While it's unrealistic to expect to go all-in every year, replicating success in the NFL from one season to the next is incredibly challenging—even with the same roster.
I believe we currently have a Super Bowl-caliber offense, but how long can we maintain this level? There's a strong possibility that Coen may leave after this season, and our dynamic duo of Evans and Godwin aren’t getting any younger. At what point do we go all-in and secure those final pieces needed for a championship run?
This is a dilemma the Detroit Lions are facing after losing their star edge rusher. They realize that this year is a unique opportunity they can't afford to overlook. Will they take the necessary steps to replace their key player?
Are we content with having a top-five offense paired with a defense that can only carry us through the wild card round? A standout edge rusher could be the game-changer we need. What is our defensive window? Lavonte is nearing the end of his career, and Vita is approaching 30. Both are exceptional players, but one is on the decline while the other is nearing the end of his prime.
If you spot a genuine opportunity to make a run in a given year, you have to seize it. In a few years, we might look back and realize that this was our best shot.
Lions missed their chance last year blowing the NFC championship to SF.
If you spot a genuine opportunity to make a run in a given year, you have to seize it. In a few years, we might look back and realize that this was our best shot.
Cool.
So, what’s the opportunity?
Who’s the guy?
Who’s the realistic unicorn defensive end that we plug into a Todd Bowles defense that wins us a SECOND title in 5 years?
I was hoping the Donkey Hunter would return with a follow-up question.
First off, there’s no magic solution or guaranteed fix, but we can certainly get better at that position and get closer to our goals.
Throughout the offseason, I pointed out that our edge room ranks among the bottom in the league. While Yaya is a gritty player, he hasn’t proven to be a game-changer in the passing game. Licht and Bowles entered the season with confidence in Yaya, JTS, Braswell, Nelson, and two undrafted free agents from last year. This may well have been their biggest misstep of the offseason.
There were players available who are making an impact now and could have thrived alongside Vita and Kancey. Acquiring someone like Danielle Hunter, Van Ginkel, or Greenard (who’s been impressive with the Vikings) would have represented significant upgrades.
I was also in favor of trading for Brian Burns. The Giants acquired him for a 2nd and a 5th round pick—essentially Braswell and a lesser player—for a young edge rusher in his prime.
All of these options would have strengthened our lineup. If there’s any chance to acquire Maxx Crosby, we’re talking about a player who could elevate our defense to new heights. Bowles would then have the luxury of routinely sending four rushers, making blitzes more effective as opponents would need to keep an eye on Crosby, thereby making our defensive strategies less predictable.
No one can convincingly argue that our edge room is sufficient; they struggle against above-average offensive lines, which is exactly what we’ll face in the playoffs.
I was also in favor of trading for Brian Burns. The Giants acquired him for a 2nd and a 5th round pick—essentially Braswell and a lesser player—for a young edge rusher in his prime.
You would have had to pay him, though. So do you not resign Evans, Wirfs, Winfield, Mayfield, etc. to trade and then sign Burns to a 5-year, $141M contract?
This is why trading for Maxx Crosby makes sense. You wouldn't have to give him a new deal immediately, as he's under contract though the 2026 season.
Acquiring someone like Danielle Hunter, Van Ginkel, or Greenard (who’s been impressive with the Vikings) would have represented significant upgrades.
Greenard: 4 years, $76M
Hunter: 2 years, $49M
Van Ginkel: 2 years, $20M
I don't see how they could have signed Greenard and Hunter, but Van Ginkel is definitely a contract they probably could have offered with some maneuvering. That's a fair criticism, IMO.
Well, I'd certainly call the Raiders about Crosby as Biggs mentioned since we'd have him under control til 2026. That seems about to be the only realistic solution cap wise at the moment to fix our problem. Bucs put their eggs into Kancey development, Yaya, and Randy Gregory(big fail) to turn this pass rush into a good one. IF they want another shot at winning a SB then making a trade for Crosby would help. Still think there are weaknesses on the defense(Britt, Dean) but he'd help hide them with his ability to game wreck.
Man, all this Crosby talk has me salivating. I just don't think it will ever happen. It's not Licht's style, and why would the Raiders do it?
Management/Ownership just won a Super bowl in 2020. Throw out the Chiefs and Patriots Dynasties because they are once in a blue moon and not expected.
The only other franchise that can say they've done that in the last 5 years is the LA Rams. The last 10 years? Throw in the Philadelphia Eagles and the Denver Broncos.
The Bucs have the longest playoff streak in the NFC at 4 seasons. They are third overall only behind the Chiefs - 9 and Bills - 5
The Bucs typically have about 10 million in dead cap space per season. They went over and above to go all in the Brady years - A great success!
in 2023, they expected we would have to bite the bullet - $82M in dead cap space. It is what it is! well the reemergence of Baker Mayfield coupled with a weak division and we were able to make the playoffs at 9-8 and even in a playoff game!
This year, we are off to a 4-2 start; Baker leading the lead in TDs; with $57M in dead cap space. The Bucs managed to have their "we need to pay the price years" turn into exciting competitive football.
They knew in the off-season that the pass rush was week. Heck, we lost to Detroit because of that very reason.
I think they take the approach they are playing with house money and are going to role with their mediocre pass rushers
I agree with you that they need to add an impactful edge rusher...i just think it's more likely than not...that they don't - because quite frankly they feel they are dominating as an organization as it relates to the product the fans are receiving.
