Ryan Jensen Retires
February 2nd, 2024
Finished.
Well, this just sucks.
One of the best centers the Bucs have ever had today announced he’s done with football. Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen, who has played in one game since getting knee destroyed in a July practice in 2022, called it a career this afternoon.
The Bucs may not have had a better warrior at center than Jensen. Defenses simply didn’t eff with anyone on the Bucs offense with Jensen on the field.
It is just damn sad and unfair how his strong career coming from a direction school came to an end. It just wasn’t right.
Jensen was placed on injured reserve in training camp this season as he couldn’t get back on the field with a wiped out knee.
No one and Joe means no one would have said a word if Jensen chose to go back home to his Colorado residence and sit out the season. Nope. He was at every Bucs practice — and road game — that Joe saw and on the side for every game.
Jensen was the ultimate teammate.
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:53 pm
God bless you, Ryan. Best of luck to you, your family and your future endeavors. Thank you for being a Buc. You will be sorely missed.
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:54 pm
RIP Jensen
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:54 pm
He was a beast, should’ve never drafted Logan Hall …
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:57 pm
The guy is a legend.
Thanks for the SB
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:57 pm
What are the Cap hit implications here JBF?
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:57 pm
Any Coaching skills, or want-to? Nothing like experienced voices coming from coaches.
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:58 pm
Thanks for protecting TB12 on the way to a SB !!!!
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:58 pm
Question, if he retires doesn’t this actually save us CAP dollars.
If so for me, this is great news.
I respect all he did for the Bucs. But looking forward, this is good, right?
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:58 pm
It was fun while it lasted. Sad to see his career end like it did. Best of luck with GILK!
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:00 pm
Regarding the cap if Jensen officially retires (files the paperwork) before June 1st the Bucs will be on the hook for 16 million.
If Jensen waits and lets the Bucs designate him a post June 1 cut he will count 4.8 million in 2024 and 11.8 million in 2025.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:01 pm
Thanks for every Ryan!! Best center the Bucs have ever had. Hope he stays around. Would be cool if he because a coach!
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:02 pm
expected news for me. I guessed he was never going to make it back.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:02 pm
Maybe 2.7 million of CAP dollars.
The 1.2 million base salary plus the 1.5 million of roster bonus.
I think we do not get back any of the pro rated signing bonus.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:03 pm
Thank you for the Super Bowl victory, Ryan Jensen. I’m glad you got paid millions of dollars before your knee got destroyed from helping us win games and I wish your family the best.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:03 pm
A Bucs Fan Says:
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:00 pm
Regarding the cap if Jensen officially retires (files the paperwork) before June 1st the Bucs will be on the hook for 16 million.
If Jensen waits and lets the Bucs designate him a post June 1 cut he will count 4.8 million in 2024 and 11.8 million in 2025.
I am not sure you are correct. I am pretty certain that pro rated signing bonus over the length of the contract are still paid and still count against the CAP.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:04 pm
The guy was a true warrior. Wish I could say the same thing about Hainsey…..
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:06 pm
Sad news but not totally unexpected. He brought a toughness and swagger that was missing on that Bucs offensive line prior to his arrival. I thought he was better than his lone pro-bowl on his resume would indicate. I wish him well in all his future endeavors. Thanks Ryan!
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:07 pm
The salary cap implications won’t matter. If you take it all now, you just push somebody else’s money out until later. Watch the Saints go from $90M over to $30M under in the coming weeks, we can do the same if we need to or if we choose to. We will sign all of our own guys who we want and if there’s an opportunity to get a game changing type player in FA we will get him too.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:08 pm
From OTC, last August…
“C Ryan Jensen restructured his contract to help the Bucs with their 2024 salary cap allowing them to split the dead money between 24 and 25 if retires/cut.”
So A Buc Fan’s version sounds correct.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:10 pm
Hard to say if he was better than Mayberry. He was definitely nastier, but Mayberry played a lot more games.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:15 pm
@ geno
Your are correct. Signing bonus money will still count against the cap.
HOWEVER – if Jenson is considered a “post june 1st” roster cut it will allow the Bucs to defer $11.8M until 2025.
