Another Unemployment Question
July 5th, 2026
Former Bucs linebacker Deion Jones
Joe is intrigued that key Bucs role players last season have no 2026 team.
Two are 30-year-old defensive tackle Greg Gaines and 28-year-old guard Michael Jordan. Those guys played hundreds of snaps each, with Jordan starting most games.
And add one more player to the list.
Linebacker/full-time special teams player Deion Jones also has no 2026 team.
The Bucs got a good look at veteran Jones in 2024, then brought him back to back up Lavonte David and SirVocea Dennis. Jones, now 31, played 120 snaps on defense and a whopping 270 on special teams through all 17 games last season. That level of special teams duty was by far the most of his career.
Jones stayed healthy but now has no team. Odd.
Backing up Jones last season were undrafted rookies Nick Jackson and John Bullock. They remain on the roster but the Bucs seem to have limited interest. Tampa Bay added three inside linebackers this offseason: Christian Roseboom, Alex Anzalone and Josiah Trotter.
The Bucs’ situation at inside linebacker last season seems like a series of miscalculations by Todd Bowles and Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht. However, that leaves Joe optimistic, because significant improvement should be expected quickly.
On a side note, Joe is intrigued by the Rams signing former Bucs linebacker/special teamer Grant Stuard to a nice two-year contract in free agency. Stuard was the final overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft; he also was the Lions’ special teams captain last year.
And for those wondering, yes, Joe realizes Jones, Gaines or Jordan might have quit football (like Joe Tryon-Shoyinka) recently did, but there has been no announcement.
July 5th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
That should say something to the fans about the quality of players that our coaches and management see as serviceable while other teams don’t.
July 5th, 2026 at 1:07 pm
Ronald Jones III has not retired and is a very young 28-just sayin.
July 5th, 2026 at 1:10 pm
From what I observed last season, Jones played pretty solid football when he was on the field.
July 5th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
This is by design to be younger and cheaper. And , no D. Jones was not good last year.
July 5th, 2026 at 1:24 pm
Towards the end Jones would inexplicably jog out of bounds to avoid contact where there were a few yards he could fight for
July 5th, 2026 at 1:25 pm
SVD was a disaster last year and Dion Jones couldn’t get the field, that says a lot.
July 5th, 2026 at 2:03 pm
The Great Regressor always works his magic. Every player he touches gets worse.
It is a special skill.
July 5th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
The NFL is not like the old days you have one contract maybe to prove your worth being on a team if not teens will look for younger players who cost less to do the job certain guys should be able to do Like Ronald Jones is only 28 and he has no team and makes no sense to me He helped his team win a Super Bowl He’s not old You’re telling me he can’t be a backup back in this league
July 5th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
I had the impression Jones was a head case. At any rate if he was on fire I don’t think any NFL team would put him out
July 5th, 2026 at 2:55 pm
I don’t have anything against Jones, he just wasn’t very good. If he was ever dogging on the field, I didn’t see it.
Devin White, on the other hand, seemed to be dogging it for his last 2 years with the Bucs. There were 3 games in particular, vs. the Ravens, Colts, and Niners where White was so lifeless that he should’ve been wearing the opponent teams jersey…There was the time against the Niners where he could’ve pushed Deebo out of bounds, but chose not to. He also got faked out of his jock by Brock Purdy that game. Vs. the Colts, he chose not to tackle Taylor at the goal line, then got faked out of his jock by the immortal Gardner Minshew. The Ravens game, he was literally walking towards the ball carrier.
This is when I lost all faith in Todd Bowles, so when the Joes talk about Bucs players loafing, it goes back longer than just last year.
July 5th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound”?
Some of these guys will find jobs as soon as injuries start to mount in 2026…
Some will be getting a call from the UFL.
July 5th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
We should all also be aware that if a powerful owner puts you on the black list-your career is over regardless of your talent.
You need look no further than Tretter the current NFLPA chief who was the 6th rated Center in the league and you had teams like Tampa that had just lost their starting Center Jensen, but yet Tretter was never even brought in by the Bucs for a look see. Tretter ended up having to retire for no reason other than the league did not like his labor union activities.
