About The Ben Bredeson Loss
January 15th, 2026
So the Buccaneers were 1-5 when center/guard Ben Bredeson did not start this season, and they were 0-2 in the games Bredeson left early with injuries (hamstring and knee).
There’s a reason Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht made the comments he did 46 days ago.
Licht was on the Buccaneers Radio Network pregame show moments before kickoff against the Cardinals. He was asked about the return to the starting lineup of Bucky Irving, Haason Reddick and Bredeson from significant injuries.
Bredeson had injured his hamstring in the first quarter after the Bucs’ opening-drive touchdown against the Patriots on Nov. 9.
“Low key, I’m very, very really extra excited to have Ben Bredeson back. He’s kind of the leader of the offensive line group,” Licht said, crediting Bredeson for dealing with so much regarding the shuffling of the line earlier in the season.
The Bucs beat Arizona to up their record to 7-5. Bredeson messed up his knee a week later in the second quarter against the Saints. He was gone for the year.
Lots of Bucs fans like to say Bredeson was a beast playing center for three games this season, better than Graham Barton, and that he played well at left guard.
The Bucs were 7-2 when Bredeson played a full game this season.
Coincidence?
The healthy return of the Bucs’ offensive line next season — all 28 years old and younger — should represent a massive upgrade.