The Bucs May Miss Jamel Dean More Than You Think (II)
July 11th, 2026
“Folks will miss me.”
Joe already is on record saying the Bucs’ defensive backs might not improve this fall as their best corner, Jamel Dean, bolted to Pittsburgh in free agency.
Yeah, Joe gets it. He couldn’t stay healthy, though he improved on that last year.
Joe shared the stats famed handicapper-turned-stathead Warren Sharp dug up on the Bucs’ pass defense with and without Dean. The numbers were night-and-day.
Well, it seems Alex Blickle is piling on what Sharp already published. Typing for Aaron Schatz’s FTN Football Almanac 2026, Blickle found opposing quarterbacks avoided throwing at Dean more than any other corner in the league last year.
Tampa Bay opponents only threw left on 34% of passes, the lowest figure in the league. That was generally Jamel Dean’s side.
So opponents thought Dean was such a stiff, they rarely even tested him? That’s respect, man. But it also could be that opposing offensive coordinators had little to no respect for bored Zyon McCollum on the right side.
Joe sure hopes Raheem Morris’ famous quote comes into play this fall.
“I will tolerate you until I can replace you.”
July 11th, 2026 at 12:27 am
I mean the league didn’t think he was worth the price of a great cornerback. His value is around 13 mil. There are elite cornerbacks making 20-30 mil. It’s a superficial way to think about it, but definitely in the middle of the pack kind of guy.
July 11th, 2026 at 12:51 am
Dean was just the best cornerback on a bad football team.
The defense was so pathetic and mismanaged that opponents simply found the weak spots and focused their attention there.
And Bowles was too obtuse to be able to change his scheme in time to counter.
Dean didn’t stop us from being 8-9. He might have stopped us from being 6-11.
Until the HC\DC is upgraded expect more of the same outcome.
July 11th, 2026 at 1:39 am
Why was Bowles to “obtuse” to change his scheme? He changed the scheme in the SB after the first clash with Mahomes!…. Mike Knows!
July 11th, 2026 at 1:50 am
Uncharacteristically, though out the 2025 offseason and training camp, Bowles verbalized a lot of negativity about the DBs as he seemed to obsessively complain about a need to increase takeaways.
I wondered if Bowles was on the hot seat and trying to redirect some of the heat.
And, while the DBs were plagued by injuries in 2024, the greatest inherent weakness on the defense in 2024 was at ILB which Bowles seems to have failed to recognize as he seemed to think that a healthy Dennis was all that was needed to fix the ILB room for 2025.
And, the Dean contract renegotiation seems to have been far from amicable – I wonder if Spytek leaving to take the Raiders’ GM job resulted in a drop off in negotiating expertise or inferior professional relationships between the parties.
For whatever reasons, from the outside, Tampa seemed to go from player friendly to somewhat hostile at a time when the plague of injuries afflicting the team seemed to call for supportive leadership.
And, then there is the cold shoulder the Bucs gave White at the end of the season.
The Bucs would do well to have White or Dean on the contracts they received after leaving the Bucs.
July 11th, 2026 at 3:36 am
This is a .500 roster, not being anything but honest beside Tristan we have no other super players. Not talking rookies who haven’t even played a snapping the NFL
July 11th, 2026 at 3:39 am
@LynchMob50
Very good, I actually agree with you 100%. That 34% to Dean’s side is a correlation, not a verdict. Target rate alone doesn’t tell us:
• How many snaps Dean actually played.
• Whether he shadowed WR1.
• His yards allowed per target.
• His EPA, passer rating allowed, or explosive plays surrendered.
NFL offenses don’t distribute targets evenly, they attack the matchup they believe gives them the best chance to win. That says as much about the other side as it does about Dean. The bigger issue is availability. Since becoming a Buc, Dean has missed roughly 25+ regular-season games due to injuries. That’s more than a season’s worth of football. Any “don’t throw at Dean” narrative has to be balanced against the fact that he simply wasn’t on the field a lot of the time.
Joe, I’d rather evaluate a CB by production and durability, not one isolated target statistic. The best ability is…
🔥 LFG!
✌️ Good riddance Plexiglass Dean!!
July 11th, 2026 at 5:31 am
“But it also could be that opposing offensive coordinators had little to no respect for bored Zyon McCollum on the right side.”
Funny. All anybody talked about before he got his contract was how great Zyon was. All I ever saw was the back of his jersey. Never controlled the WR. Just a lazy, sloppy goof ass.
And Licht gave him a big contract. Now, because he sucks as bad as ever, it’s that he’s “bored.”
