About The Ben Bredeson Loss
January 15th, 2026
So the Buccaneers were 1-5 when center/guard Ben Bredeson did not start this season, and they were 0-2 in the games Bredeson left early with injuries (hamstring and knee).
There’s a reason Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht made the comments he did 46 days ago.
Licht was on the Buccaneers Radio Network pregame show moments before kickoff against the Cardinals. He was asked about the return to the starting lineup of Bucky Irving, Haason Reddick and Bredeson from significant injuries.
Bredeson had injured his hamstring in the first quarter after the Bucs’ opening-drive touchdown against the Patriots on Nov. 9.
“Low key, I’m very, very really extra excited to have Ben Bredeson back. He’s kind of the leader of the offensive line group,” Licht said, crediting Bredeson for dealing with so much regarding the shuffling of the line earlier in the season.
The Bucs beat Arizona to up their record to 7-5. Bredeson messed up his knee a week later in the second quarter against the Saints. He was gone for the year.
Lots of Bucs fans like to say Bredeson was a beast playing center for three games this season, better than Graham Barton, and that he played well at left guard.
The Bucs were 7-2 when Bredeson played a full game this season.
Coincidence?
The healthy return of the Bucs’ offensive line next season — all 28 years old and younger — should represent a massive upgrade.
January 15th, 2026 at 10:58 am
The offensive line was terrible this year. They should be a lot better but they seriously need better back up players for the O line.
January 15th, 2026 at 11:01 am
That’s a depth problem. They should be able to find a backup guard that can come in and be at least halfway competent.
January 15th, 2026 at 11:02 am
If healthy you have to resign him, very solid and knows what he’s doing….
January 15th, 2026 at 11:03 am
Another reason I don’t understand the Baker bashing. Yes he didn’t play well second half of the year, a lot of that happened without Brederson and while he was banged up.
Can debate Bowles vs Baker in the blame game all day… which is easier to replace? Short of trading multiple 1sts there is literally no one to be had that’s better than Baker.
I would take him over Darnold, Jones and Rodgers. Those were the 3 QBs who were picked up and had success this season. They were all in good coaching situations (maybe not Rodgers, can’t stand Arthur Smith).
Meanwhile, Coen, Vrabel, Johnson improved their teams by 20+ wins combined. Not exactly a dearth of HC candidates available this year although not as shiny a group. Harbaugh, McDaniel, Daboll, Rams Lafleur, 2x coty Stefanski.
Does Darnold have a better O than Baker ? Nope, he has better coaches and a better D and the D is mostly better because of the coaches.
It’s simple math and team building guys. The simple math also says we better upgrade the backup C & G spots, as well as get Chukwama ready for G play.
January 15th, 2026 at 11:16 am
What happened to Klein? Another wasted draft picks? This is the great draft guru?
January 15th, 2026 at 11:29 am
@hodad
You are upset about a 6th round draft pick not being a starter\star? 6th round draft picks have about a 10% chance to become a starter in the league. That means around 3 6th round picks in each draft become a starter and you are laying someone’s drafting skills on not hitting on a 6th round pick?
I think the comment section has hit a new low
January 15th, 2026 at 11:31 am
Concur with SaskBucs
January 15th, 2026 at 11:31 am
Klein was a 6th round pick for a reason. He has just not worked out due to being to small and not bulking up.
January 15th, 2026 at 11:42 am
He’s 93-104
46% career losing percentage
He’s NOT Ring of Honor material
Brady is the only reason that Jason gets a ring. That’s it. What’s he do pre-Brady? WHat’s he doing post Brady? LOSING.
Gotta stop this propaganda for losers on here.
January 15th, 2026 at 11:45 am
So Ben is the leader of the line? Ok… And there wasn’t a coach capable of directing traffic? At least to a reasonable point? And the Others that “were called” the leader at one time or another? Hmm. Sure.
No Doubt that if Bredison is THAT necessary then I suppose they better find a way to bring him back. I think it has more to do with losing pretty much Everybody with substandard backups.
Licht HAS BLOWN IT BEFORE concerning the O line! Just ask Tom Brady… Man What a WAIST of Legendary Talent..
January 15th, 2026 at 11:46 am
Oh, he’s bulked up. But he still doesn’t *look* like an NFL offensive lineman. Looks like a standard bouncer at a club.
Yes, Joe knows his measurements. But just eyeballing the guy, he’s not near as big as the rest of the Bucs’ guards.
January 15th, 2026 at 11:46 am
So we are waking up to the need for depth in Buc World run by Jason Licht. Duh! All season we have been treated to a static roster. No mid-season additions even though they were available.
