The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the NFC South four of the last five years. Last season the Carolina Panthers stole the division title both teams finished 8-9 on the year, Carolina had the tiebreaker.
Going into 2025 Tampa Bay expects to take back the NFC South title, however, they have learned of a surprising retirement two months before the season starts.
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Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Buccaneers Veteran Retires Two Months Before 2026 Season
Announcing his retirement from the NFL on July 16, former Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Pat O’Connor is hanging up his cleats for good.
The 32-year-old O’Connor entered the NFL in 2017 as a seventh-round draft pick out of Eastern Michigan. He joined the Buccaneers after being released by the Lions in September of his rookie season.
During his seven seasons with Tampa Bay, he helped the franchise win Super Bowl 55.
For the past two seasons, O’Connor has been back with the Lions. His first career start came in 2025 as a replacement for an injured defensive line. His career ended with 52 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks. Here is the announcement:
“If you had told my younger self that I’d play this long, spend my entire career with just two teams, get drafted, and win a Super Bowl, he would have called you crazy,” O’Connor wrote on Instagram. “But here we are.
“I want to thank all of my teammates and friends I met along the way. There are far too many to name, so I won’t—but you know who you are. Thank you for the memories, the friendships, and everything in between.”
Sep 27, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Pat O’Connor (79) celebrates his blocked punt football recovery in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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