Bucs May Regret Letting Jamel Dean Walk
February 19th, 2026
Waving goodbye?
While Joe is like most Bucs fans, looking at potential free agent targets to bring into Tampa Bay, Joe is also largely ignoring guys who may walk away. That’s not smart of Joe.
One guy Joe was hoping the Bucs would wash their hands of last year is a guy “this Joe” hopes sticks around. That would be starting corner Jamel Dean.
Dean was hurt so often that he wasn’t available in the Bucs’ biggest games (like playoff games). What’s the point when you aren’t available in the biggest games of the season?
But last year Dean remade his body and was largely able to stay on the field. And he had a helluva season. For starting cornerbacks, when targeted, Dean allowed the second-lowest completion percentage in the league.
Joe thinks that is damn good.
But Dean is a free agent. And Joe has a hunch the Bucs will let him walk. Hey, if Bucs coach Todd Bowles plans to move Jacob Parrish to full-time corner, that’s fine. If not, it’s better to keep Dean.
Joe was very underwhelmed by the play of Zyon McCollum, the other starting corner. So much so Joe thinks he shouldn’t be starting until he snaps out of his funk.
Regarding Dean, the Bucs defense has enough holes as it is. No need to dig another unnecessary hole by letting Dean walk.
That was a hallmark of lousy Lovie Smith. He took over a team with a rotten defense and started tossing capable starters off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge without equal or better players to fill those holes.
All of a sudden you look up and the Bucs had the No. 1 overall pick.
Hey, if the Bucs were rebuilding, Joe can understand waving goodbye to Dean. But from what Joe sees, the Bucs are a team that thinks it can get right back to the playoffs.
So if that is the case, why let Dean escape unless they have someone who can fully fill his shoes?
February 19th, 2026 at 12:44 am
Dean is going to explore his options and it is likely someone will make a better offer than the Bucs. Is this good or bad? Well, Dean did have a good season in a “prove it” situation but can someone expect the same if he gets paid or will he regress like Zyon did after he got paid. Dean still missed 3 games due to injury and in a 4th he had nada on the stat line (Buffalo) and only one tackle in the Jets game as well. The Bucs paid Zyon which was a huge mistake. I guess it all comes down to the Benjamis, can the Bucs afford to keep him or are they going to get a cheaper replacement via FA? I am just afraid they sign him to a deal and he promptly gets injured and goes on IR for 6 weeks……
February 19th, 2026 at 1:43 am
The beauty of the D scheme is, it allows for total interchangeability of players with zero difference in performance. Jamel Dean, Marlin Brando, Fat Albert could all generate the same results.
It’s a great time to be a Bucs fan.
February 19th, 2026 at 1:56 am
Was Bowles the issue when we won the Super Bowl?
When Bowles defense best Aaron Rodgers?
When Bowles defense destroyed Mahomes and the Chiefs?
People have short memories.
February 19th, 2026 at 2:36 am
Teacherman, I remember Bowles’ call on D when Cooper Cupp burned him in the Rams playoff loss as well as 3rd and 28 against the ATL this past season. All Tampa fans will always remember those 2 infamous plays and the mastermiond behind them!
February 19th, 2026 at 2:36 am
We just don’t have the cap space to retain Dean. Choices have to be made and the conclusion is we can’t afford him unless we let more important players (like ME13) walk. He has disappointed too many times.
February 19th, 2026 at 2:41 am
Monte Kiffin destroyed the Raiders in SB37 too. What a DC does working for a HC is not comparable to when the same DC reports to himself as HC. And if not for about 6 drops by the Chefs, the Arians SB win was in doubt. No matter, that game has zero to do with current day performance.
And I think Todd is the greatest. It’s hard to win 8 games in a season after starting 6-2.
