Being In A Rotation Doesn’t Irk Jamel Dean
October 26th, 2025
Jamel Dean celebrates his first of two pick-sixes this year.
Just on face value, it seems the Bucs are hellbent on running off Jamel Dean.
Yeah, Joe admits to getting fed up with Dean missing so much time, especially in the playoffs in recent years. If a starting corner cannot answer the bell for a team’s most important games, what’s the point?
So the Bucs drafted two corners in April and strong-armed Dean to take a massive pay cut and a contract cut. Or else. He’s now in a contract year.
Dean has responded, easily playing his best ball since the Bucs won the Super Bowl for the 2020 season. He has three (!) picks in the past four games! Yet Dean is in a rotation. Weird for a starting corner whose play has been fire the past month.
“It don’t really bother me,” Dean said of the rotation with rookie Benjamin Morrison. “I just take advantage of the opportunities.”
Asked if one of the opportunities is to take a breather, Dean busted out laughing. “That too.”
Joe asked Dean if he could tell a difference with his play in the fourth quarter by being in a rotation.
“It really doesn’t make a difference,” Dean said. “It’s like, ‘Alright.'”
As for going from a target of fans’ ire to slowly becoming a fan favorite for his strong play, Dean said he is enjoying his rebirth.
“It’s a great feeling,” Dean said. “I bet on myself. I take it very personal.”
And maybe that’s what Dean needed? A kick in the behind (or wallet) to reignite his career?
October 26th, 2025 at 12:28 am
Doesn’t matter What the Bucs want at this point. I bet on myself says everything. Dude took a pay cut so he could become a free agent for the first time in his career. Big pay day coming and everyone knew he wasn’t coming back after the draft and pay cut so can’t change your mind because he’s playing well
October 26th, 2025 at 12:59 am
I know he’s good. Joes knows he’s good we are just fed up with his availability like Joe said. I think he’s taken his play to the next level. Maybe the rotation keeps him healthier too.
October 26th, 2025 at 1:01 am
Glad to see Dean playing well – we’ll see what the tally is for games played at the end of the season….
I wouldn’t be surprised if Licht offered Dean a $12m or so 1 year deal next off season if Jamel stays relatively healthy and keeps playing well.
I also wouldn’t be shocked if Dean takes that deal to stay in this defense he is now thriving in – despite better offers elsewhere….
Coach Bowles recently said that once Morrison gets comfortable at RCB – he’s going to start rotating him in at LCB which is McCollum’s spot. So its not so much about taking snaps away from a starting CB – as trying to maximize Morrison’s development and having him ready to take over at either outside spot if either Dean or McCollum gets hurt again… what are the chances?? LOL
October 26th, 2025 at 1:04 am
Sorry but Dean dont impress me as if all of a sudden he’s this all world player. In my humble opinion, he’s a passive n timid player. Yes he has three ints with one being a pick six. I give him credit for the pick six but the other two ints were given to him based on poor throws by the qbs. Anyone could’ve made those ints. Dean is not only timid but is one clumsy player. If he was a pro bowl caliber type player, over the past several years, he wouldn’t have dropped multiple ints, tripped over his own feet, n allowed tds or long gains due to his passive tackling. Hes a fluke.
October 26th, 2025 at 1:05 am
Players who suddenly stay healthy and make plays in a contract year is I red flag imo. And I have been a consistent Dean supporter. I was glad we kept him over Carlton. So far the rooks have not shown Dean’s skills. Jamel has the size, speed and athleticism that is hard to find all in one. He and Bowles have this love/hate thing going on. I’m still holding onto hope that he can remain a Buc. He’s a really good player.
October 26th, 2025 at 3:33 am
Let him go ! You pay him he will find himself on IR next year
October 26th, 2025 at 4:21 am
That’s a great picture!
October 26th, 2025 at 6:32 am
Ya who wouldn’t like getting full time pay and only working part time!
October 26th, 2025 at 7:13 am
Dean only plays when HE wants to. I’ve seen him back off from tackles, not cover his man and come off the field too many times. Of COURSE he’s playing better now. He wants some team to really want him for a big paycheck. He’s about Dean.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:29 am
Loving the photo! He’s doing good. I guess we need to see what comes next.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:30 am
yeah i don’t believe he can sustain this after a big fat payout, draft defense in april 2de’s and 2 more cbs a couple linebackers… lvd won’t play forever
i never thought really the bucs would win the sb this year, not giving up but they are not at the level of detroit yet but next year all these guys will be more experienced and hopefully healthy
on another note if that corner back is not riding mike evans’s would he have got injured? i don’t think so… that was a clear pi with intent to land on top of him and baker over threw it so yet another hospital ball
miss Jmac so much this season!! utter stupidity these guys getting hurt when it seems so avoidable, season gone wrong please win today!! this is the sb for the saints
October 26th, 2025 at 7:58 am
He’ll be 30 next year, knows this is his last contract, he’ll want 3 years for sure.
Anyhow, I like the idea of getting Morrison work, it’s become obvious you can’t start a season work only two good corners
October 26th, 2025 at 8:14 am
Let’s hope Morrison can stay healthy, it’s obvious he’s the future. Dean is gone after this season. Speaking of rotating in different players. It’s time to give Bullock some game reps. Morrison is the answer for Dean, we need to see if Bullock can be the answer to Dennis. Wouldn’t hurt spelling David, he ain’t coming back either. See what Jackson has.
October 26th, 2025 at 8:36 am
MJ says:
“that was a clear pi with intent to land on top of him and baker over threw it so yet another hospital”
No overthrow. Mike caught the ball with a defender hanging on his back and nothing but green grass ahead of him. That was a catch in stride. The pass was right on the money.
And the worst officiating I have ever seen.
October 26th, 2025 at 9:28 am
I’ve been a Dean supporter and irritated by his lack of availability like everyone else. Agree we needed to draft CBs. What I don’t agree with is the big contract for Zyon. Average CB, great athlete. Name ONE WR that guy has ever shut down. I’ll wait.
October 26th, 2025 at 9:43 am
It seems to be working. Dean could make the pro-Bowl at this rate if he plays like this all year. Give him a year extension after the season lol
October 26th, 2025 at 10:54 am
There is still plenty of time for Dean to get hurt. Dean is soft.
October 27th, 2025 at 8:24 am
Some of yall need to actually do your research. Dean has always been ranked in at less the top 20 in CB in the league. Thats 52 teams with 2 CB each so which makes 104. Which put him in the top 20% of all starting CB. If you throw the slot in there thats 156 putting him in the top 13%. Oh but wait he is ranked number 17 and didnt allow not one touchdown last year. So that put him in the top 11% of CB. His worse PPF grade was 72.5 and his was 78.9. A 60 PFF grade is considered the Average for an NFL coener. So if you want to talk about him being injury prone. Thats an argument we can have. But to act like he is not a top CB in rhe NFL is ridiculous. But he really need to make more interceptions and turn overs.