Von Miller & The Bucs
February 11th, 2026
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
So future Hall of Fame edge rusher Von Miller was on Super Bowl’s Radio Row last week.
The soon-to-be-37-year-old was clear on a couple of things.
First, he wants to continue playing. Miller had 9 sacks for the Commanders last season and didn’t miss a game. Of course he wants to play.
Second, Miller said he has no interest in being a full-time player. He’s a pass rush specialist at this point in his career and, Miller said, more of a 20 snaps a game guy.
Miller, a pending free agent, also said he’d like to stay with Washington. However, Washington has a new defensive coordinator from outside the organization and it’s unclear how that situation will play out.
Miller had a $6 million salary last season and incentives to take him up to around $10 million, per reports.
So Joe’s has heard along the sidewalks of Dale Mabry Highway that the Bucs need an edge rusher or two. Miller sure seems enticing, and it’s not just because he’s productive.
Miller has a passion for working with young players. He also talked about that on SiriusXM NFL Radio last week, and the Bucs have 2025 rookie David Walker coming back from injury and fourth-year man YaYa Diaby.
Fans know Miller hosts the annual Sack Summit he founded to develop professional pass rushers. Miller also was a key figure of the development of Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett during their days together in Denver.
Yeah, it’s crazy to bank on Miller rescuing the Bucs’ pass rush. But it’s not crazy to think he would be a massive upgrade from most of the edge rushers the Bucs put on the field last year.
The free agency dinner bell rings at high noon on Monday, March 9.
February 11th, 2026 at 11:08 am
bargain bin shopping…this more like it
another blue licht special
February 11th, 2026 at 11:36 am
WOW 37!!, well he got the non full time player right!!. Yes Joe, we need any kind of help on that front end and yes can see him inspiring and teaching the young guys. I think it is close, we can’t panic and push the wrong button or cheap button. However, we can’t be like last year and do nothing . Redick was a huge mistake. I think the people in Philly warned us. Anyway, yes Licht has proven while incredible at drafting offensive lineman, he has no nose for edge rushers in the draft. We will need to get people in free agency. Miller along with someone else that can actually play full time maybe a good way to go this year. Make no mistake we can’t fill all the holes needed on defense this year; However, if the offense plays, I think we can get enough to be in each game, provided the offense delivers. I say, get edge guys in free agency and draft 2 good LB’s in the draft, then go after corners. I have lost faith in Mc Collum and Robinson injury wise may be worse than Dean. I was not a big Dean fan, but he did play better than any of our other corners this year. He bet on himself and the Bucs really need him at this point, so they better pay him. It sure looks like the Bucs really missed letting Davis go, but that is water under the bridge now
February 11th, 2026 at 11:40 am
In Von we trust
February 11th, 2026 at 11:41 am
No… god no.
February 11th, 2026 at 11:44 am
Nah
February 11th, 2026 at 11:46 am
Honestly this would be a great signing…cheap, inexpensive, and Miller is already fine with having a reduced mentor role. Licht can still address edge in the draft and you will already have one of the greatest pass rushers of all time as a mentor to the guys.
February 11th, 2026 at 11:51 am
JPP came back, and obviously thanks to Todd’s coaching, was a huge force in the Bucs playoff push over the final games. If Todd could bring JPP to such a level of excellence at his age, no doubt he can get Von Miller to play the third safety position like a boss.
February 11th, 2026 at 11:54 am
Perhaps with the tutelage of Von Miller Braswell will finally shock the world….
February 11th, 2026 at 11:56 am
Why not! If he’s cheap that fills one of the criteria for new Bucs. He’s better at 37 than JTS and Brazwell in their prime. How many sacks did either of those clowns get in their entire careers?
February 11th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Getting von Miller at his age would be completely useless
February 11th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
He had more sacks than anyone on our team so don’t hate on his age.
February 11th, 2026 at 12:03 pm
Sign miller, sign Hendrickson, make a play for Crosby. Fire up the pass rush.
February 11th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Von Miller has had one healthy season in the last 7. He is the definition of injury prone.
So no.
February 11th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
Classic Licht move. He knows nothing about building a defense. Nothing.
Build the offense up to the point we average 35+ points a game.
That will help the defensive guru look like he has a clue.
This year there will be zero margin for error.
That should shine a bright light on the rot that has been allowed to fester.
February 11th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
No if you can’t find a DE in the draft this is ridicules other teams are drafting ends and we can’t seem to get anything really right outside of Vita on the line its comical now
February 11th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
A part time player with 9 sacks is worth at least talking to.
February 11th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
Hendrickson has a hip/pelvis injury. If he gets healthy. he might have another 2-4 years in him.
