The Obsession With Replacing Ben Bredeson
March 27th, 2025
Why the hate?
Joe knows each and every year a good number of Bucs fans choose a player to hate.
Sometimes it’s quite valid (Joe Tryon-Shoyinka), sometimes it is fully baffling and without reason (Gerald McCoy).
And while it is a full five months before the 2025 season kicks off, the guy in the running to be doomed with this annual disdain seems to be Bucs left guard Ben Bredeson.
Joe sensed it last year in the comments on this here site with people pining for the return of guard Sua Opeta (???). Joe didn’t get that then and doesn’t get it now. When did this Opeta become John Hannah or even Charley Hannah?
(Yeah, Joe used that one-liner recently. It still applies. 🙂 )
Joe was prodded to type this after listening to one of the former high priests of the PFF tribe Sam Monson. While appearing on Mina Kimes’ podcast discussing team needs, one of the top three needs Monson sees on the Bucs is left guard — Bredeson’s spot.
“I have edge for the Bucs,” Monson began. “You know, [Haason] Reddick is a one-year deal, and who knows what version of Reddick you going to get at this point, given how last year went. At some point, I think they need to have a plan for when Lavonte David isn’t still there, even though that seems to be endless and he’s still pretty good.
“And then maybe, you know, maybe left guard. But I wouldn’t, it’s not like a desperation need. … Pretty clean roster.”
Joe doesn’t see what some do in Bredeson. Is he an All-Pro? No. Is he good? Well, you answer these questions:
Do the Bucs have a good offensive line? Yes. One could argue the Bucs have the best pass-blocking line in the game.
Can the Bucs run the ball? They ranked fourth in the NFL running the ball.
Shoot, the Bucs had the third-best offense in the league last year. Generally, if a team has a hole anywhere on the line, it doesn’t have a top-three offense.
Bredeson is young, inexpensive, durable and one-fifth of one of the best lines in the NFL. Why is there such an urge to run the guy off? Bredeson is hardly Garrett “Whoops” Gilkey or Oniel Cousins.
With all the positions on defense that need addressing, left guard would be misguided. Besides, anyone who used to run the PFF tribe outfit is maybe the last source folks need to tap into for offensive line analysis. Maybe that right there answers Joe’s question why there is a focus on running Bredeson.
March 27th, 2025 at 12:07 am
I don’t remember anyone spreading ‘hate’ on here or anywhere else for Bredeson. The line can’t all be 1st rounders, and as you said, the line was pretty good last year. Bringing him back for continuity’s sake is a good thing. Bringing back Opeta for depth is likely a good signing as well. No problem at all with him sticking around.
March 27th, 2025 at 12:11 am
From the comments on here, fans keyed in on him, because he is the weakest link on the line. I don’t specifically remember seeing any issues, I just hope that we can keep the line together as long as possible.
March 27th, 2025 at 12:26 am
To be fair to Munson, he said “maybe” and “it’s not desperation”, so the flip side is he’s basically saying the Bucs roster is pretty strong outside of 2 or 3 positions.
I would say that CB or S is more concerning, along with another ILB that left guard, but everyone has their own opinions…
March 27th, 2025 at 12:33 am
Bredeson did a commendable job last year, he was not a sieve. Not sure why Monson mentioned LG as a need though he did point out that it is not a ‘desperation” need. What I don’t understand is how Monson would list LG as a need but not mention the secondary, both CB and S, as the Bucs were exposed last year when the injury bug bit.
March 27th, 2025 at 12:41 am
Ding!
March 27th, 2025 at 1:15 am
It’s alright Joe. Jason sees it the way you do too. We signed Opeta and have Klein. We also have 60% of the line on rookie contracts, with only 1 expiring at the end of year. Maybe they take a flier in a later round. I’d say Schlock draft, but he couldn’t even grace us with what Edge he projects will be there at 19.
March 27th, 2025 at 1:41 am
Have the other NFCS team done anything meaningful this offseason?
I haven’t seen it. Bucs a e leveling up.
Bucs NFCSx5 +SB!
Joe needs a half-decade in of dominance slogan.
March 27th, 2025 at 2:38 am
I’m cool with Brederson. If he starts getting burned it seems like we have decent replacements on the roster.
Gotta hit on one or 2 defensive starters in the draft and then the Bucs are leveling up like Sly Pirate said.
Gonna be a long month and a long offseason.
March 27th, 2025 at 4:09 am
So where are the pitchforks?
This is strike two Joe… First attempt didn’t work. Neither is this one on the subject of Bredeson.
Crickets man….
March 27th, 2025 at 4:52 am
I don’t get it Joe.
