Tampa Bay is looking to fix their pass rush this offseason
It is no secret that the Buccaneers need some serious help on the defensive side of the ball and the pass rush seems to be a big point of emphasis this offseason.
In Indy this past week at the NFL scouting combine, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles spoke about needing to be able to rush the passer with just four instead of having to constantly blitz in order to get pressure.
Well with free agency just around the corner, it appears Tampa Bay is doing their due diligence on the edge market. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN wrote an article detailing some notes and rumblings he’s heard, and Khalil Mack’s name popped up in connection with the Bucs.
Here is what Fowler had to say:
“Teams agree edge rusher Khalil Mack played lights out last season, and the only real concern with his free agency is age (he’s 34). A few people I’ve talked to have made potential connections to the Buccaneers and Bears. Tampa Bay typically doesn’t spend big on external free agents but is looking for pass rush help.”
Bucs media outlet Pewter Report later also confirmed Tampa Bay’s interest in Mack.
It’s not all that surprising that the Bucs are keeping an eye on the pass rusher market, but does Mack make sense for them?
He is 34 years old and posted six sacks last season. However, the year prior he had 17 sacks. He was a solid player for the Chargers last year and is still a good run defender who plays with a motor, but how much will be potentially cost?
Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images
Spotrac’s market value for Mack has him a little over 23 million per season. That’s a lot of money to commit to someone who is still good, but not quite in his prime anymore.
Time will tell where things go with Mack and the Buccaneers but regardless, it’s clear they are trying to upgrade that pass rush.