The Chris Braswell Files
February 18th, 2026
The Bucs say positive things about edge rusher Chris Braswell yet he doesn’t play a lot.
That feels like a contradiction for a team that universally gets poor grades for talent at the position.
Braswell played less last season than he did as a rookie. The 2024 second-round pick somehow couldn’t crack the lineup.
Renowned “advanced stats” and data guru Aaron Schatz, writing for BSPN, says Braswell needs a “change of scenery.”
The Bucs selected Braswell with the No. 57 pick in 2024, and the linebacker out of Alabama was supposed to be a talented pass rusher with good burst and a variety of pass-rushing moves. However, Braswell hasn’t had much time on the field to show off those moves. He has never started a game in the NFL and has just 2.5 career sacks.
Last season, he played less than 25% of defensive snaps in 11 contests and more than 50% of defensive snaps in just one game. The likely departure of Haason Reddick in free agency might open up a starting spot for Braswell, but it is more likely that Braswell needs to go to a new team with a new coaching staff in order to get his chance to finally reach his NFL potential.
Is Braswell just a slow-deveoping edge rusher like, for example, Trey Hendrickson was for the Saints? Or is Braswell a bust? Joe’s not 100 percent sure. It’s not like the Bucs run a factory when it comes to developing edge rushers.
However, Joe is not seeing anything special from Braswell, especially on fourth down as a core special teams player. Perhaps, at 6-3, 250 pounds, Brawell could play inside linebacker?
February 18th, 2026 at 10:37 am
Keep him no new defense players. let our Guru use what he has made for himself.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:37 am
Don’t listen to what the Bucs are saying, pay attention to their actions. Braswell can’t play, simple as that. Licht was talking positively about Watts and Ramirez and they hardly played.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:38 am
B as in Braswell = B as in Bust.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:38 am
Inside linebacker… Now THAT is an interesting thought. I mean, at this point, what’s the harm? As long as the Bucs are honest with his development (or lack thereof) at inside linebacker, then Braswell won’t see the field if he doesn’t deserve to see it.
The fact that I am typing this with a hint of excitement pains me. But, it’s true. It just might work.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:43 am
Chris Braswell file is a missing person’s report. Another 2nd round tweener flop.
Perhaps a change to the CFL is exactly what he needs to unleash shocking ability touted by Licht, Braswell’s family.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:44 am
He has been a Big Nothing Burger since he was drafted. Waste of a pick-up to this point.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:45 am
Braswell was a reach in round 2. He was the third DE on Alabama’s def, he didn’t even start. This was a guy that was drafted due to his college pedigree and size, hoping we found a gem and that he’d develop into a consistent contributor, yet this guy looks like a day 3 draft pick.
Not trying to be funny here, but I saw him flash on some key tackles during punt/kick coverages. Not exactly what you’re looking for from a second round pick, yet he was entirely a ghost.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:46 am
I honestly feel it was the coaching here with the DL. All of our pash rushers really only used a bull rushing technique and that really hampered them. All this talk of multiple moves and we never really saw the DIP / RIP, or the ghost moves, HUMP moves or any swim moves. Nothing but a power rush move. That tells me it was purely coaching.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:47 am
Anyone else notice that the author feels he could reach his potential.. on another team.. with different coaching?
There you have it. Even Decent prospects are doomed with Todd.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:54 am
Braswell is just another example of the ineptitude of the JL/TB dynasty. Watching those two. Is Braswell a draft bust of JL or was he ruined by the beautifully (gag) defensive scheme of TB?
Regardless, it is a fiasco what guys that give sh!t like Mike Evans have to endure.
I hope that Mike finds a home to close out his career. This dumpster fire is only going to be worse next year.
February 18th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Nick Saban said during Pat McAfee’s draft broadcast if the Bucs used Braswell strictly as a pass rusher he might be good. Of course, with the Bucs, an edge rusher must “do other things.”
Call Joe an a-hole if you wish, but Joe thinks Saban has more street cred with developing edge rushers than Todd Bowles.
February 18th, 2026 at 11:01 am
“The likely departure of Haason Reddick in free agency might open up a starting spot for Braswell, but it is more likely that Braswell needs to go to a new team with a new coaching staff in order to get his chance to finally reach his NFL potential.”
Outside of Yaya, nobody in that OLB room right now should be locked in as anything other than competing for reps.
I don’t go out my way to bash Braswell like some others do, especially with our circumstances in mind, but he’s on the clock.
February 18th, 2026 at 11:05 am
The way they try to sugar coat this is plain childish. They made a big mistake.
February 18th, 2026 at 11:09 am
We might as well have used the 14 million on Reddick elsewhere and given all his snaps to Braswell. It’s likely Braswell was just as effective and the Bucs would actually know what they had.