February 19th, 2026 at 3:01 am
joe:
if there’s one area bowles is or should be fully capable, it is the secondary…that’s his forte…if he choses to let dean walk, so be it…dean was his coveted student of the game as a young buck…his “class pet” for a while there…so if coach gives him his walking papers – so be it…
you always knew when it came down to dean and davis…davis was the one getting traded, while dean stayed…
so if bowles is done with him – let it be…
and the play of zyon was downright scary like a hairy canary last year…talk about getting the bag and playing like a skag…everyone witnessed it…and i was a big zyon supporter going into last season too…
also bowles has gotta see that morrisson plays more like morrissey…he simply has too…the secondary is his specialty…
if bowles can screw up his own secondary, then what does that say about his defense…
the secondary should define this coach
February 19th, 2026 at 3:13 am
Franchise tag?
February 19th, 2026 at 4:03 am
@FortMyersDave,
For sure, Bucs fans will remember those negative plays, and should.
But if they forget one of the greatest defensive performances in Super Bowl history against a great Kansas City team, with Bowles as DC, they’re deluding themselves.
My preference was for Bowles to walk the plank, but with an infusion of talent, I’m confident this team can rebound, get back into the playoffs, and beat anyone. Our defense was horrible this past season, and yeah, Bowles was part of the problem. But the talent is in need of an upgrade, and that was a major factor as well.
I have no doubt the Glazers remember those plays you mentioned. But they remember the positive ones as well. And they remember the defense was top 10 in the league just a couple seasons ago in points per game allowed to their opponents, another thing that fans seem to have forgot, if they ever were aware of it to begin with.
February 19th, 2026 at 4:08 am
It shouldn’t be a problem if Morrison lives up to his draft status. Same with Zyon living up to his new contract, and Winfield earning his top dollar as a safety. Bucs have drafted, and paid their secondary. It’s time it pays off. Either the players Licht has drafted, and paid can play, or they can’t.
February 19th, 2026 at 4:16 am
Teachman. when our defense was good Arians was the head coach. If you remember our offense was one of the best in the league with Leftwich as the OC calling the plays. Arians hands the reins to Bowles we go 8-9, with the offense, and defense going backwards. Arians made Bowles, and Lefty look good. Four years after he retires Bowles Bucs are 8-9. Can’t you see the difference a real good HC makes a team on both sides of the ball? Bowles don’t have what it takes.
February 19th, 2026 at 4:26 am
The Bucs need to rebuild their defense, and in all likelihood, they’ll do it from the inside out.
I’m sure they’d love to have Dean back, but the priority has to be on the D-line and the linebackers. If they don’t fix that, it doesn’t matter who they have in the secondary.
I doubt they can fix everything in just one season. But if they can put an average defense on the field this coming season, and the offense plays up closer to it’s potential, we’ll be a dangerous team.
With a horrible defense last season, we beat several playoff teams, including Seattle in their home!
If our O-line stays healthy, the offense should be able to get back near 30 points per game again.
February 19th, 2026 at 4:54 am
@Hodad, your just spinning a false narrative using revisionist history. Arian’s wasn’t a good coach. He was a great coach, winning coach-of-the-year twice before he arrived in Tampa. But he had nothing to do with the defense. That was completely left up to Bowles. And then, when Bowles took over as HC it was too late in the preseason for him to even choose his own assistant coaches.
Brady was not himself going through the marital issues & divorce. He took a vacation during training camp. LOL. And he wasn’t playing well after Jensen was lost for the year and Marpet retired. Leftwich wasn’t good as the OC.
None of those things were under the control of Bowles. He didn’t break up Brady’s marriage or injure Ryan Jensen’s knee, or hire Leftwich as OC, but you want to hold Bowles totally responsible.
February 19th, 2026 at 5:43 am
“Bucs May Regret Letting……………..Todd Bowles Stay”
February 19th, 2026 at 5:50 am
Ricky- I agree with you 100% this team is wasting away every year Todd Bowles is the head coach. The defense is going to be garbage again for yet another season. I hate to say it, but back to dark decades.
February 19th, 2026 at 6:08 am
“They called me Mr. Glass.” ~ Elijah Price (aka Jamel Dean)
February 19th, 2026 at 6:15 am
It’s all about availability and playing healthy
The grind of football has diminished his value
February 19th, 2026 at 6:51 am
Joe are memories short. Dean has one somewhat healthy year in his career, imagine that it is in a contract year. Once Dean gets a big fat contract he is going to be back in the tub. You don’t get healthier as you get older.