I scarf up your site to include the comments like a starving LB at Hooters. I pay particular attention to the O line posts because I played Offensive tackle. Also because it is the best thing going!
I have seen very few posts denigrating Bredeson and those comments have been from a few of the usual suspects and one or two from folks who have obviously never played the game of football. Not like it was during Gerald’s time here. No less ridiculous though.
You would not just be stirring the pot a bit would you Joe?
Go Bucs!
March 27th, 2025 at 5:36 am
No hate for Bredeson here. Sure, he’s the weak link on the OL so it would be good to upgrade there, but not a priority for the draft. Maybe Opeta can push him this offseason. Luke Haggard is still around and looked solid last preseason so maybe he can compete too. Still, Bredeson has proven healthy and provides continuity, both important in the OL…
March 27th, 2025 at 6:32 am
I like Bredeson. I think he did a very good job last season. That said, when you look at the 11 starters on offense, BB is the 11th best player. Aren’t you always trying to upgrade the weakest link in the chain? Now are there multiple positions on D that should take priority over upgrading BB? Definitely. It just is what it is.
March 27th, 2025 at 7:11 am
In Pittsburg’s Steel curtain days, they had the best D line in the league–3 pro-bowlers, (LC Greenwood, Dwight White, Mean Joe Greene) They one OTHER guy, Ernie Holmes, who was…ok. They seemed to do well
March 27th, 2025 at 7:28 am
Ben earned his spot
March 27th, 2025 at 7:45 am
“Joe didn’t get that then and doesn’t get it now.”
Perhaps I can be of assistance. Prior to Sua Opeta and Bredeson showing up, Matt Feiler and others were the left guard. During training camp, 2024, Opeta was named the leader in the clubhouse for the LG spot. Then he goes down for the year. In steps his potential back up, Bredeson. Back to 2023 at LG? Uh oh.
Nope. Bredson, while not an All Pro, he acquitted himself quite well. Most Bucs fans evidently do not see this.
March 27th, 2025 at 7:51 am
There WERE some derogatory comments about Ben Bredeson a few weeks back but I think they’ve kind of subsided. I think most of the fans on this site decided to buy nto the fact that continuity is a good thing and not everybody can be Tristan Wirfs on any O-line. I want amazing tackles and a solid, smart center with the guards holding their own, and that’s what we have. The whole line is pretty athletic and smart. And they seem to all love each other like brothers (along with that little online guy, I think his name is Mayfield?). LOL
I think Dean probably gets as much hate on his board at this point and even that has subsided some. Then we signed Reddick and he’s getting some of the abuse. There’s always a handful of easy targets. But Bowles is the king of all targets, player or non-player, hands down.
On to the draft!!! GO BUCS!!
March 27th, 2025 at 8:11 am
My JBF hate was rekindled when Joe mentioned Sabby The Goat a couple of days ago. Bredeson’s play is not close to deserving the wrath of the JBF posters.
March 27th, 2025 at 8:22 am
He’s the worst OL on the OL, but he’s not awful or anything.
March 27th, 2025 at 8:50 am
Not a bad problem to have when your fifth best o lineman (excluding TE’s) is only solid.
March 27th, 2025 at 9:53 am
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Bucs could have 4 All Pro linemen and 1 who was “just” a Pro Bowler and fans would want to run the Pro Bowler.
March 27th, 2025 at 9:58 am
Definitely no hate for Bredson or any other member of the offensive line. Keep the group together and let them improve even more.
March 27th, 2025 at 10:41 am
Don’t know why the guys at JBF are struggling with the concept that just because the OL is good it doesn’t mean they’re all good. Bredeson’s film is bad. This draft has good OL prospects that will be available and probably be pro-bowl caliber guards. I would grade the individuals last year likes this:
Wirfs- A+
Bredeson D
Barton D
Mauch B+
Goedeke A
There was an opportunity to upgrade Bredeson with a player like Kelvin Banks, Tyler Booker, Gray Zabel.
March 27th, 2025 at 12:18 pm
I accept that Bredeson is good enough. I am more concerned that we don’t have a designated backup at center.
March 27th, 2025 at 12:33 pm
Someone gave Barton a D? Maroons post among us. That might be the most ignant take of the week.
March 27th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
Pass rush please. It’s been a need for 3 or 4 years. Way too much pocket time for opposing QBs.
March 27th, 2025 at 5:56 pm
Was Joe day drinking?
March 28th, 2025 at 8:20 am
Let’s see how Klein looks in pads after an offseason of NFL level conditioning.
Regardless of what you think about Barton he was relearning a different position and should be a force this season.