If Bucs Are Still Dreaming, Then Dream Big
May 13th, 2025
Fed up with Bengals.
Joe admits to being a bit surprised by this.
Over at the PFF tribe, Mason Cameron believes the Bucs are one defensive move from being a complete team. OK, yeah. Joe agrees. All they need is a stud inside linebacker. But no! Cameron didn’t go there. Instead, Cameron says the Bucs ought to bring in 36-year old Von Miller.
If the guy came cheap, then Joe would think about it. Miller only had six sacks last year. That’s basically a good season from someone like Robert Ayers.
Joe has no idea if Miller has anything left in the tank. But Joe does believe he would be a good influence on the young Bucs edge rushers.
If the Bucs still believe they need an edge rusher in addition to Haason Reddick, why not just jump into the deep end of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht’s pool and go get disgruntled Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
In a missive issued to Adam Schefter yesterday, Hendrickson went off on stubborn Bengals cheapskate chieftain Mike Brown and basically accused the Brown family, including Brown’s daughter Katie Blackburn, the executive vice president of the team, of treating him like a dog and misleading him.
It seems clear to Joe that Hendrickson wants out of Cincinnati.
An Apopka native, Hendrickson has 70.5 sacks the past five years. Think he may want to play for a team about two hours from his hometown? A team trying for a five-peat division title?
Joe sure as heck knows the Bucs could use him.
Trey Hendrickson statement today to ESPN: “No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft. The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are… pic.twitter.com/2MKBL60ATg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 12, 2025
May 13th, 2025 at 10:34 am
This would put the team over the top like the 2020 JPP trade but it’s gonna cost a LOT more. Specifically a 2nd rounder at least. However, it could also win us a Super Bowl and create a scenario where we’re choosing between Reddick and Hendrickson to resign long term.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:36 am
Licht values his picks and is a very complacent GM
He’d rather rely on 1 Sack Reddick and a 4 Sack Yaya Diaby then bring on one of the best pass rushers over the last few years.
Keep dreaming Joe
Licht is okay with the status woe pass rush and an inept defensive coordinator/head coach
May 13th, 2025 at 10:36 am
When the Bucs cleared cap room, this is what I was always hoping for.
The Jalen Ramsey, the Von Miller, don’t move a needle that much.
This would.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:38 am
You go offer a 2nd today. And sign him. We are a super bowl team if we sign him. Next year you let Riddick walk. And you keep our youth this is an absolute no t
Brainer
May 13th, 2025 at 10:38 am
This would be huge! Go get this done Jason. Yes it would somewhat stunt the growth of Diaby and Braswell from a snap count perspective but they would learn a great deal. The goal is SB victory #3!
May 13th, 2025 at 10:38 am
Strike now while he’s disgruntled and more open to a move.
I might even get positive and not rant as much if they made this happen.
Bowles will always be a blitz heavy coach and this guy would help big time in that regard.
Licht needs to step up again and prove he wants to win another SB.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:39 am
What are you seeing (if anything) from Nash Hutmacher? He was a beast at Nebraska and I’m hyped the Ravens let him walk from their camp. Does he have a shot at making the roster?
May 13th, 2025 at 10:39 am
It woukd be worth it. Hendrickson is an animal and I’d give up draft Capitol now for a super bowl run. No risk it no biscuit I’d be all in on that move. Do it Jason.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:40 am
I’d rather not have an accused woman abuser in Von Miller.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:41 am
Smarter than Joe Says
“He’d rather rely on 1 Sack Reddick and a 4 Sack Yaya Diaby then bring on one of the best pass rushers over the last few years.”
And yet…it’s working.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:41 am
Smarter than Joe Says:
May 13th, 2025 at 10:36 am
Licht values his picks and is a very complacent GM
He’d rather rely on 1 Sack Reddick and a 4 Sack Yaya Diaby then bring on one of the best pass rushers over the last few years.
Keep dreaming Joe
Licht is okay with the status woe pass rush and an inept defensive coordinator/head coach
—————-
Ummm…. JPP and Shaq ring a bell? You must have missed our recent SB victory. Check the internet to learn more…
May 13th, 2025 at 10:42 am
Smarter than Joe.
Licht gave up a 3rd for JPP.
Licht gave up a 4th for Gronk.
Licht gave up an extra 4th to make sure they got Wirfs instead of Miami.
It is true that Licht values his draft picks.
I am 100 percent certain that he will also give up a 2nd round draft choice to get Hendrickson, especially if he will sign beyond this year with the Bucs. And that is the key. Hendrickson will probably go to the team that is signing him to the more lucrative deal.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:42 am
I would love it if we got Haason Reddick. And it would be worth a second rounder for sure…maybe slightly more.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:43 am
No. Take a look at the roster. Which young player are you unloading to make room? We know this isn’t not going to happen.