But trading for a player who may never be the same again is a bad idea.
February 11th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
LynchMob50 Says:
“Classic Licht move.”
You clearly did not read the post. Just wanting to whine?
February 11th, 2026 at 12:21 pm
lol
February 11th, 2026 at 12:24 pm
Yeah just what we need another Hassan Reddick.
February 11th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
“You clearly did not read the post. Just wanting to whine?”
Just pointing out the glaringly obvious. Which to a Pom Pom waiver would seem like whining.
The defense has gotten progressively worse since the Bowles + Licht combo started.
That is partially due to horrible coaching, and equally horrible drafting.
How many pro bowlers have they produced since 2020????
That’s right. Zero! Might be a causal link for the sinking ship we’re currently on.
February 11th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
HAHAHAHAHA
February 11th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Does he already have his AARP card, or do we have to buy that too?
February 11th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Sign him and take an edge sometime in the first 3 rounds. Also get a bullet-quick LB that tackles and covers really well. And another DT.
February 11th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
Make that 2 LB’ers in the first 4 rounds.
February 11th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
He had 9 sacks ? Lol we’d be celebrating with that kind of production
February 11th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
One of his protégées was Shaq Barrett. That didn’t turn out too bad.
February 11th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Licht has no interest in being a full-time GM either. They get each other.
February 11th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
That’s a understatement. The Bucs have zero pass rusher that is on this team!
February 11th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
really? lol
GO BUCS!!!!
February 11th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
LynchMob50 Says:
February 11th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
Classic Licht move. He knows nothing about building a defense. Nothing.
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The Bucs held Mahomes & Kansas City to 9 points in Super Bowl LV. It looked like a pretty good defense to me. Maybe you’re confusing Licht with the GM of another team? (Or you’re just trolling) 😉
February 11th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
Of we got a sack on 3rd and 28 or 4th and 14, we’d be playoff bound. We need sacks.
February 11th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
I love all the general managers that we have on this site. they can do it way better.. unreal!
February 11th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
Why not ?
Player/Coach
February 11th, 2026 at 1:48 pm
Jesus- some of you whine like nobody’s business!!!!
If you can bring in a guy like this- as a part time situational player and mentor, with a salary that reflects that role, I don’t see the downside. You can still address the needs in the draft or FA. It’s a no brainer in that scenario. Do it.
As a full time fix for the pass rush? No. Of course not. And no one is saying this, either.
February 11th, 2026 at 2:09 pm
Rather pay $7mil more/yr for a 27 yr old full time guy like Kwity Paye out of indy
February 11th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
ynchMob50 Says:
“The defense has gotten progressively worse since the Bowles + Licht combo started.
That is partially due to horrible coaching, and equally horrible drafting.”
Without intending to start a fight, the defense has gotten worse because of an almost complete lack of draft picks.
And that was because Jason Licht chose to build the offense first…which in today’s NFL is the right move. It didn’t really get draft attention until last year’s draft.
I’m not a pom pom waiver…unless you think being a Bucs fan is one. I actually wanted Bowles fired. But he wasn’t and there is no point in whining over it.
There’s also no point in being unrealistic in assessments by denying everything that does not support an opinion.
Bowles was not the only reason this team was bad last year. Neither was Jason Licht. In face, Licht had NOTHING to do with it.
February 11th, 2026 at 2:13 pm
Truth. Say no more
Loving, “blue Licht special”🤣 so true
February 11th, 2026 at 2:17 pm
@Bonzai, “Licht had NOTHING to do with it.” If so, than he epitomizes horrible leadership. If you value a lack of accountability and apathy as GM traits, then preach on preacherman.
February 11th, 2026 at 2:25 pm
My God
February 11th, 2026 at 2:27 pm
1️⃣ Immediate Third-Down Upgrade
2️⃣ Specialized Role = Lower Risk
3️⃣ Veteran Mentorship for Young Edge Room
4️⃣ Scheme Fit in Todd Bowles’ Pressure Packages
5️⃣ Culture & Championship Pedigree
6️⃣ Red-Zone and Playoff Situational Value
Just a few good reasons this makes sense
February 11th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
@ChiBuc
You said it bro. Licht is a fraud that walked @$$ backwards into a SB title.
Take Brady out of the equation and he would already be gone.
Everyone points to the SB title as his accomplishment.
But all of his epic failures get washed away magically.
Tom Brady made a lot of people look really good. Including Licht and Arians.
Just look at the Patriots without him in the SB. They looked terrible.
Number 12 never lost a SB like that.
