Trading For An Edge Rusher
October 5th, 2025
Decisions for Bucs GM Jason Licht.
So before the Bucs had another facepalm afternoon today from their edge rushers, a Buccaneers legend suggested the team may want to swing a deal for edge rush help prior to the NFL’s Nov. 4 trade deadline.
And then came today.
It was status woe from the Bucs edge rushers, who have combined for just 2 sacks through 5 games.
Seattle QB Sam Darnold had lots of time and played with the confidence quarterbacks often get when nothing is coming at them off the edge.
Is Stylez White in shape?
Despite the Bucs’ thrilling, hug-your-neighbor victory today, Joe has to go here. Teams need a dangerous edge rush to have legit Super Bowl aspirations and the Bucs don’t have close to one.
Where art thou, Haason Reddick?
Bucs legend Rondé Barber was asked on the WFLA-TV show that bears his name last week about the Bucs making a move to improve before the trade deadline.
Barber quickly suggested the Bucs look for an edge rusher.
Now Barber also quickly said it’s hard for the Bucs to deal draft picks because they’re so damn good at drafting. And Barber acknowledged good edge rushers aren’t always on the market.
However, sometimes they are available. And Joe could argue Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht is so damn good at drafting that coughing up a pick is something he could overcome.
The Tampa Bay roster has an abundance of talent. Perhaps it’s time to get clever and creative?
Joe looks at the bumbling Giants and wonders what they might want to part with one of their edge rushers. Same for the Dolphins. Other teams may be (or soon will be) in rebuild/desperation mode.
At 4-1, the Bucs should look in the mirror and assess the risk.
Joe already knows the risk of having a feeble edge rush.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:29 pm
I was going to suggest the kid from Oregon in NY and Hendrickson. Neither of those teams are going anywhere.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:30 pm
Good ones don’t become available unless there’s a contract dispute. Even bad teams want to keep them to build around them. Would love it, but it’s very unlikely to happen.
More than a few teams will have a price. Miami comes to mind.–Joe
October 5th, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Nah. Mid season trades never work.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Call the Bengals immediately. Their season is over.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:32 pm
This would also require Bowles not dropping them into coverage unless it’s a zone blitz.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:33 pm
If they don’t get one I would question the bucs seriousness in making a push in the playoffs this year. They had nothing coming off the edge a terrible QB with that much time is going to look like a pro bowler.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:34 pm
If this team has aspirations of a deep playoff run, a trade needs to be made.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:35 pm
Bradley Chubb? Kyle van noy? Brilliant burns or thibodesux from giants?
October 5th, 2025 at 9:35 pm
This is a HUGE mistake year after year after year. Im sick to death of it. Im saying something very strange is stopping us from getting a legit edge rusher. I cry luke a little female dog every off season please please please get us an edge rusher and it never ever happens. Banking on a dude who had what one or a half sack or something. Is just dumb and this f
M. Is not dumb. So what gives? Are we just trying to be relevant enough to sell tickets and get the media into buying us lentil we flamenpit or do we actually want a Micha Parsons. Just make something happen NOW
October 5th, 2025 at 9:37 pm
Nah. Licht needs his 2nd round picks to grab broken dudes, small college dudes, undersized dudes, kickers, and Todd’s friends kids. Then keep them on the roster for 4 years continually telling us they are going to have a breakthrough season this year.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:37 pm
I meant a mi c ah Parsons talent or hald talent of his n or even 0.25 make it happen JASON NOW. WE ATW DONE WITH THIS TERRIBLE TERRI N LE YERRIBLE EDGE RUSH PLAY
October 5th, 2025 at 9:38 pm
I will concede that I am not sure we should even talk about the Super Bowl yet. With all of the injuries we have had already it might have to wait until 2026. Would it be wise to wait until just about the trade deadline or maybe we have a plan for our next off season.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:39 pm
Hendrickson and parsons were the answer….