Guys we know are going nowhere:
Reddick
Diaby
Braswell
Walker
They just re-signed Anthony Nelson. I don’t think they did that just to unload him. But maybe he could be part of a trade… if we’re doing hypotheticals.
This has about a 1% chance of happening. If I’m guessing, and I am, I’d say they probably dismissed making this move months ago.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:43 am
This guy is worth a 2 at a minimum.. That said if we were able to get him for anything less I think you slam accept the offer. Between the draft we just had and getting a real pass rusher I think we would be hard to stop. You can never have too many pass rushers.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:43 am
Trey Hendrickson seems like a “me first” kind of guy.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:44 am
“isn’t not” is a double negative. So it will happen? 😉
May 13th, 2025 at 10:45 am
Funny I was just talking about this last night🤔
May 13th, 2025 at 10:46 am
Smarter than Joe Says:
“Licht is okay with the status woe pass rush and an inept defensive coordinator/head coach”
Bravo sir. This is my entire point to all my posts.
Those who argue about the SB in 2020/2021 being proof he wants to win are living in the past.
Bowles terrible defense is the main issue at hand and Licht has proven he’s OK with that.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:46 am
I do believe Licht cleared some extra cap room for a reason. He won’t reveal that reason until after it’s done though, whatever it is.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:47 am
The Bucs think too highly of their in house edge rushers.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:48 am
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
“I would love it if we got Haason Reddick. And it would be worth a second rounder for sure…maybe slightly more.”
We already have Reddick. Tard.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:52 am
This is the guy. “That guy”who Bucs refer too. Definitely not a me first diva. The Bengals will be losing their best defensive player
May 13th, 2025 at 10:56 am
Trade a 3rd like the jpp deal
May 13th, 2025 at 10:56 am
“Joe” Goebbels is at it again.
“I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind except that you happen to be insane.”
― George Orwell
May 13th, 2025 at 10:56 am
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
May 13th, 2025 at 10:44 am
Good catch. 😁
This is fantasy football. They didn’t invest a 2nd, 3rd, and a 4th in recent years only to push them down, and stunt their growth in favor of giving up ANOTHER draft pick plus 30 mil per year. It makes no sense.
The idea that Licht is “complacent” is utter nonsense. He is very judicious with his investments though.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:59 am
Melvin Junior
Someone’s reading our minds…
May 13th, 2025 at 11:01 am
Buccup
He has produced massively everywhere he’s been, and wants the Bengals to live up to their promise. He used to terrorize us with the Saints.
I’d take the chance.
May 13th, 2025 at 11:05 am
Agree Joe. Hendrikson makes sense Miller at a really cheap price. but if your gonna do that get Shaq and JPP in here as well. Leave no stone unturned.
Go Bucs!
May 13th, 2025 at 11:06 am
Trey would be a great addition to the Bucs.
May 13th, 2025 at 11:11 am
No way. He’s too old and too expensive. He would want 20+ million. You can’t have almost 40 million (14 for Reddick) tied up in the same position. Bucs need the cap space to shore up spots on the roster , like ILB, when teams make cuts to get down to 53. Besides they’re high on Reddick and walker. I don’t think the defense is as bad as we all think it is. Had Dennis and Hall not been lost fit the season last year , they’d of won a few more games. Barring another injury plagued season, the Bucs D should be just fine heading into next season. Go Bucs!
May 13th, 2025 at 11:12 am
So, are you kicking Diaby, Braswell, and David Walker to the curb? I mean, how many guys do you think they can carry at the OLB/Edge on the roster? People like to complain about Braswell, but the guy isn’t going to become a player without getting reps. And they didn’t draft Walker to sit on the bench either.
You gotta be able to answer these questions before saying we should trade for Hendrickson.
May 13th, 2025 at 11:18 am
Dumbest thing I’ve heard in awhile. Do people think Jason Licht is lying when he raves about the young talent he’s drafted lately? This article isn’t even fit to print. I read it because I couldn’t believe how stupid it was.
May 13th, 2025 at 11:20 am
This would be brilliant. A super powered pass rush creates all kinds of turnovers. We have the cap room, why not make the deal? If we win the Super Bowl, the 3rd round pick we would be giving up is like 96th+ overall. 🙂
May 13th, 2025 at 11:21 am
Would he be a difference maker? Yes. If it’s possible to get him get him. But most people are under the misconception that our defense was plagued by a lack of pass rush. Our pass rush was not bad. Top 10 in pressure%, qbhit%, hurry% and sacks.