February 19th, 2026 at 6:54 am
Dean can barely run….much less walk sometimes… SMH
February 19th, 2026 at 7:17 am
“”Was Bowles the issue when we won the Super Bowl.
When Bowles defense best Aaron Rodgers?
When Bowles defense destroyed Mahomes and the Chiefs?
People have short memories.””
Are you freakin kiddin me man? Were you drunk or stoned when u wrote this crap? First of all that was SIX years ago. Somebody told me that the NFL is a what have u done for me lately business. Second of all we had a REAL HC then who would NEVER tolerate the lack of effort from Bowles garbage defense that we see now. No energy. No effort. No will to win. You’re in the running for the dumbest post of 2026. Teacher needs to go back to school.
February 19th, 2026 at 7:39 am
I will not lose any sleep over Dean 🤙🏾Mahalo
February 19th, 2026 at 7:50 am
🤣🤣🤣that didn’t put my comment down because I said Mahalo 🤣🤣🤣
February 19th, 2026 at 7:50 am
Ok 🤙🏾👊🏾
February 19th, 2026 at 7:56 am
If Evans walks we can keep Dean, that’s about the only way tho
February 19th, 2026 at 8:11 am
Bucsfan I don’t believe Arians had nothing to do with the defense. Both Bowles, and Leftwich went downhill after the boss retired.
February 19th, 2026 at 8:15 am
I see we’re still re-living the Kupp nightmare! I’ll say this about that play: Regardless the play call there were epic failures up and down the eleven that lined up. Coaches coach and players play. Everyone from coaches on down deserve the “credit” for that debacle. Just sayin”!
Personally, I think we’ve seen enough of Dean. We tend to hold onto players who “might” be good, only to find they’ve peaked a long time ago. He can’t stay on the field. Best ability…
February 19th, 2026 at 8:17 am
With Dean its damned if you do, damned if you dont. When not in a contract year, he is always injured and doesnt show up as often. They make him FA at the end of the season and look what happens. Some players are motivated by money. Dean is one of them and dont think resigning him would be best option. Good player but time to move on. Go get another CB.
February 19th, 2026 at 8:19 am
I thought the headline meant if they let him walk anywhere he’ll get hurt.
February 19th, 2026 at 8:34 am
No don’t keep a guy who’s play didn’t step up until he was in a contract year. Does this franchise not know how to stay relevant without keeping aging ineffective veterans? Last year the roster was stale, a couple months into the offseason people are freaking out about letting Dean and David walk
February 19th, 2026 at 9:03 am
I’m just not sure how Dean is relevant when Bucs had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL with him on the field. No point paying any corner in a Todd Bowles defense big money.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:05 am
Dean is gone, who in their right mind would resign with a team that slashed his pay by 8.25 million dollars days before the season started. I’m sure that didn’t sit well with his teammates.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:13 am
Dean was playing in a contract year. Of course he had a better year. And he still got hurt. The Bucs should have traded him when they had the chance. Let him walk. Let him get hurt and not tackle for some other team.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:18 am
Dean had the best year of his career last season…but the questions we should be asking are:
🏈 Do we think he will continue to get better at 30 years old?
🏈 Given his history, do we want to commit for more than one year?
🏈 Do we want to pay him more than he is worth?
I say no to all three. A team will look at last year and offer him something more than he is worth. Let them. We drafted secondary lest year, and though they are not producing yet, they could still develop into good players.
If Zyon McCollum isn’t a free agent, let him earn a chance. He had a very good year in 2024. Last year was his first year with injury issues. He may not be worth a new contract yet, and I have now idea when he becomes a free agent (I think this will be his fifth year).
I have a feeling this is the year he will take a big step forward.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:23 am
Dean will be a BUC in 2026…
no one is going to pay him because of his injury history except JL
GO BUCS!!!!
February 19th, 2026 at 9:23 am
Regretting 🤔 about the decision of lowering Dean’s salary is like Thinking you discovered gold when you actually found Fools gold. He getting older so his health is not going to get better.