I doubt any help is coming this year….gonna have to wait until the draft and FA…
We have to CONTINUE to win games the way we’ve been winning games
4-1
GO BUCS
October 5th, 2025 at 9:39 pm
Kayvon please. 2 years remaining and affordable.
Also like DT Shelby Harris of the Cleveland Clowns.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:40 pm
I’m a turnover over sacks guy and argue that point often. Still it’s nice to have a good edge rush and the Bucs have nothing in that department. Yaya has had enough time and Reddick is what I thought he’d be: heartless. Go get somebody guys. Enough is enough.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:41 pm
Warned you all repeatedly about Reddick. He was a no show this game just like he was a no show all of last year. There should be clauses in these multi million contracts for failure to meet simple performance objectives.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:43 pm
good at drafting, except edge rushers. So if they are going to draft one with those picks, better to trade them for a proven player.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:43 pm
Whoever is evaluating the college talent for defensive ends needs to be fired not tomorrow in a formal letter. Now tonight in a call. Saying your done domt show yoirnface ever here at one Buc again. You have sucked at selecting de talent for so long just so so.so long goodnluck on a wrongful termination. Start ober get a gimp who wants a precious ring just make it think the precious is actual de talent
October 5th, 2025 at 9:44 pm
Edge rushers are out the question and will cost too much….
But if Licht can get Jeffrey Simmons from the Titans for a 5th or lower to improve the inside pass rush I’d be all for it…
Edge rushers have been a disappointment so far
4-1
GO BUCS
October 5th, 2025 at 9:45 pm
My precious q.b. attack master.hmmmm. my precious
October 5th, 2025 at 9:46 pm
I can only assume that the losses in the secondary convinced Bowles to go back to the 2024 style of defense. No blitzing. Soft zones. And we ended up with the same results: an accurate QB carving us to pieces. Personally I’d rather see them take the risks, give up a few big plays, but also force some mistakes. One of their rare blitzes today ended up winning the game today.
First and foremost we need Dean, Morrison and Izien back. But Bowles also needs to take more risks and not allow QBs to just carve out zone up. We do not have the talent to generate a 4 man rush. We just don’t.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:46 pm
Micah was there and they didnt trade for him, who will they trade for?
October 5th, 2025 at 9:47 pm
Reddick looks like a fella who took a “gap year” away from football.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:48 pm
Where’s joes savior Reddick? You mean he’s not coming in off the street after taking a voluntary year off and tearing it up like you said he would???
October 5th, 2025 at 9:50 pm
I agree trade for an edge rusher. We wasted a 2nd round pick on a kicker once. We can spend one on an edge rusher. Trey Hendrickson can still play and the Bengals are cooked.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:51 pm
Win is a win! LVT for pres!
October 5th, 2025 at 9:57 pm
We should have given up two #1s for Micah. They’d be in the 25-32 range anyway.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:59 pm
They’re going to waste this teams offensive talent this year because once the wild card playoffs are over, teams playing then will have a good enough to keep up with the Bucs and beat them. The Bucs have to find some way of getting home with 4 guys and it’s not going to happen with what they have. Never fails…. A great offense gets killed by a great defense every time in the Super Bowl. Both Tampa wins, Seattle over Denver, Eagles over KC, ravens, pretty much every Payton Manning team with a good offense and you can keep going with proof. Better get some help while you can
October 5th, 2025 at 9:59 pm
Bucs should be buyers at the deadline. One or two pieces away. Get em now and go for a homerun
October 5th, 2025 at 10:00 pm
Just put this somewhere else but…
Make the call tomorrow. Offer a 2nd to get Hendrickson today — no waiting, no games. But start with a 3rd. If they hesitate, go to the 2nd only if it’s done on the call. Make it clear: walk away now, and the ceiling drops. We’re not chasing anything but Super Bowl Rings!!
October 5th, 2025 at 10:02 pm
We all ask for defense, but can Bucs appreciate a solid offense. I don’t want to, but will take it. D wins championships, it is true as we know but we can grow! Go Bucs!
