Chris Braswell’s Big Chance
October 26th, 2025
Three months ago, beloved and heralded Bucs rookie edge rusher David Walker was lost for the season with a knee injury.
On Monday, free agent Bucs edge rusher Hasson Reddick, endured knee and ankle injuries and will not play today.
This spells opportunity for Bucs edge rusher Chris Braswell, last year’s second-round draft pick. He has not played a ton and Joe isn’t sure if that’s because Braswell simply hasn’t been good enough.
The Bucs’ offseason actions showed little faith in Braswell, so it seems the Bucs are down on him. But still, Braswell has a very small body of work.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht predicted Braswell would have “a coming out party” this season.
This week, Todd Bowles talked about Braswell’s ability. “From a mental standpoint, I think when he just pins his ears back and lets it go, he looks like the ‘Bras’ that we know,” Bowles said.
Joe hasn’t given up on Braswell, but he has to take advantage of today’s grand opportunity with Reddick on the bench. Joe hopes Braswell feels like today is his personal Super Bowl and plays with his hair on fire against the slimy Saints.
The NFL is filled with starters that seized opportunity when players went down ahead of them and never let it go.
On a side note, Joe is intrigued by the guy who played ahead of Braswell last season, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, averaging only four defensive snaps per game for the Browns. And Tryon-Shoyinka allegedly is on the trade block.
Joe’s rooting for Braswell today. Unseating Anthony Nelson and Reddick is there for the taking if Braswell can raise his game. No, Joe doesn’t expect it to happen.