Logan Hall gets a massive endorsement from Todd Bowles amid roster cuts

Over the weekend the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their first preseason game of the year, and the 13-6 victory saw a few different players stand out. It was also notable which players didn't step into the spotlight, or didn't make the most of the opportunities they were given.

Logan Hall appeared to be one of those guys who didn't step up, which is why we dinged him in our observations from the evening. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles saw it differently, which is probably why I'm behind a keyboard and Bowles is behind a clipboard.

The fact of the matter remains, though, that Logan Hall needs to start making a meaningful impact on defense as he enters his second season in the league.

Last year Hall played in all 17 of the Bucs games, but only recorded 2.5 sacks and 12 combined tackles. He simply didn't show up consistently enough as a rookie, which isn't great but can't be totally held against him -- it's foolish to judge a guy based off one season.

Optically, the slow start to Hall's career is juxtaposed against George Karlaftis, who has a fantastic rookie season helping give edge rush to the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Tampa Bay could have drafted Karlaftis but traded out of the first round and landed Hall at the start of Day 2, which is a decision that hasn't aged particularly great.

Hall has a chance to flip the script, though, and has Todd Bowles backing heading into the season.

Buccaneers News: Todd Bowles names Logan Hall a starter on D-Line

At practice on Wednesday, Bowles announced Hall as a starter on the defensive line. The decision not only shores up another training camp battle, but is the biggest endorsement that Hall has received since the Bucs drafted him No. 32 overall back in 2022.

“You don’t have to teach him right now. He knows everything and we like where he’s at,” Bowles said.

Hall also spoke to the media, and sounded like a guy who knows he has a fantastic opportunity ahead of him to be an impact player.

Hall has been under heavy scrutiny since being drafted, which varies in fairness. He's a young player and still has room to develop, but he entered a situation where the Bucs were still chasing a Super Bowl and didn't have time to wait for guys to get up to speed.

To be fair, he's shown flashes on tape and everything coaches have said about him this offseason seems to suggest he's in the midst of taking a step forward. He's been given the opportunity to shine, now it's up to him to step up as the guy Tampa Bay needs and prove he can be part of the next generation of defensive stars.

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