Our defense was bad because we could not cover for any length of time. If your pass rush is getting home in 2.1 seconds no matter if guys are open from the snap.
May 13th, 2025 at 11:30 am
Von Miller is way past his prime. He didn’t do anything in Buffalo except get hurt. bucs should take their chances with the younger Hendrickson.
May 13th, 2025 at 11:33 am
Sure seems like a great deal is out there and doesn’t seem like it will take much. Licht covets his draft picks so much it’s about winning the Super Bowl
May 13th, 2025 at 11:34 am
You gotta wanna be a big winner real bad Joe. I’d be all over Trey H like a cheap sear sucker suit. We are placing our faith in Reddick and it remains to be seen. If we don’t come up with a good pass rush this year? Its going to be the same ole same as last. great o and a near average D. Go after theman Licht.
May 13th, 2025 at 11:37 am
The best value is the original Shaq Barret gambit – find a free agent backup you believe in whose production was restricted by playing behind a big name starter.
Who was Tre Hendrickson’s backup? Is he a free agent? Does he have unrealized potential on a prove it deal?
Go roster by roster asking those questions and see if you can discover a real value option.
Plan B, ask who looks good who may get cut because of new acquisitions, roster limitations, or cap space limitations. Then, offer a player or a late round pick rather than let them hit the waiver wire.
But, the target positions should be DT because inside pressure is the best pressure, ILB because that is as much hope and wish and luck as it is a real position group with Edge third.
I would add safety, but Morrison can play corner and Parrish can play safety. Smith should be box safety because he produces turnovers, but he should probably be off the field in nickel packages as he gave up the most passing TDs allowed of any player on the team.
/
May 13th, 2025 at 11:43 am
If our current edge rushers do a solid job and get a bunch of sacks, it will prove Licht right and everyone who wants Hendrickson wrong. Would save us many millions under the cap. Plenty of changes were made to our OLB room… no more JTS, now we have Reddick and two new draftees (one supposedly can play edge or interior)… Diaby and Braswell are another year into it… should be better with more development.
Is it enough? We may be just fine but hard to say this time of year. Makes for a very interesting off season.
May 13th, 2025 at 11:44 am
Trey Hendrickson is not worth $30+ million per year. He wants Max Crosby money, and he is not Max Crosby.
Just quit with this nonsense. They signed Reddick and drafted two edge rushers this year, used a 2nd round pick on an edge last year, and have Diaby still developing. What on God’s green earth makes anyone think Licht is going to trade for Hendrickson and then dole out a massive multi-year deal to him?
This is a pointless and ridiculous pipe dream.
May 13th, 2025 at 11:48 am
RW trade for whomever, sometime after the season starts and before the trade deadline
.02 cents
May 13th, 2025 at 11:48 am
Imagine this guy instead of Logan Hall.
Wow.
Great idea.
We still need another NT.
I’m not sold on Watson.
May 13th, 2025 at 12:01 pm
so throw an edge into the trade to bring the draft price down
May 13th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Teacherman Says:
May 13th, 2025 at 11:48 am
Is Hendrickson a front 3 player? These are completely different players. You have to have some stoutness in the 3 interior players. Hendrickson is an edge guy. We are overflowing with young edge talent now. They just have to develop.
May 13th, 2025 at 12:06 pm
Going after this guy would mean they have no confidence that either Braswell nor Reddick are going to pan out this year, seems unlikely
May 13th, 2025 at 12:06 pm
@Geno FTW
Brother I always have to count on you to bring some logic, sense and accurate history to this place. Thanks.
For the Johnny One notes…AGAIN…Todd was not blitz happy against the Chiefs in the regular season or the SB the year the Bucs won #2 Lombardi!
He blitzed less than 10% of the time!!! AGAIN you play the hand that you were dealt. For the SB Todd had great pass rushers..JPP..Barrett and a interior with pass rushing abilities Suh and Vita!!! He had DW45’s speed and LVD’s wisdom along with Winfield JR playing lights out as a disruptive game changer. He had BOTH Dean and Carlton Davis BOTH decent to good COVER corners.
During the rebuild who did Todd have? SERIOUSLY!!!
He was working with a Royal Flush in his SB year and a pair of deuces in the rebuild. Why do you trolls continue to deny HISTORICAL FACTS?
May 13th, 2025 at 12:21 pm
At this point I’m pretty much out on bringing in a vet edge at all. I like what I’m hearing about braswell and I really love the selection of David Walker. I’d rather see these two guys develop along with yaya instead of giving their valuable reps to a has been. Yes, our SB window is open, but we also have to think about the long term.
