Report: NFL Star Blames Teammate For Crushing Playoff Collapse
By 813 Staff
It took until mid-July for this to leak out, and those close to the situation say the delay was deliberate. League sources confirm that backup quarterback Jude Reynolds has signed a one-year, incentive-laden extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a move that was quietly negotiated by the front office over the past three weeks and finalized late Friday night.
Why now? Because the Bucs needed roster flexibility for training camp, and Reynolds’ agents were waiting for the market to settle after the June 1 cap casualties. The timing tells you everything: this isn’t a splashy headline designed to sell jerseys. It’s a depth move that coaches and the personnel department have been quietly angling for since rookie minicamp ended.
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) made the first ripple with a three-word tweet that caught attention across the league: “My second-favorite Jude of all time. Unbelievable performance.” That was enough for front-office sources to confirm the deal to me this morning. The reference is to Reynolds’ showing during the final phase of OTAs, where he reportedly completed 18 of 22 passes in the red-zone drills that coaches use to separate starters from backups.
The specifics: Reynolds, 27, entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has spent the bulk of his career on practice squads. He appeared in two regular-season games last year after an injury to the No. 2, completing eight passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. The new deal includes a base salary just above the veteran minimum with escalators tied to snap count and roster status — standard protection for both sides.
Why it matters: Tampa Bay’s quarterback room was thin behind starter Jessie Culpepper. The front office has been operating with a clear mandate to preserve cap space and avoid long-term commitments at the backup position. Reynolds gives them a signal-caller who knows offensive coordinator Mike Petrulo’s system and has earned trust in the building. If Culpepper misses time, the staff won’t have to simplify the playbook.
What happens next: Reynolds is expected to report to training camp on time and compete for the No. 2 job against third-year veteran Chris Abner. The coaching staff has not committed to a depth chart, but those close to the situation say Reynolds has the inside track thanks to his comfort with the offense. If he holds that spot, he’ll dress every Sunday. If not, the escalators in his contract make him a trade candidate before the September cutdown.
