Josh Wells Completes O-Line’s Top-7 Return
March 26th, 2021
Bucs backup offensive tackle Josh Wells
One comical line from Bucco Bruce Arians last season came on his radio show after the Saints choked out the Bucs on Sunday Night Football in November.
Now-former Bucs offensive lineman Joe Haeg started for Ali Marpet at left guard in the brutal 38-3 loss. The Bucs were crushed early in the game and set a modern NFL record by attempting just four handoffs.
So consider those facts and Arians’ critique of Haeg, after using the word “poor” to describe play from the left side of his O-line. “Joe [Haeg], he was ok, until then once it got to known passing situations he struggled a little bit,” Arians said.
Joe had to laugh. Known passing situations? The Bucs were throwing all night!
The Bucs’ other reserve offensive lineman, however, stepped up big-time when needed last season. Aaron Stinnie shocked the world at right guard through the playoffs, his only four career starts. A.Q. Shipley was excellent. And Josh Wells (for the second consecutive year) was money when he started for Donovan Smith during the Bucs’ day-after-Christmas blowout at Detroit.
Yesterday, per NFL Network, 30-year-old Wells was rewarded with a new one-year contract, just like Stinnie got earlier this month.
So one more piece of the band is back together (albeit a second-chair trombone player).
Wells is yet another gem from the GM Jason Licht cupboard of offensive line acquisitions. A final-roster cut of the Jaguars in 2019, the Bucs signed Wells a week later.
March 26th, 2021 at 3:24 am
Wells started the game a little shaky but he settled in and you never noticed him the rest of the game. Which is a compliment…
March 26th, 2021 at 5:18 am
You can NEVER have enough competent OL!
Good depth signing.
March 26th, 2021 at 5:57 am
I like Wlls and Stinnie.
I hates Haug. Glad how it worked out.
March 26th, 2021 at 5:58 am
Wells
March 26th, 2021 at 6:37 am
This was a very important signing imo. Stimmie, Wells, and Shipley were very important cogs in the season. They obviously played a smaller role, but their contributions were by no means expendable. Welcome back!
March 26th, 2021 at 6:46 am
With Shipley retired and now a coach for the Bucs, I imagine Licht will be drafting a center, especially since Ryan Jensen is on his final year.
March 26th, 2021 at 7:39 am
I realize that Wells was a waiver signing, but this just solidifies why it’s important to keep adding depth. Llcht should only go DL/OL with his first nd or second pick every draft. Keep building the trenches and success will keep coming.
March 26th, 2021 at 7:39 am
A center in the 4th round would be OK…..
March 26th, 2021 at 7:48 am
Haeg had a cool beard
March 26th, 2021 at 8:32 am
I can understand signing a Brown or a Fournette to a one year deal because of their past history. But you have Stinnie and Wells that provided excellent depth why not sign them to a 2 or 3 year contract?
March 26th, 2021 at 8:52 am
The draft will be wide open for us.
March 26th, 2021 at 9:14 am
Licht played OL himself. He LOVES OL and prides himself in scouting them.
OL are to Licht what QB’s are to Chucky.
Despite all the questions along the way I’ve never worried about Licht’s ability to build a solid OL.
March 26th, 2021 at 9:50 am
Depth – can’t live without it.
What is a sure fire way to kill hopes for the 2021 season?
Injuries
If you dont have quality depth you are doomed.
March 26th, 2021 at 10:49 am
Great sign. We got good returning depth on the oline. Does Haeg resign with the Bucs if he caught that TD? Injury prone Gronk and OJ Bucs might be interested in getting a good blocking TE late.
March 26th, 2021 at 10:58 am
“Joe Haeg, he was okay, until he got in the game.”
March 26th, 2021 at 11:07 am
Another really good signing. Can’t have to much depth on OL