Is he a starter this year?
July 11th, 2026 at 5:34 am
Steve V, everyone forgets that Mahomes was injured before the SB. He was not the same player as earlier in the season when he embarrassed the Bucs. He had no mobility. Toe injury.
The Bucs were fortunate to play him when he was not 100%. But giving Bowles credit for that without the asterisk is not the true story.
July 11th, 2026 at 5:48 am
All good….after we extend Bake, we’ll draft a QB 1st and CB 2nd….still doing my homework but Mestemaker in the 1st if there….then def CB.
July 11th, 2026 at 6:42 am
We needed to move on from Dean. That said, has licht done enough to replace him? Counting on Morrison is a huge mistake. We need a better option.
July 11th, 2026 at 6:55 am
This guy was soft. Often injured. Could never count on him week in and week out. What are these young guys should be able to step up given the opportunity
July 11th, 2026 at 7:06 am
What’s the betting line on when Dean’s first “injury” will occur?
July 11th, 2026 at 7:10 am
Zion is CB1 so yes they’ll miss a competent CB. But this is the team Licht and Bowles have built and keep in mind Bowles hasn’t been here long enough to get the guys he wants on defense. At least that some apologists say. Sad. Zion will BBQ chicken all season long.
July 11th, 2026 at 7:13 am
Not true, Dean was not the best cb on the Bucs last year, that would go to no other than a tenacious, durable, head’s up, aggressive, thumper, line of site, true grit, tough as nails, n dependable Jacob Parrish. The best is yet to come from this young sort of a Brent Grimes type player but is consistent n plays hard n aggressive like a Darrell Green. Dean is fragile, brittle, passive, and in my opinion, after eight years in the league, still play with a deer in the headlight mindset.
July 11th, 2026 at 7:20 am
Morrison could be the key to a better defense this year. IF Morrison can stay healthy and play up to his 2nd round selection, he would start in place of Dean, and then Parrish would replace bored Zyon. With bored Zyon sitting on the bench, the Bucs will be better this year.
July 11th, 2026 at 7:31 am
Share the stats-
@Panthers, right before halftime: McMillan 22 yd pass from Bryce Young TD
Dean was CB
@Dolphins, 1st Qtr : Wease 63 yd pass from Ewers TD
Dean jumped route
I’m sure these plays were a significant part of the Bucs’ decision to move on from Dean
July 11th, 2026 at 7:32 am
I have always wondered if Dean’s brittleness impacted the attitude and toughness of his defensive teammates. I doubt Dean’s toughness to play while dinged up and I bet some other players doubted Dean’s desire to win. He’s the opposite of Baker – Baker played hurt and Dean couldn’t wait to hit the bench. I won’t miss him and I bet many players won’t either.
July 11th, 2026 at 7:37 am
We’ll miss him. What’s new?
RINSE AND REPEAT
July 11th, 2026 at 7:40 am
JimBobBuc Says:
July 11th, 2026 at 7:32 am
“Baker played hurt and Dean couldn’t wait to hit the bench.”
Well said, JBB.
July 11th, 2026 at 7:50 am
“Don’t make a scene it’s just Dean ” has a great personality, but that’s about it. If our D-line can put pressure on the QB it will definitely help the CB’s. That said, we’re still going to get burnt in the middle of the field.
July 11th, 2026 at 8:00 am
Unless Dean’s leg was torn off, he should not have sat during that Commanders playoff game. I still say it cost us the win.
July 11th, 2026 at 8:03 am
With Anzalone/Trotter and Keionte Scott patrolling there on obvious passing downs, I don’t think the middle of the field should be nearly the issue it was…
July 11th, 2026 at 8:14 am
Something happened by the end of 2024. The Bucs front office decided Dean was toast and chose to jettison him ASAP. And Dean got desperate to get out of Tampa Bay.
We see these mutual choices working themselves out in his contract and in team player acquisition. Remember that we traded Carlton Davis III for a 3R pick. But Dean got restructured after that season so that the player took a $10 million pay cut AND the team lost control of this cornerback after the 2025 season. Can’t imagine how that happened: why would a player give up all that money? Just an (very ) ballsy move? and, Why would a team give away control over a starter-quality cb? Why not just trade him to get some value? Meantime the Bucs drafted a replacement while thinking Zion was ready to take over. Delusional, maybe, but what else explains the situation?
The Bucs have said nothing and the fans aren’t curious. But something curious happened, and we don’t know the half of the story.
July 11th, 2026 at 8:19 am
Someone told me there are people currently under contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Buy by all means, let’s keep getting these stories about people who play for other teams.