October 5th, 2025 at 10:07 pm
Hendrickson
Trade Yiaby he’s useless
Drops a pass right to him
October 5th, 2025 at 10:09 pm
Haason Reddick Playing like what his face michael johnson was that his name
October 5th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Send the Bengals Braswell and a pick or two for Trey..
October 5th, 2025 at 10:11 pm
Brian burns was bakers teammate in Carolina….just sayin…
October 5th, 2025 at 10:12 pm
It’s Corn Says:
good at drafting, except edge rushers. So if they are going to draft one with those picks, better to trade them for a proven player.
^^^^^^^
Maybe the most intelligent comment in Joe Bucs history.
October 5th, 2025 at 10:14 pm
Unfortunately, Jason Licht is not good at drafting edge rusher. So, dealing a draft pick for Trey Henrickson is not a loss if we can get 4 good years out of him!!
October 5th, 2025 at 10:17 pm
Honestly, I don’t care who it is at this point—someone needs to step up, because YaYa and Reddick just aren’t getting it done. Right now, it’s the Baker and Egbuka show, and without their effort and consistency, this team wouldn’t even have a single win on the board.**
**Even Vita Vea was silent today**, and that’s unacceptable. When your edge rushers are struggling this badly, you absolutely *have* to get something from the interior. When your outside guys can’t generate pressure, the last thing you can afford is for your most dominant inside presence to have a quiet game. That combination is a recipe for disaster—and it’s exactly what we saw.
The lack of pass rush—*even when blitzing*—is incredibly alarming. It’s one thing to play it safe and drop back, but when you’re bringing extra guys and still getting nothing? That’s a major problem. Either go get someone who can win one-on-one, or change the system to let these guys pin their ears back and *go hunt the quarterback*. Stop overcomplicating it.
I don’t care if it’s personnel, scheme, effort, or all of the above—something has to change. Because what we’re seeing right now just isn’t good enough. Not for a team with this kind of talent. Not for a defense that’s supposed to set the tone.
Not for a Bucs tram claiming Super Bowl or BUST!!
October 5th, 2025 at 10:23 pm
Sometimes, the opposition has talent. Not every game can be 35-0.
October 5th, 2025 at 10:27 pm
2 WHOLE sacks?
This team is winless without Baker
October 5th, 2025 at 10:28 pm
We won this game because of a foxy blitz. Darnold is a good quarterback. He was very sharp. Seattle will likely win the West. They are a very good team.
October 5th, 2025 at 10:30 pm
I am all in for a “buy low”. No first round pick, and a 2nd only for premier talent
October 5th, 2025 at 10:30 pm
Could be the Glazers don’t want to spend the money. The public narrative is draft picks are precious commodities. “Protect at all costs!” But the reality is drafted players are cheap. That’s why the Glazers protect their picks. Saves them a fortune.
October 5th, 2025 at 10:31 pm
What does trading for an edge rusher matter when Bowles will just have him drop into coverage? The issue is Bowles scheme. I mean didn’t someone say in pre-season Foote and someone else called the D first two games then Bowles did the last? And in those first two, we had sacks galore? I mean we need an edge rush presence and we got rid of a guy who can rush the passer. We have Vea dropping into coverage from time to time. It’s ridiculous.
October 5th, 2025 at 10:33 pm
Thibodeaux is a a realistic reach. Giants have DL depth and they should’ve been in rebuild mode to start the season. JL needs to step up. He has plenty of early rd fails when picking OLBs (JTS, Yaya, Braswell…), so he it’s no loss to deal away a pick or 2
October 5th, 2025 at 10:34 pm
I want us to make a trade for an edge rusher but it depends on the compensation. We do great things with our draft picks.
October 5th, 2025 at 10:34 pm
Yaya is worse than Reddick, not saying much because they both suck so far. But yaya is the most “ almost got a sack “ player. He hasn’t been the same since his rookie year.
October 5th, 2025 at 10:51 pm
Alright, I’m gonna say it–DrunkInYbor’s posts are pretty f’ing awesome!
