The Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed to find a starting left guard in free agency after their two starters from last season departed in free agency. Matt Feiler, who started the first six games in 2023, remains unsigned, while Aaron Stinnie, who started their last 11 regular season and two postseason games, signed with the New York Giants. The Buccaneers, heading into training camp, had two contenders for the starting job.
Unfortunately, one of their contenders suffered a significant injury
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers free-agent signing suffered a season-ending injury
Sua Opeta suffered an ACL tear during their second week of training camp and will miss the entire 2024 season. The Buccaneers signed him in March after spending the first five seasons with the Eagles, starting ten games, including five at LG and five at RG. Opeta, throughout spring practices and their first week and a half of training camp, alternated with the first-team offense in the neck-and-neck competition.
His injury paves the way for their other free-agent acquisition as the front-runner.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers free-agent signing emerged as the front-runner
Ben Bredeson emerged as the favorite to start on the left side of the offensive line. The Buccaneers signed Bredeson in March. He spent the last three seasons with the Giants, starting 25 games, including 13 at LG, four at C, and eight at RG. He has taken over left guard, receiving the majority of first-team reps since then.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announce massive news
Reporters asked Todd Bowles on Wednesday about the starting left guard job and whether it’s settled. Here’s what Bowles had to say about the competition:
“Ben’s our starting guard,” said Bowles.
Who will serve as the backup?
Robert Hainsey will probably serve as the backup guard and the center for the 2024 season. Hainsey, who started 34 games in their last two seasons at center, competed with rookie Graham Barton for the starting center job this offseason. Unfortunately for him, Barton won the starting job.
Another player in the mix for the backup job is rookie sixth-rounder Elijah Klein. Klein has received reps during the preseason at left guard, right guard, and right tackle. He played college football for the UTEP Miners, starting 55 games, predominately at right guard.
