NFL free agency is scheduled to start next week, and based on the number of big-name free agents hitting the open market, it has the potential to rock the NFL landscape for the foreseeable future.
Guys like Tom Brady and Philip Rivers will test the free agency waters for the first time in their illustrious careers, while others like Jameis Winston may, unfortunately, be forced to find a new home if their respective teams decide to move on.
One Tampa Bay Buccaneers player sure to get a strong look from teams is Jason Pierre-Paul. The pass rusher, who missed the start of last season while recovering from a fractured neck suffered in the offseason, finished the year with 8.5 sacks in just 10 games. And while JPP may have posted a cryptic message last month implying his time in Tampa Bay could be over, Gil Brandt over at NFL.com says Pierre-Paul would be wise to stay where he is.
Per Brandt:
“[JPP] played a significant role in Barrett’s 19.5-sack season. After Barrett’s hot start (nine sacks in his first four games), opposing offensive lines began to focus on him, cutting down on his production — until Pierre-Paul returned from offseason neck surgery in Week 8, forcing opponents to account for two potent pass-rushing threats. Barrett went on to notch 10.5 more sacks in his final 10 games, while JPP added 8.5 of his own. If the Bucs lock down Barrett and make a competitive offer to JPP, he should think about re-teaming with Barrett and continuing to build on the momentum they established in Tampa last season.”
Bruce Arians has indicated that Barrett “ain’t going nowhere,” but it remains to be seen whether the Bucs will retain him via the franchise tag or a long-term deal.
Tampa Bay’s defense is on the rise, and JPP has shown he can dominate in Todd Bowles’ defense. The Bucs have a strong chance of making it to the postseason next year, and having Pierre-Paul on their roster would certainly help bolster their odds of making the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
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