Will Gholston: I Want To Be A Buccaneer For Life
January 13th, 2022
DE Will Gholston.
One of the final remnants of the Commander Schiano/Rock star general manager Mark Dominik regime got Joe a little emotional yesterday.
Just like Joe, defensive end Will Gholston seems so happy after suffering through so many seasons of The Lost Decade. A raw fourth-round pick in 2013, Gholston has just kept grinding and grinding and grinding through so many coaches and challenges.
But being a Buccaneers lifer is what he loves, and he’s eager to renew his contract after it expires in a handful of weeks.
“It would mean everything, to be honest with you,” Gholston said.
“I really wouldn’t know what to do outside of this place. This is home for me. I know the community here. The community knows me.”
Gholston said it all with such an earnest tone and he’s always been a team-first guy. Joe recalls this great Mike Evans story about Gholston playing through pain during the 2015 season (and Joe’s talking real pain, not playing for Lovie Smith).
Joe hopes the Bucs re-sign Gholston. They need him.
January 13th, 2022 at 2:18 pm
More of a complete career than Gerald McCoy.
Less sacks but just as many tackles, combined tackles in way less games started.
January 13th, 2022 at 2:26 pm
Hope so. He’s one of the unsung steady parts of this Defense. Not one of the big name guys, but an important guy that can always be counted on.
January 13th, 2022 at 2:27 pm
He got better and always been a pro unsung buc
January 13th, 2022 at 2:30 pm
We haven’t talked or worried about Gholston’s position in 9 years. Name one other position on the Bucs you can say that about.
No drama, no injuries, solid performance, and he loves Tampa (thick and thin).
He’s a unicorn.
January 13th, 2022 at 2:34 pm
What a great Schiano-man.
For real though, dude just keeps ballin out. Steady as it gets. What a dude.
January 13th, 2022 at 2:35 pm
Will Gholston was a great 4th round pick…….as was Jordan Whitehead………solid players
January 13th, 2022 at 2:44 pm
Me too Willie G. You are a Buc for life.
I was thinking about u the other day.
I have this Authentic Buc Jersey, thought about putting
92 on there, not your name, I would put my own,
But yeah I like some Willie G. ( Professional)👊🏾🏈
January 13th, 2022 at 3:01 pm
Great role player that every team needs. Great against the run gets decent pressure. Day and day out just does his job and rarely gets injured
January 13th, 2022 at 3:10 pm
Name one other player we haven’t had to worry about for that long? LVD. Ghost on is a great role player. Hopefully he realizes he has topped out his salary for the production he provides and is willing to sign a team friendly contract. Otherwise he could easily be a cap casualty.
January 13th, 2022 at 3:11 pm
Bucs no what they have. 95% chance he stays.
He will sign for reasonable figure too like he always has
January 13th, 2022 at 3:12 pm
He has always, been an intelligent and interesting interview. He has been a key to our run defense and this year he has had some more pass rushing opportunities and has executed well.
January 13th, 2022 at 3:13 pm
You don’t want to lose glue guys like him.
January 13th, 2022 at 3:14 pm
That’s easy. Dude just keeps getting better and better. We’re probably about to lose Suh to retirement, JPP as well, Stevie Mac also. And Gholston just had his best regular season ever. He thrives in this defense.
Give him a 7 year $10 million contract at $1.4 and change a year and go to the next piece to keep.
January 13th, 2022 at 3:18 pm
SlyPirate, Lavonte David 10 years. But I agree solid player needed in the rotation.
January 13th, 2022 at 3:20 pm
He deserves to be a Buc for life, hope it happens.
January 13th, 2022 at 3:22 pm
He had a nice year. In fact, he seemed to have one of his better seasons this year. Good article, Joe.
January 13th, 2022 at 3:25 pm
That’s a good dude who appreciates what’s in front of him.
January 13th, 2022 at 3:27 pm
The rest of the team is watching. I can’t see them letting this guy go. But if they are going to hardball guys like Mr. Gholston, they are going to lose the other important players, too.
January 13th, 2022 at 4:07 pm
I am a big fan of Will Gholston, he plays hard has made a bigger impact this year. Can’t remember the last time a ref called out no.92 for a penalty. I would advise him not to take a 7 year contract at 1.4 million a year. Football a business and odds are he would never see a good portion of that contract.
January 13th, 2022 at 4:14 pm
Gholston has thrived in the 3-4 defense. It much more suited his style. I hope Licht and Arians keep him around. He’s an inspiration to the younger lineman as well.
January 13th, 2022 at 4:19 pm
Lets face it the Bucs have paid role defensive line players a lot more than that.
Just one example : Swaggy Baker 15.75 million 3 year contract 9 million
guaranteed. Sign the player you know and avoid getting buyer’s remorse later.
January 13th, 2022 at 4:24 pm
Him, LVD and Mike Evans all need to retire as Bucs. 100%
January 13th, 2022 at 4:56 pm
Yup he has made more plays than Gerald ever did I can only think of one Gerald made and it was a qb hurry to win in grimey Atlanta Matty melts like ice was the qb
January 13th, 2022 at 4:56 pm
One of the most likable players on the team.
January 13th, 2022 at 5:27 pm
Hmmm, 24 comments and every single one is pro-Will Gholston. Take note BA & JL; re-sign Big Will. He’s a Buccaneer through & through.
January 13th, 2022 at 6:29 pm
deserves it.
he is a stud against the run
January 13th, 2022 at 6:33 pm
I think he is better in this defense the 3 4…n he is a good run stopper
January 13th, 2022 at 6:40 pm
He also has more sacks than any of his other seasons. Solid and studly.
January 13th, 2022 at 7:24 pm
We haven’t had to talk about LVD. What? He’s hurt right now. He’s been out the last few games. He was a HUGE question mark to re-sign last offseason. LVD to the Browns was done deal.
That being said, I agree LVD is solid player, great leader, and usually healthy.
January 13th, 2022 at 7:43 pm
He was a horrible head coach, but Dirk coined the phrase “glue guy” and Gholston is probably the best example of that on our team. Sign em Licht!
January 14th, 2022 at 3:48 pm
I like him and he’s a spark they also need
January 14th, 2022 at 9:03 pm
Big Will ghost is a great player and great asset to havecat tampa hope they do keep him aboard it would be smart