May 13th, 2025 at 12:22 pm
Mason Cameron … ‘Bucs ought to bring in 36-year old Von Miller’.
Horsepuckey! Bucs will keep at least 5 OLBs: Reddick, Diaby, Nelson, Braswell & Walker. That’s a pretty good group of Edge rushers as it is, and signing a 36-year old Von Miller won’t make a pee-hole in the snow worth of difference. If we want to free up our OLBs more & make them even more effective, we’ve got to enhance the interior pass rush by bringing on a beastly DT to rotate in with Vea. Ya, someone like Ndamukong Suh (but younger).
I like Gaines & we should definitely keep him, but he’s not creating much interior pass rush (he does play the run very well though). However, if the Bucs are ever going to back off of employing so many blitzes to create pressure on QBs, we’ve got to develop a CONSISTENT 4-5 man pass rush (1 NT, 2 DT/DE, and 1-2 OLB) that can truly dominate OLines. When Vea & Kancey & Hall are out there together, our pass rush is fairly effective much of the time. But that’s only on half the plays at best. Take Vea out of there, and we’re just too light up front. I guess Winn Dixie’s right … ‘Where’s the beef?’
May 13th, 2025 at 12:26 pm
“Von Miller only had 6 sacks last season”
That’s 6x more than Reddick had, the guy you think is going to save this pass rush.
JTS, Diaby and Braswell combined for 7.
May 13th, 2025 at 12:35 pm
Baker Bowl … ‘What are you seeing (if anything) from Nash Hutmacher? He was a beast at Nebraska and I’m hyped the Ravens let him walk from their camp.’
Hutmacher? I thought you were making that up until I looked him up. Played at 6’5″ & 330 lbs at Nebraska. Last couple of years did start for Nebraska & got 64 tackles all together, plus 6.5 sacks & 12 TFLs. Sounds though like his claim-to-fame is that he was considered to be one of the best prep wrestlers in South Dakota history. Even earned him the nickname ‘The Polar Bear’ (I didn’t ask why). Heck, if we’ve got room, give him a shot. Tampa Bay could use a Polar Bear.
May 13th, 2025 at 12:40 pm
D.R.
I’ve never seen a spot to correct you. But I believe and we can check with other older dudes but I believe “Where’s the Beef” was made famous by the old lady in the Wendy’s commercials. You still perfect on the football stuff though. And I hear you about another big body in the middle. Big bodies tend to need more backup, hey they are burning more calories.
May 13th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
“Jmarkbuc” – I know right!? Hendrickson has 4.5 Sacks MORE (35-total) over the past two seasons than ANY other player in the NFL. T.J. Watt at 30.5 has the second most.
May 13th, 2025 at 12:51 pm
I wouldn’t like it but the only way we do this is if we trade yaya. no way around it
May 13th, 2025 at 12:54 pm
If Hendrickson or Miller can cover Drake London, we’re in business.
May 13th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Hard to imagine us getting Hendrikson.
Not only would we have to give up draft picks but the dudes going to want 35-40 mil per year minimum.
May 13th, 2025 at 1:04 pm
Mortgage a REASONABLE amount of the future in order to get this done. Kick some of his salary down the road. We got through kicking Brady’s down the road, for goodness sake. Get it done, and revel in the soon-to-be results.
May 13th, 2025 at 1:07 pm
If they do happen to trade for him, I know one thing, Bowles will be running thin on excuses to field a quality defense. Especially after the draft.
May 13th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
I have to agree with Filthy Animal that if Hendrickson comes here he will play OLB. I don’t stt him at DE here. Hall is 6’6″ and almost 300. Hendrickson is 6’4″ 265. Even that 5th rounder, Roberts is 295.
Hendrickson will turn 31 in December. That’s is probably why he demands to get that monster contract right now, not next year. If he plays like the last two years he will be well worth $30 mil but I wouldn’t want to guarantee that for long term. I think he’s looking for long term security. At his age…no. I also don’t like how he makes his private business public and nasty. He’s very tempting, but very risky. I don’t think Licht will give up a second rounder for that guy.
May 13th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
Maybe a 3rd?
May 13th, 2025 at 1:50 pm
The Brown family are the modern day Culverhouse.
They’ll take a 3rd or maybe less to avoid paying him. Offer him 2yr/50M. See if he bites, not a bad payday, back home, no state tax….
May 13th, 2025 at 2:31 pm
Don’t we have 100 players already incl UDFA’s? Who’s getting cut? 4th round 14 million or pass
May 13th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Trey has been on the market for a year. Either he wants too much $$$ or the Bengals want too much in trade. He’s not coming to the Bucs.
