’s brother or cousin … or his second user name??
Gaines was a great depth pic and he’s carrying the torch that Gohlston carried for so long. Just like the Nelson signing… good debth, hard workers, team attitude. They can’t all be superstars.
March 12th, 2025 at 12:17 pm
Why does so many posters revert to name callers on this site…not a good look
March 12th, 2025 at 12:18 pm
Don’t be surprised when you see Gholston back here…and that’s a good thing.
March 12th, 2025 at 12:19 pm
Agree with Buccaneer Bonzai.
Expecting splash deals through free agency instead of supporting depth through free agency is generally a mistake.
There are always exceptions but this year has been wonderful. We had a superior offense last year and we got those guys back.
To me that alone might not mean we should be euphoric but certainly very very pleased. Then we went ahead and made a move at edge that at least opens our options for more success in the draft. Just a wonderful start to the 1st few days of free agency.
March 12th, 2025 at 12:20 pm
Now now fellas.
This one doesn’t excite me but as others have mentioned, eliminating holes, building depth. We draft a DT, the rookie and Greene outplay Gaines in camp he maybe doesn’t even make the team.
There are only 2 glaring weaknesses left. ILB and CB. They will be addressed in the first 3 rounds I imagine.
Reddick is obviously not a 1 sack guy. If you check his stats, he played 10 games last year but only started 2. He won’t miss camp this time and will be hunting. I can’t wait for week 1!
March 12th, 2025 at 12:27 pm
Tellitlikeitis Says:
March 12th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
#99
Everyone is entitled to an opinion why do you have to act like a 2 year old
Because what you said was really stupid. Obviously I’m not the only who thinks so
March 12th, 2025 at 12:35 pm
Actually we picked up a real punter too!! Real meaning he can actually punt ,, that , an edge and signing our own guys , keeping our draft picks ,,, NFC south looks like another ,, then it is how we position for the playoffs and how healthy are we at that time ( I personally would prefer Baker gets hit less)
March 12th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
#99
I never said anything that was stupid, you might not agree with it but thro5a tantr5and calling someone stupid…I just don’t get it
March 12th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
Throwing a tantrum
March 12th, 2025 at 12:42 pm
Glad Greg is coming back.
He’s a solid rotational player who knows the system.
Vita needs a break every now and then and having someone who’s already familiar with the scheme and system will be a huge help.
March 12th, 2025 at 12:45 pm
Your comment was not made as a Bucs fan. It was made like a troll. Goodbye
March 12th, 2025 at 1:02 pm
Teacherman … ‘We need another DT. We lose too much when Vea subs out. I really hope we use our first round pick on a DT/DE. A big boy.’
BINGO! I love that we re-signed Greg Gaines (he is a good run-stopper), but he doesn’t really get much push up the middle. We need to add a ‘big boy’ like you said Teacherman, and we can do that via the draft. This draft is supposedly deep in DTs, but the ‘big boys’ will go early (Rnds 1-3 I’m guessing).
March 12th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Set behind Vea. Backup End next
March 12th, 2025 at 1:22 pm
They pretty much let you pull runners too these days. Doesn’t really bother me since football is a team sport. If it takes a team to move the ball then how that is accomplished, other than the obvious things like holding and offsides, should not matter.
March 12th, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Ballhawk
March 12th, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Good signing for little money. Gaines is a solid rotational player. Would still like the Bucs to find another rotational veteran DT and Edge. The Bucs can get to the SB if they can find a way not have such a drastic fall off in the level of performance with the second and third string defense.
March 12th, 2025 at 1:34 pm
Azeez Ojulari is still out there….looks like a ton of teams are interested though.
March 12th, 2025 at 1:45 pm
Bucs typically seem to carry 6 DT/NT/DEs along with 5 or 6 OLBs. Last season we had Vea, Gaines as our DT/NTs, Kancey, Hall, Gholston & Brewer as our DT/DEs. The latter 2 are still UFAs, so we’ve got 4 under contract … Vea, Gaines, Kancey & Hall. Great core, but we need another ‘big body’ DT/NT plus another DT/DE.
Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see us draft the DT/NT then maybe re-sign Brewer or maybe pick up a FA. Brewer surprised me last season (kept getting better I thought).
March 12th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
Bad 😞😞 he sucks!!
March 12th, 2025 at 1:48 pm
I’m reading we re-signed Brewer but can’t confirm it.
March 12th, 2025 at 2:07 pm
Bucs are bringing back defensive lineman C.J. Brewer, who was an exclusive-rights free agent. One-year minimum deal.
