Jamel Dean is always smiling. So it’s understandable that the former Bucs cornerback looked to be a very happy man with his new three-year, $36 million contract.
Dean had plenty to say during his press event with Steelers media last week.
Joe shared one nugget, but there were more of interest.
*It was no surprise the Bucs let Dean walk in free agency, Dean said. In fact, he knew he was gone last summer when the Bucs squeezed him into a large paycut. “Before the season started, we came to an agreement so I was always aware that we were going to go our seperate ways,” Dean said, adding that he’s ok with it because he looks forward to growing as a person through a new experience.
**The Bucs had joint practices in Pittsburgh last season with the Steelers. Dean’s opinion of a Mike Tomlin-led session intrigued Joe. “Everything was like on the move. Like we’re going to take advantage of every time we have on the football field. And there’s no walking. So everything was just fast-paced, but it was quality reps. So I was just like, ok, I could adapt to this.” To be fair, Joe must for clarity that Tomlin, who resigned after last season, coordinates the joint practice plan with Bucs head coach Todd Bowles.
***See the photo above. That’s Dean picking off Aaron Rodgers during a big Bucs home win against the Packers in 2020. Dean said he eagerly looks forward to Rodgers returning as Steelers quarterback in 2026, so Dean can finally get Rodgers to sign that football he’s been treasuring for years.
****New Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is not a guy Dean used to like. Dean relayed a story of how Graham, then with the Dolphins, grilled him in pre-draft process seven years ago and pressed Dean on why he was a lazy player in college. Dean said Graham was way over-the-top but Dean called himself a very a calm guy by nature and didn’t show his frustration. It looks like Dean got the last laugh.
Very interesting that the Bucs squeezed Dean into a huge paycut and simultaneously told him it was his last Tampa Bay season. That takes a lot of trust in a player’s professionalism to keep him on the roster in that situation.
Joe wasn’t a huge fan of Dean the player, but Joe was a fan of Dean the person. Smart and driven guy. In fact, Dean is the founder and CEO of a successful trucking company in central Florida. That’s right, several trucks on the road with Dean managing the contracts and the drivers.
Joe wishes Dean well.
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