Time to move on.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:32 am
I’m with Ben who said “With Dean its damned if you do, damned if you dont. When not in a contract year, he is always injured and doesnt show up as often.”
It might be time to let Dean go and sign a true shutdown corner in the first round. But that depends on Benjamin Morrison’s health forecast. Do the Bucs think this guy will always be hurt? Morrison missed most of camp and was playing catch-up the rest of the season. What can he do when he has a full camp?
Zyon was a huge disappointment. From Day 1 he’s been a poor tackler and while he tackled better in year 2, he’s gone back to terrible. He’s also a liability in the lower red zone when he’s forced to play man.
February 19th, 2026 at 10:02 am
If you don’t care about winning this year you let Dean walk, along with Mike and LVD……
February 19th, 2026 at 10:09 am
Hodad Says:
Bucsfan I don’t believe Arians had nothing to do with the defense. Both Bowles, and Leftwich went downhill after the boss retired.
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It sounds like you DO believe Arians had something to do with the defense.
You wrote earlier in this thread:
“Arians made Bowles, and Lefty look good. Four years after he retires Bowles Bucs are 8-9. Can’t you see the difference a real good HC makes a team on both sides of the ball? Bowles don’t have what it takes.”
I doubt that Bowles forgot how to coach defense after Arians left.
What changed was the personnel and the ability to acquire new talent.
In Bowles’ second season as HC (2023 season), there was 75 million in dead cap money, and 47 million the following year.
For 75 million, you can bring in several high-priced free agents, something he couldn’t do.
February 19th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Bears fa, Nashon Wright….thats who we need, go get him Jason.
February 19th, 2026 at 11:16 am
His stats may be up, but I still saw him get burned a few times and get injured. I am not saying he isn’t a good player, I just don’t know that I saw anything to justify a high price tag. If he doesn’t bring it consistently, why should I believe anything he showed during a contract year? He gets paid then slouches off again? Not worth the risk. I actually think we drafted our corner replacements. They had rookie moments, no doubt, but they made some plays too.
February 19th, 2026 at 11:17 am
Meh. Well only miss him fir half the season.
February 19th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Would 3rd and 28 have happened if Carlton Davis was at corner instead of the “bored” secondary pieces the Bucs have?
Letting Dean go will make a bad pass defense worse.
February 19th, 2026 at 11:35 am
Dean would be a huge loss….where else can we find an underachieving DB who gets injured several times a year?
February 19th, 2026 at 11:38 am
“His pass completion ratio was just 43.1%, and he did not allow a single touchdown. He is also effective in press and has elite speed (4.3) that allows him to recover well. Very good run support with only one missed tackle all season.
Dean allowed just 4.6 yards per target and only allowed one pass greater than 20+ yards. He was lapping the field in coverage DVOA, with -69.1% DVOA. He had two other interceptions that did not count.”
You guys should look around the NFL more often, there are at least 5 teams that could use this at CB. We’d be the schmucks trying to replace it. Dean may very well find a deal for 3 years $40M-$55M, I just no it won’t be us.
ADean has the same effect when he’s absent as Mike Evans.
Vildor allowing Smith-Njigba to score in Seattle, when he played in place of Dean.
Morrison also got picked on several time in place of Dean.
If we do let him walk, there better damn well be a plan to replace him because with an adequate replacement. Some of you last offseason were so sure, that Benjamin Morrison was going to do that and we’re still waiting.
February 19th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Bowzo the Guru does not need him.
February 19th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Warren Brooks said the best comment on this thread: “If we do let him walk, there better damn well be a plan to replace him because with an adequate replacement.”
All you guys that rag on Dean and say let him go are not realistic about the aftermath. Who is going to replace him? Some hot-shot of a FA? No way Licht can do that. Draft his replacement? Along with a school bus full of holes in the defense, sure. Have Morrison replace him? Anybody have confidence in that?
The pressure (if there is any pressure) should be on improvement by addition not subtraction.
February 19th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
BucsfaninOregon Says:
Have Morrison replace him? Anybody have confidence in that?
