The Bucs have lost a second free agent to another team, and this time it’s a loss everyone expected. Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, offensive lineman/jumbo tight end Joe Haeg is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a disappointing one-year stint in Tampa Bay.
#Steelers are signing G/T Joe Haeg, source says. Was with the #Buccaneers last season.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 20, 2021
Haeg, a 6-6, 305-pound, five-year veteran, started one game for the Bucs last season in place of an injured Ali Marpet. The result was a disastrous performance against the Saints on Sunday Night Football, a game in which Haeg allowed seven pressures and three quarterback hits. The next week Haeg returned to the bench and was resigned to a jumbo tight end role the rest of the season. Haeg was adequate in the run game, but struggled in pass protection, even in max protect situations.
Undoubtedly most remembered by Bucs fans for dropping a touchdown pass from Tom Brady in the Super Bowl (the ball was knocked out by a defender last second), Haeg has experience playing all across the offensive line, but didn’t prove himself worthy of the Bucs investment this offseason. Tampa Bay can still return their No. 3 offensive tackle in Josh Wells, who remains unsigned as a free agent. The Bucs have already brought back Aaron Stinnie on a one-year deal, who is currently slated to be the team’s No. 3 guard.
14 Bucs remain unsigned in free agency, most notably DT Ndamukong Suh, WR Antonio Brown, RB Leonard Fournette, CB Ross Cockrell and QB Blaine Gabbert.
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About the Author: Jon Ledyard
Sucked anyway!
Jon…I think that is an accurate measure of the situation. A guy that had a couple chances to do something special, and failed. A role player that we can’t afford, when there are really productive guys still to be signed.
He stinks even as a backup. Goodbye
That’s okay, he couldn’t protect 12 and has to go.
I had higher expectations for Haeg. I thought for sure he was a starter that had been forgotten in Indy and only lost his spot because he got hurt and replaced but he was not reliable. Even after playing all season in some form. Stinnie should be the new TE for the jumbo package unless they find another blocking TE or Howard can cover it.
Failed at every opportunity given to him- couldn’t even hold a easy TD pass in SB. Too bad, but WAY better off without him – good “loss”. Being on a team this good, every member needs to prove that they add value or should be let go.
Get the next three signed. Suh, Fournette, AB or resign Hump at a discount. Draft and maybe a late Free Agent signing for depth. We good! We got this!
Yep get those three signed and maybe pick up Mariota as a backup and Gerald McCoy returning for some depth.
If they had wanted him he would still be here.. BA brought in three ex Cardinal lineman to replace him during the season.
we gettin oj back we good
We didn’t sign Haeg for a reason. Stinnie out played him. Wish him well.
Nough said Dman… sometimes it’s just that simple. Next…
With us losing Haeg, would Isaiah Wilson be a good reclamation project. A first round pick and talent out of Georgia vs. bust in Tennessee and Miami?
Nice mcK! Never even thought of him. Worth taking a flyer on the kid for depth and value salary wise.