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About the Author: J.C. Allen
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When the Bucs offense takes the field on Thursday Night Football against the Ravens there will be a familiar face lined up across from them. Outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul will make his first visit to Raymond James Stadium in a different uniform since 2017.
Speaking with local reporters in Baltimore on Tuesday, Pierre-Paul said there is no hard feelings between him and the team he won a Super Bowl with. Though he does expect to remind them the type of player they are missing on defense.
Jason Pierre-Paul on playing against his former team in Tampa: “There’s no bad blood but I want to show them what they don’t have.” pic.twitter.com/yCklxhy1s6
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 25, 2022
Bucs OLB Jason Pierre-Paul and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes – Photo by: USA Today
The Bucs elected not to re-sign the former All-Pro edge rusher this year deciding to go in a different direction. Though Pierre-Paul understands the business side of things and the writing was on the wall when Tampa Bay selected edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in the first round in 2021.
“I understand the business side of football, and it is what it is, but I have no hard feelings, no bad blood against Tampa,” Pierre-Paul said. “I was there for four years and did my job there, and now I’m here. I’m just going to go out and show them what they don’t have.”
Former Bucs OLB Pierre-Paul Finally Healthy
What the Bucs had in Pierre-Paul in 2021 was a shell of what they had in previous years. Though mainly due to injury. He was dealing with a biceps tendon tear, the torn rotator cuff and a back muscle tear. In addition to a broken finger that was split in two places. Still the Bucs trotted him out on the field over the upcoming rookie and it translated to his worst season in Tampa Bay.
The 13-year veteran was a pivotal cog in the Bucs’ Super Bowl season and was named the lone Pro Bowler for the team. Pierre-Paul is often cited as one of the key figures in turning around the culture and has many fans in Tampa Bay still. But when he puts on the purple and black Thursday Night he’ll be just another obstacle for the Bucs to overcome.
