The Bucs are back in business with Tom Brady at the helm. Having a superstar of his caliber makes players want to come play with him or return to play with him. As we’ve seen this offseason, Logan Ryan and Russell Gage came to Tampa Bay to play with the GOAT. Meanwhile, Ryan Jensen, Leonard Fournette and Carlton Davis were excited to return due to Brady’s presence.

And those three aren’t the only Bucs free agents looking to re-join the team in 2022. Add another name to that list, as Steve McClendon has said he wants to play one more season, finishing his career with the Bucs.

The 36-year old defensive tackle originally joined the Bucs in 2020 through a trade with the New York Jets. McClendon was brought in when Vita Vea suffered what was thought to be a season-ending injury. Upon his arrival, he helped continue to bolster the league’s best run defense. McLendon racked up 17 tackles, two for-a-loss, after joining the team. Last season he had 11 tackles, five for-a-loss, a half-sack, a forced fumble and a huge interception. In the playoffs he added another forced fumble, a pass deflection and a sack.

The oldest defensive tackle in the league re-signed with the Bucs on a one-year $1.2 million deal in 2021. McLendon would likely come at the same rate for the the 2022 season. With the status of Ndamukong Suh up in the air, and another weak defensive tackle class in the draft, there could be some interest in a return by the Bucs. We already know Suh wants to re-sign, as he’s been throwing out some not so subtle tweets on Twitter.