In a brand new summer time sequence, I’ll check out some Bucs matters for the upcoming season – and discover them with a twist.
Our first matter is – What if Joe Tryon-Shoyinka grew to become the Bucs’ main sacker this 12 months?
Impressed by Marvel’s “What If…?” comedian books and the Marvel animated sequence, let’s check out some doubtlessly completely different outcomes to among the extra intriguing storylines in Tampa Bay that no one sees coming. To be clear, this isn’t a sequence of matters that Pewter Report believes will occur or essentially hopes will occur. Simply use your creativeness and prepare for some surprises, Bucs followers.
The Background
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka has largely underwhelmed as a move rusher because the Bucs chosen him on the finish of the primary spherical within the 2021 NFL Draft. In three seasons in purple and pewter, Tryon-Shoyinka has totaled simply 13 sacks, together with a career-best 5 final season. This coming in 34 profession begins over the past three seasons.

Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
As a result of his excessive draft standing and athletic means, Tryon-Shoyinka has been a starter in Tampa Bay relationship again to his rookie season when he had six begins earlier than beginning 16 video games the subsequent season. Final 12 months, Tryon-Shoyinka began 12 video games reverse Shaq Barrett earlier than dropping his beginning function to Yaya Diaby down the stretch.
However a scarcity of speed-to-power and an excessive amount of finesse play has saved Tryon-Shoyinka from reaching his true potential as a move rusher. Tryon-Shoyinka has made strides in run protection, however the staff has yearned for him to step up his sack manufacturing, which plateaued at 4 in his first two seasons within the league. Coming into a contract 12 months with out having his fifth-year choice picked up by the staff, it’s sink-or-swim time for JTS in Tampa Bay.
With Barrett being lower by the staff within the offseason, there’s a beginning spot obtainable at outdoors linebacker reverse Diaby. Can Tryon-Shoyinka, who had a career-high 5 sacks final 12 months, lastly reside as much as his draft billing and grow to be the sack artist the Bucs hoped they had been getting within the 2021 draft?
What If Joe Tryon-Shoyinka Led The Bucs In Sacks?

Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts – Photograph by: USA Immediately
With a protection boasting younger pass-rushing expertise like defensive tackles Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey along with outdoors linebacker Yaya Diaby, nobody would have Joe Tryon-Shoyinka main Tampa Bay in sacks on their bingo card in 2024.
However what if Tryon-Shoyinka lastly put all of it collectively when it mattered most – his contract 12 months – and wound up with eight, 9 or 10 sacks to guide Todd Bowles’ protection? What if Tryon-Shoyinka grew to become the bodily presence the staff has implored him to be, and he teamed up with Diaby to type a potent bookend presence at outdoors linebacker?
Tryon-Shoyinka simply turned 25 in April and is likely one of the most athletic defenders in Tampa Bay. It will be a really nice shock if Tryon-Shoyinka emerged as a critical move dashing menace this season and be an enormous boon to the Bucs protection for years to come back.
Would Jason Licht signal Tryon-Shoyinka to a long-term extension? Or would he wish to see if the 2024 season was an aberration and use the franchise tag on JTS in 2025 just like the Bucs used on Shaq Barrett in 2020 after his 19.5-sack season the earlier 12 months? What an incredible drawback to have to resolve subsequent offseason if this What If? state of affairs got here to fruition.