The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have joined in on the frenzy of NFL teams signing former AAF players as they have agreed to a deal with safety Orion Stewart.
It is now not a secret to anybody the Alliance of American Football folded after just eight games into its existence. Since then over 30 former players have found their way onto NFL rosters and will get a chance to earn a spot on a 53 man squad this preseason. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have joined the party as they have signed former San Antonio Commanders safety Orion Stewart.Stewart, age 25, played his college football at the University of Baylor and graduated in 2016. During his career with the Bears, he averaged 65 tackles per year while recording six and a half tackles for loss and two sacks. Stewart also picked off 12 total passes in his career, knocked down 14 more, forced one fumble, and scored two defensive touchdowns.
In eight games with the Commanders, Stewart recorded two interceptions and knocked down an additional three balls from the third level of the San Antonio defense. Stewart also tallied 18 tackles, one of which came behind the line of scrimmage during his stint in the AAF.
Stewart went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft and spent time with both Washington and the New York Giants. He has not played a down of football in an NFL regular season game, but hopes to see his fortunes change as he hopes to compete for a roster spot this summer in Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers have already signed former starting safety for the Green Bay Packers Kentrell Brice this offseason, and have been meeting with multiple high profile safety prospects ahead of the draft. However, the third level of the Tampa Bay defense was egregiously bad in 2018, so seeking to add competition is the right move. Stewart looks to make a name for himself with his second chance at making an NFL roster, but will have an uphill climb ahead of him.