Philip Rivers isn’t the only retired player trying to make his NFL comeback.
Former New York Giants edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul is signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The 36-year-old two-time Super Bowl Champion, who hasn’t played in the NFL since 2023, is signing with the Bucs’ practice squad in hopes of being elevated to the active roster.
Pierre-Paul spent four years with Tampa Bay and earned his second ring, Super Bowl LV, in 2020.
The ex-Giant will look to provide a boost to an otherwise weak Buccaneer pass rush.
Jason Pierre-Paul’s Path to the Giants
The Deerfield Beach, Florida, native is one of the most accomplished pass rushers over the last 15 years.
After an incredibly productive collegiate career at College of the Canyons, Fort Scott Community College, and the University of South Florida, the New York Giants selected Pierre-Paul 15th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft.
JPP broke out in 2011, racking up a career-high 16.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a safety, earning his lone All-Pro selection for his dominant season.
The Giants would, of course, go on to defeat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, where Pierre-Paul was a key contributor.
He recorded two tackles, one quarterback hit, and batted down two passes en route to the 21-17 victory.
Pierre-Paul’s Giants tenure was a productive one; he spent the first eight years of his NFL career there and totaled 58.5 sacks in 111 games played.
He’ll always be fondly remembered for his contributions to Big Blue.
Jason Pierre Paul’s Buccaneers Tenure
In March 2018, the New York Giants traded Pierre-Paul to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a 2018 third-round pick and a fourth-round pick swap.
JPP would spend the next four years in Tampa Bay, proving once again to be a key contributor on a contending team.
In the Buccaneers’ 2020 Super Bowl-winning season, Pierre-Paul was a Pro Bowler, recording 9.5 sacks and two interceptions.
The playoffs were no different, with the USF product proving his worth throughout the four-game run with two sacks and three passes broken up.
2021 saw nagging injuries catch up to Pierre-Paul, and also marked the end of his first Buccaneers tenure.
He would bounce around from team to team, playing with the Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, and Miami Dolphins before sitting out the 2024 season.
Now, Pierre-Paul is back in Tampa Bay and hopes to elevate the Bucs’ defense with some fresh legs at the edge.
Gerald McCoy is Not Pleased He Didn’t Get a Call From the Buccaneers
Pierre-Paul’s former Buccaneers teammate, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, was shocked to hear the news.
Even more shocked that he hadn’t previously gotten a call from his former team to come back and suit up one more time.
“Dang Tampa I actually asked to comeback and yall told me no. And this is when I still wanted to play. Dang I must of been extra trash!! 😂😂😂,” McCoy wrote in a post on X.
All jokes aside, it will be fun to see what the ex-New York Giant has left in the tank over these final four games in Tampa Bay.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Ex-Giants Super Bowl Champion Returns to NFL After a Year Off appeared first on Heavy Sports.