Buccaneers: 5 Potential Player Releases Prior to Week One

J.R. Sweezy

He was supposed to be the answer for Logan Mankins. Mankins retired, and the Bucs were looking for a veteran to help anchor the offensive line. Prior to the 2016 season, Sweezy signed a five-year, $32.5 million contract, including $14.5 million guaranteed (per Spotrac). The trouble is, we have no pictures of him in a Bucs uniform because he never became healthy enough to play last year. Sweezy spent the year injured.

Prudently, Jason Licht reworked the deal to remove guarantees and include incentives for being on the field. The Bucs are now protected if Sweezy is not able to see the field due to continued back problems. According to Jenna Laine of ESPN, his salary is $3.75 million in 2017, which per game bonuses to get him up to, potentially, $5 million for the year.

However, there are still many questions to be answered here. First of all, will Sweezy actually be ready to play. The team will need to see him in a full slate of camp workouts in order to fully evaluate him. Even if he does see the field, how good will he really be? If an offensive lineman has a bad back, it can make it quite difficult to stand your ground against your opponent. Sweezy on the field would be good, but not if he becomes a human turnstile.

Even with a $4 million cap hit, it is not unreasonable to think that Jason Licht will cut his losses and move on.

Next: Bucs Five Biggest Draft Busts

So what do you think of this list? Are there others that should be included? Let me know…