Bowles orchistrated Brady’s only losing season. #Facts
February 11th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
It wasn’t Bowles’ fault that the Bucs went 8-9 in Brady’s last season. He also went 8-9 this season and Tom was in the booth. He can lose with or without Brady.
February 11th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Yea if JL didn’t sign Brady, Gronk, Brown, Lenny., Jensen..draft Evans, AW Jr, Godwin, Wirfs..trade for JPP…
Yup he really “lucked” into that superbowl.
What dumb take.
February 11th, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Back on topic..Von Miller would be a horrible signing. This team needs a game changing edge rusher to pair with YaYa, Vita and Kancey. Time to trade up for another edge rusher, sign 2 ILbers, draft depth at OL, CB.
Need to reload for the new coaching staff next year so they have a nice base of players to work with.
February 11th, 2026 at 2:55 pm
Great for the locker room. Ain’t that expensive
February 11th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
The truly dumb take is carrying water for a fraud that brought you Winston and Bowles.
Those are the two biggest mistakes in Bucs history since 1995.
All of the players you listed are meaningless without Brady.
He didn’t want to come here until turned down by another team.
After Brady has been a disaster. Only a dumpster fire division has made it look anything more that that.
February 11th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
Whining about whining is still great with cheese.
February 11th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
37? Surely you jest. Did we learn nothing from the Reddick experiment?
Miller may be cheaper but I doubt he’d have more impact.
February 11th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
LynchMob50 Says:
February 11th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
Bowles orchistrated Brady’s only losing season. #Facts
————
You legit don’t think Brady’s divorce played a bit into that year?
February 11th, 2026 at 4:10 pm
I’d take him as a pass rush specialist. Low base salary with incentives. We need all the pass rush help we can get.
February 11th, 2026 at 4:11 pm
Bargain Bin shopping indeed – just made warrenbrookslynch the happiest woman in the world. No to Maxx Crosy – yes to von miller. Why Jeremiah Love? The most electric back since reggie bush – we have SEAN TUCKER baby! Hell yeah brother, lets hear some more wisdom..
Guys guys.. but Tucker ran a 4.28 – even though he has shown zero proclivity to exhibit any kind of speed because of his horrible vision, and actual running back ability, I hereby denounce the idea of drafting one of the best players in the draft. BUCK AND TUCK BABY. If you guys knew anything at all this is how you build a real time, in the bargain bin
February 11th, 2026 at 4:14 pm
Sal Volatile Says:
February 11th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
Why not ?
Player/Coach
Exactly! I don’t know why some here don’t get that.
Miller himself is admitting he’s a 20 down player, with gd sacks last year, so getting a show and tell would be great for some young player loo
February 11th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
“Without intending to start a fight, the defense has gotten worse because of an almost complete lack of draft picks.”
I swear, you consistently have the dumbest takes on this website.
Since 2018, 33 of 59 Licht’s draft picks were defense.
11 of 18 1st and 2nd round picks were defense.
February 11th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
Fanofdabucs Says:
What dumb take.
———————————————–
I suspect LynchMob50 is just trolling.
Clearly, there’s no sense in attempting to have a rational discussion either way, whether he’s trolling or actually believes what he writes.
February 11th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
For Nelson money, why not? Team glue player and coach. 1 year deal with nothing to lose.
February 11th, 2026 at 4:28 pm
HeartyDickerson Says:
Since 2018, 33 of 59 Licht’s draft picks were defense.
11 of 18 1st and 2nd round picks were defense.
——————————————————————————-
If you analyze the past four years, looking at Day and Day 2 of the draft (first 3 rounds), you’d find that the picks for the offense and the picks for the defense were identical, eight each.
And for 2025, according to Over the Cap, the money was spent towards the salary cap, which breaks down like this:
• Offense: ~$184.5 M
• Defense: ~$102.8 M
February 11th, 2026 at 4:45 pm
#99 the big fella Says:
1️⃣ Immediate Third-Down Upgrade
2️⃣ Specialized Role = Lower Risk
3️⃣ Veteran Mentorship for Young Edge Room
4️⃣ Scheme Fit in Todd Bowles’ Pressure Packages
5️⃣ Culture & Championship Pedigree
6️⃣ Red-Zone and Playoff Situational Value
Just a few good reasons this makes sense
—————————————————————————
I 100% agree.
I normally wouldn’t want to add someone his age to the roster, but if the only thing he ever did was to help the other pass rushers, it would be worth it.
Miller is one of the best pass rushers of his generation and has a strong desire to pay it forward.
February 11th, 2026 at 5:06 pm
Can he drop in zone?
