Jason Pierre-Paul “Looked Good” In Crowded Field
December 17th, 2025
So it’s Week 2 on the Buccaneers practice squad for Jason Pierre-Paul, who the Bucs re-signed off his couch this month.
JPP was an iconic pass rusher on the 2020 Super Bowl team. Now he’s hoping to add new life to the Bucs’ struggling edge rush.
Will he play Sunday in the critical game against the Panthers?
“It’s possible. It’s possible. He had a good day today,” head coach Todd Bowles said today. “We gotta see how he’s progressing throughout the week. I think this week will be the hardest as far as who’s active and who’s not active with most of the [players] practicing.”
Yes, outside of the players on injured reserve, the Bucs are healthier than usual. So it seems a decision on upgrading 36-year-old JPP to the active roster is more difficult.
Joe thinks it’s a very easy call, assuming JPP looks like he can play.
Joe asked Bowles to explain what JPP really looks like in practice. Does he look like he did four or five years ago, Coach?
“I don’t think anybody looks like they did four or five years ago, but energetic-wise and fundamental and technique-sound and picking up the system and getting comfortable, he looked good,” Bowles replied.
So there it is. Joe would bet a few bucks JPP is on the field.
December 17th, 2025 at 2:32 pm
This is what the defense has come to. Lord help us!!
December 17th, 2025 at 2:34 pm
If he’s effective as a situational player, even effort wise, he doesn’t need to be a difference maker on the field but he will hopefully set the example to lead a younger player to put in a bit more effort.
December 17th, 2025 at 2:37 pm
can’t be worse then Reddick
December 17th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
look what brandon graham is doing with the eagles, maybe a blessing
December 17th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
If him playing will help in any way then put him in.
December 17th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
They’re desperate now & they’re just doing anything possible because they know they probably screwed up by not making any moves.
December 17th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
What an indictment on the defensive line.
“We believe you guys suck soooo bad that we brought in a 37 year old with half a hand to rush the passer better than you can”
December 17th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
He definitely won’t be able to cover as well 🤪
December 17th, 2025 at 2:51 pm
@Deez
THEN LET’S BRING SIMEON RICE BACK, TOO!
December 17th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
JPP want save the Bucs or Bowles. From what I am hearing consistently is, issue with players who are loafing not only in practice but in the games also players missing assignments and not paying attention in games and practice. I am wondering who’s gonna pay the price for this. Unless you find valuable trade for these players the Bucs will get hard with contracts and the cap. Bowles would be the easy way out but then you are starting all over again with a new staff philosophy and so on. My question is to Joe and Bucs fans, what’s the best scenario here
December 17th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
Reddick should be a healthy scratch!!!!!….he’s earned it!!!!
JPP should start…if bowles says he looked good “energetic-wise” it should be a no brainer…we need his “juice” since bowles, licht, baker and others all said the team is lacking “juice”
play roberts on the edge on 1st and 2nd down and slid him inside on 3rd
GO BUCS!!!!!
December 17th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
Simple rule of thumb… if he’s better than someone else on the roster at his position, the activate him and have him on the roster. If he looks washed up, then don’t activate him.
December 17th, 2025 at 2:54 pm
Let’s bring back Carl Nicks for some interior o line help while we are at it.
December 17th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
“picking up the system”…..I’m sure there are some tweaks but isn’t Bowles system the same as 2020?
December 17th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
He’s going to step in and immediately be the best pass rusher on the team isint he?
December 17th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
for such a big game the game with the Panthers is shown in a tiny market, clearly no one gives a crap about either of these teams
December 17th, 2025 at 3:11 pm
If JPP could stumble into one sack, he would tie “Shocking” Chris Braswels one sack for the season.
December 17th, 2025 at 3:15 pm
We shouldn’t have let him go in the FIRST PLACE! The error was thinking JTS was going to be an adequate replacement. I know if JPP sees the field he’s going to play like hell to get that 100th sack, and if he can get it in 3 games(5.5 sacks away) it should shame everyone in that OLB room.
Here’s the thing that was awesome about having he and Shaq, is that Shaq was more a 3-4 OLB edge rusher while on the other side and based of his play experience, it was like bookending Shaq with JPP as a traditional 4-3 DE. That’s what made them a dope duo cause both were able to do the specialized tasks of the either and gave us gap flexibility with Vita & Suh inside.
