Elijah Simmons, Strongest To Ever Play Alongside Vita Vea
October 3rd, 2025
Bucs newcomer defensive tackle Elijah Simmons.
Stronger than Ndamukong Suh? Apparently so.
Joe’s referring to Elijah Simmons, the defensive tackle the Bucs plucked off the Cardinals practice squad when Calijah Kancey was lost for the regular season a couple of weeks ago.
Undrafted this year out of the University of Tennessee, Simmons played like a wrecking ball of fire against the Eagles. After the game, Todd Bowles told the Buccaneers Radio Network Simmons is the strongest guy he’s seen next to Vita Vea.
Today, Joe asked Bowles for clarification. Was Bowles talking about his decades-long history in the NFL, or just his seven years coaching the Bucs defense?
Bowles said he was talking about his time in Tampa, but he was firm and didn’t back off the stunning claim about Simmons. Keep in mind Vea played alongside future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Listed at 6-1, 335 pounds, Simmons told Joe this week that the Bucs made him an offer after the draft but he took the Cardinals’ deal instead.
He went through the offseason training program with Arizona and drew the praise of 39-year-old Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell (who is having a monster start with three sacks and 14 tackles this season).
The Bucs came calling after Kancey went down and Simmons said the moment was “life-changing” for himself and his family. Rostered players earn a lot more money practice squad guys, and it was a chance for the rookie to prove himself. He got snaps against the Jets and was ferocious against the Eagles as the Bucs shut down Saquon Barkley.
“Physicality is something I always pride myself in … just be that guy,” Simmons said.
What a coup it would be for the Bucs’ front office if Simmons can contribute all year.