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The Bucs are trying to fix their offensive tackle problems fast on Thursday evening. They have signed veteran offensive lineman Michael Jordan, per Oliver Thomas of Forbes Sports and second year tackle Tyler McLellan, per JC Allen of Bucs GameDay. Allen also reported that the Bucs waived tackle Silas Dzansi, who has been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
It’s been a whirlwind of a beginning to training camp for the Bucs when it comes to the offensive tackle position. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs getting surgery and Charlie Heck coming in to start in replacement of him was just the beginning. Tampa Bay also saw Garret Greenfield retire on Thursday morning before practice began.
The team had worked out veteran tackles George Fant on Tuesday and Chris Hubbard on Wednesday of this week and after some time for consideration, decided to go in another direction with Jordan and McLellan.
History Of New Bucs Jordan And McLellan
Signing more than one offensive lineman and tackle was desperately needed for this group. Jordan is the most experienced player and capable of coming in to play if something happens to Heck or Luke Goedeke while Wirfs is still out. McLellan at least has a year of experience on an NFL team.
What’ll be interesting with Jordan is that he’s played guard his entire NFL career having taken no snaps at either tackle position. It appears the Bucs will give him his firs shot at a new position moving him outside.
Bucs OT Michael Jordan – Photo by: USA Today
Jordan played college football at Ohio State at the guard position and was draffted in the fourth round in 2019 by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played two seasons with the Bengals followed by two with the Panthers. In 2023 he spent the year on the Packers practice squad then started 11 games for the Patriots in 2024 last season.
He was released in December and then signed back to the Packers practice squad. During his career Jordan has started 40 times and played in 67 games.
McLellan is a quintessential Jason Licht small-school offensive lineman type having played his college football at Campbell, an FCS School. He signed with the Chargers as undrafted free agent and unfortunately was put on season ending injured reserve in August of last season after getting carted off in a preseason game against the Cowboys with an undisclsoed leg injury.
He was able to be ready for Chargers OTAs and mini-camp in 2025 of this season, but was released by the team in June. McLellan becomes another young prospect that the Bucs hope that offensive line coach Kevin Carberry can develop into a substantial player.
Bucs OT Tyler McLellan – Photo by: USA Today
Bucs OT Outlook
The rest of Tampa Bay’s available offensive tackles before they signed Jordan and McLellan either just aren’t NFL ready yet or are a major risk to put in a game and protect for Baker Mayfield. This group has Heck, Ben Chukwuma, Luke Haggard, Lorenz Metz and Raiqwon O’Neal.
Bucs OL Elijah Klein and RT Luke Goedeke – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R
The Bucs have even moved Elijah Klein over to offensive tackle even with his abilities better suited for the interior of the line. Klein did this last preseason playing tackle in a game against the Jaguars and jumped back to the position during Thursday’s practice with the Bucs in need of a player at the position.
The hope is that the Bucs don’t have to go to their backups this season, but they’re better prepared after this addition to the roster.