So it’s just an NFL accounting loop hole but the Bucs will hopefully avoid paying the entire $16M in 2024.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:16 pm
A great FA signing…..a warrior, champion Buc……..too bad it ended this way.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:18 pm
One of the best. And he was a guy who did not shine with his original team he toik time to develop. We got him at the perfect time.
Ryan, I hope we see you around!
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:19 pm
We all knew it was coming. Still a major drag. Great center and tough guy. Probably more than a few people didnt care to line up in front if him. Played past the whistle. Always looking for someone to flatten. I wish him well. Will miss you. Thank You Ryan!!
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:21 pm
Thanks. for everything, Ryan, I loved watching you play.
Tony Mayberry was right up there Joe.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:24 pm
Offensive line expert Brandon Thorn of Trench Warfare was incredibly impressed with Powers-Johnson at the Senior Bowl.
“Powers-Johnson didn’t lose a rep through a day and a half of practice at Mobile and did it at center and both guard spots,” Thorn said. “He was already the top overall O-lineman on my board among this year’s Senior Bowl group and not only solidified, but bolstered his grade. At 334 pounds with excellent athletic ability and power, JPJ will likely be the first center selected – somewhere inside the first 25 picks in the draft.”
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:24 pm
Knew it was coming enjoy your life after football last of the throwback players he bled 🏈
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:27 pm
One of my favorite Bucs player ever!
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:31 pm
Bloweszo should hire this guy in some capacity, perhaps to un-soften the team. The unsoftening coach. But Bloweszo won’t.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:33 pm
Biggest impact Logan Hall made.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:33 pm
Respect, brother. Your retirement is well deserved. Enjoy it to the fullest.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:38 pm
Now we need RT and C. Great!
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:40 pm
The only offensive lineman Logan Hall has defeated in his career
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:43 pm
We don’t need a RT mad max we need a center and a guard. Goedeke actually improved significantly at RT and per PFF graded out just 10 pts lower than Wirfs did at LT.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:48 pm
This is all Logan Hall’s fault and I’ll never forgive him
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:51 pm
He was a true warrior and will be remembered as a Buc for life!
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:54 pm
It was great watching his game! Happy retirement and God bless!
New Bucs O-line coach!? The OL could use his fire on the field!
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:56 pm
Jensen kicked arse and will be missed! a great center! Thanks for the SB!
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:01 pm
Thank you Ryan. I already miss you.
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:06 pm
Logan Hall was trying hard to make a team in his first training camp….. It is not like he did it intentionally, lay off clowns.
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:11 pm
RJ66 got himself a ring, and cash too. Good for him. At least going into preseason the Bucs know what they have at center! They can plan.
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:14 pm
I wouldn’t call it sad. He milked the Bucs for what 20-30m the last couple years. It is what it is and he’s financially set for life so no issue there.
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:18 pm
“Jason Says:
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:14 pm
I wouldn’t call it sad. He milked the Bucs for what 20-30m the last couple years. It is what it is and he’s financially set for life so no issue there.”
What an ignorant comment. I’m sure that guy would rather be on the field than retired.
You wanna be mad at someone, look at Logan Hall. As someone said, ending Jensen’s career is the only significant play that bust has made since they drafted him.
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:25 pm
I wish Ryan the best and hope he gets healthy and enjoys his life.
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:25 pm
He’ll be the O line coach….
Watch
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:27 pm
When healthy the guy was a stud. He milked the last couple of years though. Wish him well.
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:45 pm
Not sure if we would have went farther in the playoffs with him at center last 2 years, but I would have loved to see it! Stud
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:48 pm
the writing was on the wall…
he blew out his knew and never fixed it…like wtf…oh well…
(he probably just wanted to play with tom at that point, and said the heck with surgery, and let the career just quietly wind down by being supportive and around the team – unfortunate type of ending for big red)
i wish him well – he was a great buccaneer
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:58 pm
His knee was to the point where it couldn’t be repaired, so nothing he could do during the off season was going to change that. He did continue stem cell therapy to try and regrow the cartilage, but it apparently wasn’t enough. Logan Hall also did this by playing too hard during a drill that they were told not to play the way he did. The biggest “contribution” Hall has ever made to the team was to take out our starting center. If he doesn’t do much more this year, they should cut their loses with him and use the roster spot for someone else.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Help wanted…..Pro Football Center….apply One Buc Place
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:01 pm
Yep. Better than Mayberry, better than Grimes. Just the best ever in a Bucs uniform.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:07 pm
MadMax
What’s good bruh?
