The Jack Pyburn Dilemma
August 30th, 2026
Bucs practice squad or LSU?
The following may invoke heckling from friends or could get you a free beer.
Who led the NFL in sacks in the 2026 worthless preseason? Settling the bar bet with the correct answer of Bucs edge rusher Jack Pyburn with four sacks could either get you a beer on the house, or mocked for actually knowing this.
Because worthless preseason stats are, well, worthless.
Still, KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles put Pyburn on the field for a reason. And Pyburn got the job done, even if it was playing against dudes who will be slinging beers on St. Pete Beach during Labor Day Weekend.
And Bowles is clearly smitten with Pyburn. Bowles often has a poker face when talking during press conferences. His face lit up discussing Pyburn yesterday.
“Pyburn is leading the league in sacks, so he’s made a great case for himself at a deep position,” Bowles said. “So it’s something we definitely have to look at.”
Pyburn is an outside linebacker. And to hear Bowles say the Bucs are deep at outside linebacker makes Joe smile. But was Pyburn good enough to leapfrog Anthony Nelson or front office favorite David Walker for a spot on the 53-man roster — if the Bucs keep five outside linebackers? Joe can’t go there.
Right now at outside linebacker, you’re looking at YaYa Diaby, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Rueben Bain, Anthony Nelson and David Walker.
So Pyburn is likely looking at (maybe) a practice squad slot. And why would he agree to that? In the latest legal (you-can’t-do/yes-you-can) decision last week, players are currently allowed to leave NFL teams to return to college for one season.
Joe is guessing Pyburn, if he goes back to LSU to play for scummy Lane Kiffin, could pull $1 million. Maybe more.
Let’s see, improve your craft in college as a starter and pull seven figures or be a practice squad tackling dummy for $13,750 a week.
Gee, tough decision.
Additionally, per an edict from the NFL, Pyburn could not re-enter the 2027 draft if he goes back to LSU. Instead, he would be a free agent (which also means he could re-sign with the Bucs).
That would be excellent for Pyburn because if he improves at LSU, he could choose an NFL team.
Pyburn told Jenna Laine of ESPN last week he is undecided on his future.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:04 am
I’d keep Pyburn over Walker who’s already 26 years old, coming off an ACL. I know most of you have been lead to believe Walker is the second coming, but he’s not. Pyburn is better, the tape don’t lie.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:04 am
And for even one more free beer. Who led the preseason in tackles for loss. That would be pyburn also.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:22 am
Sources tell TBBF that Pyburn has the versatility to move inside and stop the run.
Keep him on the 53…
August 30th, 2026 at 8:28 am
Only Bucs fans would get excited about some dude getting sacks in the fourth quarter of preseason games. Embarrassing.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:30 am
Pyburn is obviously talented, but the verdict is still out. He has yet to play against some NFL starters. Personally I think he is limited with his athleticism and doubt he can make a jump to a starter but might be a good back like Anthony Nelson.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:32 am
I believe they need to have a conversation with this player and figure out what’s next.
Pyburn will make double @ LSU over the league minimum on the 53 and @ 5 times what he would earn on the PS…
If the Bucs want to guarantee him a roster spot then this decision becomes a little more difficult for Pyburn.
If they intend to cut him and put him on the PS then I would advise Pyburn to return to LSU and stay healthy…
Either way – good luck young man.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:33 am
I have little faith in the names owning a running the franchise
I have no idea what they will come up with in the next few days.
Titanic
August 30th, 2026 at 8:35 am
I want to say this Joe, this kid looks pretty good for being what he is, undrafted. How many sacks does Nelly even have in his career? And who else on the field Friday night really did anything, except for on the kinda walk through day, against a way better coached up team?? Our first team had their arse handed to them as well to. Wow, seeing how that happened in practice, maybe we should check ourselves and this time from the GM down. The fairytale is over..
August 30th, 2026 at 8:36 am
I’m still trying to wrap my head around kids making more money in college than the pros
August 30th, 2026 at 8:37 am
Pyburn OVER Tucker
August 30th, 2026 at 8:40 am
Also – Pyburn just had a solid training camp against NFL players. He is primed to go back to LSU and have a monster of a season.
If he can muster a 10 sack season and cause a few fumbles he might be a top 10 pick in next year’s draft.
This is a very interesting…
August 30th, 2026 at 8:49 am
@Hodad,
While I disagree with keeping Pyburn over Walker, I do commend you (not sarcasm) for making a declarative statement. A lot of people who frequent comment sections aren’t willing to put a stake in the ground
August 30th, 2026 at 8:53 am
Marine Buc Says: “If he can muster a 10 sack season and cause a few fumbles he might be a top 10 pick in next year’s draft.”
