Goodbye, Elijah Klein.
August 29th, 2026
It’s rare to see a handpicked Jason Licht offensive lineman look like he doesn’t belong.
The Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor general manager could have a long career as an offensive line consultant if his GM days end prematurely. His batting average is that good picking offensive linemen.
But a rare Licht O-line whiff was on display last night against the Jaguars. Elijah Klein, the Bucs’ 2024 sixth-round pick, put quality film out there late in the game against the Chiefs a week ago at right tackle. But last night he was a straight-up train wreck at right tackle. It was almost appalling.
Yes, Joe realizes Klein is a guard by trade, but guys at the bottom of NFL rosters need to versatile. And Klein seems to be neither a guard nor a tackle.
The Bucs will be cutting more than 30 players in a matter of hours, so the team can reach its mandatory 53-man roster limit by Sunday at 6 p.m. Joe expects Klein to be leaving the front lines.
August 29th, 2026 at 6:40 am
Elijah Klein played tackle last night like he was trying to get all Bucs QBs enrolled in the witness protection program.
August 29th, 2026 at 6:41 am
“Versatility” means you can play multiple positions. Klein apparently interpreted it as sucking at more than one.
August 29th, 2026 at 6:48 am
Klein was a liability last year too. He shouldn’t still be on the team. Stop giving Licht so much credit for such a fantastic O line. Barton is a first round pick, and he’s just an average center. You normally don’t use a first rounder on a center. Mauch, Goedeke, both high picks had to still develop, being drafted out of position. All high picks, Wirfs, first rounder. They should be good where they were picked. Backups are all pure trash. That’s on your ROH GM.
August 29th, 2026 at 7:12 am
Maybe Braswell can versatile?
August 29th, 2026 at 7:20 am
Can he cover? He might be able to backup Zyon when he gets bored. lol
August 29th, 2026 at 7:22 am
I was never that big on him coming out from the beginning.
August 29th, 2026 at 7:30 am
Zyon looked really bored last night
August 29th, 2026 at 7:32 am
@Tony “I was never that big on him coming out from the beginning.”
Bold statement there on judging a 6th round pick. Control yourself.
August 29th, 2026 at 7:43 am
I don’t feel too bad for him. Some team with an OL that sucks will give him a job. It’s pretty bad out there for OL with experience.
August 29th, 2026 at 7:52 am
If we had drafted a REAL center last spring
This would not be a problem
August 29th, 2026 at 8:15 am
Can a 6th rounder be a bust? Meh
August 29th, 2026 at 8:47 am
Love how now 6th round fliers are somehow considered busts if they dont pan out.
August 29th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Poor guy. In addition to being a bad guard, he’s prematurely bald
August 29th, 2026 at 9:32 am
Bye bye Klein, Braswell.
I would 100% keep Pyburn! The guy just looks the part, hustles like mad, would be a great backup to develop behind YaYa and Bain.
Our Olbers should be Bain, YaYa, Walker, Mohammed, Pyburn and Nelson. 6 is a lot, but who do you cut?
August 29th, 2026 at 9:35 am
Dude looks to be about 50 years old.
August 29th, 2026 at 9:43 am
I do not understand this Lichi is an OL guru. When has he had a successful OL prospect that was not a 1st or 2nd round pick. Even FA, Bredeson was the secondary piece. Opeta was supposed to be the better player. Licht seems to be more lucky than good.
August 29th, 2026 at 9:47 am
The Bucs should feel free to cut any/all of the 3rd and 4th string OLs.
August 29th, 2026 at 9:59 am
OH NO!
You think they are gonna cut Elijah Klein because he Sucks??
If the start cutting Offensive Line that Suck- Everyone of our Backups are GONE!
Even worse offensive line depth this year than last year
And if Graham Barton plays center like he did last year- He’s gone too!
August 29th, 2026 at 11:39 am
No witness protection program.
Looked more like Klein was fixing to collect on some life insurance policies.
August 29th, 2026 at 12:01 pm
Buh Bye! Waited a year too long. JL reputation only goes so far. Bust is a bust, but expecting too much from a late round pick is folly also. More of a problem is the first round capital spent on Barton. More JL genius at work. Makes too much sense to pick a guy at the position he plays in college. JL has to move them around since he knows better. Outsmarting himself again.
August 29th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Klein is no Tackle and he proved that with a Road Open sign to the QB. Heck the whole O-Line was garbage. Klein is a much better Guard and s somewhat Center. Put him on the Practice Squad for further development.
August 29th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Beej, green grass don’t grow on busy streets!
August 29th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
95% of guys playing last night will not make the 53. Let’s not forget that.
August 29th, 2026 at 7:04 pm
I have no agenda when it comes to Klein, on keeping him or not, but it does remind me a bit of Cappa in his 2nd preseason. He looked absolutely terrible in the preseason games, he was out of position, getting ran over, just looked like he was going to be a complete and total disaster. Then the regular season started, and he was a new guy.
Not at all saying that will happen with Klein, but it’s worth keeping in mind. Also Klein was a rare offensive lineman drafted by Licht who wasn’t a tackle in college – and he’s a very traditional guard, meaning kind of round, shorter arms, not the length you generally want at tackle. The Bucs do try to cross train guys, and obviously they were doing that here. It makes me wonder if they’re actually comfortable with him at guard, and decided to see how it would go at tackle – and perhaps his footing is more solid than we think. Then again, there’s pretty much no risk of another team picking him up if he’s cut, so they can always add him back to the PS and continue to move him around.
August 29th, 2026 at 9:08 pm
I think Klien has a lot of potential and plays his best at left or right Gaurd. Hard work will eventually pay off for him. He has what it takes to succeed.
August 29th, 2026 at 10:12 pm
@TomMoore4President2028
You can get a good player on the draft in any round. Look at Brady. He went in the 6th round.