While many fans have been clamoring for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to add a marquee pass rusher in free agency, they’ve instead watched as two of the biggest names on the market have signed with other teams in the NFC South.
First, it was Chase Young signing a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.
Now, it’s Jadeveon Clowney signing a two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.
It’s unclear whether or not the Bucs were ever interested in either player, or perhaps simply unwilling to pay them what they eventually got from their division rivals. But instead of bring frustrated that household names like Young and Clowney will be facing the Bucs twice a year instead of wearing pewter, Tampa Bay fans should be glad they have a prudent front office that isn’t throwing money at name recognition that comes with age and durability questions.
Compensation update: Panthers are giving Jadeveon Clowney a two-year, $20 million deal worth up to $24 million, per sources. https://t.co/qRAd9w8W6D
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 27, 2024
Young is technically still in his prime, but he brings injury concerns that scared many teams off in free agency. Clowney had a stellar 2023 campaign for the Baltimore Ravens, but he just turned 31 years old, the same age as recently released Bucs pass rusher Shaq Barrett.
No, it looks like Bucs general manager Jason Licht and his crew are happy to go the younger and/or cheaper route, especially considering they have five picks in the first four rounds of the 2024 NFL draft.
Those moves might look good on paper for the Saints and Panthers, but it won’t be surprising if Tampa Bay playing the long game pays off in a more sustained way once the games actually start this fall and beyond.
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