Heading into the offseason, the Bucs have a prolonged record of free brokers to determine whether or not to deliver again. Whereas large receiver Chris Godwin is the most important pending free agent on the offensive facet of the ball, one different starter may be testing the waters in left guard Ben Bredeson.
Bredeson began all 17 video games there this previous season and fared higher than you would possibly suppose. He instantly gelled with the remainder of the offensive line and match proper in, taking full management of a beginning spot after Sua Opeta – his coaching camp competitors – tore his ACL and was out for the season again in August.
Talking to Pewter Report on the onset of the offseason, the veteran offensive lineman shared his curiosity in remaining in Tampa Bay.
Ben Bredeson “Absolutely Loved” Being With Bucs This Previous Season
Bucs RB Bucky Irving and LG Ben Bredeson – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
After signing a one-year, $3 million take care of the Bucs final offseason, Ben Bredeson discovered what he was on the lookout for in calling a staff residence. Coming into the NFL as a fourth-round decide by the Ravens in 2020, he was traded to the Giants in 2021 and spent the subsequent three seasons there, beginning in 25 video games.
Whereas he showcased his versatility transferring throughout New York’s offensive line throughout his tenure, he valued the steadiness of coming to Tampa Bay and honing his abilities as a left guard.
“Stability was huge,” Bredeson stated. “Being able to focus on one spot, just kind of settle in there. I got comfortable there.”
Whereas Professional Soccer Focus could have solely graded him because the 61st-best offensive guard out of 75, that doesn’t absolutely inform the story.
Bredeson fared higher as a pass-blocker, permitting simply three sacks this season. His 36 pressures allowed may have been higher, however he was removed from being a turnstile on the place and did effectively connecting on combo blocks. Within the run sport, he proved agile and powerful sufficient to assist open up holes and was a significant cog within the group being among the many top-five offensive traces within the league.
Ben Bredeson Loved Taking part in With Tristan Wirfs And In Tampa
Bucs G Ben Bredeson and C Graham Barton – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs offensive line’s success this previous season got here all the way down to their chemistry with each other, and there’s no denying the rapport that Ben Bredeson constructed with the fellows.
“The O-line room was phenomenal,” Bredeson stated. “Great group of guys, just a small part of the representation of the team as a whole. Great culture here and being able to go to work with everybody every single day was awesome.”
Particularly All-Professional left deal with Tristan Wirfs.
“It helps a ton,” Bredeson stated about whether or not it helps taking part in subsequent to a participant of Wirfs’ caliber. “Tristan’s an outstanding player. I think we all see that. Being able to work with him makes my job easier and hopefully, I make his job a little bit easier at times. We became great friends and lined up next to each other for however many snaps we had this season. Got a little close there. It was great.”
With that laid out, would he be occupied with returning?
Bucs G Ben Bredeson – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Bredeson’s beginning spot won’t be assured, as 2023 sixth-round decide Elijah Klein will seemingly work his method into the combo even when he re-signs. Who is aware of, Jason Licht might be tempted to take one other small faculty offensive lineman to compete with him, too.
That’s Licht’s specialty.
Nonetheless, Bredeson was a worth signing at $3 million this 12 months, and whereas he ought to make barely extra on a brand new contract, that doesn’t take him out of the equation. There are nonetheless a few months to iron out all the main points, however he very a lot loved his time right here and was fairly receptive when requested whether or not he can be open to a return.
“Absolutely loved it,” Bredeson stated. “We’ll see how everything goes, don’t really get too involved with that right now. Tampa Bay is an awesome spot.”
Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo sees Bredeson fetching a one-year deal value $4 million in 2025, probably in Tampa Bay.