February 11th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
Some you are so far off on Licht and his draft picks. Everyone can make perfect picks in hindsight. There are only a few picks that Licht has made that were head scratchers or over drafted. He has had multiple picks on defense who everyone thought would work out but didn’t for a variety of reasons.
VH3 was projected to be a pro bowl talent, Noah Spence was projected to be a year 1 starter, Devin White was also a year 1 starter, there are multiple other picks like Justin Evans and JTS who were projected to be plus starters.
Throw in Winston who everybody thought was the next great QB and was projected to be a pro bowl qb. There are going to be guys who never live up to the expectations and then you’ll have others who have freak injuries like Beckwith and Evans that derail their careers.
If all these players panned out like people projected then the Bucs defense would be loaded right now as all of these players would still be in their late 20s/early 30s
February 11th, 2026 at 5:24 pm
If the Bucs bring in Von Miller,….. bring back his old DC Jack Del Rio!!!!
I would not mind Jack being the DC and Bowles be the HC
February 11th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
Todd Bowles needs to win now
He need as many quality veteran free agents as he can get
He can’t afford to wait on young players to develop
February 11th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Bonzie……..There’s also no point in being unrealistic in assessments by denying everything that does not support an opinion.
Bowles was not the only reason this team was bad last year. Neither was Jason Licht. In face, Licht had NOTHING to do with it.
…………………………………………………………………….
Of all the stupid things to post on this site, his one wins today’s blue ribbon.
Question: Then WHO is responsible, the fans?
February 11th, 2026 at 5:37 pm
Can he fog a mirror? Ok we can use him. How is he in Pass Coverage?
February 11th, 2026 at 6:33 pm
BucsfaninOregon Says:
Of all the stupid things to post on this site, his one wins today’s blue ribbon.
Question: Then WHO is responsible, the fans?
——————————————————————————
On the offensive side, our OC in 2024 (Coen) took off for Jacksonville, and our new play caller (Grizz) wasn’t as good, understandably so, as he lacked experience.
That, along with so many serious injuries, especially on the o-line, caused a drop in production, 6.6 points per game on average. Given that the Bucs lost 3 games by 3 points or less, and another game by 4 points, that’s pretty significant. As bad as our defense was this past season, I would bet big money we’d have still gotten into the playoffs had our offense not fallen off so badly.
Those contributing factors were NOT under the control of Bowles, so
Buccaneer Bonzai was correct, Bowles was NOT the only reason this team was bad.
There are other factors as well, but I’ll leave it at that.
February 11th, 2026 at 7:13 pm
Pass. This ain’t 2015
February 11th, 2026 at 7:39 pm
Jason Licht sucks. Brady’s gone people. And now we suck just as bad as BEFORE Brady…why? Because Jason Licht is .449% GM after 12 freaking years.
Anyone defending Jason Licht hates the Bucs or don’t understand football.
Either way, you are supporting suckage. Grow the F up, losers.
February 11th, 2026 at 7:40 pm
Sign Miller as the DC. He would be head and shoulders above the current DC.
February 11th, 2026 at 8:20 pm
Good gosh. Maybe we see if Deacon Jones is still available. We dont need a “ mentor” for younger players. We have them. They are called coaches. Why would we give a roster spot to a guy we hope plays 20 plays a game and has a sack every other game?
February 11th, 2026 at 9:09 pm
I read this article and let out maybe the longest sigh in years.
If it’s a 1yr deal @ ~$6M…Screw it… Sign me up…I mean, he did have 9 sacks w/ WAS in 2025 at age 36.
It’s definitely not the young, up & coming 25-26yr old player I would target as FA Edge #1 on my board…But maybe he could still rack up 8 sacks over the season & help Braswell, Walker & YaYa learn what Barrett learned playing behind Miller in DEN.
Braswell has 2yrs left on his rookie deal, Walker is an unknown commodity coming off injury & YaYa needs a breakout yr to secure the lucrative 2nd contract he is chasing.
If those 3 could learn a thing or two from a pass rush guru like Miller to maximize their physical talents & potential…It would be well worth a year of Old Man Miller playing ~30% of pass rush snaps.
February 11th, 2026 at 9:37 pm
Did we have pass rushers on the field last year?
February 11th, 2026 at 10:08 pm
Miller is still a little too young for Licht’s liking at that position. Plus Braswell is gonna bust out. Or just bust.