If Pyburn goes back to college, I don’t think he will be eligible for next year’s draft. He would be simply be an unrestricted free agent and can sign for any team he chooses. Joe might know more.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:53 am
He looks more like a QB than an OLB. In a LSU uniform hr could be mistaken for Joe Burrow.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:54 am
The SEC announced that anyone who signed a contract with an NFL team is ineligible to play.
A judge ruled that the SEC can’t do that.
I have no doubt that the SEC will appeal that judge’s ruling.
August 30th, 2026 at 9:02 am
This lawsuit can really be a windfall for this kid:
Go to LSU.. play decent and you’re in the same position that you are right now…
Go to LSU and have a monster season and you bypass the draft and can leverage 32 NFL teams against each other for WAY better than rookie money. Well done for the kid.
August 30th, 2026 at 9:03 am
Keep pyburn and cut Nelson. What a deep and young linebacker corps for years
August 30th, 2026 at 9:16 am
Why even bother having OTAs, Training Camp, joint practices, pre-season games and invite more than 53?? Some of you clowns just say it’s all meaningless and worthless.
I’ll tell you why you invite more than 53. Because you let guys compete for their spots a d give someone a chance to take someone’s job.
I find it laughable that all the whiners and Debbie downers on this site said the Bucs edge rushers sucked last year (don’t disagree) but then a kid who looks fantastic, hustles, sacks the QB, pressures the QB, stops the run and just looks like he gets it and wants it…the same Debbie downers say it’s just pre-season against scrubs.
Clowns
August 30th, 2026 at 9:19 am
Hodad Says:
August 30th, 2026 at 8:04 am
Pyburn is better, the tape don’t lie.
Drunk Bucs Fan Says:
@Hodad,
A lot of people who frequent comment sections aren’t willing to put a stake in the ground
1) I’m sure you watched a lot of tape on both of these players and compared them them professionally just like the coaching staff. 🙄
2) Do you even read posts here? There are so many stakes in the ground it looks like a giant porcupine in here. Lotsa stakes… many of them are dumb takes/stakes. 🙄
The dude will go back to college if there’s an offer for him. And when he comes back to the nfl, he’s a free agent can sign with anybody. And with no ties to any team, he can go the highest bidder, city of choice or try to play for a would be contender. Not seeing a down side for him here. Sweet scenario.
August 30th, 2026 at 9:22 am
Go to LSU and master the craft, get the doubters to look your way. Next year, Bucs retain him. They retain his rights, no kid is going to demand to go somewhere else when he is just a rookie unless your name is Caleb Williams.
August 30th, 2026 at 9:28 am
@ Alabama
That’s interesting but it’s almost better for Pyburn…
He can forgo the BS of the draft and can offer his services on the “open market” where he will probably fetch a better contract than typical draft picks are constrained by…
Yes – Yes?
August 30th, 2026 at 9:30 am
I have doubts on Pyburn. Pretty sure his athletic test numbers are way below average. Yeah he produced in the preseason but so did Bullock and Jackson last year. Pyburn against top tier athletes isn’t going to have the same results as this preseason.
August 30th, 2026 at 9:32 am
We are swimming in untested waters these days… I’ve never seen anything like this before…
It will be interesting to see how these issues are resolved and the new rules that will arise because of them.
It’s crazy.
August 30th, 2026 at 9:37 am
Only in modern football can “NFL sack leader” and “maybe go back to college” appear in the same résumé.
Practice squad: $13,750 a week.
LSU: maybe $1 million.
Somewhere an economics professor just spit out his coffee.
Pyburn: “Geaux Tigers.”
August 30th, 2026 at 9:54 am
He is essentially forcing the Bucs to put him on the roster if they want to keep him. Wild. He does look good though. I’d be curious to see what he and Walker are going to do in a regular season game or three.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:03 am
The SEC is a private club. No different than Augusta National. Their by-laws will not be usurped by a biased judge. He will not be playing college football. You can take that to the bank.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:03 am
Have no idea how this will work out, but I can just magine if David Walker accomplished what Pyburn has this preseason. The cannons would be firing non stop.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:04 am
At best he gets a 1 year deal for the league minimum. Goes back to LSU, balls out, comes back in ’27, gets a salary of the equivalent of a 2nd or 3rd round pick. AND he can negotiate with all 32 teams
August 30th, 2026 at 10:13 am
“Imagine”
August 30th, 2026 at 10:34 am
He has potential but not in this season’s 53. Too many other needs. WR room is beat up. CB room is thin. OL backups are almost non-existent.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:39 am
The Bucs will cut him. Why? Because he led the NFL in preseason sacks. He won’t go back to college for the same reason. He also will be picked up by another team which means he lands on a 53. Why? Same reason. Once on a 53 his comp will be substantial because of the rookie minimum plus bonuses if he plays special teams. For all this talk about depth, I say this: really? I’ll believe it when I see it.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:50 am
You spent resources revamping and trying to upgrade the pass rush & edge/OLB room w/ free agent signing AQM, Redshirt David Walker and 1st round Draftee Rueben Bain Jr…..
