What a comeback by cornerback Jamel Dean, one of the more polarizing players of the Tampa Bay offseason.
In mid-April, Joe polled Bucs fans here and asked if they wanted Dean to be a Bucs’ opening day starter in 2025. “Yes” was the answer of 45.86 percent of respondents.
Well, after the Bucs drafted two cornerbacks, paid a king’s ransom to another and slashed Dean’s contract, Dean has emerged as a standout — in a good way. Today, Dean was named NFL Defensive Player of the Week. On Sunday, Dean had a strip-sack and an interception, the first time that’s happened in the NFL in a year.
Per NFL NextGen data, Dean’s 20.8 passer rating when targeted is the best mark in the NFL among defenders targeted 15 or more times.
After a strong training camp, Dean really made the most of [his first career sack](https://www.joebucsfan.com/2025/10/inaugural-sack-for-jamel-dean-veteran-stands-by-his-prediction/). He’ll be a free agent after this season, if the Bucs don’t re-sign him first.
Dean’s a solid player when he can stay healthy.