In a new summer series, I’ll take a look at some Bucs topics for the upcoming season – and explore them with a twist.

Our first topic is – What if Joe Tryon-Shoyinka became the Bucs’ leading sacker this year?

Inspired by Marvel’s “What If…?” comic books and the Marvel animated series, let’s take a look at some potentially different outcomes to some of the more intriguing storylines in Tampa Bay that nobody sees coming. To be clear, this is not a series of topics that Pewter Report believes will happen or necessarily hopes will happen. Just use your imagination and get ready for some surprises, Bucs fans.

The Background

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka has largely underwhelmed as a pass rusher since the Bucs selected him at the end of the first round in the 2021 NFL Draft. In three seasons in red and pewter, Tryon-Shoyinka has totaled just 13 sacks, including a career-best five last season. This coming in 34 career starts over the last three seasons.

Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Due to his high draft status and athletic ability, Tryon-Shoyinka has been a starter in Tampa Bay dating back to his rookie season when he had six starts before starting 16 games the next season. Last year, Tryon-Shoyinka started 12 games opposite Shaq Barrett before losing his starting role to Yaya Diaby down the stretch.

But a lack of speed-to-power and too much finesse play has kept Tryon-Shoyinka from reaching his true potential as a pass rusher. Tryon-Shoyinka has made strides in run defense, but the team has yearned for him to step up his sack production, which plateaued at four in his first two seasons in the league. Entering a contract year without having his fifth-year option picked up by the team, it’s sink-or-swim time for JTS in Tampa Bay.

With Barrett being cut by the team in the offseason, there is a starting spot available at outside linebacker opposite Diaby. Can Tryon-Shoyinka, who had a career-high five sacks last year, finally live up to his draft billing and become the sack artist the Bucs hoped they were getting in the 2021 draft?

What If Joe Tryon-Shoyinka Led The Bucs In Sacks?

Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts – Photo by: USA Today

With a defense boasting young pass-rushing talent like defensive tackles Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey in addition to outside linebacker Yaya Diaby, no one would have Joe Tryon-Shoyinka leading Tampa Bay in sacks on their bingo card in 2024.

But what if Tryon-Shoyinka finally put it all together when it mattered most – his contract year – and wound up with eight, nine or 10 sacks to lead Todd Bowles’ defense? What if Tryon-Shoyinka became the physical presence the team has implored him to be, and he teamed up with Diaby to form a potent bookend presence at outside linebacker?

Tryon-Shoyinka just turned 25 in April and is one of the most athletic defenders in Tampa Bay. It would be a very pleasant surprise if Tryon-Shoyinka emerged as a serious pass rushing threat this season and be a huge boon to the Bucs defense for years to come.

Would Jason Licht sign Tryon-Shoyinka to a long-term extension? Or would he want to see if the 2024 season was an aberration and use the franchise tag on JTS in 2025 like the Bucs used on Shaq Barrett in 2020 after his 19.5-sack season the previous year? What a tremendous problem to have to solve next offseason if this What If? scenario came to fruition.

What would you think if JTS had a breakthrough season, Pewter People? Would you want him to stay in Tampa Bay? Leave a comment below with your opinion.