Why the Buccaneers have left veteran free agent hanging
By Rob Leeds
Some people might think that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need Ndamukong Suh back if they want to compete in 2022, but the team clearly has different ideas.
The Buccaneers do not believe that they need veteran defender Ndamukong Suh.
This is a tough truth to accept, but it is becoming more clear by the day how the Bucs value Suh’s talents relative to what they are willing to pay.
Right or wrong, the Bucs are showing their hand.
The free agent market has gone relatively quiet for the Buccaneers after the 2022 NFL Draft, but that doesn’t mean this won’t pick up some steam again as teams inch closer to training camp. We still have a while for teams to evaluate their futures and rosters, but it seems obvious that Suh is the odd man out for Tampa.
We saw the same thing happen with Jason Pierre-Paul. Contrary to what some fans tend to mistakenly believe, bringing guys back just because they were on the Super Bowl team is stupid.
Bringing guys back just because they won is complacency. We all know what complacency does.
JPP didn’t make the team better at this point in his career. The Bucs drafted other players and even gave JPP’s number away.
We are probably seeing the same thing happen with Suh.
Over the past three years or so, Suh has been the third-most important defender on that line behind Vita Vea and William Gholston. Vea is obvious and Gholston is one of the most under-rated players on the roster. Argue with a wall.
The Bucs just don’t have the money to pay an expensive and aging defender when they just spent a priority pick on an athletic lineman that should be able to step into the Suh role with ease.
Something could change if Suh does bring his price tag down over the coming weeks after he evaluates his options, but we just don’t see that happening.
Trending. Easiest drought for Buccaneers to end in 2022 with Tom Brady. light
Want to write about the Buccaneers? Apply below!
Want your voice heard? Join the The Pewter Plank team!