Is Jason Pierre-Paul Ripe For A Return?
April 24th, 2023
Former Bucs edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul.
Interesting sighting tonight in Palm Harbor.
At the annual Arians Family Foundation fundraising event at the Innisbrook resort, former Bucs Pro Bowl edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul made an appearance. That was the word from local multimedia icon Rock Riley.
JPP played for the Ravens last season and made 13 starts and played in 14 games. He was signed in late September and jumped right into the Ravens’ lineup, so he basically played every game and came through healthy for a playoff team with a top-10 defense. He had a half-sack of Joe Burrow in Baltimore’s 24-17 playoff loss to Cincinnati.
JPP is a free agent at 34 years old and last Joe heard, JPP has no plans to retire. So Joe was very intrigued to learn that JPP was mingling with Bucs coaches and players tonight.
In past years, JPP has been the kind of guy to bet on himself, aka his own production, when it comes to a contract. Perhaps that’s what he’s pitching the Bucs — a basic deal with big incentives, which count against next year’s salary cap if they’re reached.
With Shaq Barrett recovering from Achilles surgery and major question marks in Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Logan Hall, Joe would have no problem with the Bucs taking a shot on JPP after the draft. He’s a freakish athlete and competitior, and he knows the defense.
If Joe had to pick between bringing back JPP or 30-year-old Carl Nassib to compete for a rotational spot at outside linebacker, Joe would go with the bigger wild card, which is JPP. He wasn’t his old self with the Ravens last season, but he can still play.
April 24th, 2023 at 9:05 pm
I love it, he has the DOG in him….. may not be what he used to be but great for the team!!
April 24th, 2023 at 9:11 pm
Do it
April 24th, 2023 at 9:19 pm
It’s a new offseason, draft and upcoming season. All opportunities to make changes. Before bringing back our favorite ancient veterans, serious UPGRADES and YOUTH should be the priority.
It isn’t the final Tom Brady Season all-in template anymore. Time to rebuild and weed out. Starting with Bowles, but that will take a while unfortunately.
April 24th, 2023 at 9:19 pm
No lol
April 24th, 2023 at 9:20 pm
yesssss.
April 24th, 2023 at 9:26 pm
I would take him over the other options on incentives
April 24th, 2023 at 9:37 pm
Wow, that is a looooooooooong way to stretch to connect dots.
April 24th, 2023 at 9:46 pm
Buc’s are desperate for edge rushers, they should do it.
April 24th, 2023 at 9:53 pm
We need to be drafting a guy. Where is JPP gonna fit on the roster.
1. Drafted Guy
2. JTS (like it or not, he’s not going anywhere)
3. Shaq (his cap hit virtually guarantees his roster spot)
4. Nelson (just signed a new contract, not going anywhere)
5. ??? Maybe JPP
So, if we plan on keeping 5 OLB/Edge and JPP wants to play for vet minimum, then it could happen.
If we can’t manage to draft a guy, then his return makes more sense, still at a minimum salary.
April 24th, 2023 at 9:55 pm
At this point I would bring back any vet who could remain healthy and play at least 15 games and would sign at a reasonable price. The play 15 games requirement means they oft injured Akiem Hicks it’s too much of a risk and the reasonable price requirement probably rules out Suh.
So resigning Gholston and Nassib is a no-brainer. And if the coaches think JPP can still play, he would be a great addition.
This year the Bucs have so many holes that must be addressed and you cannot handle all of them through the draft. With a starting OT, a starting LB, a possible starting S or 3rd if Ryan Neal starts S needed for the first three picks there’s no way to improve the defensive line through the draft.
Also depth needs at TE, nickle CB, LB, swing OT and they’re just aren’t enough picks.
Kudos to the Joes and the great Rock Riley for this report.
April 24th, 2023 at 10:02 pm
Leadership is why you sign JPP. Same reason you would sign Suh. No way Diva White would get away with all that coverage busting and tackle whiffing with either of those two around. The Bucs missed him last year.
April 24th, 2023 at 10:08 pm
I agree with this…. Especially if JPP wants back in! People debate whether a cheaper D. Smith makes sense, but this does in my opinion!
April 24th, 2023 at 10:12 pm
Still better than JTS will ever be.
April 24th, 2023 at 10:20 pm
Even with half a wing in 2021: he was solid against the run and ate blockers so pass rush could get home even though he was injured. Love that guy. Miss him.
April 24th, 2023 at 10:42 pm
Stop cherry picking stats, Joe. 14 games, 13 starts, a playoff sack… what about a big THREE sacks during the regular season and FIVE and a HALF the last two years? Does his complete lack of production not matter? He’s done!
April 24th, 2023 at 10:52 pm
Technically he was his old self, he’s up there in age. It’s time to get younger and faster in the trenches. If they didn’t think that way they wouldn’t have let him go in favor of JTS. It’s time to move on
April 24th, 2023 at 10:56 pm
Hey Joe
How bout we bring em both back!
Nassib and JPP
Cant’ have enough edge rushers!
April 24th, 2023 at 11:33 pm
Why not bring back both of them they should both come relatively cheap.
April 25th, 2023 at 12:02 am
Grasping for straws.
