RB Giovani Bernard re-signs with Buccaneers on one-year deal

Add veteran running back Giovani Bernard to the list of names who wanted to play at least one more season alongside quarterback Tom Brady following his un-retirement and return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports Bernard has put pen to paper on a one-year deal to stay with the Buccaneers. Financial details of the agreement weren't mentioned by Pelissero or by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. 

Bernard entered the NFL when the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the second round of the 2013 draft, and he spent his first eight pro seasons with that organization before he joined the Buccaneers last spring. Across 12 regular-season games with Tampa Bay, the 30-year-old recorded just 58 yards on eight carries to go along with 23 receptions for 123 yards and three touchdowns.  

As Kevin Patra noted for the league's website, though, it's believed Brady values Bernard's contributions as a pass-rush blocker and also as somebody who can catch footballs thrown his way in third-down scenarios. Bernard also rushed for a score in the playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles in January. 

While Bernard likely won't be an option for fantasy football owners in their drafts later this year, his re-signing is yet additional proof that "the band is essentially back" in Tampa Bay.