{"id":71071,"date":"2025-05-22T20:33:17","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T20:33:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/71071\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T20:33:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T20:33:17","slug":"tampa-bay-buccaneers-expecting-to-see-a-lot-of-growth-in-chris-braswells-second-nfl-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/71071\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay Buccaneers expecting to see \u2018a lot of growth\u2019 in Chris Braswell\u2019s second NFL season"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a second-round rookie, outside linebacker Chris Braswell<\/a> didn\u2019t make a big splash for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2024 season. And while his position coach thinks the former Alabama <\/a>standout is poised for a jump in his second NFL season, the Bucs have made it harder for Braswell to have a bigger impact in 2025.<\/p>\n

Braswell played in every game for Tampa Bay in 2024. He recorded 18 tackles, 1.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble while on the field for 329 defensive snaps (30 percent of the Bucs\u2019 total) and 189 special-teams plays in 17 regular-season games. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s talented,\u201d said Larry Foote<\/a>, Tampa Bay\u2019s defensive run-game coordinator and outside-linebackers coach. \u201cYear 1 to Year 2, you\u2019re going to see a lot of growth. He\u2019s got to keep his confidence. I thought he did some good things. But he\u2019s just got to adapt to the speed of the game. <\/p>\n

\u201cEvery now and then, you get these freaks that come in as a rookie and just tear the league up. That\u2019s not the norm. I explained that to him. He\u2019s passionate, he loves ball and if he keeps going, working hard, he\u2019s going to be productive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last season, Yaya Diaby started every game at weakside linebacker for Tampa Bay. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka made 11 starts and Anthony Nelson six at strongside linebacker in the regular season.<\/p>\n

Tryon-Shoyinka left as an NFL free agent in March for the Cleveland Browns. But neither Braswell nor Nelson will get the first shot at filling that vacancy after Tampa Bay signed Haason Reddick in March.<\/p>\n

Reddick earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2022 and 2023, when he recorded 27 sacks for the Philadelphia Eagles.<\/p>\n

But with Reddick entering the final season of his contract, the Eagles traded him to the New York Jets last offseason. Reddick and the Jets ran into a contract impasse that caused the outside linebacker to miss the first seven games of the season.<\/p>\n

In the remaining 10, Reddick made only one sack.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a fresh start,\u201d Reddick said<\/a> when he signed with the Buccaneers. \u201cI know everybody\u2019s worried about last year, but last year was last year. I\u2019m here now — different mindset, different space. I\u2019m just ready to put the past behind me and continue to move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay also added outside linebacker David Walker from Central Arkansas in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on April 26.<\/p>\n

FOR MORE OF AL.COM\u2019S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE<\/a><\/p>\n

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1<\/a>.<\/p>\n