The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have remained busy despite this week marking the first week of Phase One of offseason programming.
Earlier in the week, veteran Defensive Lineman William Gholston was re-signed for the 2024 season, which will mark his twelfth season playing in Tampa. Gholston’s snap count has dwindled over the past two seasons yet the front office saw the value in retaining Gholston as a leader in the locker room that has had a youth movement as of late. As the defense gets younger, Gholston who is a consulate pro is an ideal older player to have around to mentor incoming young players.
The Bucs have re-signed DL Will Gholston for the third offseason in a row. He is headed into his 12th season and has already played more games than any other defensive lineman in franchise history. https://t.co/NQ7sjcxCwj
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) April 15, 2024
William Gholston was drafted by the Bucs in the 2013 draft as a fourth round pick and has played more games as a defensive lineman than any player in Buccaneers history. In eleven seasons, Gholston has amassed 420 tackles, 58 tackles for loss, 77 Quarterback hits,19.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Despite only playing 244 snaps last season, Gholston managed to record his first ever interception in 2023, from Josh Allen of all people. Quite a feather under the cap.
Additionally, the Bucs made an International signing yesterday, albeit on the other side of the ball. Germany native offensive lineman Lorenz Metz was signed to a one year deal to bolster the trenches after coming close to the NFL just a season ago. He earned praise from coaches and the ACC alike while playing college football at Cincinnati, and was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent last year but was cut before training camp was over.
The interesting thing about Metz is that he didn’t start playing American football until he was 18 years old, which is highly irregular for a professional athlete in any sport, let alone in the NFL. The Bucs’ front office apparently saw enough on his college tape to bring him in and kick the tires on his still young career while roster finalizations are being made this off-season.
We've signed offensive lineman Lorenz Metz. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/v2GSgM1PVE
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 15, 2024
That’s all for new signings. Thanks for reading and getting your Buccaneers’ news here at Sports Club Florida. Make sure to check out our other great contributors for more news on your other favorite Florida teams!