I can’t wait for the upcoming camp play-by-play from Steelers and 49’ers camp.
Loses media mentality
July 11th, 2026 at 8:20 am
We may miss his coverage but not his nagging injuries and down time 😢 If the play went past him I saw slow down. He had the skills but lacked a killer instinct of never give up. His attitude didn’t always have a good effort.
July 11th, 2026 at 8:24 am
Where are the Rachaad White stories?
July 11th, 2026 at 8:34 am
hey you guys should write more stories about players that are commonly injured and aren’t even the Bucs roster anymore!
July 11th, 2026 at 9:01 am
Yes, while Dean was not elite he was good. Yes, we all hated when he was injured which was often. However last year he redeemed himself no doubt. On the other hand why would teams mess with Dean when they had McColumn to go against. I don’t dislike the guy, but a starting CB , he is not even close. Then to publically say he was bored wow. I don’t dislike Bowles either but you see why people do. I mean he says that about McColumn , but plays him. This year the starting job is his to lose, when he should be on the bench til he proves otherwise.
I don’t know people say Bowles is on the hot seat. However, the Bucs have way , way to many if’s on defense and need all pro years from rookies. I think that may be fantasy and the Bucs trying to sell tickets. The truth, the Bucs are rebuilding and taking their time, otherwise McColumn and Morrison would not be starting and a vetern CB would have been brought in..The Bucs are depending on a Bain a rookie, Scott a rookie and Trotter a rookie. Then do you really think Kancy is going to stay healthy a whole season, not likely according to the past. So the incredible D line the Bucs are talking about may not this year be all that. If that turns out just average what happens to Morrison and McColumn, who need all the help they can get.
Yes, The Bucs will sorely miss Dean. Presently the CB room is worse than last year and last year was really really awful.
July 11th, 2026 at 9:06 am
I’ve talked about these guys after the last super bowl win and the secondary anointed themselves the “Grave Diggers” that it was a fitting epitaph for a secondary that couldn’t live without the pressure the front 7 provided cause they didn’t shut anyone down on their own. Lynch you’re right about Dean being best player on a bad team or defense. He really wasn’t though, Parrish for a rookie, and Smith were the best secondary guys last year. Winfield should return to his usual self and don’t count out Morrison yet as he was hurt but has had a year to come into camp healthy. He did flash and is willing to stick his nose in the fray and was tighter to his man than Dean was. The whole defense was upgraded this off-season so looking forward to them playing leaner and meaner.
July 11th, 2026 at 9:27 am
Cornerback depth is the biggest hole on the roster. The starters are questionable, too.
July 11th, 2026 at 9:35 am
I really wish I could get a Logan Hall update around here.
July 11th, 2026 at 9:44 am
@ Mod, Ohhhh,I see the injury bug doesn’t count if you play in tampa?? Well maybe im try i.g to see UGH!
July 11th, 2026 at 9:46 am
The chiefs and the all-world Andy Reid.didnt trust the Chiefs back – up qb??? Double standard in TB now its see! Beer is good….
July 11th, 2026 at 9:48 am
@stpetematt, Anzalone will be 32 in September and Trotter is a rookie. I hope you’re right, but I feel it’s still a weak area.
July 11th, 2026 at 10:22 am
Dean was taking a roster spot from someone that needed to be developed. He was often injured, so they still got to play, but getting rid of him freed up cap room.
Our current CBs just need time to develop.
Every single one of our past great CBs took a few years to get there, and fans dumped on them until they were good…trolls never stopped dumping on them.
They myth that Bowels doesn’t develop players is misleading. He does. Dean is only one example. Davis another.
July 11th, 2026 at 10:49 am
Players leave in free agency get old and retire in all sports. The defense was putrid so if it remains the same or improves we won’t even notice he’s gone
July 11th, 2026 at 11:09 am
Dean was a very good CB when he was on the field! His problem is his durability. Last season was the exception, when he actually started way more games then he missed. All things tend to revert to the average. So I expect him to play about 70% of the games this season. Move on! Parrish has his job now and will do fine. Morrison needs to rise up this season.
July 11th, 2026 at 11:10 am
Dean sure does get a lot of attention here
Even when he’s gone
July 11th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
This is stupid. Deion Sanders would play like a tard if he had to play for Todda the Hutt. It doesn’t matter who plays CB. When you line up 10 yards off the LOS on 3rd and 2, the laws of physics take over. But Todda was retained.
Mike Evans left. Good on ya, Mike.
July 11th, 2026 at 2:03 pm
You mean good riddance Diva