Jamel Dean addresses Buccaneers pay cut

Dean’s scheduled compensation for 2026 was not guaranteed, meaning a release could have been highly likely anyway. The 28-year-old is nevertheless a pending free agent, and Tampa Bay’s other cornerback moves strongly point to a parting of ways next spring. Instead of being cut (or at least benched) this year, Dean is now on course to collect $4.25MM in base pay as a result of his pay cut agreement, something he recently spoke about.

“It was just more like I’m comfortable here,” Dean said about remaining in place with the Buccaneers (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). “So it’s just really not about the money anymore. I’m not in the mood to try to figure out a whole new team and city and go through all I went through my rookie year. So just to save me a headache.”

The seven-year veteran logged 74 defensive snaps in Week 1, working alongside Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish as a starter in the secondary. Parrish was selected in the third round of this year’s draft, while McCollum recently signed a big-ticket extension. Both of their futures are assured for years to come, and the same is also true of second-round rookie Benjamin Morrison.

Morrison did not play in Week 1, but head coach Todd Bowles said (via Stroud) he is expected to suit up on Monday night. A special teams role will await him, although Bowles added Morrison could also see part-time usage on defense. Dean can be expected to remain a first-team presence for at least the time being, but he could be in danger of being surpassed on the depth chart over time.

The Auburn product has been a mainstay throughout his Tampa Bay tenure, totaling 64 starts to date. Dean has totaled just one interception since the start of the 2023 season, however, and his coverage statistics over recent years have marked a downturn from the beginning of his career. Especially given the recent adjustments to his contract, a trip to free agency after the current campaign would thus come as no surprise. For now, though, Dean is content to remain with the only NFL team he has played for.