Bucs Could Be Forced to Trade Key Defender

It's contracts like that of cornerback Jamel Dean that can get a team into trouble. The Bucs signed Dean to a big contract last offseason, based on his performance up to that time. But this is the NFL, and it's largely a "what have you done for me lately?" league. 

That's the case with Dean. And that's why Bleacher Report's Moe Morton thinks the Bucs might be done with him one way or the other.

"In 2023, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Jamel Dean to a four-year, $52 million contract that included $24.5 million in guarantees. However, he has struggled to stay healthy and made few game-changing plays," Moton wrote. Over the last two years, the 28-year-old has missed nine contests because of injury and logged 11 pass breakups and one interception while allowing the highest passer rating rates (111 and 91.2) in his six-year career. The Buccaneers signed Dean to an extension in his prime, but his production has been minimal, and his recent injury history raises some concern."

"... If so, a team could acquire Dean in hopes that he will stay healthy. However, it could also cut him without any financial strings attached because his contract doesn't carry any guaranteed money into the new league year."

Dean hasn't been fully available for the Bucs last year, and what's worse, when he has been available, he hasn't played well. That's a recipe for disaster with a contract like his.