We don’t have that luxury now, nor have we had it since 2021-ish.
December 17th, 2025 at 3:24 pm
Didn’t JPP call Tampa a HOE?
December 17th, 2025 at 3:43 pm
Honestly, this whole JPP thing is pathetic. It’s one thing to hire Old Man Rivers because QBs are rare. We can’t find anyone – anyone? – to rush the passer? UFL players? Guys on parole? Anyone?
December 17th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
When you’re so bad at drafting defensive edge rushers and LBs, you go out and sign a retired player from years past.
Great job Senor Licht.
Pure genius.
December 17th, 2025 at 3:49 pm
Can you just imagine if JPP gets a sac his first
game back…man those lineman should just
go dig a hole and put their heads in it haha…
December 17th, 2025 at 3:53 pm
he can probably drop into zone coverage as well as anyone else on the roster
December 17th, 2025 at 3:55 pm
If he’s there for inspiration, why not hire him as a coach. Firing players up on the sideline would be a 180 degree change.
December 17th, 2025 at 4:02 pm
At what point does this fall on Licht? Reddick and Braswell? A rookie cornerback with a pre existing hip injury. Hall. Cutting Deans salary for these bums to be our future, despite Dean having the best numbers in the NFL. Going internal for an NFL OC who’s never called plays before at any level? Really? What do you expect?
December 17th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
JPP could be missing a leg and STILL be a net improvement.
December 17th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
JPP can play OLB, DE and DT on this line.
Hall is useless.
Roberts looks okay.
Hassan should only rush on 3rd down.
Braswell’s body is improving. He looks leaner and faster.
Deion Jones is our fastest LB. Play him!
Get Simmons back in the game.
Vea plus Simmons sometimes.
And why hasn’t Vea had 1 play at OLB/DE?
Any years past, he has rushed from the OLB position, 1 on 1 with the RT and he has destroyed tackles many times.
Vea faces double teams constantly.
He deserves some chances to rush the passer from OLB!
December 17th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
The biggest stat I am looking for in JPP is not sacks or TFLs – it’s the number of times he inserts his foot up the butts of the underachievers on this defense. Of course I wouldnt mind some QB pressures, sacks and TFLs…
December 17th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
Did they active Wisdom off of IR yet I mean he can at least help out on Special teams an he will have fresh legs try something Todd Bowles please I would rather live an die with the Blitz an seriously try to bring pressure if our DBs can’t stay on Carolinas WRs long enough there is a problem but then again the Falcons ain’t have no WRs an somehow they won by throwing tona TE an RB all game an Todd still couldn’t stop it my problem isn’t with Todd’s system or even his play.callingy problem is the Game plans themselves are bad he needs to watch film of what other teams have done on them that has worked an not just go in with his stubborn ass bullshit an do what he wants kuz that don’t work
December 17th, 2025 at 5:27 pm
Bud Licht gottta go
December 17th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
START HIM OPPOSITE OF DIABY and see how it goes.
December 17th, 2025 at 5:51 pm
picking up the system and getting comfortable, he looked good,” Bowles replied
There it is!! If JPP does not play it is because he can’t pick up THE SYSTEM!!
What a crock. This is getting worse, if possible, than the Federal govt.
December 17th, 2025 at 5:59 pm
Joe asked how he looked in practice, what practice? You mean a glorified walk through? This team hasn’t had a real practice since September, and it shows. Bowles should’ve put them through a bonus practice on Sunday. After two bad losses the Bucs were off Friday, Saturday, Sunday, came in Monday, off Tuesday. That’s off 4, out of 5 days. Now you know why they’ve lost 5 of the last 6. Way to grind boys ,hope you enjoyed the long weekend. If you come out of this mini bye like you came out of the last bye, you’ll have a lot of time off after the next 3 games.
December 17th, 2025 at 6:25 pm
I disagree with people saying they understand Rivers playing but not JPP!?? Are u nuts, the QB touches the ball every play, and his noodle arm and even more so lack of mobility are on full display…all JPP has to do is rush the passer a down or two and then sit on the bench …plus he’s 8rs younger, so there’s that
December 17th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
Matthew Judon was released…would he help us?
