The Tampa Bay Buccaneers bolstered their offensive line depth on Friday by adding veteran guard Michael Jordan and rookie tackle Tyler McLellan, addressing early concerns as training camp began this week with three linemen listed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. With injuries impacting the unit, these signings provide additional options ahead of the regular season.
Roster Moves Create Space for New Signings
To accommodate the arrivals of Jordan and McLellan, Tampa Bay waived tackle Silas Dzansi with a failed-physical designation. Another roster spot had already opened up when the team placed tackle Garret Greenfield on the reserve/retired list earlier that week. These moves aim to stabilize a line currently affected by injuries to key players, including All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs and guard Sua Opeta, both starting camp on the active/PUP list.
Michael Jordan’s Experience Brings Stability
Michael Jordan, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 312 pounds, brings significant NFL experience to the Buccaneers. Since entering the league as a fourth-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019 out of Ohio State, Jordan has appeared in 67 games with 40 starts for the Bengals, Panthers, and most recently the New England Patriots. He started 11 games at left guard last season for New England and has accumulated 19 starts in his first two Bengals seasons. After brief stints with Carolina and a season on Green Bay’s practice squad, his versatility and presence should be valuable to Tampa Bay’s offensive front.
Tyler McLellan Joins Buccaneers as Promising Rookie
Tyler McLellan, a 6-foot-8, 355-pound tackle, played college football at Campbell University in North Carolina, earning All-Big South second-team honors twice before receiving first-team recognition in 2021. An undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, McLellan suffered a knee injury during a preseason game, which sidelined him for his rookie year. After being waived by the Chargers in June following another roster move, Tampa Bay signed McLellan to add long-term potential to their offensive line depth.
Current Lineup Challenges and Next Steps
Silas Dzansi, signed as an undrafted free agent last year, has also faced injury setbacks, spending time both on Tampa Bay’s practice squad and injured reserve during his first two NFL seasons. With the starting lineup impacted and depth tested, the Bucs’ decisions to bring in Jordan and McLellan reflect the urgency to maintain a competitive offensive line as training camp progresses. The performance of the new signees in camp and preseason will influence how effectively the Buccaneers can protect their quarterback and establish the running game this season.