TAMPA — Ben Bredeson more than doubled his salary and can put down roots with a new three-year contract after joining the Bucs as a free agent from the Giants a year ago. But it’s the fact that all five offensive linemen will return that has the starting left guard so excited.
“Personally, it’s something I’ve never experienced, having the entire offensive line return, let alone the entire offense return,” Bredeson said Wednesday. “It’s very exciting. But we’re going to have to build this thing back up again. It’s not just going to pick up right where we left off. ...
“(But) with that continuity between the running backs, O-line, receivers, quarterback — I feel like we can really make some strides and hopefully streamline that growing process a little bit faster."
Bredeson signed a three-year, $22 million contract with $12.5 million guaranteed. Coupled with the signing of receiver Chris Godwin to a three-year, $66 million contract, it means the entire Bucs offense from 2024 will remain intact.
Continuity is the lifeblood of offensive line play. On and off the field, the unit is typically the tightest on the team.
Bredeson, who began his career with the Ravens before being traded to the Giants, where he spent three seasons, had to adjust to playing alongside left tackle Tristan Wirfs and rookie center Graham Barton last season after winning the job in training camp.
“The group down here — not just the O-line room — the team, front office, organization in general, it’s just outstanding,“ he said. ”I absolutely love it so I was thrilled to be back.”
![Bucs running back Bucky Irving (7) celebrates with guard Ben Bredeson (68) after a big gain for yards against the Panthers during a game last December.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 413"/%3E)
Bucs running back Bucky Irving (7) celebrates with guard Ben Bredeson (68) after a big gain for yards against the Panthers during a game last December. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
So are the Bucs, who understood that Bredeson may have been the unsung star of the offensive line sandwiched between an All Pro like Wirfs and the rookie Barton.
While both missed one game each, Bredeson played 99% of the snaps and helped boost the run game from last in the NFL the previous two seasons to fourth in the league.
Rookie running back Bucky Irving became the first Bucs player since Doug Martin in 2015 to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
“Bucky and Rachaad (White), they’re phenomenal running backs and made our jobs easier most of the time by making a guy miss or something like that,” he said. “Obviously having Baker (Mayfield) back there as well, a very mobile, athletic quarterback, that just makes our jobs easier. We love it.”
Bredeson believes Barton should be greatly improved from his rookie year. Overall, Barton played well but had some mental lapses, none bigger than snapping the football early near the goal line with the Bucs needing a touchdown to take the lead in the wild-card playoff loss to Washington. The Bucs were forced to settle for a field goal.
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“Graham is an unbelievable athlete, I think we can all see that on tape,” Bredeson said. “Watching him grow from Week 1 to Week 2 to the end of the season, he made a lot of great strides and I expect him to continue on that path and become a very good player.”
With Robert Hainsey signing with the Jaguars as a free agent, Bredeson could be called on to play center should Barton go down, a position he’s played for four games in his career.
“I hope I provide a little bit of value. It’s something I’ve been working on throughout my entire career, being able to play the inside three positions,” he said. “And having a little bit of experience at center, I would assume that would always help.”
But in the short term, he’s just happy to be settled.
“I couldn’t be happier. A place like Tampa where I love the people, I love the city, I love the organization. It’s a dream come true.”
Bucs re-sign DL Greg Gaines
For the third straight year, the Bucs have signed defensive lineman Greg Gaines to a one-year, $3.5 million contract.
Gaines joined the Bucs in 2023 as a free agent from the Rams and has contributed 41 tackles and two sacks since coming to Tampa Bay.
At 28, he provides depth and versatility on the defensive line.
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