Hindsight of course but these kids need game reps to develop. Bucs seem to have no idea how to evaluate these guys in practice.
February 18th, 2026 at 11:21 am
Bowles has not developed one edge rusher in his entire career. In fact, every defensive player on our team regressed from the prior year. What makes us believe that Bowles can suddenly get it done?
February 18th, 2026 at 11:35 am
He’s awful on special teams.
He makes business decisions on every special teams snap.
I would trade him for a 5th rounder. Or just cut him.
It’s time to make an example out of the loafers and quitters.
February 18th, 2026 at 11:38 am
We might find out next year his true potential when Robinson becomes the Head Coach and hires a competent DC. Until then the defense will be more of
RINSE AND REPEAT
February 18th, 2026 at 11:38 am
” It’s not like the Bucs run a factory when it comes to developing edge rushers”
Ha Ha or anybody on D for that matter!!!!!!!
February 18th, 2026 at 11:45 am
There’s no need to rush to cut him. He is cheap for the next couple of years so you might as well let him develop and if he just happens to get beat out in training camp for one of the last roster spots, so be it.
February 18th, 2026 at 11:51 am
I hate to say anything bad about the players but this guy doesn’t like contact. You can see it when he plays, he avoids piles and simply just doesn’t look motivated and touches less players that the Umpire or referee. Just cut him already.
February 18th, 2026 at 11:54 am
Of course the Bucs are not going to say anything bad about Bustwell. Anything they say is a reflection on their ability to pick and develop talent. We know that ability is sorely lacking in recent years.
February 18th, 2026 at 12:07 pm
I didn’t know there were files on this guy.
Who does he play for again?
February 18th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Sorry to say it but Braswell is a bust
February 18th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
No seriously Im in the camp that believes he has not been coached up but isn’t that what Todd is looking for? Talent that trumps coaching ability?
Isn’t that the only way Todd Bowels successfully runs a defense?
February 18th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
Didn’t Bowles just fire his D-line coach? If so, who is the new person, and can that person actually coach pass-rush moves?
Why can’t Simeon be an assistant coach just for the pass-rushers? That segment he did with Diaby was pretty cool.
Bucs pass-rush needs HELP stat!
February 18th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Sometimes edge rusher take a few years of refinement. I think he can become something with a little more time and coaching. Maybe not a atar, but why cant he become a 6-7 sack a year rotation edge?
February 18th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
He should play his natural position. If not trade him and get someone who can. Hopefully there is a coach who can turn his carreer around. It’s better to move on and waste another season.
February 18th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
It almost sounds like Jason wants to get these guys on the field an Bowles just didn’t use them
February 18th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Whatevwr it is, Bowles doesnt see enough in practice. Maybe its a scheme thinf where dropping into coverage he doesnt want to do. Maybe just wants to rush and Bowles wants his edge players to do it all
February 18th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
This is Schatz politely saying that the Licht/Bowles Buccaneers is where high potential edge talent goes to die. Throughout Bowles’s tenure, I could likely list more regressions than progressions in talent. No real development happening….give Parrish another season under Bowles and we’ll be pointing out his meh-ness
February 18th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Has Braswell been coached up? Does he play for a good DC? Does he play in a system that plays to his strengths? If the answer is NO to any/all of these, we probably won’t know until Bowles is fired or Braswell plays for another team.
February 18th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
The quality of the coaching Braswell gets would only decline if he goes to another team. Imagine how bored he’d be if someone told him the only thing he needs to focus on is rushing the passer. How boring if you never know whether you’re rushing the passer, dipping inside, covering the flat, covering the middle, dropping deep sideline or deep middle, covering the RB or the TE or the Z. Come on, Bowles’ defense is the best.
February 18th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Quick, without thinking too hard would you take Joe Tryon or Brasswell??
Oh, never mind. This is why they need to bring an established pass rusher like Simion Rice, JPP as in previous years. Draft interior lineman.
February 18th, 2026 at 1:25 pm
Licht is good at selecting OLineman and Bowles is good selecting DB’s but both together doesn’t have a clue on selecting edge rushers.
February 18th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
please please fire bowles
February 18th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
We said outside linebacker was a strength, so what we say and what the truth is has no relationship.
I like the inside linebacker idea
February 18th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
Perhaps, at 6-3, 250 pounds, Brawell could play inside linebacker?
BINGO!!!!!!
I said this after the Philly game!!!!
BUCS need to see if braswell could be the next Zack Baun!!!!!!…kick him inside!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
February 18th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
Isn’t this Jason’s boy Remember he was gonna SHOCK the world last year The off season starting to become a bigger joke than the actual season was
February 18th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
Yeah just like all the hype about JTS for 4 years. Braswell = JTS version 2. I’m sure this is the year he breaks out and has 11 sacks.
I simply do not trust the scouts or Licht when it comes to drafting defensive players.
