Bucs GM Jason Licht.

So noted Bucs insider and plugged-in NFL insider Peter Schrager of BSPN was talking free agent edge rusher Trey Hendrickson yesterday on ESPN TV. [read more]

It can be done.

Man, as lousy as the Bucs are at an edge rush, Joe cannot fathom how a team wouldn’t be “motivated” to sign a star edge rusher with 74.5 sacks this decade alone. [read more]

Waiting continues.

If it is up to Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and Bucs coach Todd Bowles, they want to roll with a 36-year old inside linebacker. [read more]

“Hey Jamel, you’d look good in this helmet.”

Seems the Giants struck out on trying to swing a deal for Chiefs corner Trent McDuffie, who was shipped to Los Angeles this week. And now, new Giants coach John Harbaugh (who reportedly piqued the interest of Team Glazer earlier this year) apparently has set his sights on Jamel Dean. [read more]

Welcome to your Morning Cup of Joe, an eye-opener to help Joe’s readers ease into their busy workday with a few football links, wacky news and a pleasant distraction. [read more]

Pro Bowl LB now a free agent.

This will get you tossing and turning when you go to bed tonight, or help kick-start your caffeine Friday morning, depending on your sleep pattern. [read more]

There are lots of late-bloomer pass rushers across the NFL.

Just ask star free agent Trey Hendrickson. He had total of 6 1/2 sacks through his first three seasons. [read more]

The most interesting news to come from the NFL Scouting Combine absolutely was Todd Bowles’ piercing words during his sitdown on the Ira Kaufman Podcast, presented by Bill Currie Ford, which celebrates its 65th anniversary in Tampa today. [read more]

Click through to BillCurrieFord.com to see their extraordinary March offers. Family-owned in Tampa since 1960! Bill Currie Ford general manager Sean Sullivan is ready to help you PERSONALLY and give you the famous Ira Kaufman discount. Don’t Worry, Drive Currie!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

In football, familiarity doesn’t breed contempt. It breeds success. [read more]

Price too steep?

See Joe in a bar after a few beers and ask if Joe would like Maxx Crosby on the Bucs roster for 2026. Joe probably wouldn’t shut up all night, so stoked with the thought. [read more]

The Bucs say publicly that they believe deeply in Baker Mayfield and he’s been everything they’ve asked for and more, the ultimate leader and a team-first talent. [read more]

He is happy at home.

More evidence that Mike Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, is a con artist if not a well-known fearmonger. [read more]

Bring him home, Bucs. Make it happen.

Dang, Joe is starting to wonder about the reach of “Pardon My Take” now that the video feed is behind a Netflix paywall. [read more]

Still valuable.

Yes, Joe knows the Bucs have holes at inside linebacker. Joe is on record saying the Bucs need to add three inside linebackers this offseason. The position is that bad. [read more]

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Click above to shop the fantastic March pricing at Tampa’s first family of Ford dealers, BillCurrieFord.com. Don’t Worry. Drive Currie! Reach out to Ira’s friend and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their extreme commitment to customer satisfaction at Bill Currie Ford.

Sage Ira is back in studio for a feisty and loaded episode. Enjoy!

The wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford. Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts or Podbean.com. Many other platforms, too, including iHeartRadio.

A family business since 1960, Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

“The Chiefs suck, Mike.”

The Chiefs traded one of their best players today and didn’t get a player in return. [read more]

Twice Joe wrote about inside linebacker E.J. Speed as a quality free agent target for the Bucs last year. [read more]

High ranking unpopular.

Apparently, across NFL fandom, it’s not wise to be a Cade Otton fan. [read more]

“Mr. Glazer, did you see the latest drivel from Mike Evans’ agent?”

When trying to connect dots related to the Bucs, Joe always pays attention to ESPN NFL insiders Peter Schrager and Adam Schefter.

Schrager is a longtime close personal friend of Bucs assistant general manager Mike Greenberg, and Schefter and Greenberg are from the same hometown. Greenberg is likely the only director of football operations (2021) to ever be a guest on Schefter’s podcast. [read more]

So in five short days, various NFL insiders like Adam Schefter, Dianna Russini and Ian Rapoport will start spitting out free agent deal after deal on social media, announcing X player has agreed to a multi-year contract.

It’s a wildly fun and stressful time across the league. [read more]

Vikings shopping Pro Bowl edge rusher.

Joe has a sneaky suspicion this guy just may end up on the Bucs’ roster. [read more]

Doesn’t sound like Mike.

Thanks to intel from Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, we recently learned of demands Bucs free agent wide receiver Mike Evans has for his 2026 team next week when the free agency dinner bell rings on Wednesday.

Or, are those really Evans’ demands? [read more]