March 12th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Glad he’s coming back as a DT and not a CB or something, because it sure would be silly to have a defensive lineman dropping into coverage. Oh, wait…
Kidding aside, Gaines is a good depth piece. Like all fans, I wish the Bucs could clone another 1 or 2 Vea’s, but in the interim, Gaines will suffice.
March 12th, 2025 at 2:22 pm
Trade for Hendrickson, unleash the dogs!
March 12th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Tellitlikeitis you may not be stupid but you are an idiot you don’t come on here and call Chris Godwin a 1 leg WR when he was considered one of the top FA available and took 20 mil less and probably 2nd best. Rec that ever played for the Bucs. So you basically came on here looking for trouble!
March 12th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
No I’m not trolling but I can think for myself and God forbid if anyone disagrees with the company line.
Posted numerous times on there very forums that the bucs needed to get a proven edge rusher because for what ever reason we can’t seem to develop one. I stated the obvious, Riddeck finished last season with 1 in 10 games played. He has all the earmarks of a D. White 2.0
Last week we were going to sign Godwin to a team friendly $13 million a year but instead it cost us at least $22 million aa year or more. I love Chris pppand I’m no doctor but I’m thinking a ankle injury to a soon to be 30 year old receiver is nothing to take lightly. He might not be ready to start the season and maybe not be himself all year .
Yep… I’m a troll. To many load mouthed fanatics come here. It’s a shame.
March 12th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
“Oneilbuc Says:
March 12th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
Bad 😞😞 he sucks!!”
Says the guy who thought dumping Jameis for Tom Brady was a bad move…..
March 12th, 2025 at 2:42 pm
And if Godwin was so much in demand why Ihave I only read about the Patriots making in offer. And the $20 extra million was for a 4th year. What was the guanteed money
March 12th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
I’m okay with Gaines back, fighting for a roster spot.
March 12th, 2025 at 2:48 pm
Tellitlikeitis Says:
March 12th, 2025 at 2:42 pm
And if Godwin was so much in demand why Ihave I only read about the Patriots making in offer. And the $20 extra million was for a 4th year. What was the guanteed money
^^^^^^^^^
Godwin was in demand with the team that matters (to me, anyway), the Bucs.
March 12th, 2025 at 2:50 pm
I love how so called Bucs fans come here to argue with Bucs fans. I guess if they had friends they would argue with them…
March 12th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
I saw Zyon McCollum earned an extra $878,554 in the NFL performance based salary bonus, apparently the 13th highest paid performance bonus (this is about lower draft picks being rewarded, not bonuses in contracts). Not a bad day when you find out you got nearly a $1m bonus.
March 12th, 2025 at 3:16 pm
Tellitlikeitis Says:
March 12th, 2025 at 2:42 pm
And if Godwin was so much in demand why Ihave I only read about the Patriots making in offer. And the $20 extra million was for a 4th year. What was the guanteed money
————–
The rumors are all that the Pats were offering ‘nearly’ $30m/year. So some simple math tells you it was likely a 3yr/$86m deal from the Pats. There’s nothing about a 4th year anywhere I’ve seen.
March 12th, 2025 at 3:23 pm
they stopped it by getting away with an uncalled penalty, sorry to say
March 12th, 2025 at 3:29 pm
Did somebody say upgrade the IDL? What it’s probably top 5 in the league, if was the edge that was the problem. They need another back up edge rusher and ILB.
March 12th, 2025 at 3:31 pm
Tellitlikeitis Says:
March 12th, 2025 at 2:42 pm
And if Godwin was so much in demand why Ihave I only read about the Patriots making in offer. And the $20 extra million was for a 4th year. What was the guanteed money
Another stupid comment !
We are lucky to have Godwin back
Reports are there were multiple teams ready to sign Godwin
March 12th, 2025 at 3:43 pm
#99 the big fella Says:
March 12th, 2025 at 12:27 pm
“Because what you said was really stupid. Obviously I’m not the only who thinks so”
No one else was rude because they disagreed. Don’t lump others in your trolling of people.
March 12th, 2025 at 3:49 pm
Tellitlikeitis Says:
March 12th, 2025 at 2:42 pm
“And if Godwin was so much in demand why Ihave I only read about the Patriots making in offer. And the $20 extra million was for a 4th year. What was the guanteed money”
As someone who feels the Bucs are risking too much on Godwin, I think your question is valid.
I have a theory that even the offer from the Patriots provided a team out in case he doesn’t recover.
