Bucs outside linebacker Jack Pyburn is not just fighting to make the 53-man roster.
He is also fighting the NCAA.
It was revealed on Wednesday afternoon that Pyburn is among 16 players who were granted a TRO (temporary restraining order) against the NCAA, allowing him to return to college for the 2026 season despite already being in the NFL.
This is an unexpected and unprecedented development for someone who record two sacks in Tampa Bay’s preseason opener just last week.
What To Know About Jack Pyburn Suing The NCAA For Eligibility
Jack Pyburn filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the NCAA seeking a preliminary injunction to give him the option to return to college. In what is now the Wild West of college sports, situations like this are nothing new.
NEW: Buccaneers EDGE Jack Pyburn and 15 others have been granted a TRO for a fifth year of College Football, @PeteNakos reports.
Pyburn posted 2 sacks in Tampa Bay's last preseason game. https://t.co/ig9JbrwsGC pic.twitter.com/ByK5y4W3rq
— On3 (@On3) August 19, 2026
It is interesting timing for a couple of reasons, including the fact that the Bucs gave him $115,000 in guaranteed money to sign him as an undrafted free agent. While that is a substantial sum of money for a UDFA, it pales in comparison to what Pyburn could make should he elect to return to play another season of college football.
Bucs OLB Jack Pyburn – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect
Whether he goes back to LSU or chooses another top school, it is likely that he would earn seven figures and get a starting opportunity. That sum of money would be more life-changing, and it could also boost his draft stock for the 2027 NFL Draft.
At the same time, Pyburn has put himself into a prime position at earning an NFL roster spot in Tampa Bay.
Following an impressive preseason debut, he has flashed the skill set to be in contention to make the 53-man roster over the likes of Chris Braswell. Opportunities in the league do not come around often, and he has a chance to either make the team or the 16-player practice squad earning a couple hundred thousand dollars and take the year to develop behind the scenes.
Jack Pyburn’s Decision Can Go Either Way To Stay In NFL Or Return To College
It truly is a unique and wild situation Jack Pyburn finds himself in.
On one hand, it is hard to see Pyburn postponing his NFL dream to go back to school.
On the other hand, he has a chance to prove himself, earn more money in 2026, and use it as a launching pad for 2027.
Bucs OLB Jack Pyburn – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Scott Clause
As noted by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman, the Bucs would retain his rights when he decides to return to the NFL.
This Jack Pyburn story is complicated, but the Bucs have his NFL rights from a signed contract. He got a $15,000 signing bonus, but him leaving the Bucs would likely void his $100k in guaranteed salary. Whenever he returned to NFL, Bucs would have his rights. His agents have not…
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 19, 2026
The fallout of all this remains to be seen, as he could leave the team at any point. This comes just days after head coach Todd Bowles discussed what impression Pyburn has made to make the team.
“Obviously, if you’re going to be toward the back end of the outside [linebackers], you’ve got to be able to play special teams, and you’ve kind of got to be a jack-of-all-trades and do certain things,” Bowles said. “He made us watch it. He made it known, and we’re going to see what he does going forward, but he definitely made an impression.”
Even more of note is the reflective statement Pyburn made about his mindset about the process and not the outcome. At the time he made this remark, it sounded like he learned from what transpired in college, as he failed to live up to expectations at Florida and had a middling season transferring to LSU in 2025.
“I’ve always been a good football player and had a good college career, but didn’t perform how I wanted to perform, and part of that is a mental side of the game that I didn’t fully tap into – in a confidence aspect,” Pyburn said. “And when I sat on my couch on the day of [the] draft and I didn’t get drafted, I had to look myself in the mirror and decide, ‘Who do I want to be?’
“You know, do I want to say, ‘Why me? Why me?’ or do I want to say, ‘Why not me?’ In that moment, I chose ‘Why not me?’ And I have worked harder than I have ever worked in my life, and I’m going to continue to work even harder.”
Now, it appears like Jack Pyburn wants a second chance at college football. PewterReport.com will provide updates to this story as we learn more. Matt Matera and I reacted to this news and more during Wednesday’s Pewter Report Podcast. Check out our full analysis below:
Adam Slivon has covered the Bucs for four seasons with PewterReport.com as a Bucs Beat Writer, Social Media Manager, and Podcaster. Adam started as an intern during his time at the University of Tampa, where he graduated with a degree in Sport Management in May 2023.
In addition to his regular written content, he appears every Thursday on the Pewter Report Podcast, has a weekly YouTube Top 10 Takeaways video series, and leads the managing of the site's social media platforms.
As a Wisconsin native, he spent his childhood growing up on a farm and enjoys Culver's, kringle, and a quality game of cornhole. You can find him most often on X @AdamLivsOn.
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