April 25th, 2023 at 12:03 am
BoricuaBucfan Says:
April 24th, 2023 at 11:33 pm
Because we’re trying to build the young talent, not rely on old vets. We aren’t going to a Superbowl this year. We are resetting. I wouldn’t sacrifice a young developing player for either of those guys. I’d take either of them back on vet minimum if we can’t fill that roster spot with a young talent.
By the way, Suh did nothing for Philly, and JPP wasn’t special in Baltimore.
We want to get younger and faster and develop players who will be with us for awhile.
April 25th, 2023 at 12:13 am
Goatfarmer Says:
April 24th, 2023 at 10:02 pm
“Leadership is why you sign JPP.”
Exactly!
Even if we draft a guy, having JPP mentor him would be excellent. One year deal, won’t cost much. And this defense needs a leader.
April 25th, 2023 at 12:17 am
sasquatch Says:
April 25th, 2023 at 12:03 am
“Because we’re trying to build the young talent, not rely on old vets.”
There is no possible way to fill all of the needs with young players in one year. We have several guys who do not deserve to be on the team.
April 25th, 2023 at 2:41 am
Suh
April 25th, 2023 at 5:12 am
I brought up and suggested JPP be signed again and how that would be a great idea when I commented on a Joe Bucs Fan article regarding signing another pass rusher in early March and none of you guys had anything to say about JPP including Joe Bucs Fan Writers. Well I’m glad you all have finally come along to this line if thinking. Yes I’d love to see JPP back in a Bucs uniform this season.
April 25th, 2023 at 5:15 am
Probably another example of someone who wants to play for Bowles again. Trade white and use that to sign JPP and Suh, depending on the draft. I’d love to see them both back.
April 25th, 2023 at 6:15 am
Luv me some JPP should have never let him leave….he’s a DAWG!
April 25th, 2023 at 6:31 am
JPP can teach the young guys how to conserve energy during running plays.
April 25th, 2023 at 8:21 am
If JPP is healthy and the $$$ are right sign the man!
He not only adds immediate depth but will bring a veteran presence for young guys like JTS. I’m not worried about snaps he takes from the Bucs developing players because that will be offset by his “aura”. JPP is a take no prisoners, leave it all on the field kind of guy. His abscence along with Suh left a defense that seemed to have lost it’s confidence and swagger.
It would have been nice if DW45 had picked up that mantle but he has revealed himself as a total “ME” kinda guy. ME first TEAM second. Trade him!
April 25th, 2023 at 8:29 am
No. Bucs need to get younger and faster. Love JPP but it’s time to move on. As far as Tyron and Hall, they are pros and need to step up and do their frigging jobs.
April 25th, 2023 at 8:31 am
he was a big reason our run defense wasnt as strong last year. Would love to have him back in the rotation.
April 25th, 2023 at 8:55 am
IF WE COULD GET HIM FOR NEAR THE VETERAN MINIMUM I WOULD DEFINITELY SAY “HELL YES !” HE WAS A BEAST FOR US FOR YEARS & INJURED HIS SHOULDER EARLY IN HIS LAST SEASON WITH US BUT PLAYED WITH ONE HEALTHY ARM FOR THE REST OF THAT SEASON !..HE’S A WARRIOR ! & THOSE LONG ARMS OF HIS HAVE BATTED DOWN ALOT OF PASSES IN HIS CAREER & HE KNOWS HOW TO SET THE EDGE BETTER THAN ANY OF OUR CURRENT ENDS ( WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SHAQ BARRETT (WHO PLAYS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FIELD) GO SIGN HIM ! WE NEED HIS LEADERSHIP BACK ON THE D.LINE !
April 25th, 2023 at 9:25 am
I have no objection with JPP coming back. This defense needs leadership.
April 25th, 2023 at 10:08 am
Time to move on and develop a younger leader or two. Davis, Dean, Winfield, White, Vea, etc etc. They all get paid, or will get paid, like leaders.
April 25th, 2023 at 11:10 am
Bring JPP and Suh back
April 25th, 2023 at 11:28 am
I honestly would rather add him to the staff, but re-signing him would be nice as well. If cheap (more than league minimum though…I mean he deserves more).
He’d want to be a starter though. Not depth.
April 25th, 2023 at 11:30 am
Larrd Says
“Time to move on and develop a younger leader or two.”
While it would be nice to ‘develop’ one…leaders are usually the Alphas…and none of the ones we have on the team right now, except maybe Jensen, are Alphas.
April 25th, 2023 at 11:31 am
A true Alpha will talk the talk…and back it up with play and action.
We have had guys who talk with no action, and we have guys who play and don’t talk (Lavante David). We have no one who does both outside of Jensen.
April 25th, 2023 at 11:50 am
Shouldn’t have let him or Suh go to begin with!
April 25th, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Sign JPP and Suh back.
April 25th, 2023 at 2:01 pm
COACH JPP
I wonder if he’d come back and coach. The Bucs are going to draft another OLB. JTS and Cam Gill need to develop. JPP would be great for that role.
April 25th, 2023 at 8:10 pm
He has a house in South Tampa. Why is this a story?