The Buccaneers are moving on from Chris Braswell, and Braswell appears ready to move on too.
Tampa Bay cut the former Alabama edge rusher after only two seasons, ending a stint that never really got off the ground. Even though he was a 2024 second-round pick, Braswell won’t be coming back to the Bucs’ practice squad, according to FOX Sports’ Greg Auman.
That decision closes the book on a player the Buccaneers hoped would help their pass rush, but never became a real part of the rotation. Braswell appeared in 34 games over two seasons and never broke through as a starter. His production was modest: 48 tackles, five for loss, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
The path to a roster spot had already gotten crowded. Braswell was facing competition from offseason additions Al-Quadin Muhammah and Rueben Bain Jr., along with Yaya Diaby, David Walker and Anthony Nelson. By the time camp and the preseason played out, the battle had clearly tilted away from him.
There were still expectations that he could at least carve out a role in the mix, but that never happened. Near the end of camp, Braswell was seen on the sideline and not practicing. Whether injury played a part or not, he looked disconnected, and that was not the kind of signal a player wants to send while fighting to keep his job.
For Jason Licht, it’s another difficult miss at edge. Braswell now joins Logan Hall and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka as early draft picks the Buccaneers would probably love to do over.
And for Tampa Bay, the bigger picture is clear: the team is trying to build a roster around players who fit the direction it wants to go. Braswell didn’t fit that mold, and now both sides are headed elsewhere.
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