Just a day after we wrote about Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean possibly being a cut candidate for the team, he's being named in a suggested trade.
The reason for him being a potential cut candidate isn't because of declining skills, but two other reasons.
He's entering Year 3 of a four-year, $52 million deal and carries a massive $15 million cap hit next year. The Bucs also invested heavily on two corners in Round 2 and Round 3 of the draft this season.
It's because all of those factors that he could be either a cut candidate or, even better, on the trade block.
CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin thinks the Las Vegas Raiders would be interested in acquiring Dean in a trade.
“Dean's six-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers includes a Super Bowl title and big-money extension, but the veteran has been frequently mentioned as a potential cut or trade candidate due to a $15 million 2025 cap hit, almost all of which the Bucs could clear from their books by dealing Dean elsewhere. Even if Dean is more serviceable than special at a lofty price,” Benjamin said. “The Bucs are trying to defend their NFC South crown, and jettisoning such an experienced corner would put immediate pressure on rookie corners like Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish to have a playoff-caliber impact.”
Dean is also scheduled for a $15.7 million cap hit in 2026.
That's a lot of money for a guy who might be relegated to a backup role at some point. It's a big decision for general manager Jason Licht, and could be dictated by the performance of some of this year's rookie class.