During the 2023 season, former Bucs center Ryan Jensen remained an influential force on Tampa Bay’s offensive line.
Of course, unfortunately, I hate what I have to say about “former” Bucks center Ryan Jensen following his recent retirement announcement. The former Pro Bowl center said last week that his career is over due to complications from a knee injury sustained during training camp in the summer of 2022. This injury effectively sidelined him for two full seasons.
Bucks C Ryan Jensen – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Jensen sat out the year, but remained in Tampa to be in the locker room and help out an offensive line that will see changes in 2022-2023.
During Super Bowl week, Ryan Jensen and former Buccaneer Garrett Gilkey Ronnie and TKras Show at WDAE; When Jensen was asked about the 2023 season, it was like considering everything he’s been through.
“When I was named to IR, I chose to stay firmly with the team and help develop our young players and help coach them under the guidance of Joe Gilbert and Harold Goodwin,” Jensen said. . “It’s basically just helping out as an offensive line coach. For me, it’s been a smooth transition in a way and I’ve been able to continue playing football, which I love, but at the same time it’s given me a little bit of… post-retirement. I think the gradual slope towards the world has increased little by little.”
Will there be a coaching carer for Ryan Jensen?
There’s a lot of optimism about the Bucs’ offensive line. What more is there to say about Tristan Wirfs? His transition to left tackle has been as smooth as possible, and his dominant style has put him in the conversation for being the best tackle in football. continues to play.
On the right side, the Bucs did well with Luke Goedeke playing his natural position at right tackle. He has improved tremendously and solidified his role as a reliable right tackle against big competition.
Bucs C Ryan Jensen and G Aaron Stinney – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
It’s the inside offensive line that needs work done, starting at center. A lot of people are obsessed with Oregon draft prospect Jackson Powers-Johnson, so don’t be surprised if there’s an elevation at that position. Robert Hainsey has had his ups and downs and is pretty average as a center, but it’s certainly a position the Bucks would like to upgrade.
There are a lot of expectations placed on right guard Cody Mauf, who is expected to make a big step forward next season. Mauch had already played better as a rookie than Goedeke as a guard the year before. So Mauch could truly become a force on the Bucs’ offensive line, just as Goedeke improved from his first year to his second year. Mauch could be considered at center.
Left guard Matt Feiler was eventually replaced by Aaron Stinney, who started when the Bucs won Super Bowl LV, midway through the playoffs, of course. Feiler likely won’t return, and Stinney is an unrestricted free agent this season, but he doesn’t have the biggest market. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have Stinney back on the team to compete for a starting role, but finding another free agent or draft pick to fill that role would also suffice.
That’s why it was given this is a group Ryan Jensen knows this very well, but do you want to coach them or at any level?
“I’ve thought about it a lot for a long time,” Ryan Jensen said. “For me, it’s a fluid situation in a sense. If the situation is right, I think I can respond to it, but for now I’d like to take some time off and take a break from soccer.” I’ve been doing this job for 26 years, so I think there’s always a good time to take a break from what I’ve been doing for so long.”
It sounds like Ryan Jensen won’t be coaching next season, but it wouldn’t be a shock if he ended up taking the coaching position. Based on his reputation as a great, solid player, Super Bowl champion, and Pro Bowler who was known as the best center in his prime, Jensen definitely checks the boxes in terms of eligibility. Every team would want to have him.
Watch Jensen and Gilkey’s full interview on WDAE’s Ronnie & TKras Show. Visit our website to watch the show every day.
