Bucs miss out on Crosby
Getty
Bucs miss out on Crosby
All of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ hopes of signing premier edge rusher Maxx Crosby to help bolster the D-line came crumbling down after it was announced that he would be signing with the Baltimore Ravens. For many Bucs fans, this will come as a disappointment, especially after GM Jason Licht’s encouraging words at the NFL Combine. Now, it seems as if the Bucs are back to square one trying to find D-line talent.
In all reality, the Bucs may not have had the best shot as they were coming off a losing season and aren’t necessarily flush with cash. Still, what with their tentative attitude towards big signings and trades, this could have been seen as a premier opportunity to swing the fences.
A Missed Opportunity for Tampa Bay
This stings even more for Bucs fans because of Licht’s relationship with the Raiders‘ front office as well. By letting Crosby go without a fight, many will begin to question Licht’s free agency tactics. If he doesn’t find production either in the draft or in the market, chances are he could be on a short leash, at least with the fanbase.
For now, the Bucs have ample opportunities to make amends. For one, Crosby is not the only big name amongst edge rushers on the market. Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals is still out there. While he could come at a much more hefty sum than Crosby, he still could provide much needed juice to the defensive front and give them the star they haven’t had in years.
Other Paths to Fix the Pass Rush
Another option could be using the 15th pick of the NFL Draft on someone who can produce right away for them. While they have been heavily linked to Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, their feelings may change if the edge rusher market doesn’t fall their way. Options such as Georgia’s CJ Allen or even Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez come to mind.
Right now though, it’s all about overcoming the loss of Crosby and re-evaluating the offseason plans. The Bucs can still be successful, they just have to be much more aggressive. The fact that Jason Licht addressed the matter of a franchise-altering move should excite fans, and that option is still on the table.
It won’t be easy to acquire someone the likes of Trey Hendrickson. Teams who might need the defensive help even more desperately could be willing to spend more money. Still, in order for Jason Licht to deliver on his word, this might have to be the move they make.
In a perfect world, the Bucs would have been a little better positioned to be able to sign Crosby. They could have offered him a lucrative deal with the temptations of winning a Super Bowl with the team and most importantly, the idea of becoming one of the faces of the franchise. Instead, they have been forced to pivot, thinking about what could have been. If things continue to not go their way, they could be in for a lengthy offseason.