Bucs Sign Veteran Pass Rusher

The Bucs added to their pass rushing depth on Monday, agreeing to a one-year deal with veteran Carl Nassib. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the news Monday evening.

Nassib previously spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons in Tampa Bay. He posted 6.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles in 15 games (nine starts) during the 2018 season.

Playing under Todd Bowles in 2019, he finished with six sacks, eight tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 14 games (eight starts).

Nassib left the Bucs in 2020, signing a three-year, $25 million deal with the Raiders. But after two seasons in Las Vegas, he was released as a cap casualty. Across those two seasons, he played 27 games (five starts) and tallied four sacks, eight tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, a forced fumble and an interception.

Now, the 6-foot-7, 245-pound pass rusher finds himself in a familiar situation. Heading into his age-29 season, he’ll play a rotational role in Bowles’ defense, which he thrived in three seasons ago. The Bucs made room for Nassib by waiving undrafted free agent tight end/fullback Ben Beise.

Injury To Key Depth Piece Leads To Nassib’s Signing

Bowles and the Bucs maintained throughout the early part of training camp that any additional signings would be about fit. In other words, they weren’t going to sign players just to sign them. For a long time now, Nassib looked like one of those obvious fits.

Bucs OLB Cam Gill – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It was thought that the team might want to see what they had in Cam Gill this preseason before adding another pass rusher. Gill was Tampa Bay’s fourth outside linebacker last year. He flashed in Saturday’s preseason opener, posting a key third-down sack and a tackle for loss. He drew praise from Bowles after the game.

”When he first got here, he was strictly power. His technique has gotten better, his awareness has gotten better, his drops have gotten better and he’s still a tenacious rusher,” Bowles said. “We don’t feel like we lose anything when he goes in the ballgame. He’s become very trustworthy.”

However, Gill left the preseason opener with an injury. He wore a boot and was seen with a scooter during Monday’s practice. Bowles said after practice that Gill is dealing with a Lisfranc injury, which will keep him out for some time.

Gill’s injury clearly opened the door for Nassib, though his signing may have been coming anyway. In any case, the veteran joins Shaq Barrett, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson in the outside linebacker room.

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