February 11th, 2026 at 10:14 pm
We need player/coaches as much as we need a HC/DC. Enough with the half-@ssery. We need PLAYETS that play (not quit), and COACHES that coach (not what we saw last year). 2 hats on 1 head is 1 hat too many. Do ONE job well
February 11th, 2026 at 10:29 pm
Deeboooo.= facts
February 12th, 2026 at 12:42 am
no
February 12th, 2026 at 3:22 am
@ Fanofdabucs Says: “Yea if JL didn’t sign Brady, Gronk, Brown, Lenny., Jensen..draft Evans, AW Jr, Godwin, Wirfs..trade for JPP…
Yup he really “lucked” into that superbowl.
What dumb take.”
NO. You are fricking DELUSIONAL. And a straight-up LIAR with ZERO credibility, at that. But you’re only lying to YOURSELF. It’s Stockholm Syndrome. 💯
February 12th, 2026 at 3:30 am
@ LynchMob50 Says: “He (Brady) didn’t want to come here until turned down by another team.”
It was actually TWO teams who flat-out turned him down (3 counting the Patriots), and if not for “colluding” with ANOTHER team (Miami), he would never had been here. It’s a 💯 false narrative that HE chose HERE. He didn’t have much of a choice. Hahahah Lmao I mean, WHERE ELSE was he going!? So just how many ‘options” do you people think he had LEFT!? Chicago!? At least he had Evans and Godwin here, but that was about it on a team that completely MISSED-OUT on the Playoffs BADLY, just the season before.
February 12th, 2026 at 3:39 am
@ HeartyDickerson Says: “Without intending to start a fight, the defense has gotten worse because of an almost complete lack of draft picks.”
“I swear, you consistently have the dumbest takes on this website.
Since 2018, 33 of 59 Licht’s draft picks were defense.
11 of 18 1st and 2nd round picks were defense.”
You’re wasting your time. You can spit facts and common sense all day long to this weak lying CLOWN, and he will just completely ignore it the very next day as if it never happened. These people are mentally ill, false narrative pushers. They are Legacy News followers, at all cost. No matter what. They think that if they just keep saying it, then that’ll make-it true. They are always the last ones at the party. They are stuck inside of their own heads, while REFUSING to see and admit reality.
February 12th, 2026 at 3:45 am
“Since 2018, 33 of 59 Licht’s draft picks were defense.
11 of 18 1st and 2nd round picks were defense.”
@ HardyDickerson – He already knew this. But he just continues to say the exact same thing over and over again, EVERY single day. It’s the false narrative that he has created inside of his head. They are literally THE WORST. So, don’t waste your time.
February 12th, 2026 at 3:51 am
@ BucsFanSince1996 Says: “I suspect LynchMob50 is just trolling.
Clearly, there’s no sense in attempting to have a rational discussion either way, whether he’s trolling or actually believes what he writes.”
No. That is the reason YOU just said this. It’s because it is YOU who is incapable of having a “rational discussion.” This is why YOU have nothing else to say. Because, YOU CANT. Since, a little thing called FACTS will get in the way, and DESTROY your argument for JL. But, you already know this. Hence the reason for your statement, in the first place.
February 12th, 2026 at 3:55 am
@ USFBucs Says: “There are only a few picks that Licht has made that were head scratchers or over drafted. He has had multiple picks on defense who everyone thought would work out but didn’t for a variety of reasons.”
That is just soooo NOT true. Not even CLOSE to reality.
February 12th, 2026 at 3:59 am
Lickt doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing. Not even the FIRST clue. That’s just the Bottomline. And, he’s LAZY AF and WEAK AF. Literally, not a single thing is ‘impressive’ about the guy. Dresses like a SLOB, not very bright, and you can go on and on. He’s NOT GM material. PERIOD. End of Story. We can’t compete in the current LOADED NFC with STACKED rosters and GREAT GM’s and HC’s.
February 12th, 2026 at 4:51 am
Bring him in and draft another edge rusher in the second or third round. He can teach yaya, walker and the new guy all about what it takes to be the best.
February 12th, 2026 at 7:30 am
“Bargain Bin shopping indeed – just made warrenbrookslynch the happiest woman in the world. No to Maxx Crosy – yes to von miller. Why Jeremiah Love? The most electric back since reggie bush – we have SEAN TUCKER baby! Hell yeah brother, lets hear some more wisdom..”
Rent-free, baby.
Let’s talk about track times and drafting an RB 15th overall, maybe with all that speed he can play both sides and shore up the middle of our defense. How’s Love bend? Can he beat OTs off the ball?
February 12th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Braswell did “Shock the World” …
… at how well he impersonates Harry Houdini
February 13th, 2026 at 11:25 am
His salary and production vs. Reddicks salary and production. Licht lost on that one.
February 13th, 2026 at 10:39 pm
9 sacks playing part time at 36 years old. That’s dam good. Sign him.