Today the SF Chronicle (home town paper) has a big spread on Eric Kendricks, a ~10 year vet who was unemployed on Nov.25. Next day he was signed to help the 49rs depth after they lost their All-pro LB Fred Warner. Fred became their starting LB. In the 49er upset of Philadelphia he balled out and saved a last minute Hurts pass completion and game loss.
What’s the reason for this trivia to Buc fans? Well, did the Bucs need help at LB this season? Again the answer is DUH! And….the 49rs play on Saturday and the Bucs and their fans will be watching on TV!
To any sensible owner this would demand a serious meeting with their GM. Not in Tampa. With an approval rating in the toilet the Glaziers have given us Todd Bowels another year along with his trusty sidekick, JL! Think about the fact that the team with even more injuries than the Bucs is still playing while half of our roster is currently in the Caribbean. The Bucs don’t even have players like Bosa and Fred Warner and the 49rs lost both. Yet they play on.
I cannot imagine you guys in Tampa grinning and bearing another year of TB and JL. Me? I’ll try to limit my BUC emotions and spend more time on other topics. Nobody is going to miss me but if many more adopt my attitude maybe it will get through to certain thick headed owners.
January 15th, 2026 at 11:57 am
He should be the center. Let Barton use his size and speed at guard. Let him settle into a role next to Wirfs. I also think that we massively overpaid Goedeke, he played like dog feces the last month of the year. Id rather have Chucky at RT than Goedeke Glass eater taking up 20m in cap space
January 15th, 2026 at 11:58 am
The Glazers are cowards. That’s the bottom line as to why we will continue to suck.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
The tricky part about trades and free agency is the player actually has to want to play for the Bucs. We as fans can wish all we want, but in the end it’s up to the player and agent not the Buccaneer organization.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
Move Klein to defense
January 15th, 2026 at 12:24 pm
Cheap tix in the parking lot this year!! 4th qtr tailgate parties. Head Bags. TAMPA BOO , Back to the 70’s fun. They lose nobody cares.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Want a good offense add depth, and quality to O line. Spend more cash on them and less cash on so-called playmakers go get you some route runners with good hands.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
I don’t get how Ben Bredeson can be the leader of the O-Line when he is the worst to second worst starting offensive lineman on the team. It just seems like a bunch of BS. That should be Wirfs or Goedekes role. I am having such a hard time understanding how this front office and team was bragging about its culture and the character of the players they brought in going into the season but as soon as things go downhill suddenly none of them seem to have the ability to lead. Especially when the team prides itself on drafting team captains. I am not of the mindset that you need to bring in a POS to have a leader like some in here have said, but I do find it very troubling that the team felt it had to bring in JPP for leadership. That’s when I knew the season was over
January 15th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Great way to build depth, Jason, Mr. Offensive Line Whisperer. You’re on the hot seat too, dad.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Maybe the biggest loss is Spytek not helping us find good backups.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Licht and his house of cards….yet again, Licht cannot draft a true leader. He has to go off reservation to find a legit leader. Why you may ask? Because Licht likes nice guys. Guys who don’t step up and mind coaching gaps on field to elevate others around them, guys who don’t get mad when losing and will themselves to take over a game, guys who do get paid and start to loaf, guys who never question a stupid coaches play calling….just nice passive players who are great teammates, soldiers, but no seargents or generals. Licht drafts himself, docile cattle, not carnivores hungry to win, just happy to get paid
January 15th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
The OL is one of the best selling points to get a decent OC coach.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
Yeah that is on licht not having better depth of your season hinged on bredeson’s health lol
January 15th, 2026 at 2:01 pm
So why is Klein on the roster? You’re as good as your next man up. That’s why this organization is a joke. Klein made the 53 out of training camp, why if he’s not capable?
January 15th, 2026 at 2:03 pm
By the way, Tom Brady was a 6th round pick.
January 15th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
So let’s measure Jason Licht’s performance. He has been the Bucs GM for about 12 years. In that time, how many draft pics has he had? How many All Pro’s has he drafted? How many Pro Bowl Players has he drafted? Here is a comparative formula. # of ALL Pros drafted divided by # of Draft Pics. # of Pro bowl Players drafted divided by # of Draft Pics. How does Jason Licht compare on a percentage basis to his peers? I think Joe should do the research and let is know how the Bucs GM measures up. “Ring of Honor” or “Wrong of Honor” – that is the question.
January 15th, 2026 at 2:27 pm
What coaches and players want to come here next year with a lame duck head coach?