I could see Washington giving up a 1st and 2nd as they have a rookie QB.
May 13th, 2025 at 2:51 pm
StPete … Wow, my memory is shot apparently. Winn Dixie called themselves ‘The Beef People’ in 90’s commercials, but yes, it was Dave Thomas & Wendy’s that first used the ‘Where’s the beef?’ question.
Wendy’s original ad using that BTW was hilarious (I never saw it I guess because I was overseas). Three older gals, 1 GIANT hamburger bun, 1 MINI hamburger with a pickle on top, and as 1 of them takes off the top of the bun another says ‘Where’s the beef?’ (not very quietly BTW). All poking fun at the Whopper and Big Mac. Very cool.
May 13th, 2025 at 2:59 pm
The Bucs have a lot of good young players to extend in coming years.
May 13th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
No. Just no. It makes no sense with where the OLB roster is right now. They are not doing this. How much clearer does it need to be? This is fantasy football to think it would happen.
May 13th, 2025 at 3:12 pm
Get it done! Yaya ain’t Hendrickson and neither is Reddick who everybody assumes will light the world on fire. Assume yaya, Braswell and the rook OLB will blow up. Didn’t realize that’s how superbowl teams did it.
Reddick is gone next year who knows with Hendrickson if he came, I think the young ones can do part time
May 13th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
not happening
May 13th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Today Hendrickson just said:
“A little bit transpired between me and Zac,” he said. “We’ve tried to keep it as least amount as personal as possible, but at some point in this process, it’s become personal. Being sent 30 days before mandatory camp, or how many ever days it is, that if I don’t show up, I will be fined, alludes to the fact that something won’t get done in that time frame.”
and
“With the lack of communication post-draft made it imminently clear to my party — meaning my wife, my son and my agent, a small group of people — that I had (to) inform that this might not work out. I don’t think it was necessary. I think we should have all hoped for the best until proven otherwise.”
May 13th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
How about a trade of Hedrickson for Dean or White and 5th or 6th rounder to throw in? I know that gives away depth but Dean is overpaid and often injured CB and I just dont see the Bucs re-signing White next year. Lets get something for him now. I feel good going into season with Bucky and Tucker. Hell, Hendrickson for Dean and White and no draft pick. I hate trading away picks and would much rather trade unproductive salary (Dean) and get something for a guy we probably dont resign (White). On top of that Bengals need help at both of those positions.
May 13th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
not happening, part deux
May 13th, 2025 at 5:04 pm
I just injured my head reading some of the preposterous trade proposals from resident brain sturgeons. Truly some of most ignorant and foolish stuff ever. Go execute the trade in your Madden consoles and feel good about yourselves. Meanwhile, leave managing football to Jason Licht.
May 13th, 2025 at 5:21 pm
i love TREY but if you trade for him, Braswell or Nelson would be part of the package bc we drafted 2 edge this year, signed one and drafted one last year. My guess is, ain’t gonna happen. This should have been done in early April if we were going to do it. I hope Redick is gonna be ready.
May 13th, 2025 at 5:36 pm
I do not blame Trey at ALL. The BENGALS ‘promised’ HIM that he would be taken care of THIS off-season, as long as he goes out there and proves himself to have another year like the year before. Well, HE DID THAT… And, then some. So, I don’t blame HIM one bit. And, by the way, $16MIL is absurd. They’ve done him DIRTYAF. Which is very typical of the historically CHEAP Owners of my childhood, home market team (in Somerset, KY).
May 13th, 2025 at 7:32 pm
The Bucs are NOT one defensive move from being a complete team. The pass rush and defensive backfield potential needs to turn into production first.
May 13th, 2025 at 8:17 pm
Yes. sacks are great, but why does nobody here deal with reality? The Bucs were 6th in the NFL last year in sacks. It’s hardly like they were the worst team in the NFL.
The key is being in that top 10 while only rushing four players – something the Bucs haven’t been able to do for quite some time. I guess you’d have to sit Diaby and Logan Hall if you have both Hendrickson and Reddick on the field (no way Vea or Kancey aren’t part of that four man group). Do that, and what does the Bucs run defense look like now?
This isn’t going to happen. Possible if the Reddick signing never happened but it is water under the bridge now.
May 13th, 2025 at 8:21 pm
Of yeah, and I forgot, Hendrickson wants to be what would be the highest player on the team in the Bucs’ case. That extra cap money the Bucs have isn’t what it may seem. The Bucs are going to carry the majority of it over to next year to help with major re-signings they need to make.