AND then the football Gods bless you with an UDFA edge rusher who leads the preseason in sacks. You might not wanna let go of that and mess with that good omen. You keep Pyburn on the 53 and tbh he deserves it.
My only question is, is he ready to move forward with his NFL future and is he all the way in or one foot over here and one foot over there and his mind in between.
I’m not saying you release Anthony Nelson necessarily, but you find a way to keep Pyburn
Solid a$$ UDFA class regardless tho!
August 30th, 2026 at 10:57 am
As I understand it, this is a one-time thing and not a permanent loophole. But, imagine you got drafted by, say Cleveland. And who wants to play in Cleveland? Could you have decided in the middle o training camp that you want to go back to college and return to the NFL next year and pick your team, assuming you are good enough to have the interest.
Never underestimate the ability of human beings to find a loophole and exploit it.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:13 am
@ Drunk Bucs Fan Says: “I disagree with keeping Pyburn over Walker.”
Ahhh, I totally get-it now! LoL. I assumed that your scream name, mostly from your comments alone, was due to being alcohol induced. But, it’s actually referencing yourself being “drunk” on the Bucs Kool-Aid. From just slurping-up every LAST DROP of that Lickt-Propaganda. Old Hodad made EXCELLENT points. Inarguable. YOU though, only came with more Kool-aid.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:16 am
Dude also had some “Tackles For A Loss,” but those stats always seem to be left-out nowadays, and are unaccounted for… For whatever reason.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:28 am
Not a bad undrafted free agent haul for Licht this offseason. Kudos to the scouting. Department who watched the tape. Dude can’t pick in the second round to save his life but he sure does well with undrafted free agents.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:29 am
@ Fanofdabucs – It’s not “Clown.” And, I’ll tell you why. Because, kids like this BLOW-UP Camp and actual Preseason GAMES every season all across the league, and they only end up PROVING that hey never stood a CHANCE of making the team, no matter WHAT THEY DID. And, the Bucs will just PROVE THIS too, by not putting this kid on the team. So, THAT’s WHY.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:43 am
How many times, have we seen guys tear up ‘multiple’ Preseasons, and never SNIFF the roster!? How many times, have we heard “this guy is locked in a battle” for Kick-returner, and HE literally takes one to the HOUSE during the final game right after the announcer made that comment, AND clearly outplayed his competition all through camp… Then, cutdown day arrives, and it’s “see ya later.” It was ALL BS. Then, you hear the same about this new Cornerback, and he tips two passes, recovers a fumble, causes another, gets a sack, a couple of tackles for loss, AND a big pick… Just to then hear ‘crickets’ on cut-day!? AGAIN, he never stood a CHANCE. No matter WHAT he had done. So, we’re just going off of what WE SEE. If the Bucs do not promote this guy, then they just proved it… That over 95% of the roster was already set in place BEFORE they ever played even ONE Preseason “Game.” That’s why they are worthless, and NOT needed. Other than, to just make sure that the stadium and all of the electronic equipment is working and up to snuff… Only a dress rehearsal. The actual “game” is worthless. They already have PLENTY of practices and scrimmages.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:52 am
@ KABucs Says: “He’s a free agent can sign with anybody. And with no ties to any team, he can go the highest bidder, city of choice or try to play for a would be contender.”
He’s from Jacksonville, and played at BOLLES. His family really seemed to enjoy themselves the other night… They were ALL SMILES, when he went up into the stands after the game. His girlfriend looked VERY HAPPY. Just sayin. The Coen decision, is looking more and more like a “Death Sentence,” everyday now.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:59 am
@ MonsVenusVIP – You must have missed the game from the other night… Lickt said he didn’t have anything to do with it, that HE only handles the DRAFT. Interesting enough, they said Daniels was Z-Rob’s guy, that he had him ranked as his 3rd or 4th best QB in the draft. So, looks like, Z-Rob had a LOT of pull (which I find weird)… Since, obviously, Hurts was ‘his guy’ too!!!!
August 30th, 2026 at 12:03 pm
Would not be too surprised if Bucs cut Nelson(saving 4.5 mil for cap) and keep Pyburn. Bucs are going to sign an experienced CB that gets cut and will need some cash.