I obviously don’t know contract details, but $40m guaranteed pretty much says the Bucs do not have an out.
So far as other teams, the injury probably played a role, or most teams knew the Bucs would try not to lose him.
March 12th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Godwin went with the guarantee…so he went with the money.
March 12th, 2025 at 4:18 pm
Bonzai
Never had an issue with you. You seem to want one . My issue is with stupid people making stupid comments. You jumped right into this one didn’t you?
March 12th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
March 12th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Godwin went with the guarantee…so he went with the money.
————
Says who? Every report I’ve read said Godwin turned down a significant amount of money to stay. In addition to those reports, Godwin and Licht both acknowledged he turned down a lot more money to stay.
No idea why people think this is some sort of conspiracy and no one wanted Godwin – it’s complete nonsense.
March 12th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Rod , you could not of said that any better. I don’t understand why people are thinking and saying that about Godwin either
March 12th, 2025 at 5:10 pm
Joe,
A quick question here. What is the plan to pay the piper and how much is the can being kicked down the road?
By most reports, the Bucs started free agency with around $2.5 M in cap space. That might be enough to sign their new upcoming class of rookie draft picks. I know Mike Greenberg is a cap wizard, but so far he has spent at least $57.5 M so how are the Bucs planning to settle the bill? Are they going to cut Baker, Vea, and Evans and replace them with Joel, Bryan, and Ed Glazer?
Your thoughts?
Bucs Major Free Agent Signings
WR Godwin $22 M
Edge Reddick 14 M
ILB David 10 M
OLB Nelson 5 M
DT Gaines 3.5M
P Dixon 3 M
Total so far $57.5 M
March 12th, 2025 at 5:54 pm
Doesn’t help when idiot call him and one leg WR .Then continues the conversation with l heard he would take a team friendly 13 mil deal . Never was as low 13 mil metion. He took team friendly deal at 22mil. So he came like smart ass comment how did he think that would be taken so yea he stupid and a idiot.
March 12th, 2025 at 6:27 pm
Woodman , thank you ! Some of these guys say the dumbest things
March 12th, 2025 at 6:57 pm
Tellitlikeitis and Bonzai. To not understand the value of Godwins signing yesterday indicates a disturbing lack of knowledge about the game of football.
March 12th, 2025 at 7:01 pm
But I came here to read about Gaines. I like having guys like Gaines on our team. And guys like Bredeson. Way to go signing them!
March 12th, 2025 at 8:17 pm
Bringing back the same players that can barely get to 10 wins is not being a GM to me. SOS.
Mediocre last year…what’s gonna change? Same parts…same D.
the offense can’t get that much better.
Seeing 10-7 or 9-8 at best. We totally overpaid for Chris who I love dearly.
March 12th, 2025 at 8:35 pm
I’m astonished we have not signed a single body in the secondary or a lb. One edge rusher atm is not enough either. You can’t have too many edge rushers. And why is Dean still on our roster??😡😡
March 12th, 2025 at 9:37 pm
Jonathan – patience, Grasshopper. Licht is going in a specific order. The defensive backfield and LB depth are next. FA has only been on a matter of hours. Hopefully we bring back Bryce Hall and go heavy D all D all day in the draft.
March 12th, 2025 at 9:43 pm
Todd,
The Bucs will clear the cap space to sign the free agents the same way they have every season since the Brady splurge began.
For the bigger contracts, this year’s money will be the signing bonus with an artificially low salary. But, the cap hit on the signing bonus will be prorated – divided by the number of years of the contract with equal portions applied to the cap each year of the contract. Next year’s salary will be more or less the real salary, and the cap hit will be that year’s salary plus the prorated part of the bonus.
And, the cap hit can be spread out farther by adding fake years to the contract. Even if the contract is only for one year, the Bucs can still divide the cap hit by up to five years by adding up to four fake years called void years. If you don’t extend the player before the first void year, all of the remaining cap money gets moved to the voided year in one lump sum cap hit.
If the Bucs hadn’t played games like that last year, they would have been several tens of millions of dollars over the cap. Teams can get away with this to an extent because the cap has been increasing by more than $20 million per year. But, there is also a point of diminishing return.
So, as much as I like Godwin, and realizing that he reportedly turned down tens of millions of dollars to stay with the Bucs, I have concerns about the balance sheet. For a reference, while they haven’t gone about it in quite the same way, the Chiefs have sustained their success doing essentially what the Bucs are doing.
March 13th, 2025 at 9:41 am
Just made our splash cb signing!