What A Day For The Bucs!
March 11th, 2025
Impressive start.
It’s not quite 12 hours ago that the free agency siren sounded. Joe never dreamed a great Bucs day would be over in around 30 minutes.
The day began when it was learned left guard Ben Bredeson would stick around. Great.
Then we learned the second-best receiver in Bucs history, Chris Godwin, would stick around. Awesome!
Then, the move that rocked the NFL: Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, who has long been reluctant to bring in a proven veteran edge rusher in free agency, broke down and grabbed Hasson Reddick for $14 million in 2025.
Joe couldn’t believe it. Still hard to believe. Are we living in some twisted “Twilight Zone” episode? You know, like flying over Manhattan only to see dinosaurs or Civil War veterans still alive and kicking in their 40s?
When Joe saw the nation alerted to the Reddick signing, Joe thought for sure it was a fake Adam Schefter account and that Joe was being punked.
You know, the fake handles that always pop up at the start of free agency. Joe did a double take and just stared at the Twitter. This can’t be?
But yes, the blue checkmark was there. It was Schefter’s real account. The Bucs signed an edge rusher. An honest-to-goodness real edge rusher. Dogs and cats live together! Pigs fly.
Joe tried to sleep but can’t. Even tried to count Hasson Reddick sacks. No dice, can’t sleep.
Joe almost wishes training camp started this morning. Absolutely fired up for the season and the league year hasn’t officially begun. And the draft is still weeks away.
Just an awesome day for the Bucs. Licht wasted zero time in getting his four biggest wishes fulfilled:
* Bring back Lavonte David.
* Re-sign Bredeson.
* Re-sign Godwin.
* Find an edge rusher.
What a day — and night!
Who broke out the bourbon last night to celebrate?
March 11th, 2025 at 12:08 am
Who is everyone hoping to add during free agency? We have damn good start. I think Mr. Licht is not done.
March 11th, 2025 at 12:11 am
“The move that rocked the NFL,” it’s a good signing but
TAKE IT EASY, someone once said….
March 11th, 2025 at 12:16 am
Amazing, frees us up to go BPA in round 1 and then address depth on D in rounds 2-4
March 11th, 2025 at 12:19 am
“Joe tried to sleep but can’t. Even tried to count Hasson Reddick sacks. No dice, can’t sleep.“
It was 1 last year. 1 sack.
Jk I’m hoping for a rebound also – BUT today just treads water – lets see if Licht swims and brings in a quality depth CB and LB – 🤞
March 11th, 2025 at 12:33 am
The move that rocked the NFL? Twilight Zone?
I know this is a business and you want to get clicks, but my gosh the hyperbole for signing a declining 30 yr old rusher that had 1 sack last year is over the top.
For the NFL community outside the Buc bubble, this is maybe the 20th ranked topic of the day. I’d love to eat crow, but I don’t see this signing making nearly the waves you’re making it out to be.
March 11th, 2025 at 12:33 am
Certainly knocking items off my wishlist. If the Bucs can somehow add an ILB and CB before the draft night as well call JL Santa Claus.
March 11th, 2025 at 12:42 am
Sack fantasies much better 2nite, much better than nightmares that CG was gone to another team for 30 milly and Hall was our only other Edge.
Loved how it was over in 30 mins. When I saw it was transfixed for 4 minutes. Could not believe my eyes. With one signing we freed up our whole Dline to wreak terror on every other Oline in the NFL. O and we have the best Oline as well.
Mahomes and NFC South O Coordinators having themselves bad dreams 2nite. Very bad dreams. And Licht just getting started on loading our Defense.
March 11th, 2025 at 12:43 am
How about Byron Murphy now??
He has superb ball skills…
Wonder what his $$ number is??
March 11th, 2025 at 12:48 am
Crown!
March 11th, 2025 at 1:05 am
Todd is still coach
March 11th, 2025 at 1:15 am
I think JL might have been pushed a little this year. However, the Bucs have had the best GM in the league for years. Draft well. Maybe another good FA. Start the damn season!!