February 18th, 2026 at 2:33 pm
“…The likely departure of Haason Reddick in free agency might open up a starting spot for Braswell…”
With my tongue in cheek, is there a difference?! Reddick was another “no-show” acquisition. And, after watching him play I don’t understand the buzz. I don’t recall seeing him make a single play.
Inserting Braswell is like replacing a cheerios cereal box with a corn flakes cereal box!!!
February 18th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
Gosh,
Broncos gave up on Shaq and let him go in free agency after 4 mediocre years.
Hate to give up on a guy that’s had nothing but poor coaching.
Didn’t Saban say – if the Bucs line him up and let him rush – he’ll be fine?
And wouldn’t ya know that the Bowles brainchild is to be tricky and drop our DE’s into pass coverage (their weakest skillset) which no longer fakes anybody out.
February 18th, 2026 at 2:35 pm
Noah Spence
JTS
Braswell
Licht can’t draft an edge rusher to save his life. (Yaya is okay)
February 18th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Is Braswell just a slow-deveoping edge rusher like, for example, Trey Hendrickson was for the Saints? Or is Braswell a bust? Joe’s not 100 percent sure. It’s not like the Bucs run a factory when it comes to developing edge rushers
No not even close! Trey actually produced for the saints
February 18th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
Broncos didn’t give up on Shaq Barrett…he was stuck behind Von Miller & DeMarcus Ware…both HOF talents. Shaq was a contributor on the 2015 Super Bowl year. That was a great signing by Licht…credit to him.
Of course Saban is going to give at least a lukewarm backing of one of his former players.
Braswell ain’t it…no explosion…no quicks. He’ll likely be out of the league sooner rather than later.
February 18th, 2026 at 3:09 pm
brass not so swell
February 18th, 2026 at 3:12 pm
Rewatched SB XLIII a couple nights ago.
James Harrison (OLB) dropped into coverage, snagged a 99 yard pick 6. WTF ? I thought Todd invented that recently and only he used it 🤣
As far as Braswell is concerned – it’d be nice if he made a leap this year but not holding my breath.
February 18th, 2026 at 3:15 pm
I said I was iffy on him from the beginning & I would’ve passed on him & it’s looking that way right now.
February 18th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Watching Braswell drop in coverage hurts my heart. Makes me want to armchair GM/Coach and call out malpractice. You know if we had one more sack on 3rd and 28/4th and 14, we would’ve made the playoffs. FML, #Siege the bad defense
February 18th, 2026 at 3:35 pm
Braswell physical measurables are almost identical to his ALA teammate Will Anderson Jr….40 times / 10yd splits / hands size / arm length / etc…The big difference is how their NFL teams have used them and built their confidence to produce on the field.
Braswell was a very effective player for task master Nick Saban & produced 13 sacks in his final year in Tuscaloosa.
In Tampa, he has been buried behind Bowles hand picked favorites…1st it was JTS – who was loved by Bowles… & then Reddick – who gave the Bucs nothing for his $14M while having the #1 SOLB role handed to him.
I really have not seen Bowles just turn Braswell loose to & say this is your job – go rush the QB / pressure the pocket….. Usually, Bowles has him dropping into zone coverage or being the decoy while using an ILB or S / CB blitz call – for the ~25% usage he sees the field.
(If you look at Braswell’s stats vs Reddick, you can see who of the 2 deserved to be on the field & who didn’t…But you can bet contract size played a part!!!)
February 18th, 2026 at 3:58 pm
Once upon a time there was an OLB named Shaq Barrett.
He was labeled a bust in Denver and tossed out like a pair of soiled undies…
Then he became one of the best edge rushers to ever wear a Bucs uniform.
Give the kid one more season and a little more playing time and let’s see what happens.
The Bucs already spent a 2nd round pick and he currently has zero trade value.
February 18th, 2026 at 4:10 pm
To be fair you can’t judge a guy that is supposed to rush the qb but instead gets used for covering a receivers
February 18th, 2026 at 4:20 pm
The problem isn’t that the OLBs are used in coverage it is the players and how and when they are used in coverage. It’s a desire to force players into schemes they don’t do well in for the ego of the coach. We all watch the games and we all see on defense players all game long with their hands in the air, pointing, and arguing about who’s on first.
February 18th, 2026 at 4:22 pm
Yo Joe
Jason Licht inability to pick a great pass rusher has truly crippled this franchise
We need defense defense defense
Trade the damn pick
February 18th, 2026 at 4:25 pm
This defense had way more attitude when we had Carlton Davis and Devin White
It’s been all downhill since they left
We literally spent a top 10 pick on Devin white , won a superbowl and didn’t resign him
What happened ??
Can’t believe Bowles sometimes , I remember when Devin white was benched Joe was like “I trust Bowles decision”
Man forget Bowles !!!