According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Anthony Nelson of Bucs Pass Rusher is back in Tampa and re-signing with Bucs. The deal is reportedly $10 million for two years and up to $12 million.
Nelson will be rejoining the Bucks shortly after former teammate Joe Trion Shawinka signed with the Browns. The external linebacker room consists of Yayadevie, new signatories Herson Reddick, Chris Braswell and Anthony Nelson, as well as Marquis Watts and Josera Mirez. This is the second time Nelson has re-signed Tampa Bay.
Anthony Nelson’s Bucs History
Bucs Olb Anthony Nelson – Photo by Cliff Welch/Pr
Nelson spent six years in Tampa Bay after drafting in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent his first three years spinning the Bucks as the team’s fourth external linebacker. Meanwhile, he accumulated 48 tackles, nine losses, 5.0 sacks, three passes, defense, forced fumbles and fumble recovery.
His second season with the Bucks was part of a crucial former pass rush that terrified Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahome in the Super Bowl. Nelson scored two pressures in just 16 pass rushes as Bucs Defense put Mahomes on 31 times and looted them three times on their way to Tampa Bay’s second Lombardi trophy. That game plan will be a blueprint for league-wide shifts that began in 2021 to slow down Mahomes and other big-play hunting quarterbacks around the league. Also, the Eagles simply defeated Mahome in Super Bowl Lix and were very similar.
After Shaq Barrett suffered from a torn Achilles heel midway through the 2022 season, Nelson saw an extended action. That year he set his career high with 5.5 bags and 46 tackles. The numbers on Nelson’s bags were slightly misleading as the pressure-to-sack conversion rate was unsustainable. Still, the Bucs loved more than a back-to-back season of career-best bags. His work ethic and management defense were other factors that led the team to I’ll sign him onto a two-year, $11 million contract that will keep him in Tampa Bay until 2024.
Bucs CB Zyon McCollum, Olb Anthony Nelson and Commanders QB Jayden Daniels – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Over these past two seasons, Nelson has seen an increase in snaps as he played mainly in timeshares for his first round pick in 2021 Jotryon Show Inka. He contributed to 49 pressures and seven bags, along with his craftsman-like work ethic. This attitude helped Nelson bring a critical victory for the Bucs later in the 2024 season when Nelson forced a fumble with overtime that ended up with Bucs’ departure and ultimately a game-winning score.
For his career, Nelson has 174 tackles, 26 losses, 18.5 sacks, five passes defended, five forced fumbles and three fumble recovery. Bucs has several options with external linebackers. If you sign Reddick, Bucs probably have two starters, Yaya Diaby and Reddick. Nelson gives him flexibility and depth as someone who can start when needed, but he is also used to the role of rotation. The big question is the kind of development of Chris Braswell after not much of a factor in his rookie year.
It still opens the door for Bucs to sign another edge rush in free agency or select one in the NFL Draft. Anthony Nelson will be the fourth BUC to re-sign this offseason, along with Lavonte David, Chris Godwin, Kavon Meriweather and Ben Bredeson. Bucs also has two new signatures, possibly making more appearances between free agents.
