“I Think That He Would Love To Be In Tampa”
March 4th, 2026
Florida boy aims to return home.
To hear the words coming out of Adam Schefter’s mouth, superior sack artist Trey Hendrickson is there for the Bucs to take.
If the Bucs want him.
Schefter, the BSPN NFL uber insider, said on “Pardon My Take” last week, co-hosted by Big Cat and PFT Commenter of Barstool Sports, that free agent edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, the pride of Warren Sapp High School in Apopka, desires to return to Florida to continue his NFL career.
Currently a resident of Ponte Verde on the east coast just south of Jacksonville, Schefter believes the Jags don’t have the loose change to sign Hendrickson, which Schefter hinted would be Hendrickson’s first choice destination.
However, a team that plays across the state from the First Coast, the Bucs, is very high up on Hendrickson’s wish list.
“I think that he would love to be in Tampa,” Schefter said. “I think he would love to be in Tampa. He lives in Ponte Verde. I don’t think the Jaguars have the requisite cap room for him.
“Tampa would be a great fit. I think in a perfect world, Trey would like to stay in Florida. No state income tax. But, he’s also open to going to the best possible situation.
“If Trey has a pick, I think he’d like to end up [with the Bucs]. But we will see if it works out that way.”
So here we are, the Bucs needing an edge rusher worse than Joe needs a cold beer on a sizzling Florida July Friday afternoon, and one of the game’s premier edge rushers apparently wants to play for the Bucs.
For Joe, this is a no-brainer of all no-brainers. You bring the guy in. You work out a deal. Stop dancing around this crater of a hole on the roster and attack it!
Imagine what this guy could do for YaYa Diaby and David Walker?
Are you trying to tell Joe the Bucs, starving for sacks, couldn’t find a way to use a guy who has 74.5 sacks this decade playing in a significantly tougher division?
March 4th, 2026 at 4:03 am
I really hope we get him! Go Bucs!
March 4th, 2026 at 4:05 am
Would be nice but I’m just having a hard time believing it because of them.
March 4th, 2026 at 4:33 am
He’s more of a 4-3 DE than a 3-4 OLB.
I want him at DE and Maxx Crosby at OLB.
Side by side. With Vea next to them.
Let’s see teams deal all 3 of them!
March 4th, 2026 at 4:49 am
How has his injury healed though? I’d hate to pay a lot of money to someone if they only give half of a season.
March 4th, 2026 at 4:49 am
@Teacherman,
Snap out of that dream, bro.
March 4th, 2026 at 4:52 am
Will cost $30m/yr over multiples. How does everyone feel about shelling out $20m+ to ME now? Can’t reach for ME, letting him walk and using that dough on TH makes too much sense.
March 4th, 2026 at 5:02 am
Does anybody really think this guy wants to play in Todd Bowles wonky defense? Maybe it happens if he has no idea how incompetent Bowles is, or if they highly overpay for him.
March 4th, 2026 at 5:04 am
Is he even healthy? He was hurt last year and production was way down. I wouldn’t break the bank for him.
March 4th, 2026 at 5:10 am
The organization has been there/done that. They won’t make the mistake again. Sign the guy and he sits in the shelf with multiple injuries. Picks up a check.
March 4th, 2026 at 5:46 am
Let Evans, and David walk, there’s 30 million.
March 4th, 2026 at 6:05 am
Let’s go get Kyler Murray!! Let’s Go Bucs!
March 4th, 2026 at 6:07 am
People are getting stuck on the “he’s a 4-3 DE” label like Bowles is running some rigid 3-4 from 1998.
Bowles runs a hybrid front. Hendrickson would spend most of his snaps doing exactly what he’s done his entire career — hand-in-the-dirt defensive end attacking the tackle.
No reinvention required.
Where it gets interesting is passing downs.
That’s the old Justin “The Cowboy” Smith blueprint. Smith was a traditional 4-3 end in Cincinnati, then in San Francisco he played end in base but kicked inside in nickel and wrecked guards while Aldon Smith came screaming off the edge.
Bowles could do the same thing here.
Base downs:
Hendrickson at DE.
Passing downs:
Kick him inside next to Kancey and let Diaby and Walker attack the edge.
That’s how you collapse a pocket without blitzing every other snap.
The Bucs didn’t blitz so much because Bowles loves it.
They blitzed because they had to MANUFACTURE PRESSURE.
Add a guy with 74.5 sacks this decade, and suddenly you don’t have to.
March 4th, 2026 at 6:25 am
If the Bucs are exploring edge help beyond free agency, two young rotational rushers worth making a phone call about are Nick Herbig (Pittsburgh) and Lukas Van Ness (Green Bay).
Both are entering their fourth NFL season and remain on rookie contracts.
