Tampa Bay Buccaneers have interest in former AAF tight end

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are joining in on the trend of NFL teams signing former AAF players as they have interest in tight end Nick Truesdell.

Since the Alliance of American Football folded over a week ago, numerous players have found homes on NFL rosters. While some may just be camp bodies, it seems that the league served a purpose in its short existence of giving players another shot at getting back into the NFL. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ready to get in on the AAF fun.

The Buccaneers are interested in bringing in former Salt Lake Stallions tight end Nick Truesdell. They are expected to fly Truesdell in tomorrow in order to get to know the tight end better, but there is a catch: the 29-year-old tight end is visiting with the New York Jets today and may not make it to Tampa Bay.

Truesdell started his college football career at the University of Cincinnati before transferring to Grand Rapids Community College to finish his collegiate career. He was not drafted after finishing his collegiate career, and was then signed by the Arena Football League’s Colorado Ice.

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The 6’6 tight end played indoor football for two years before getting a shot at an NFL roster when Truesdell was signed by the Indianapolis Colts. He failed to make the roster and made his way back to the AFL where he played for both the Arizona Rattlers and the Cleveland Gladiators.

Truesdell was also given a shot in 2017 to compete in camp with the Minnesota Vikings, but again did not make the team.In his short stint with the Stallions in the AAF, Truesdell tallied 269 yards and three touchdowns on 24 catches.

The Buccaneers currently have O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate, Antony Auclair, Tanner Hudson, and Donnie Ernsberger on the roster at the tight end position. However, given Brate’s contract situation, due to make $7 million as a second tight end, the Buccaneers could move him. Truesdell would compete with Auclair, Ernsberger, and Hudson regardless.

While Truesdell is with the Jets today, Tampa Bay is hoping for the opportunity to bring Truesdell in. Time will tell if the Buccaneers will get a shot to pitch the former AAF tight end Truesdell and attempt to sign him.