The Tampa Bay Buccaneers attempted to improve their defense on Thursday with the signing of outside linebacker/defensive end Randy Gregory of Jacksonville, Florida. The terms of the deal were for one year and $3 million according to spotrac.com.
Gregory is joining his fourth National Football League franchise. He previously spent five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Gregory was with them in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021. Gregory also played for the Denver Broncos in 2022 and 2023, and with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023.
Last season with the Broncos and 49ers, Gregory had 20 combined tackles (14 solo tackles and six assisted tackles), six tackles for a loss, 10 quarterback hits, one pass deflection and three and a half sacks.
There was speculation last season that the Broncos were all set to cut Gregory. However, instead the Broncos traded him on October 6 to San Francisco with their seventh round draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft for a sixth round draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
In signing Gregory, there is always a risk. That is because he has a history of substance abuse. Gregory was suspended for the majority of the 2016 season, and the entire 2017 and 2019 seasons for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, failing a drug test and missing a scheduled drug test.
There was also controversy surrounding Gregory in contract negotiations in 2022. It was initially reported that Gregory signed a five-year contract extension with the Cowboys. However, as part of the contract the Cowboys were able to claim any bonuses if he was further suspended or fined. This was a term that Gregory disagreed with, and he subsequently signed with the Broncos.
