The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opted to release Randy Gregory this Sunday, marking the end of a brief and tumultuous association that never quite took off. Despite signing him to a one-year, $3 million free-agent deal in April, the Buccaneers never saw Gregory hit the practice field, ultimately forcing their hand in freeing up a roster spot.
An Incomplete Tenure
Gregory's stint with the Buccaneers is notable not for his performances on the field, but rather for his absence. He never reported to the team's minicamp in June and missed the first 24 days of training camp. The repeated no-shows left the Buccaneers with little choice but to cut ties with the 31-year-old defensive end.
Head coach Todd Bowles summed up the situation succinctly: "No, I never found out. I wish him the best. We'll move on from there. You can't miss what you never had."
A Career Marred by Uncertainty
The NFL journey for Gregory has been one riddled with setbacks and controversies. Originally a second-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys, Gregory's potential was often overshadowed by off-field issues. His release by Tampa Bay marks yet another chapter in a troubled career trajectory.
Halfway through a five-year, $70 million contract with the Denver Broncos, Gregory was released, with his time in Denver also being far from smooth. Last year, he faced fines exceeding $500,000 after testing positive for THC, which was prescribed to him for social anxiety disorder and PTSD. Despite the prescription, the NFL's policies led to punitive measures, adding to a litany of issues that plagued his career.
Legal Entanglements
To make matters more complex, Gregory engaged in legal battles earlier this offseason, suing both the Broncos and the NFL. The specifics of the lawsuit have not been made public, but they add another layer of uncertainty to Gregory's future in the league.
Brief Return with the 49ers
Before signing with the Buccaneers, Gregory had a short stint with the San Francisco 49ers during the latter part of the 2023 season. However, his time with the 49ers did little to rejuvenate his standing in the NFL, and his subsequent move to Tampa Bay was seen as a fresh opportunity — one that failed to materialize.
Future Prospects
As it stands, Gregory's future in the NFL is murky. At 31 years old, he's at a point where aging and past controversies may deter potential suitors. However, his talent on the field, when available, has never been in question. Whether he can find a team willing to take another chance on him remains to be seen.
For the Buccaneers, the decision to release Gregory came down to pragmatism. A roster spot is a valuable asset, and a player who repeatedly fails to report becomes more of a liability than an asset. The organization hopes to move forward with a more reliable and committed squad as the season progresses.
In the merciless world of professional football, availability is often as crucial as ability. For Randy Gregory, the balance seems to have tipped unfavorably, casting a shadow over a career that could have been so much more. As teams continue to fine-tune their rosters, Gregory's journey serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of reliability and the high stakes of navigating an NFL career.