The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made it clear they’re dissatisfied with 2021 first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka’s performance by declining the fifth-year option on his contract, which makes him an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season. To gain value before he potentially leaves, they might consider trading him before he can choose his next team.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport included Tryon-Shoyinka on his list of “1 Player Each NFL Team Should Consider Trading Before the 2024 Season” published on June 3. Davenport noted that, despite Shaquil Barrett’s departure, the Buccaneers signed veteran Randy Gregory, who matches Tryon-Shoyinka’s production. With the fifth-year option declined, Tryon-Shoyinka is in a contract year, and another team might believe they can better utilize him. If a good offer comes in, the Buccaneers should consider it.
Drafted 32nd overall in 2021, Tryon-Shoyinka would have earned $13.2 million in 2025 under the fifth-year option. He played all 17 games in each of his first three seasons, starting 16 in 2022 but only 12 in 2023. He has 13.0 sacks over three seasons, a figure that pales compared to rookie YaYa Diaby’s 7.5 sacks in 2023. Financially, investing in Diaby and other younger players makes more sense than keeping Tryon-Shoyinka, who is set to earn $2.1 million in 2024, while Diaby earns under $1 million.
The Buccaneers also drafted Alabama edge rusher Chris Braswell in the second round (57th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft, further signaling their intention to move on from Tryon-Shoyinka. Braswell, with impressive stats from his final year at Alabama, shows promise as a successor on the edge. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein highlighted Braswell’s strong final season and potential, despite some technical flaws.
