Two years, then the door
Chris Braswell is out in Tampa Bay. NFL Network reported the Buccaneers waived the outside linebacker on Sunday, as all 32 clubs cut their rosters to 53 for the start of the 2026 season.
He was 24 and a second-round pick, 57th overall in the 2024 draft. Alabama produced him, a second-team All-SEC season sold him, and Tampa Bay spent real draft capital on the idea that he would rush the passer for them.
That never quite arrived. Braswell appeared in all 34 games across two seasons and finished with 48 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks and five tackles for loss. His 2025 PFF grade of 57.6 ranked 91st among 115 qualifying edge defenders, the kind of number that tells a front office it has seen enough.
Try it for $0.99.
The special teams case
There was a use for him. Braswell logged 391 special teams snaps over his two years in Tampa, and that workload is often what keeps a fringe defender employed. It was not enough this time.
He now goes on waivers. Any club can claim him and take on what remains of his rookie contract. If he clears, he becomes a free agent, and a practice squad deal is the likelier landing spot for a 24-year-old edge with two quiet seasons behind him.
The decision says less about what Braswell might still become than about the calendar. Second-round picks get two years to show something. He showed a little.
Discover the rest of our NFL news on MathODDS!
in your pocket.
Real-time notifications & alerts
Leave a Reply