I was also in favor of trading for Brian Burns. The Giants acquired him for a 2nd and a 5th round pick—essentially Braswell and a lesser player—for a young edge rusher in his prime.
You would have had to pay him, though. So do you not resign Evans, Wirfs, Winfield, Mayfield, etc. to trade and then sign Burns to a 5-year, $141M contract?
This is why trading for Maxx Crosby makes sense. You wouldn't have to give him a new deal immediately, as he's under contract though the 2026 season.
Acquiring someone like Danielle Hunter, Van Ginkel, or Greenard (who’s been impressive with the Vikings) would have represented significant upgrades.
Greenard: 4 years, $76M
Hunter: 2 years, $49M
Van Ginkel: 2 years, $20M
I don't see how they could have signed Greenard and Hunter, but Van Ginkel is definitely a contract they probably could have offered with some maneuvering. That's a fair criticism, IMO.
Spot on.
I think they take the approach they are playing with house money and are going to role with their mediocre pass rushers
One big reason Bowles is the HC.^^^
Bowles was given a 5 year deal at the bieginning of what was probably seen to be the Dark Ages. Instead of being the dutiful caretake of a financially wrecked team hes turned out to be the SECRET of a lot of its success because:
He hire canales
He brought in Mayfield
He brought in Coen (or Mayfield did lol)
He clearly excels at developing young defensive players, like letting Davis go and leaning on McCollum. Going with Izien and Smith and other young guys. Dennis and Britt
He's had the ability to manufacture pass rush
The Bucs ARE playing with HOUSE MONEY. Absolutely. And Bowles is a big part of that. It may not be a Super Bowl winning formula, but it sure is a competitive team formula when almost NO ONE can credibly claim to have seen a "competitive Bucs team during all of this, right?
Recall that some here last season said "playoffs dont matter" and wanted to go with Trask . .. NOW, same folks talking about bringing in a piece of the puzzle to push us over the top.
Agree with this. Nice retrospective.I was also in favor of trading for Brian Burns. The Giants acquired him for a 2nd and a 5th round pick—essentially Braswell and a lesser player—for a young edge rusher in his prime.
You would have had to pay him, though. So do you not resign Evans, Wirfs, Winfield, Mayfield, etc. to trade and then sign Burns to a 5-year, $141M contract?
This is why trading for Maxx Crosby makes sense. You wouldn't have to give him a new deal immediately, as he's under contract though the 2026 season.
Acquiring someone like Danielle Hunter, Van Ginkel, or Greenard (who’s been impressive with the Vikings) would have represented significant upgrades.
Greenard: 4 years, $76M
Hunter: 2 years, $49M
Van Ginkel: 2 years, $20M
I don't see how they could have signed Greenard and Hunter, but Van Ginkel is definitely a contract they probably could have offered with some maneuvering. That's a fair criticism, IMO.
As DH previously pointed out, sure teams that aren’t going to make the post season, but are trying to “get right”, are going to be moving players…
I just don’t see the Raiders dealing Crosby. He’s a defensive center-piece. Van Ginkel would have been fun, especially after seeing what he’s done this year… I don’t think the Buc’s are going to go after anyone mid-season, do you?
Interesting.Management/Ownership just won a Super bowl in 2020. Throw out the Chiefs and Patriots Dynasties because they are once in a blue moon and not expected.
The only other franchise that can say they've done that in the last 5 years is the LA Rams. The last 10 years? Throw in the Philadelphia Eagles and the Denver Broncos.
The Bucs have the longest playoff streak in the NFC at 4 seasons. They are third overall only behind the Chiefs - 9 and Bills - 5
The Bucs typically have about 10 million in dead cap space per season. They went over and above to go all in the Brady years - A great success!
in 2023, they expected we would have to bite the bullet - $82M in dead cap space. It is what it is! well the reemergence of Baker Mayfield coupled with a weak division and we were able to make the playoffs at 9-8 and even in a playoff game!
This year, we are off to a 4-2 start; Baker leading the lead in TDs; with $57M in dead cap space. The Bucs managed to have their "we need to pay the price years" turn into exciting competitive football.
They knew in the off-season that the pass rush was week. Heck, we lost to Detroit because of that very reason.
I think they take the approach they are playing with house money and are going to role with their mediocre pass rushers
I agree with you that they need to add an impactful edge rusher...i just think it's more likely than not...that they don't - because quite frankly they feel they are dominating as an organization as it relates to the product the fans are receiving.
Sounds a bit like the Buffalo Bill’s run of appearing 4 Super Bowls, but not winning any of them.
Are you saying that the organization knows this fanbase would be ok with just getting into the post-season, but not willing to trade the future for a Suoer Bowl run?
Some here made that point early on. My belief is the organization may have been surprised by the success, but are maybe just a year early (leaving this off-season to make a play for draft picks/defensive FA’s)…
Does anyone seriously think the organization might be reassessing whether to make current roster additions to compete? I still don’t think so, but I’m open to having my opinion changed.
I just don’t see the Raiders dealing Crosby. He’s a defensive center-piece.
Agreed the chances are low, but there's a chance...
I don’t think the Buc’s are going to go after anyone mid-season, do you?
I would guess they are "going after" some guys. That doesn't mean a trade will come to fruition, but Licht would doing the team a disservice if he wasn't making the calls.
Buffalo Bill’s run of appearing 4 Super Bowls, but not winning any of them.
no one circles the wagons . . .
If true, would seem there’s a lot more riding on the Ravens game than most realize.
…agree?