December 17th, 2025 at 6:32 pm
@Popmike66
Here’s the thing. Zebras,….. they Don’t charge stripes. What improves or changes keeping Bowles in place? Answer. . NOT A DARN THING! Same results. That’s a Non Starter for solving our problems.
Furthermore….. Zebras DON’T change stripes! Bowles HAS NEVER taken a team past “one”…. “let’s use our fingers” ONE playoff game win in Nearly 10 YEARS of being a head coach (and he didn’t get us there in the first place)! NOT EVEN CLOSE! Point being? Bowles is SQUISHED AS HARD AS YOU CAN GET TO HIS “ALL TIME/ CAPABLE, BEST CEILING”!
And if it weren’t for the TRUTH concerning the “Absolutely SOFT Division” we play in Well……
He doesn’t know “Bowl Winning football” PERSONALLY. That’s CLEAR! All you have to do to figure THAT OUT is to look at his “specialty” 29th/ 30th ranked secondary’s for ALL bur one year he’s been here! His defense has only been ranked above average ONCE! And he WASN’T THE HEAD COACH AT THAT TIME! He’s only Ever seen Winning football though “Others Success” as a coach.
Let me ask You why we play the game? Why does Anybody want a top end coach and players? I’ll go ahead and answer that for you… SO THAT WE CAN WIN THE “SUPER BOWL”! It’s NOT so that we can perpetually win a consultation prize! “If we Even Do That this year”
He’s had 7 YEARS “HERE” ALREADY! How many more should he be given to figure it out? PLEASE!
I don’t mean to be so harsh on you personally UNLESS you’re asking us ALL TO KEEP BENDING OVER FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS!
So. Unfortunately. The answer is to go a different direction. LIKE IT OR NOT!
December 17th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
Hodad Says:
“Bowles should’ve put them through a bonus practice on Sunday.”
CBA
December 17th, 2025 at 6:42 pm
I don’t view JPP as a guy who will come in get a bunch of sacks. I mean, sure, that would be great…but his real value at this point isn’t sacks. It’s leadership.
December 17th, 2025 at 6:50 pm
I wouldn’t count him out for sacks. He WANTS IT BAD!
Then again, I DON’T believe Bowles will give him the shot. I really don’t. No more than a token few shots.
Bowles….. NO MATTER the Pressure coming from ALL SIDES to let an pass rusher you know, “RUSH THE PASSER” is NOT going to let that happen naturally. Bowles has already alleged that JPP “HAS TO” get to know his system a little better. AND WE ALL KNOW WHAT “THAT” MEANS!
December 17th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Bowls wants interception. Not sacks….
December 17th, 2025 at 7:33 pm
Who is our DL Coach? Whey need to get some coaches with an attitude (Suh, Sapp) someone that will install an attitude on D
December 17th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
I suspect pop Mike 66 is someone from JBF…. Interesting…. Sure Will e looking at that closely going forward.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:46 pm
The way this talentless defense looks right now, anybody will look good even the guy in the corner begging for money. That’s how pathetic this Bowles’ defense.
December 17th, 2025 at 9:15 pm
Well clearly Jason can draft defense.
Might as well get Brooks, Sapp and rice
December 17th, 2025 at 9:36 pm
Poopypants u r site name is as dumb as it gets just like u r Moronic posts u have an 8th grade education mentality this site is for adults !
December 17th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Profound. Captain Obvious strikes again. That there is PhD level thinking
December 18th, 2025 at 7:35 am
I think Licht probably forced this experiment on the heels of the Glazers asking what in the Hell is going on.
Problem is, do you really think Bowels is going to give him a shot? What if he comes in and has 2 sacks?
Bowels looks like an idiot twice.
1st for letting Pierre Paul go for JTS.
2nd for not having a viable pass rush after the draft for 2 years and Reddick.
The common denominator here is Todd Bowels.
And is staff is on AARP for crying out loud.
Bring in someone with energy immediately!!!!!!!
December 18th, 2025 at 12:19 pm
JPP is opld. But I bet you all he is better than anything we currently have on our D line other than Big Vita. Hell, he might even get a sack on Sunday.