October 5th, 2025 at 10:51 pm
Reddick seems to be dropping allot and ya ya just doesn’t seem to have many moves or above avg hands …….. Braswell seems to be just slightly more physical than JTS but is similar with 0 swag or confidence. Logan shows a touch of talent once or twice a game …….. that whole defensive line got manhandled like a bunch of little bitches the whole game……….. I’ve been saying it for years the Bucs Just are not a physical team…….. however they did find a way and that was a great win in Seattle with injuries they have. Go Bucs !!
October 5th, 2025 at 10:55 pm
Listen I absolutely love Jason and what he’s able to do thru the draft. He’s great except and it’s a big one EXCEPT he hasn’t bin able to draft an edge rusher. It’s the only position that he has put more resources to and comes up short. Instead of trying to draft one he should trade a draft pick for one. The outcome actually might be better than drafting one
October 5th, 2025 at 11:05 pm
Maxx Crosby. Would do it just for his energy. Would love to see him & Bake in practice…trash talk heaven
October 5th, 2025 at 11:14 pm
We have the offense but not so much the defense.
The defense weaknesses:
1. Not violent
2. Not aggressive
3. Passive tackling
4. Lack of hustling
5. Lame ducks
Ya Ya n Reddick were both in ghost mode today.
October 5th, 2025 at 11:29 pm
I watched our Dline very close today. NON of them have a 2nd move. It’s actually pitiful to watch. When their 1st move doesn’t work they have no clue what to do. They just continue to try and run through the offensive lineman.
October 5th, 2025 at 11:37 pm
I thought Chris Braswell was going to shock the world?
October 5th, 2025 at 11:37 pm
At least that’s the bill of goods we were being sold.
October 5th, 2025 at 11:48 pm
All for it.
Trey Hendrickson Cincy?
Brian Burns NYG?
October 5th, 2025 at 11:51 pm
JAELAN PHILIPS
October 6th, 2025 at 12:35 am
But Joe, Chris Braswell is gonna shock the world!!
October 6th, 2025 at 12:42 am
Licht gave up picks for jpp, gronk, and wirfs. Crosby would be a dream trade. Hendricks is probably most realistic. Cindy is going no where this year. The Cindy owner is the cheapest in nfl. He’d probably take the deal to get something for him
October 6th, 2025 at 12:56 am
I said to myself during the game that I wonder “HOW MANY combined ‘sacks’ does Yaya, Bras, & Reddick have thus far on the season… Hell, HOW MANY do they have if you were to add LVD and Winfield Jr.!? Or, better yet, HOW MANY does the entire TEAM have now, through 5 freaking games!?” That’s why Micah Parsons was THE MOVE to make. 💯 Just now hitting HIS PRIME, he’s on the PERFECT ‘timeline’ to fit right along with our young defense, and the rest of the team (Baker, Bucky, JMac, EE, and OLine). You HAD TO at least, try!!!! A total GAME-WRECKER. Just complete game changer. Generational Talent. Once in a lifetime, opportunity. Too late now! And, the Giants aren’t moving off of their YOUNG pass rushers. WHY the hell would they now, when they think they already have their YOUNG ‘Franchise’ QB (and WR) of the future, who are on the same timeline. It would make ZERO sense. Better be looking a lot more in the range of Tennessee, Cincy, Miami, and Vegas.
October 6th, 2025 at 1:24 am
If you are comfortable paying Hendrickson 30 million as a rental this year only, than by all means go for it. But keep in mind to keep him will cost us 2 to 3 good players at other positions. Baker warrants a new deal, Otton, Evans and White are on deck as well. We also have needs at MLB.