July 5th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
What’s even more surprising is that D Jones seems to be way more athletic than Bullock who we brought back. Makes you wonder, our new special teams coach may see something in Bullock that he didn’t see with D Jones’ tape.
Michael “Not the GOAT” Jordan is not a surprise that he has no roster. He’ll be a training camp add for some team needing depth, IMO. But I’m glad that we have made changes to hopefully better and youngrier players. 🙂 (shout out to Raheem)
July 5th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Gaines, Jones, Tryon-Shoyinka, Hall, Reddick.
All lacking in skill or effort replaced by new and better talent.
Front 7 is stacked. ILB room and secondary are still worrisome but no doubt improved.
Much better OC, deep WR room.
Our 26 Bucs should look much different than 25 and I’m looking forward to listening to the butthole babies sing the blues when the season gets rolling 😭
July 5th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
🤣🤣🤣 Greg Gaines should have been gone two years ago
July 5th, 2026 at 3:19 pm
I’m not surprised that many Buc backups are now outta work. The team has rarely been known for its depth.
Hard to argue with the Embuka pick now ( although that probably was the beginning of the end for Evans )…but Jihaad Campbell was also there for the plucking.
July 5th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
Simple Jack fails to recognize, the new players will play just like the old players. A very large, huge reason still lurks – Todda the Hutt. AKA the Great Regressor
July 5th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
@328
Never go full retard bro…..
July 5th, 2026 at 4:35 pm
Simple T Says:
July 5th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Gaines, Jones, Tryon-Shoyinka, Hall, Reddick.
All lacking in skill or effort replaced by new and better talent.
And here is why I think JL is one (of two) of the main reasons the Bucs are the team that could not win the dumpster fire called that the NFC South last year. Licht has been drinking the kool aid the Pollys on this site lavish on him. JTS for HOW LONG? Braswell surprising us in 2025? The only way Braswell is a surprise is considering why he was selected so soon and why is he still on the roster.
When Bowles gets the inevitable boot Licht should be right him!
July 5th, 2026 at 4:59 pm
right BEHIND him
July 5th, 2026 at 5:09 pm
Simple T says it all in one sentence: All lacking in skill or effort!
I wanted everyone not giving 100% effort out of here and it looks like they are attempting to do that.
July 5th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
Wow i can’t believe the depth of thought here! Most of you guys should be Owners if not General Managers. The positive nature and football savvy is so inspiring. Intellectual instruction abounds more teams should watch this some of have great carrier potential. I see great things for this team tis year, GO BUCS, GO MAYFIELD!!!!
July 5th, 2026 at 5:46 pm
@Vinny Testaverde Says:
In the first round of 2025 , the Bucs could have traded back for 31st pick Jihaad Campbell or 33rd pick Carson Schwesinger – dealer’s choice.
Campbell had a W.A.R of 0.12 and was in the lead for defensive rookie of the year until veteran starter Nakobe Dean came back from injury and took away snaps. Schwesinger had a W.A.R. of 0.15 and won defensive rookie of the year.
To be fair, Egbuka had a W.A.R. of 0.245, so arguably the Bucs did well from a Best Player Available perspective. But, for fair value, they should have received an extra late second round or early third round pick.
Picks 25, 26, 31, 32, 34, 35, and 36 were all traded, so there was probably a trade to be made that would have given the Bucs either Campbell or Schwesinger and a nice bit of extra draft capital to use on another WR or on a CB with wheels that turn.
July 5th, 2026 at 6:24 pm
It’s taken a minute but we’ve got a solid azz front and ILB upgrades.
We’re going to own the line of scrimmage like Todd owns stenchmom and 328.whiner.
LFG Bucs !
July 5th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
Injuries and will to play are also issues here
July 5th, 2026 at 7:37 pm
There is nothing to be positive about. The elephant in the room is still there, getting bigger while every player who could bailed except for Otton who Licht overpaid by 30%.
Mike Evans knows. Watch what he does with a real head coach.
July 5th, 2026 at 7:59 pm
I BET 3.28 evans owns a lot of falcon jersey’s
July 5th, 2026 at 8:11 pm
Simpleton fails to remember that Toad Bowels was so prolific in 2025 that he was able to take a healthy defense to the bottom of the NFL cellar.