Nick Herbig – Steelers
Drafted 2023, Round 4
• Contract through 2026
• 2025 salary: ~$1.03M
• 2026 salary: ~$1.15M
High-motor rotational pass rusher currently behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Cheap contract and a natural stand-up OLB fit in Bowles’ system.
Lukas Van Ness – Packers
Drafted 2023, Round 1 (13th overall)
• Contract through 2026
• 2026 base salary: ~ $1.4M
• Eligible for a 5th-year option in 2027
A power DE/EDGE hybrid who can play with his hand down or stand up — the type Bowles could deploy at DE in base and kick inside on passing downs.
March 4th, 2026 at 6:29 am
He’ll be looking for more than $30 million/year, folks:
Micah Parsons: $46.5 million
Aidan Hutchinson: $45 million
Myles Garrett: $40 million
Danielle Hunter: $35.6 million
Maxx Crosby: $35.5 million
Nick Bosa: $34 million
I’d be shocked if he signs for anything less than $40 million/year.
March 4th, 2026 at 6:31 am
Kyler Murray isn’t anywhere near as accurate as Baker Mayfield! Are you nuts?
March 4th, 2026 at 6:35 am
@ Scotty Mack
Those numbers are for elite edge rushers in their mid-20s entering their prime.
Hendrickson would be 31 and coming off core muscle surgery, which changes the market.
The players you listed — Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson, Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa — are franchise cornerstones teams are locking up for five-year windows.
Hendrickson is more likely looking at a 2–3 year veteran pass-rush deal, not a $40M reset contract.
Think closer to the **Danielle Hunter structure with the Houston Texans — shorter term, strong guarantees, but nowhere near $40M per year.
March 4th, 2026 at 6:39 am
No need. A little bird told me that Braswell is going to shock the world this season.
March 4th, 2026 at 6:48 am
@BucU
Yeah he’ll probably have no sacks next year.
March 4th, 2026 at 6:50 am
If we’re gonna franchise tag somebody we need to franchise tag either Gene Deckerhoff or Tom Moore.
March 4th, 2026 at 7:22 am
he’s probably down cycling at 31…yet still better that what we have
March 4th, 2026 at 7:37 am
According to Sportstrac, his salary should be around 21M
March 4th, 2026 at 7:38 am
We’d better sign him early so he can work on his coverage skills.
March 4th, 2026 at 7:43 am
but how is he at dropping back into pass coverage?
March 4th, 2026 at 7:47 am
How does letting Evans and David walk create 30 million in cap space? Please tell..
Why would Hendrickson demand 40 mil a year at his age and coming off a down year and injury? Please tell..
Why would Hendrickson not be able to rush the passer and whip OTs from a 3-4 as opposed to a 4-3? Please tell..
I ask because im curious and want to learn
March 4th, 2026 at 7:48 am
It would be a smart move,he knows stefnaski like the back of his had,and yes people he plays violently,he coming from the AFC north!! But nah man baker sucks and needs a back up!!
March 4th, 2026 at 7:58 am
I am all for the Bucs making some defensive splashes, but this guy has 6 sacks written all over him…Just a vibe we would be getting the endgame of his career numbers and nothing worth the sacrifice
March 4th, 2026 at 8:01 am
He is 31 he isn’t making Parsons money lol that’s just silly
March 4th, 2026 at 8:06 am
Isn’t he 31?
What do I know but…I’d move Kancy to OLB across from Diaby and focus him on rushing the passer. Then focus on DTs and ILB in FA and draft.
March 4th, 2026 at 8:09 am
Signing Trey and trading up for Styles would be my dream off season
March 4th, 2026 at 8:31 am
There’s an unhealthy infatuation with Hendrickson within this fan base, Crosby too.
March 4th, 2026 at 8:32 am
It’s Ponte Vedra BTW, not Ponte Verde.
March 4th, 2026 at 8:35 am
Johnathan Greenard would be a good trade too and he is 3 years younger. Hey if we could somehow get Trey and Johnathan Greenard wearing Pewter & Red and harassing opposing QBs. Thay would represent a Super Bowl quality defense this coming season and Bucs would have an insane season. Go get them both Jason.
March 4th, 2026 at 8:38 am
NO no more cannon fodder for Bowzo.
March 4th, 2026 at 8:45 am
Cheaper than Maxx.
March 4th, 2026 at 8:45 am
25-30 million a year for a 32 year old coming off surgery? No thank you.
March 4th, 2026 at 8:45 am
What I like about him is no draft pick involved
March 4th, 2026 at 8:55 am
Hodad ,take your 30 mill and your draft pics, give it to teaheman for the second coming of Christ in Crosby! The bucs will be stagnet, and teachman goes on and on being the football whisperer!
March 4th, 2026 at 9:28 am
I don’t think he gets 30 mil how can he when he is older and got hurt Joshua’s there is always one team that will over pay
March 4th, 2026 at 9:32 am
Nice, increase the depth of our DBs