October 6th, 2025 at 1:42 am
They Raiders have never seemed even remotely close to showing any interest in trading him before. His contract isn’t terrible. It’d be real nice though, if the Raiders had already PAID-OUT a big-chunk of it… Cause, who knows HOW MUCH we could be on the hook for!? Parsons was THE (perfect) MOVE to make. Especially, with what’s getting ready to happen with the future salary cap through this next negotiation AND tv-deal on the horizon. It’s. Going. To. Be. A. MONSTER. And, that salary cap is going to SKYROCKET. That’s why I wasn’t worried about paying Parsons in the LEAST. Plus, the Bucs would’ve had A TON of ‘flexibility’ with his AND Baker’s next contract, by manipulating the cap thru bonuses and pushing money out, & etc. That is IF the Bucs FO are ‘serious’ about WINNING. It only depends on how bad they want to TRY, and whether or not they are willing to SPEND. But, I would take Burns in a heartbeat. I just can’t see them moving Tibbs (yeah, I can’t spell-it off the top of my head LoL)… He’s still very young and on the right ‘timeline’ for them. Plus, they’re already picked-up his 5th-year option. So, I don’t see ANY advantage at all, for them to do THAT. I really can’t see WHY they’d ever want to move on from Burns, either!? He’s in the PRIME of his career, and his contract situation is very reasonable and fair, given his durability and upside. I have NO-CLUE who’s on Tennessee’s Defensive Roster.
October 6th, 2025 at 2:01 am
@ Delusional Intelligence – yeah, that’s why I didn’t even mention him (“Hendrickson”). I don’t like paying ‘old’ guys, on the downside of their careers, TOP of the market $$$. It’s a recipe for DISASTER. And, HE will definitely be seeking such, at the end of the season. I kinda do feel bad for him though, cause it looks-like, he’s prob going to be screwed, by never being able to FULLY, cash-in. I don’t believe it would take “multiple” good players/picks… Seems-like, a 2nd would do the trick and get-it done. That is unless, it becomes a bidding war! Say, maybe a 2nd & a 5th, and we get back a 7th!? He is priced right, salary-wise, for a Rental. And, who knows, maybe HE would like to stick around here, at this point in his career, and be close to family and home. No state income-taxes. AND, if he’s not really, going to be able to ‘cash-in’ on a 4-5 year deal anyway, then why the hell NOT!? Hmmmm… This season’s salary would be prorated. I’m talking myself into it, now! Hmmmm… Could be the ‘safest’ move to make!? IF, they are serious about WINNING.
October 6th, 2025 at 2:24 am
I was thinking that the Bengals only ‘upped’ his salary to around $25-MIL for the season!? They should definitely, want to move him. Might as well. Get what they can NOW, since he’s NOT re-signing THERE, regardless. I think the Bengals have already, paid a big chunk of his contract! And, in just another couple of weeks, there will only be about HALF of the $$$$ left, that is still remaining for whomever, the trading partner would be.
October 6th, 2025 at 2:33 am
Trade for Jeffery Simmons
October 6th, 2025 at 2:37 am
Yeah 💯, they need to make this move. It’s THE PERFECT “Rental” situation. You know what you are getting. It is a typical, safe, cautious, Bucs-move, with very little downside. And, then, who knows what might happen during the off-season… Depending on how he ‘fits-in’ with the Bucs team!? Winning can be contagious.
October 6th, 2025 at 2:44 am
I was not onboard with Hendrickson this past off-season, for a couple of reasons. But, it makes total, complete sense, NOW. It’s entirely, different situation. But, yes… Go get Simmons, too! I absolutely, LOVED HIM at Mississippi State. He was SO GOOD. Plays SO HARD. He’s an ANIMAL.
October 6th, 2025 at 2:58 am
How bout a 3rd and Kancey, for Simmons Hahah. Losing teams make LOSER deals LoL. I have a feeling that there will be ‘multiple’ teams bidding on HIM. I’m sure they’re all already calling!!!!
October 6th, 2025 at 5:50 am
This entire mess is on Bowles.
We’ve had 3 years of good/great OC work while the DC has been absolute trash.
Bowles goes into every off season with an opportunity to help Licht sign/draft/trade – to upgrade the front two levels of the defense.
Its obvious that Bowles doesn’t recognize or have the ability to fix the ILB/OLB and pass rush. He’s so bought into the hype that he’s some sort of “blitz genius” that he can’t build a defense that can simply rush the passer.