March 11th, 2025 at 1:23 am
Do these moves mean Dean is a goner? I’m in the minority that wants to keep Dean around but the writing on the wall says they let him go. Would still like to see them bring in a vet ILB. But yes, Joes. A GREAT friggin day for our Bucs!
March 11th, 2025 at 2:44 am
Bredeson was overpaid. But he works hard.
We have the deepest team I’ve seen in Bucs history.
We have only 1 need on defense. An ILB.
We have a starting offense and defense right now.
Before the draft!
You could even say Dennis is ready to start at ILB.
So we don’t “need” a starter from this draft.
Which is crazy!
So, we must invest in the D-line. Copy the Eagles.
Depth on the line is key.
The 1st two picks should be defensive line.
A backup for Vea. And a backup for Hall.
March 11th, 2025 at 2:49 am
People whining about 1 sack last year clearly didn’t follow the Jets/Reddick fiasco last year. Reddick had no training camp. He was pissed playing for a team he didn’t want anything to do with. From the Eagles to the Jets? What motivation did Reddick have last year apart from money? He clearly wanted more money if he was stuck with a perennial loser. The Eagles winning the SB probably motives this guy to push our defense to next level.
Watch this guy get at least 8-10 sacks with the Bucs. That’s on the lower end of his abilities. Todd will scheme him into impact plays. With a little more depth from the draft, this signing will help the back end of the defense tremendously.
March 11th, 2025 at 2:59 am
It has been fantastic!!
Was worried about LVD and Godwin.
I think the 2 of the top 3 picks will be ILB and DB (CB). Dean’s days are numbered. If he restructures for almost half price he will stick around as starter when healthy but mostly for depth.
I am very interested in seeing how SirV at ILB and Tykee Smith at S do. Plenty of speed and playmaking ability but only year 2.
I do like drafting Ol and DL within the first 4 rounds every single year but not sure they do it this year.
March 11th, 2025 at 3:13 am
We have zero holes on Offense, what will be a Legendary Oline, and a top 5 Dline now,
The best DT tandem, the best WR duo; Baker, Bucky, LVD
Set with Mccollum, Smith, and Winfield.
Even a healthy SirVocea Dennis coming back and win column Dean still here as cushion the only remaining weaknesses.
Draft Jihaad Campbell, trade up a lil for top CB, Draft WR4 and a Backup T; Our Tampa Bay Bucs Roster is Complete and then some
March 11th, 2025 at 3:26 am
teacherman … We have only 1 need on defense. An ILB. You could even say Dennis is ready to start at ILB. So we don’t “need” a starter from this draft.’
The only thing that changed on defense yesterday is that we aded Reddick. And Joe penned an entire article that he MIGHT just be a situational player. Nah, this defense still needs a lot of work to get us to the Super Bowl.
Our ILB position group is still the weak link IMO. LVD is the backbone, but name the other 3-4 in the group. Dennis? Look at his stats (82.4% completions allowed) from 2023 & 2024 and tell me that he excels. Look at his availability (17 games … 50%). Sorry, but he’s not the guy to hang your hat on. Bucs NEED a quality starter like Jihaad Campbell. And we also NEED a veteran backup (like Kevin Minter proved to be in 2019-2021 … played a key role in 2021 especially). Then re-sign the best of Britt or Russell as your 5th ILB.
Our CB group is the same as it was last year at this point. Dean & McCollum are our starters, with Thunderstruck & Hayes backing them up. We NEED to upgrade that group in 2 ways (at least). Re-sign Bryce Hall AND draft a CB in the top 3 Rounds. And oh ya, keep Dean for 1 more year. That’ll give us 4 outside guys.
Our Safety group definitely needs to rebound from last year (it was marginal), but we have talent there. Winfield, Tykee Smith, Meriweather (assuming he’s re-signed which I’m confident he will be), Edwards (samo samo) & Izien. What’s nice in that group is that it has so much flexibility (S or DB/Nickel).
