The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been seeking to bolster their defense, aiming to play better and provide better field position for starting quarterback Baker Mayfield on offense.
Well, Tampa Bay made a pretty surprising addition to their team on Monday.
Who Did the Buccaneers Sign On Monday?
The Buccaneers signed outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul, according to a report from ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Pierre-Paul, a three-time Pro Bowl player who won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers, last played in the NFL in 2023 for the Miami Dolphins. However, Tampa Bay fans are quite familiar with him, as he spent four seasons on the team between 2018 and 2021.
Buccaneers are signing OLB Jason Pierre-Paul, who last played in the NFL in 2023 for Miami, to their practice squad, per source. Pierre-Paul played for the Bucs from 2018-21. pic.twitter.com/kIQGjroSA9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 8, 2025
With Pierre-Paul now coming into the fold, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has a veteran who knows how to play defense at an elite level. Look for the 36-year-old to be ready for the Thursday night game against the Atlanta Falcons.
In a 14-year NFL career, Pierre-Paul played his first eight seasons with the New York Giants. He then played for the Buccaneers for four seasons, followed by stops with the Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, and the Dolphins.
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In his career, Pierre-Paul has 94.5 career sacks, and in 2011, he recorded 16.5 sacks for the season. In 2014 with the Giants and in 2018 with the Buccaneers, Pierre-Paul had 12.5 sacks in each of those seasons.
During the 2023 season, Pierre-Paul only appeared in three games, one with the Saints and two with the Dolphins. His Pro Bowl appearances were in the 2011, 2012, and 2020 seasons when he was with the Giants and Buccaneers, respectively.
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According to the PFSN NFL Defense Impact metrics, Tampa Bay has an impact score of 74.0 and grades out to a C. Bowles serves as both the team’s head coach and defensive coordinator. Tampa Bay fans have grown restless with the team’s recent efforts and have been vocal about potentially firing Bowles.
However, the Buccaneers’ defense has forced 19 turnovers this season and has also recorded 12 interceptions. Pierre-Paul brings a veteran presence to the team and could help Tampa Bay improve on that side of the ball. The Buccaneers are 7-6 on the season, tied for first place in the NFC South Division with the Carolina Panthers.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
