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Buccaneers may have finally run out of reasons to keep Chris Braswell

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have finally run out of patience with Chris Braswell after another disappointing performance from the former second-round pick.
ByJosh Crysler|
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Chris Braswell failed to take advantage of a major opportunity in the preseason opener.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Chris Braswell failed to take advantage of a major opportunity in the preseason opener. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Chris Braswell with their second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme depends on getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which Tampa Bay wasn’t doing consistently.  The outside linebacker room was one of the roster’s most prominent weaknesses, but after two seasons of Braswell, nothing has changed. Braswell has recorded just 2.5 sacks in two seasons, and is nothing more than a bottom-of-the-depth-chart rotational player — not worth the premium draft pick Tampa Bay used to select him. 

That’s why the Buccaneers went all-in on overhauling their pass rush this offseason. They drafted Rueben Bain Jr. in the first round and signed Al-Quadin Muhammad — coming off an 11-sack season — in free agency. They also have David Walker returning from injury, and the sudden depth of the outside linebacker room could spell doom for Braswell. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have finally run out of patience with Chris Braswell

With Yaya Diaby, Bain, Muhammad and Walker penciled in for the first four spots in the rotation, Braswell’s best-case scenario is earning the OLB5 spot.  

But even that appears highly unlikely. He’ll be competing with Anthony Nelson, who is a reliable veteran and a favorite of Todd Bowles. Nelson has notched at least three sacks in five consecutive seasons and provides a solid floor. Nelson currently holds a significant edge over Braswell. 

Friday night’s preseason opener against the New York Jets provided a key opportunity for Braswell to boost his stock, but he failed to take advantage. Braswell played the entire first half and failed to get on the stat sheet.

Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Jack Prybrun finished with two sacks. Mohamed Kamara, another player competing for a roster spot, recorded four total tackles, including one tackle for loss. Nelson also had two tackles. 

Braswell’s already-slim roster hopes have reached a low point. He’s shaping up to be one of the Buccaneers’ most disappointing draft busts of the Jason Licht era. 

The Bucs would be better served cutting their losses than holding out hope that he’ll develop into the pass rusher they once thought he could be. Tampa Bay should at least call teams in desperate need of a pass rusher to see if they can acquire a late-round pick or even just a pick swap. Getting anything for Braswell at this point would be a win. 

It’s starting to look like a foregone conclusion that Braswell won’t survive the Buccaneers’ roster cuts and will be looking for a change of scenery ahead of the 2026 season.

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