Our OLB group just got a major infusion of talent with Haasan Reddick being added. Would still like to see us re-sign Nelson (he’s still improving) PLUS draft a quality Edge someplace in the top 4 Rounds. That’d give us Reddick, Diaby, Braswell, Nelson & a quality rookie Edge. I could live with that.
DLine needs 3 more players (for a total of 6). We’ve got Vea, Kancey & Hall under contract. We NEED to draft a beastly DT/NT in the Top-3 Rounds to rotate in with Vea, to provide more CONSISTENT interior pressure without having to blitz so much. We should also re-sign both Gaines & Brewer to provide depth.
With those changes I’m convinced that Todd Bowles’ defense would be just as good, maybe better, than what we fielded in 2020 & 2021. Pair that with a Top-5 offense and we’ll be contenders.
March 11th, 2025 at 3:27 am
muy fantastico !
March 11th, 2025 at 3:34 am
Yeah also feel like 1st 2 pics will be ILB & CB…..
Jihaad Campbell is the pic for the Bucs in 1st round…
I wonder if we can actually move down a few pics and still get him??
Maybe pic up another 3rd/4th rounder as well…
We definitely need backup DT, along w maybe a 2nd CB who can play the slot if we don’t grab one in free agency…
I’m still thinking Bucs trade Rachaad White….Really like Skataboo to partner with Bucky.,.
March 11th, 2025 at 4:05 am
Hearty Dickerson, nobody loves to eat crow. Have you watched some of this dudes tape? I don’t care about last years outlier performance. Kind of reminds me of the way they talked about Baker. He was with 3 teams the year before Licht snatched him up. On a one year prove it deal. Bet this bad dude will be playing with a chip on his shoulder. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say Reddick puts up career numbers this year. He’s exactly the kind of player we didn’t quite have on last year’s D. Let’s get the rest of our guys signed and hunker down for the draft. We’re gonna lose a few games next season. But not many.
March 11th, 2025 at 4:42 am
Let’s ask Gerald McCoy if he’s okay with the Reddick signing.
March 11th, 2025 at 5:54 am
I was one of the negative naysayers, I thought JL was going to sit on his hands when it came to our pass rush. I was thrilled and shocked to hear JL signed Reddick hopefully he has 12 plus sacks and he teaches YaYa Diaby a thing or too
March 11th, 2025 at 5:55 am
Joe is so happy we signed Reddick. Before we get to giddy let’s remember the Eagles shipped him off, and won a superbowl. The Jets traded for him, and didn’t make the playoffs. So much for one edge rusher putting you over the top.
March 11th, 2025 at 6:12 am
“Then, the move that rocked the NFL”
Talk about over the top…lol…just remember if this doesn’t work out Todd has nowhere to hide.
March 11th, 2025 at 6:31 am
Still need depth.. there will be injuries!
March 11th, 2025 at 7:23 am
Loved it. Let Joe have fun writing this kinda article!
Of course it was exaggerated, Licht was trying to duplicate a Simeon/Shaq signing. We also kept the O-line together and resigned one of our tandem receiving legends. Great writing fodder. Don’t know how anyone can think Riddick is declining when he barely played last year, missing all of camp and not playing the first seven games of the season. Then he gets traded to a team where he had to learn a new system, and by the way, they suck. Only six games last year did he play over 40 snaps. And he’s never had a major injury. He’s one of those small athletic ends, 4.52 forty at 240 lbs. Took him a few years to “get it” being a smaller NFL DE.
Plus, if we have a draft anything like last season, we are going to be pretty deep.
Icing on the cake? Atlanta lost their best edge rusher. I don’t think Atlanta and New Orleans are going to be able to replace what they lose. Hopefully they draft poorly, too. No love lost here. Could be the kittens are the second best team in the NFC South.
March 11th, 2025 at 7:36 am
Godwin won’t start the season. Likely to miss the first 8 games. Ben is not good, and PFF data backs that up. Reddick is washed up. LVD needs a walker. Light had multiple chances to land a great edge. Glazers too cheap. 9 wins max is the goal. No more, no less.
March 11th, 2025 at 8:58 am
I broke out medicine that can be smoked.