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I have a fair amount of confidence that yes, Morrison CAN replace him.
Morrison was a 1st round talent if not for the hip issues he was dealing with, which are now fixed.
He missed much of the preseason and training camp, and that set his development back. I expect him to make a big jump this season.
That said, I’d love for Dean to stay, but the Bucs need to rebuild this offense, starting with the D-line and linebackers. If they do that well, it will make life easier for the secondary.
Not many CB’s are going to look good if there’s insufficient pass rush. There are too many great QB’s who will shred the defense if you give them too much time.
February 19th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
February 19th, 2026 at 9:18 am
If Zyon McCollum isn’t a free agent, let him earn a chance. He had a very good year in 2024. Last year was his first year with injury issues. He may not be worth a new contract yet, and I have now idea when he becomes a free agent (I think this will be his fifth year).
I have a feeling this is the year he will take a big step forward.
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As a Buc insider with endless knowledge and the use of football emojis as bullet points…I’m surprised you missed this
Licht “early extended” Zyon in September of ‘25 to the tune of a juicy 3 year/48 million contract. The Bucs were rewarded with his worst season as a professional.
February 19th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
……but the Bucs need to rebuild this DEFENSE
February 19th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
BucsFanSince1996 Says:
February 19th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
……but the Bucs need to rebuild this DEFENSE
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^That was to correct a different post of mine, which seems to have disappeared
February 19th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
There are a few still citing the 2020 season as proof of Bowles’ greatness. When he had a boss. Try sniffing something besides glue.
Look no further than the 2025 season for proof of his greatness. It’s hard to finish with 8 wins in the NFL. As Gruden says, it’s hard to win in the NFL period.
And Todd got us to 8 wins. That’s impressive. Especially after the 6-2 start. Let’s not use ancient history to gauge the greatness of Bowles. Let’s use the amazing 2025 season and Exhibit A.
February 19th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
Sorry but no way to help the Bowzo defense. Help the offense. Only they can overcome Blunderman.
February 19th, 2026 at 1:43 pm
There is a reason our defense dominated the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Chiefs were missing both of their starting tackles and a guard. When we played them earlier in the year and their Oline was healthy Tyreek Hill had almost 200 yards receiving in the first half.
February 19th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
Depending on price I’d say sign him. I’ve always like him expect for missing so much time but man he made some good changes this past year. Like you said joe there’s already to many holes no need to make more only if the money is right
February 19th, 2026 at 2:32 pm
Aqualung Says:
There are a few still citing the 2020 season as proof of Bowles’ greatness. When he had a boss. Try sniffing something besides glue.
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You’re using a straw man argument, Aqualung. While Bowles’ game plan in the Super Bowl was great, no one is characterizing Bowles as a “great” head coach.
But he hasn’t been consistently bad either since Arian’s left. Those of you claiming that are more full of s*** than a Christmas turkey.
In the 2023 season, the team had massive dead money from Brady’s retirement, Shaq Barrett, Donovan Smith, etc., restructures coming due, and very little spending power in free agency. They had the most dead cap money in the NFL that year, over $75,000,000 And the Bucs were 9 – 8 and won the division, and their defense was tied for #5 in the league for points per game allowed. For you to claim that that is a bad year for Bowles, you’re delusional!
February 19th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Don’t let Dean go. Even if Parrish can play corner doesn’t mean he should – he’s better in the slot. Morrison will improve from his mistakes.
We need as many quality CBs as we can get.
February 19th, 2026 at 3:47 pm
Always hurt let him go
February 19th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Look at those percentages though. 50% completion is almost top five? Darryl Green, Haynes and Hayes… the great corners are long gone from the game. Now it’s all PI and Defensive Holding calls.
It’s almost like the NFL would rather the refs determine the over under, er I mean, winner.
February 19th, 2026 at 5:43 pm
I’m arguing for the greatness of Bowles. Clearly. Just look at the results on the field.
Leadership oozing from comments like “The coaches have done everything they can do.” It’s hard to get to an 8-9 record in the NFL, especially after stating 6-2. Arians only got in Todd’s way, the Bucs are a much better team since Todd has been head coach and defensive coordinator. Tackling, coverage skills, pass rush skills, all on full display. Confusion and chaos are the essentials, even if it’s your own players.
