The Bucs signed two more players to future contacts on Wednesday, adding linebacker J.J. Russell and offensive tackle Michael Niese. Russell spent time on the Bucs practice squad and on the active roster this past season as a rookie.

Niese (6-5, 295) entered the league as a college free agent with the Denver Broncos on May 13, 2022, spending the 2022 offseason and training camp with the Broncos. He was signed to the Chicago Bears’ practice squad on September 12, 2022. He began his collegiate career at the University of Dayton (2016-19) before transferring to Temple University (2020-21). In total, Niese appeared in 43 games across five seasons between the two universities.

These signings bring Tampa Bay’s total number of future contracts to 15 players. The team announced several signings on Tuesday.

Bucs 2023 Future Contracts

Bucs LB J.J. Russell and Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson – Photo by: USA Today

OT Dylan Cook
DB Don Gardner
WR Kaylon Geiger Sr.
DT Mike Greene
OT Grant Hermanns
RB Patrick Laird
DB Duron Lowe
OT Michael Niese
DT Willington Previlon
OLB Hamilcar Rashed Jr.
LB J.J. Russell
OT Justin Skule
OLB Charles Snowden
DB Nolan Turner
TE David Wells