March 11th, 2025 at 9:11 am
And {WHY} should anyone actually cares about “Jeff’s” opinion? Where other than as “Jeff’s” fantasy football GM. Has “Jeff” been a NFL player, assistant position coach, position coach, DC, OC, HC, assistant scout, regional scout, lead scout, assistant GM, GM?
I am glad you do post your opinions Jeff.
I just do wonder
If Jeff just another fairweather Buccaneer fan, or another NFC South, another NFL team “fan”??
Year two for Bredeson on Tampa Bay’s top 5 in 2024 Oline, looks to me to be first time since his Michigan days he has same position, and continuity of Oline coaches. I am excited to see him improve his own play this season.
Godwin is back! Our other homegrown top 15 WR, yes he has had a serious ankle injury, one that will never be the same? I am excited to see how far our “Homegrown Warrior” will motovate himself to his own personal standard. 3 more years of Godwin is a win for the Bucs. It may take him some time to regain his own trust, and allow the injury to heal, Yes!
Godwin took 20 Million less to stay a Buccaneer.
Reddick is a established NFL player. Had an off year with the “Team that Rodgers tanked”. I see Riddick as coming in to Tampa, staying focused, wanting his opportunity to play against his old team’s, and taking this new Buccaneer opportunity to show he is not “JAG” he still is a top of the list Edge/OLB/DE. Looking forward to seeing what Reddick, Kancey, Vea, Hall, Ya Ya, bring to the Dline. A fresh Drafted Edge/OLB/DE would also give us something from the cupboard, when the need arises…
I would like to see us get MLB, CB, DE/EDGE, DT, S, OL, WR from this draft. Not necessarily in this order..
GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!
March 11th, 2025 at 9:26 am
It is a step in the right direction with what was accomplished yesterday. But we are not quite there yet to go deep into the playoffs. And God forbid anything happens to Baker to where he goes down and misses games. I am also not completely sold on what we are getting with Reddick. I remember when he was here in town playing for the Cardinals and wasn’t overly impressed back then. He seems like a crap shoot on how he will perform with yet another team and years tacked onto his age. We shall see as there is still the draft and more deals to be made and found.
March 11th, 2025 at 10:03 am
Nice moves, I feared we would need to let go Godwin to get the edge. Reddick next to Vita Vea, SB!
March 11th, 2025 at 10:51 am
Being a stalwart Bucs fan since 1981, I am ecstatic with the news from yesterday! Resigning GDalone would’ve made me Happy! Signing Reddick will be a defensive game changer!! LDV FOR 1 MORE YEAR WAS ICING on my Cake!!! THIS news along is fantastic!!
Now comes the draft, Licht will work his magis and fill more defensive needs and hopefully a #4 WR that not only helps us this year, but also as a possible future replacement for Mike or even GD in case McMillon doesn’t pan out out well enough!I BELIEVE THIS IS A SUPRISE SUPER BOWL BOUND SEASON!! LFG BUCS!!!
March 11th, 2025 at 10:52 am
ModHairKen – thanks for the laugh!
I want Bryce Hall back. Would love to see more DB depth added, and 2 more LB depth pieces from the FA barnyard added.
I love it when Joe gets fired up like this.
March 11th, 2025 at 11:12 am
Can we stop saying Godwin took less to stay here? the Bucs overpaid so another $20 million? How much was guaranteed? People need to pump the breaks a bit.
Off season champs rarely win anything
March 11th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
From free agency we need an ILB, and another CB if we decide to dump Dean, maybe a NT if there’s anyone worth a shot. This assumes we re-sign Skule.
This leaves us free to draft another Edge, and a CB, and probably a WR for the future.
We’re in pretty good shape.
March 11th, 2025 at 5:39 pm
Only 1 more move to make….get a head coach who is not stubbirn and dumb
March 11th, 2025 at 7:01 pm
You are right Joe What a day!! Hard to believe the naysayers here I mean this is the best case scenario. I cant wait to see Reddick play with Vita and Kancey and dont forget Yaya. I dont always agree with you Joe but this one is solid