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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing a steep climb this offseason. Multiple notable names are either due to entering free agency or are potentially retiring. On Sunday, starting guard Ali Marpet called it a career and won't be returning to Tampa Bay. For that reason, we go over why the Buccaneers must re-sign Ryan Jensen.
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With Marpet out of the equation, the Buccaneers are already down a left guard. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, their starting center and right guard are set to hit the free-agent market as well. With so many star players potentially leaving, the front office needs to do everything they can to maintain the offensive line.
Re-signing Ryan Jensen would be a huge move for this franchise. He's one of the best centers in the league, which will make him a highly sought-after free agent. The Buccaneers can't afford to go into a bidding war, so look for them to potentially offer Jensen a deal as soon as possible. Keeping him within the organization could keep Tampa Bay competitive next year.
With that said, here are our three reasons why the Buccaneers must re-sign Ryan Jensen after Ali Marpet retired.
Buccaneers Re-Sign Ryan Jensen
3. Allows Buccaneers to retain at least one key piece to the offensive line
Losing Ali Marpet is a tough scene for the Buccaneers. Not only could they potentially lose Ryan Jensen, but Alex Cappa is in line to hit free agency as well. Tampa Bay could potentially find themselves hurting for offensive linemen if they fail to bring back either Jensen or Cappa. Bringing back Jensen makes sense, as he's an efficient center the front office can build around.
That's the exact mindset the Buccaneers should have right now. The roster is going to be littered with holes entering the NFL Draft, so re-signing Ryan Jensen becomes a must. Tampa Bay can use him as a building block as the front office searches for rookie prospects through the draft. This should be a no-brainer decision for this franchise.
2. Ryan Jensen is one of the best centers in the league
The center might be one of the most underappreciated positions in the league. They have to know just as much as the quarterback while blocking ultra-athletic defensive linemen. Ryan Jensen has proven to be one of the best in the league, which is why the Buccaneers should re-sign him.
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Having a centerpiece like Ryan Jensen goes a long way. It allows the front office to focus on other areas of need throughout the remainder of the offseason. Additionally, it makes potentially losing Alex Cappa less of a concern. The Buccaneers' offensive line should remain consistent with Jensen and their two star tackles.
1. Re-signing Ryan Jensen keeps Tampa Bay competitive
Having Jensen lined up as center keeps the Buccaneers competitive. Of course, there will be a drop in production, especially if Tampa Bay fails to re-sign Cappa. Regardless, there's enough talent spread out between the two tackles and the center position to keep this team competitive. It's not an ideal situation, but this is the best bet this franchise has right now.
It'll be interesting to see how Tampa Bay approaches free agency. The front office has to prioritize who they re-sign, as it's impossible for them to retain the full roster a second consecutive year in a row. With Ali Marpet calling it a career, maintaining the offensive line should be at the top of the priority list. If the Buccaneers can at least re-sign Ryan Jensen, the offense should be able to continue playing at a high level.
