Jason Pierre-Paul hints he could depart Buccaneers in free agency?

With Tom Brady retired and a slew of other high-end players set to hit free agency, the Buccaneers’ roster is likely to look very different in 2022. One of the veterans of the team’s dominant defense, Jason Pierre-Paul, could be on his way out of Tampa Bay. 

In an Instagram post, the 33-year-old said in part, “Wherever I am next year you gone get the same me” (Twitter link via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). That would certainly suggest he is, at a minimum, willing to look at other options on the free agent market.

Pierre-Paul was a Pro Bowler in 2020 for the Super Bowl champion Bucs but had a much quieter year in 2021. Dealing with a broken finger and torn rotator cuff throughout the campaign, he recorded 24 fewer tackles (31), seven fewer sacks (2.5) and three fewer forced fumbles (one) than the previous year.

If he does depart, a starting spot would be opened up for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. The 2021 first-round pick flashed potential in a rotational role in his rookie season, recording four sacks and five tackles for loss. With fellow starter Shaquil Barrett already under contract, moving on to Tryon-Shoyinka would not only be a nod to his upside, but also a way to save cap space at the position.

At his age and coming off of an injury-plagued season, Pierre-Paul is unlikely to command a contract like the two-year, $25M extension he signed in 2020. Still, he would represent an accomplished edge rusher with two Super Bowls to his name for any outside teams interested in his services.