Buccaneers Bring Back a Familiar Face
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, locked in a tight race for first place in the NFC South, have made a notable move to strengthen their defense.
The team has signed veteran pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul, who last played in the NFL in 2023.
“I Always Knew I’d Be Back”
Despite his time away, Pierre-Paul said he never considered retirement. Speaking to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, he shared his excitement about returning to a city where he built part of his legacy.
“The opportunity presented itself, and I’m here. I feel good — familiar city I know. Went to school in Tampa, won a Super Bowl in Tampa. Did great things in Tampa. I’m happy to say I’m here now.”
He added:
“Not once in my head did I have, ‘I’m not going to play football again.’ If I didn’t play this year, I was going to try next year. It’s a business thing. You get to a certain age, people think you don’t have it anymore. You just have to prove to yourself before anybody else.”
What Pierre-Paul Brings to Tampa Bay
Pierre-Paul hasn’t appeared in a game since 2023, when he played only three times.
Even so, his career résumé commands respect:
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15th NFL season upcoming
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182 career games
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631 tackles
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167 quarterback hits
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94.5 sacks
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3× Pro Bowler
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2× Super Bowl champion
The Buccaneers clearly believe the 35-year-old can still contribute meaningful snaps as they push for a playoff spot.
Bucs Hoping for a Late-Season Boost
Tampa Bay sits at 7–6 and needs a strong finish to secure a postseason berth. With Pierre-Paul back in town, the Bucs will hope he can recapture some of the impact he had during their 2021 Super Bowl run.