Its been going on for years
October 6th, 2025 at 6:06 am
Get one . We are a Defense proud TEAM. Burns played at fsu didnt he maybe he would like to.get back home.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:10 am
Licht hates to part with draft picks because he’s so good at drafting? If that were true, we’d already have an edge rusher. Truth is Licht is terrible when it comes time to drafting edge rushers. JTS, YaYa, Braswell, all top draft choices, non of them worth a spit. Shopping in the bargin basement, Reddick, hasn’t panned out either. I will say Bowles does use his OLBs too much in coverage also, but non of these top draft choices are game wreckers.
October 6th, 2025 at 6:46 am
Don’t forget, some of these guys won’t buy into the TEAM concept and could be a locker room problem. Just sayin.
October 6th, 2025 at 7:21 am
Trade a pick and throw in Dean……oh, wait……never mind.
October 6th, 2025 at 8:34 am
I’m not sure it’s the players.
Seems we are drafting linebackers to play defensive end.
Maybe, it’s the scheme.
October 6th, 2025 at 8:51 am
I said we should of gotten Parsons. You dont often see an elite edge rusher in his prime available. I was told we had Yaya. I personally have heard enough about Yaya. Reddick was a great flier FA pick up but these guys combined are just simply not enough. We need a true dominant pass rusher. Someone who is a threat at any point. It is clear to me as it should be to everyone who watches the bucs that if we get a sack its more luck than anything, and that’s not going to win you football games when it matters. We won the Super Bowl because the Chiefs couldn’t stop our edge rushers. If we are serious about winning, we need to make moves.
October 6th, 2025 at 11:56 am
TJ Watt is the best defender in the NFL. Yes, better than Myles Garrett and Micah
Parsons. Give Pitts two #1’s, Braswell and a #2 in 2027 and bring in TJ. He is signed to a multi year deal and is the missing link Bucs need to get to the SP before LVD and ME13 retire.
Braswell looks helpless out there. Maybe Pitts hasn’t seen his film? Whatever Bucs do the future won’t include Braswell. Don’t need a lecture on how long it takes to develop an EDGE, and please no more poetry on. Reddick. Bucs will entertain but they do not have a SB team unless they fix the defensive mess.
October 6th, 2025 at 1:05 pm
Priority for me.
Sorry Hassan, im not buying the hope anymore
October 6th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
WHAT A AWFUL SHOWING FOR ARE DEFENCE . EXCEPT FOR A PLAY HERE OR THERE . NEVER CARED HOW BOWLES HANDLED ARE DEFENCE . HIRE A REAL DEFENCE COACH IN THE FUTURE BOWLES IS NOT IT . JUST AS BAD AS LADT YEAR .NO REAL IMPROVEMENT ON THE PASS RUSH OR THE SECONDARY . WE DO HAVE SOME YOUNG GUYS BACK THETE THAT LOOK PROMISING .THAT SAID ,BOWLES HAD YEARS TO GET PASS RUSHERS AND DID NOTHING . TIME FOR A CHANGE .
October 6th, 2025 at 2:37 pm
I would go for Hendrickson. Both he and Reddick are on one year deals. That way, we can choose which one to resign after the year (assuming they both do well).
October 6th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
Then again, I would also Madden ‘26 this thing and get both of the Wilkinson brothers (DT and LB) from the Jets……
October 6th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
You can tell by the large amount of comments that this is a subject that needs to be explored further. Look at it this way, the Bucs lost their 4th rounder in Walker this season who was supposed to be a steal at his position. The Bucs would be getting him back next year, so essentually another pick they already made with some talent. Why wouldn’t they explore trading their 3rd or 4th rounder next year to see what they can get? Someone similar to what JPP was at the time of the trade to Bucs. Impact player but not necessarily a franchise type player. It is needed!!!! Also, Germaine Pratt just was cut from Vegas, he could be an upgrade over Dennis. He was great in Cincinatti. I think JL should give him a look.