Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign safety Kentrell Brice to one-year deal

After four seasons with the Green Bay Packers, safety Kentrell Brice is heading to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year deal with a chance to start.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added much needed secondary depth by signing former Green Bay Packers strong safety Kentrell Brice. Brice, who is from Louisiana elected to stay in-state and played his college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

After going undrafted in 2016 Brice decided to sign a deal with the Green Bay Packers over the Bucs and Jacksonville Jaguars. A long shot to make the roster at first, but after having a successful training camp and preseason he earned himself a spot on the roster.

In his rookie season Brice worked his way to third on the depth chart behind veteran Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Chris Banjo. Brice appeared in 16 games including regular and post season while starting one game.

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While primarily working as a reserve Brice totaled 20 tackles, one pass deflected and one fumble recovery. He did not have much success in 2017 due to nagging ankle injuries, which held him to only appear in six games, including three starts. Brice improved his stats to 21 tackles, three passes deflected and his first career interception, which came against former Bucs quarterback Mike Glennon.

Heading into the 2018 season the Packers brought in a new defensive coordinator in Mike Pettine. After an impressive offseason, Brice earned the starting strong safety spot and would start alongside Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Brice went on to start 10 games while appearing in 14 total games.

Unfortunately for Brice he found himself injured again after lowering the boom on Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook. This hit not only netted Brice a fine from the league but also ended his season as he hurt his neck. Brice finished the season with 50 total tackles, 2 passes deflected but netted his first sack against Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.

Brice expresses interest in returning to Green Bay for a fourth season but the team decided to pass on tendering him, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent in 2019. Brice was rumored to be pursued by the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Bucs.

his signing is a bit of a low risk, high reward situation as Brice provides needed experience and depth to a young secondary that includes safeties Jordan Whitehead and Justin Evans.