February 19th, 2026 at 6:39 pm
Letting an inconsistent and injury prone CB leave in 2026 FA as he approaches his age 30 season – after drafting his replacement in 2025 – is a no regret situation.
Even if the FO wanted to sign a Dean replacement in FA, they could get younger and cheaper options that have the same or better skillset than Dean.
February 19th, 2026 at 8:08 pm
Multiple player injuries to the same position group really kill teams. 2 years ago it was our secondary. So we brought in lots of reinforcements and got creamed at O-line and WR instead. Fortunately, we are deep at WR but not that deep, lol. And not deep at all at O-line. Crushed the capability of our offense. We need better starters at about 4-5 positions on defense and maybe 1-2 on offense. Should be able to do all that if the Glazers and salary cap let us.
February 19th, 2026 at 8:10 pm
Do all that and have some luck with injuries and we can compete for a Super Bowl. We should try hard as we will not have these amazing receivers much longer…
February 19th, 2026 at 11:41 pm
Dean is gone. He took a large pay cut to void the last year of his contract to become a free agent. Bowles defensive scheme allows for cheaper zone coverage corners. Dean is a man press corner in a defense that’s in zone 75% of the time. This defense is predicated and only works with a relentless pass rush. With a pass rush offenses simply get smothered. Zero pass rush this defense is hot garbage Because it leaves the secondary on an impossible island. They can’t cover these receivers forever so when Qbs have all day to throw. The secondary gets torched and starts cheating instead making it to their landmarks. This defense is fixable we saw it working in the 20′ playoffs on the way to the Superbowl. No pass rush = hot garbage. The beauty of this scheme is it doesn’t require expensive elite corners. It does however require a pass rush. I say we fire Bowles just because he can’t seem to generate pass rush no matter how many draft picks or free agent money spent. I’m even questioning why a defensive minded headcoach isn’t flat out so embarrassed he resigns.
February 20th, 2026 at 6:03 am
I think Zyon got Hurt an was off but I think he will be fine also I think Alot of Guys were put off with they way Buckys injury was handled I think guys were not happy about it an started to give up on things with the Bucs Oline not.living up to standard hopefully Barton can add some Weight an Muscle an not be pushed back I think him going to LT might have Delayed his Development a bit but with Bredeson an Cody back he should be fine an if not Move Him an Bredeson on a Swap Barton might end up being a great guard cause Bredeson played good at Center laat year I really think Zac Robinson will Make this Offense great again I think the Bucs will make a Good Move or 2 on Defense in Free agency an a Couple solid.moves on Offense I think Odeh Or Mafe for Pass Rusher an a Starting Caliber LB but I don’t think this team is as far off as people think I’m Bucky will Bounce back Bucs need to find him a Running Mate Tucker could be him I think Bucky an Tucker would be great together Just let them Run the Ball an Have Zac throw Bucky the ball in Space like he.did Bijan
February 20th, 2026 at 9:39 am
“Letting an inconsistent and injury prone CB leave in 2026 FA as he approaches his age 30 season – after drafting his replacement in 2025 – is a no regret situation.”
LOL “inconsistent” availability, but when he plays he’s been one of the best in the league. Deans’ worst year pre-SB, was in 2024, but between 2021, 2022, & 2025 the production is damn near identical and at the top of the league.
Again, it’s a dual thing, because since 2018 Mike Evans has missed 3 less games than Dean but he’s not talked about like an afterthought. The average fan couldn’t tell you what good CB looks like with out looking at the “INT” column on a stat sheet.
Same goes for sacks.
February 20th, 2026 at 11:59 am
Dean just can’t stay healthy. Probably regret the McCollum contract more.
February 20th, 2026 at 10:03 pm
Dean is very very good but with his injury history, it has to be the right price
February 21st, 2026 at 1:56 am
Honestly I let him walk he’s not going to stay healthy he’s a injury waiting to happen.
You only carry so many players like him on your roster