TAMPA — Haason Reddick only briefly attended Phase 2 of the Bucs’ offseason workout program, but that doesn’t mean the outside linebacker hasn’t been preparing hard for his first season in Tampa Bay.
A video of Reddick exhaustively going through drills with trainer Kenny Williams at his Reds Camp in Philadelphia recently was posted on Instagram.
Reddick is expected to attend the Bucs’ three-day mandatory minicamp beginning Tuesday, finally ending any speculation that he might entertain holding out the way he did a year ago after being traded from the Eagles to the Jets.
The Bucs’ reaction to questions about Reddick’s absence during organized team activities were dismissive for a reason.
“He’s coming in with a big chip on his shoulder,” Bucs outside linebackers coach Larry Foote said of Reddick. “He’s upset — and we like it. … He wants to show this league that he’s one of the premier pass rushers in this league and we got a spot for him. He’s motivated, he’s a guy who loves training, loves working out, but he’s got something to prove. We’re here to help him.”
Reddick, 30, was among the NFL’s top pass rushers between 2020-2023, recording 50.5 sacks. But he sat out seven games after being traded to the Jets and finished with only one sack last season.
He’s motivated to return to his previous form after signing a one-year, $14 million contract.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles indicated he hadn’t spoken to Reddick recently but is confident he will be working Tuesday.
“Minicamps are mandatory,” Bowles said. “That’s all I can tell you. I keep in touch through his position coach.”
Reddick is not the only player the Bucs may get a closer look at.
Receiver Chris Godwin is said to be hitting his landmarks during his recovery from a dislocated ankle he sustained midseason.
“He’s working hard,” Bowles said. “He’s coming around. We’ll see more when we get to training camp. We’re hopeful of Week 1. Nothing has really changed. If anybody can come back and play, it’s going to be Chris.”
Here are some other storylines to follow during minicamp:
Jamel Dean vs. rookies![Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean, here at organized team activities last week, will have some rookie competition leading into a new season.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 440"/%3E "Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean, here at organized team activities last week, will have some rookie competition leading into a new season.")
Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean, here at organized team activities last week, will have some rookie competition leading into a new season. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene
Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter
We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Dean enters minicamp as the starting cornerback opposite Zyon McCollum and as the Bucs’ highest-paid at his position.
But injuries have prevented him from playing an entire season, and he has missed nine games over the past two years due to injury. Dean also left playoff losses to Detroit and Washington early.
A similar lack of durability prompted the Bucs to trade Carlton Davis to the Lions a year ago.
That’s why the Bucs drafted Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison in the second round and Kansas State’s Jacob Parrish in the third round of the NFL draft.
“You could feel it after draft day,” Bowles said. “You come back in here and you draft two players and your position, you better be on your job. There’s expected to be heavy competition in camp.”
Morrison would have been a first-round pick if his junior season had not been cut short with a hip injury that required surgery. He was only cleared last week to participate in 11-on-11 drills. He has the ball skills Dean lacks, having intercepted six passes as a freshman and three more during his sophomore season.
Dean, meanwhile, has only one interception in the last 38 games, which came during a 40-17 December win over the Chargers in Los Angeles.
The Bucs had just seven interceptions last season, the fewest since Bowles arrived in 2019.
Parrish was a star during organized team activities with a couple early picks in practice. Bowles said he could start outside in the NFL but likely will cross train as a nickel cornerback.
Who will be the Bucs’ fifth receiver?
Go ahead and pencil in Mike Evans, Godwin, Jalen McMillan and rookie Emeka Egbuka as the Bucs’ top four receivers.
But there’s an intense battle for No. 5 (and No. 6 if they were to keep that many).
There has been a report that the Steelers have an interest in trading for Trey Palmer, who played primarily as the Bucs’ punt returner last season. He went from 39 receptions as a rookie to only 12 in 2024.
Kameron Johnson played in only five games before landing on the injured list (ankle). Rakim Jarrett had nine catches for 124 yards and returned kickoffs last season. Veteran Sterling Sheppard could be forced to begin the season on the practice squad again due to the logjam at that position.
Don’t count out seventh-round pick Tez Johnson. Despite being the smallest receiver in the NFL at 5-foot-9, 154 pounds, he has the make-you-miss ability of his former Ducks teammate, Bucs running back Bucky Irving.
Eventually, the Bucs will have to move on from Evans and Godwin. The future may be here with McMillan and Egbuka.
• • •
Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.
Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.
Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.