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:08 pm
Is the knee going to be a permanent problem because of his choice? Is it fair to say he sacrificed his quality of life in his elder years to make the playoffs? That’s how I see it. He could never be repaid enough for that.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:14 pm
As many have already said THANKS Jensen you were a helluva C for the Bucs. Hope he joints us as a coach
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:15 pm
Most importantly, him retiring means he saves us cap space. We are off the hook permanently. He was a team guy until the end.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Jackson Powers-Johnson, the powerhouse from Oregon, brings a great temperament and an unyielding work ethic that epitomize the raw grit we seek in the trenches.
But despite his relentless disposition for the job, the question looms: do we snag him in the first round?
Maybe if we can find a trade partner and trade back?
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:23 pm
MadMax
Also, check out the kid from Alabama, DT/DE Justin Eboigbe.
That kid would be a great addition to the rotation
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:23 pm
..
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:33 pm
I will continue to wear his jersey with pride!
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:38 pm
Hats off to Big Red!
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:39 pm
This sux, but boy I’d love to have him back coaching the O-Line!!!
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:47 pm
We throw out the phrase “you the man” everywhere in sports but Ryan really was “the man”. Thank you for your service sir…you will be missed but not forgotten and that’s all a man can ask for at the end of a career.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:47 pm
I was kind of hoping he’d mount a comeback, but realistically I knew it was a very distant long-shot.
Draft Jackson Powers-Johnson. He’s the next Ryan Jensen, without the penalties for fighting.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:50 pm
This man will be missed.
Sorry it ended the way it did – but what a spectacular ride (and protected thee GOAT and won a Superbowl)! Hope he is set to enjoy his retirement – if he wants to coach we should make it happen.
Dude was a BEAST at center and no one messed with his offense without dealing with him.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:55 pm
“Logan Hall was trying hard to make a team in his first training camp….. It is not like he did it intentionally, lay off clowns.”
He was the team’s first pick in the draft that year, he was making the team. Of course he didn’t do it intentionally, but he went too hard during a walk-through portion of the practice and it cost somone their career
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:20 pm
Damned sad news…..he was a beast and really held that center position with authority! We wish him the best for his recovery and a smooth retirement……hint: he would make a he’ll of a coach!
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:24 pm
What a gut punch it was to lose him during that pre-season. It still stings. What a warrior for him to come back for that Cowboys game. This dude not only set the tone during games, but he’s set the tone for what we expect our OL to play like.
Jensen has left his mark. It just sucks it had to end the way it did. Best of luck with the new chapter in life.
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:24 pm
Can’t blame a rookie for playing too hard in his first NFL camp.I wish they all did.
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:50 pm
Thanks Jensen. Good luck to you
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:08 pm
He was a true difference maker. Those guys don’t grow on trees. Elevated the play of everyone around him.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:22 pm
Without a shadow of a doubt, Bucs are gonna miss you Ryan!!!
Your attitude was so infectious to that entire O-line…..
We don’t have anyone like you, and we sure need that attitude back.
Ryan, you’re a total badass!!
Enjoy retirement and again, we all apologize for Logan Hall’s stupidity at practice that day!
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:36 pm
ROH.
Great man. Great player. Brought the Bucs a SB.
Not RIP. Your life has just begun. Prosper.
ROH, Glazers.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:39 pm
ROH.
Great man. Great player. You brought a Super Bowl to Tampa.
Not RIP as one person wrote. Your life has just begin. You can coach. Or not. Prosper.
ROH, Glazers.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:44 pm
Agreed on Jensen for ROH. Irreplaceable.
February 2nd, 2024 at 9:01 pm
Tip my cap to you sir will always remember the Bears game where he got 4 personal fouls in a row it was like 4th and 68 you will be missed Red Nasty!
February 2nd, 2024 at 9:30 pm
“Larrd Says:
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:24 pm
Can’t blame a rookie for playing too hard in his first NFL camp.I wish they all did.”
Hell yeah, you can. Especially when it was clearly not supposed to be a full contact drill. Jensen wasn’t ready for Hall to go full-moron, and it cost the Bucs a pro bowl center and Jensen his career.
