Everyone knows the Buccaneers desperately need help getting to the quarterback. Jason Licht admitted it at the Combine, leaving three clear paths: draft one, trade for an edge rusher or sign a free agent.
The Buccaneers never really entered the Maxx Crosby talks, and with his Ravens deal off the table, that probably won’t change. Tampa Bay could use the No. 15 pick for an edge rusher—unprecedented for Licht—or jump back into free agency, where a premier sack artist was available, much like last year’s Reddick move.
Trey Hendrickson racked up 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons for Cincinnati, and he reportedly had Tampa Bay on his radar before free agency. It never materialized—he landed a massive contract with Baltimore instead, staying in the AFC.
Hendrickson landed a massive four-year, $112 million deal—$28 million a year was already steep, but the term scared off Tampa Bay.
ESPN says the Bucs kicked the tires, yet wanted a shorter commitment than Hendrickson finally got.
Via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler,
“The Colts, Bills, Bucs, Commanders and Eagles all were involved in Trey Hendrickson’s free agency before the All-Pro agreed to terms with the Ravens, per sources.
The Colts felt like they were close at one point.
The Eagles got involved late.
Tampa pursued but on a short-term deal.
Hendrickson wanted a long-term deal with a contender. Buffalo fit that mold. But Baltimore put it over the top Tuesday night.”
That caution tracks—at 31 with a history of injuries, Hendrickson is a risk for a long guarantee like Baltimore’s. Even with elite pass-rush, his run defense is a question mark, another reason Tampa Bay may have balked at a multi-year pact.
In the end Hendrickson won’t wear pewter, leaving the Bucs’ pass rush still thin. The likeliest path is a cheaper free-agent flier plus a first-round edge rusher at No. 15 to pair with Yaya Diaby. Fans dreamed of Hendrickson in Tampa, but only Baltimore was ready to pay that price.
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