We were told that signing Hassan Reddick was the magic bean we needed to build the beanstalk that Todd would use to propel us to the SB.
How’d that one turn out for you Sally!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
But here you are again for your next dose of watching Bowles and Baker circle the drain.
Stupid is as stupid does!!!
July 5th, 2026 at 8:44 pm
Every team in the league has seen these guys and the streets are full of guys that can play at or above their level. Absolutely no reason to put them on a practice field and take reps away from developmental young players.
July 5th, 2026 at 8:48 pm
Why does the optimism and hope of some bother (some) others so much ?
I truly don’t understand it.
July 5th, 2026 at 8:57 pm
Trying again.
Why does objective criticism based on actual results and facts trigger some?
July 5th, 2026 at 9:10 pm
“There is nothing to be positive about. The elephant in the room is still there, getting bigger while every player who could bailed except for Otton who Licht overpaid by 30%.
Mike Evans knows. Watch what he does with a real head coach.”
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“objective criticism based on actual results” ???
That kind of krap repeated ad nauseum day after day doesn’t remotely resemble what you claim it is nobody is stupid enough to believe it is.
I’m going back to ignoring you now 😘
July 5th, 2026 at 9:18 pm
“.28.Evans Says:
July 5th, 2026 at 7:37 pm
There is nothing to be positive about. The elephant in the room is still there, getting bigger while every player who could bailed except for Otton who Licht overpaid by 30%.
Mike Evans knows. Watch what he does with a real head coach.”
……………………………………………….
Never saw THAT comin
July 5th, 2026 at 9:18 pm
Todd Says:
“Ronald Jones III has not retired and is a very young 28-just sayin.”
I search NFL. COM/ Players and he came up as retired. Hasn’t played since 2022.
July 5th, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Oh, that’s RJ II…former buccaneer
July 5th, 2026 at 9:27 pm
3.28.Evans Says:
“The Great Regressor always works his magic. Every player he touches gets worse.
It is a special skill.”
Vita Vea. Suh. JPP. David. Shaq. Davis.etc
You make claims that are not accurate.
July 5th, 2026 at 9:33 pm
LynchMob50 Says:
“We were told that signing Hassan Reddick was the magic bean we needed to build the beanstalk…”
Not by the Bucs.
July 5th, 2026 at 9:34 pm
Anyone who was on the ST last year, outside of the kicker and punter, should eventually be replaced.
July 5th, 2026 at 9:49 pm
Odd since we have such a strong gm……..
July 6th, 2026 at 12:31 am
Suh JPP David Davis and Shaq played well under BA. As soon as the genis got “promoted” Suh and JPP bolted. Davis regressed and was traded. Vea hasn’t ever reached his potential. And David definitely regressed once BA stepped aside.
It’s about life after the Super Bowl, you see.
Bonzai makes a nice dwarf tree. Stick to that.
July 6th, 2026 at 12:33 am
Simple Jack, please ignore me. Meanwhile watch Mike stud out for SF. You won’t be able to help yourself.
July 6th, 2026 at 7:25 am
Suh and JPP didn’t as much “bolt” as they just faded away. Anyway, playing special teams on the team with the absolutely worst special teams corps in history kinda tends to stain the ol’ resume.
July 6th, 2026 at 7:37 am
I was curious about JTS and his retirement. He made almost $16 million dollars over 5 years and he is eligible for NFL retirement benefits. I guess he will have to wait till he is 55 to collect those benefits, though. He is unlikely to starve to death and he never has to work another day in his life
July 6th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Suh and JPP bolted. Suh went to the Eagles and was productive. JPP wasn’t, but under Arians played his best football. And laughed when he left Tampa, happy to get away from The Great Regressor.
July 6th, 2026 at 1:07 pm
Saints fans are at it again.
Funny though when we did have some depth our dudes where rather quickly snatched up because we could not pay them. See Hainsey and Skule. Love it that mad man Stuard has been able to hang around as well. Love the underdog effort dudes. Thanks for that nugget Joe!
Go