It would soften the blow a little if Hall was remotely anything special. He’s not.
February 2nd, 2024 at 9:33 pm
Lots of morons in here, these same idiots that complain about Hall playing hard in camp are the same dullards that go around saying everyone that doesn’t play 100% on every play for any reason should be cut without question.
Typical low IQ comments from keyboard warriors.
Injuries happen, it ain’t ballet.
February 2nd, 2024 at 10:05 pm
Jensen has been roaming the sidelines looking like an assistant coach all season.
I’d love to see that formalized.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:05 pm
This is really too bad. I think everyone kind of figured he was done, but with him being around the team all year it gave that small slice of hope. Once his second year with the Bucs started he really help anchor a really good line.
Joe, we need a good highlight reel story on Jensen. Showing all his best beast moments
February 3rd, 2024 at 1:15 am
why is Jensen retiring news? he spent the last 2 yrs on the injured bench. Of course he retires now–he is done, he needs a knee replacement. Move on and lets get a post about what centers are going to be available in the draft or FA. then lets petition Licht to address this position. Why is this emotional? It is easy to move on–last 2 years with Hainsey meant no run game–we were the worst run team in the league!!!!! why are we still feeeling sorry for this incredibly rich man who was a penalty magnet?
February 3rd, 2024 at 1:37 am
BRING BACK JEREMY ZUTTAH! It’s Jeremy Zuttah time.
February 3rd, 2024 at 1:50 am
Such a weird thing to ask. Why do people get emotional by following sports?
It’s news because it is news. He had not announced his retirement before. The Bucs were still on the hook for his salary.
February 3rd, 2024 at 2:06 am
Joe … ‘Such a weird thing to ask. He had not announced his retirement before. The Bucs were still on the hook for his salary.’
Agreed Joe. It was obviously news because Ryan hadn’t announced his retirement before. Looks like the Bucs will escape from owing him his 2024 salary, but are still responsible for the CAP hits that have been accrued based on the $25.5 mil they’ve already paid him for 2022 & 2023 but deferred $16.6 mil of that CAP hit to 2024 & beyond. Like FRAM filters used to say in their commercials … ‘Pay me now or pay me later’.
February 3rd, 2024 at 2:10 am
And BTW, Ryan Jensen is a truly class act IMO (in addition to being one of the toughest SOBs in the NFL). He hung on last year I’m convinced in the hopes of making a comeback, and gave everything that he could to the Bucs in the process. And when in undoubtedly became obvious that a comeback wasn’t gonna happen, he retired rather than just soak up more money. By doing so he just gave he Bucs a lot more flexibility in 2024 & 2025. Class act.
February 3rd, 2024 at 4:15 am
Sup Luv…working a lot…2nd shift so not much time to post except late nights….and yeah, im being told we dont need a RT but Goedeke whiffed so much, especially that detroit game nobody but me paid attention to apparently when he allowed Hutchinson to almost decapitate Baker….go back and watch dummies instead of reading rankings and stats….I know what I saw, Goedeke needs to be replaced at RT
February 3rd, 2024 at 5:20 am
My wife call him Ginger Baster and was by far his very Buccs
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:16 am
One word sums it up. WARRIOR!
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:38 am
Sorry to see Ryan retire. I was impressed seeing him on the sidelines and I wish him all the best. I’d like to see him as assistant OL coach to transfer that fire and knowledge to our OL.
Some FA centers to look at:
Connor Williams, Dolphins
Andre James, Raiders
Lloyd Cushenberry, Broncos
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:40 am
Thank you for your service my friend
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:44 am
Hope your knee doesn’t limit you in retirement and enjoy yourself. Retirement is awesome!!!!
February 3rd, 2024 at 8:13 am
I see we have some OL vacancies for coaches.. I feel like we haven’t seen the last of the “Savage” Jensen… And we need that on our line!!
February 3rd, 2024 at 10:21 am
Logan Hall is the reason Jensen got injured in the first place.
February 3rd, 2024 at 10:22 am
One of the best centers we had, my opinion Tony Mayberry is the best center we ever had
February 3rd, 2024 at 12:13 pm
It was Stinnie. He pushed Hall into Jensen’s knee.
It happens. It’s football.
February 3rd, 2024 at 4:38 pm
Fire the cannons is right on