Bucs Rival Announces Blockbuster Roster Decision
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to repeat as NFC South champions for the fifth straight season in 2025, while extending their postseason run to six consecutive appearances.
After an impressive 2025 NFL Draft, general manager Jason Licht has the team poised for another division title as the team heads into rookie minicamp this weekend with their new draftees under contract.
Advertisement
While most consider the Atlanta Falcons to be the Bucs' biggest threat to a South title, the Carolina Panthers should not be slept on.
Quarterback Bryce Young is entering his third season in the league, and after a rocky rookie campaign, finally showed us flashes with an impressive second season, his first with former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales as head coach.
The Panthers continue to make changes to their roster, post-draft.
After announcing running back Jonathan Brooks will miss all of 2025 on the physically unable to perform list, the team released veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney after just one season in Carolina.
Advertisement
The journeyman defender signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Panthers last offseason and notched 46 total tackles with 24 solo and nine for loss, 5.5 sacks, 11 QB hits and four passes defended.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick of the Houston Texans in 2014 now becomes one of the top free agent pass rushers available in free agency.
After spending five seasons with the Texans, Clowney has played for five teams over the past six seasons, spending more than one year with just one.
Clowney spent 2019 in Seattle before moving on to the Titans in 2020. He played two seasons with the Browns in 2021-22, then signed with the Ravens for 2023 and the Panthers in 2024.
Related: Buccaneers Dynamic Duo Ranks As Best in NFL
Related: Analyst Details One Key Need For Buccaneers on Defense
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
New York Giants' Jermaine Eluemunor takes notice of grass turf at MetLife Stadium
New York Giants' Jermaine Eluemunor takes notice of grass turf at MetLife Stadium What would MetLife Stadium look like if the playing surface consisted of natural grass instead of the artificial turf they've had since 2010? Thanks to the rules of FIFA, which will play nine games of their Club World Cup 2025 at MetLife, we've gotten a preview. FIFA prefers, but does not require, all matches to be played on natural grass. Artificial turf can be used in certain cases but it must meet strict guidelines. MetLife Stadium currently utilizes a synthetic turf called FieldTurf Core HD, which was installed before the 2023 NFL season. The previous surface, UBU Speed S5-M, was troublesome to many players who claimed the surface was responsible for a spate of leg injuries. MetLife is a heavily used venue, where both local area NFL teams, the New York Giants and New York Jets, play their home games. The venue also hosts numerous other events, including concerts. Natural grass would likely not survive, hence the choice to utilize the artificial surface. Still, that did not prevent the NFLPA and Giants offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor from taking notice. Players across the league regularly gripe about the playing surface at MetLife Stadium, expressing their preference for natural grass but stability concerns remain. "I want to get to the point where the experts can tell us that late in the season we can have a safe, playable grass field, and when we get to that point, then maybe we'll make the switch," Giants co-owner John Mara said last year. "With the amount of events in our building, particularly during the football season, having two teams there, and how many times last year we had back-to-back games where it rained during the first game, I can't imagine what a grass field would've looked like on a second day." The number of events and four seasons in the Northeast continue to pose a problem.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Sam Baker in focus
USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Sam Baker in focus The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 79 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we take a look at former USC All-American offensive lineman Sam Baker. Position: Offensive line Years played at USC: 2003-2007 Career highlights: After redshirting his first year on campus in 2003, Baker started the next four seasons for the Trojans at left tackle. In 2005, 2006, 2007, he earned first-team All-American honors. Baker is one of four USC players to be named an All-American three times, along with Richard Wood, Matt Leinart, and Taylor Mays. During Baker's time on campus, USC won two national championships, three Rose Bowls, an Orange Bowl, and five Pac-10 titles. Baker blocked for two Trojan Heisman winners: Leinart in 2004 and Reggie Bush in 2005. After USC: Baker was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He spent all seven seasons of his NFL career with the team. However, his career was hampered by injuries, as he appeared in just 70 games over that stretch, making 61 starts. After missing the entire 2014 season with a knee injury, Baker was released by Atlanta in 2015.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Ravens role player earns unexpected praise from former NFL coach Jon Gruden
Ravens role player earns unexpected praise from former NFL coach Jon Gruden One of the Ravens' role players caught the eye of former NFL coach Jon Gruden. Being one of the NFL's premier franchises means there are always eyes on the organization. The Baltimore Ravens are never short of a few admirers or interested parties. That comes with the territory as the reigning and defending two-time AFC North champions. Expectations are again soaring as another regular season is quickly approaching. There is star power all over this team, and in 2025, this proud organization is scheduled to play in primetime four times. They have an opportunity to make history by winning the division for a third consecutive season. That would be the first time any team has accomplished that feat since the AFC Central was transformed into a four-team division 23 years ago. In 2024, Baltimore placed 11 players on the AFC's Pro Bowl roster. Six players on the roster earned All-Pro designations. Much is expected of them, and the discussions about their potential are continual. One of the more recent came from a recent visitor. Jon Gruden names four Ravens as Gruden Grinders. One is a designee that you may not have expected. Jon Gruden isn't someone who can sneak around unnoticed, so when he attended Ravens' OTAs recently, news traveled. As expected, everyone wanted to know the nature of his visit, and head coach John Harbaugh explained. The former Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach seemingly hasn't ceased his analysis of the flock since leaving town. Recently, he added four familiar faces to his list of 'Gruden Grinders'. Three are no surprise to anyone. They're also 2024 Pro Bowlers: Patrick Ricard, Tyler Linderbaum, and Marlon Humphries. The other is a depth piece at wide receiver, fifth-year Raven Tylan Wallace. 54 games with one start is the extent of Wallace's regular-season resume. Injuries forced him into action to start both of Baltimore's postseason games last season. He snagged two of three targets during the Wild Card and Divisional Rounds. In total, he has tallied 308 yards and a touchdown during his career. It seems the opportunities will be limited in an offense featuring Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely. Gruden, however, defines a 'Grinder' as "guys who love to play and compete", guys who "will play for nothing." Every team needs a couple of those guys, and having one in Wallace adds a fine insurance plan for the roster.
