Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Three backups not getting talked about enough

Mike Edwards – Safety

Mike Edwards was one of the unsung heroes of the Buccaneers in 2020 and should see his role with the team increase as time rolls on. Despite the miraculous job done by General Manager Jason Licht and company, the Bucs aren’t completely out of the woods. The salary chickens may come home to roost after this season, and fellow safety Jordan Whitehead could become a cap-casualty due to his set-to-expire contract.

Whitehead is a solid football player.  Luckily, they have more than a solid backup plan in the form of Edwards. Whitehead and Edwards are virtually the same sizes, with the 205 pounds Edwards actually outweighing Whitehead by seven pounds. They also had very similar productivity.

In 2020, both Whitehead and Edwards both had a fumble recovery, two interceptions, and Edwards actually had five passes deflected to Whitehead’s four. Even if Whitehead does stick around, who’s to say Edwards doesn’t outright beat him for playing time?

When Antoine Winfield Jr. tweaked his ankle leading up to the NFC Championship, forcing him to miss the game, Edwards stepped in and performed with great aplomb, so he and the team know he can perform when called upon.

The week before in the divisional round against the New Orleans Saints, Edwards picked off Drew Brees in the fourth quarter, sealing the game for the Bucs in what would become the final pass of Brees’ career. That’s certainly something Edwards can hang his hat on.

Mike Edwards is a player to watch in 2020, and beyond.