Buccaneers Part Ways with Rookie Desmond Watson
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have decided to cut ties with rookie Desmond Watson, who weighed in at 449 pounds. There were specific health targets he needed to meet before joining team practices, but it appears he couldn’t achieve them.
Reportedly, the Buccaneers opted to move on from Watson ahead of the roster cuts scheduled for Tuesday. Currently, there’s no intention to add him to their practice squad.
Initially, Watson was placed on the non-football illness list at the beginning of training camp. This was meant to provide him with time to work on weight loss and meet conditioning benchmarks, rather than placing him on the reserve/injury list.
His agent, EJ Gonzalez, mentioned, “He’s still working. His job isn’t finished,” emphasizing Watson’s commitment.
Watson’s weight drew considerable attention after he tipped the scales at 464 pounds during Florida’s Pro Day just a month before the NFL Draft. Although he went undrafted, the Buccaneers signed him as a free agent.
Even after shedding some pounds to reach 449, the team remained concerned about his physical condition and chose not to let him participate in practices.
“We have some milestones that we want him to hit before we take him there,” remarked Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht earlier this month. “He’s doing a solid job getting there.”
Head coach Todd Bowles emphasized that the team believed in Watson’s potential to play at a higher level, noting that they weren’t just looking for short-term contributions.
Watson didn’t see any action in the Buccaneers’ three preseason games, further raising questions about his readiness.
Though the Buccaneers have the option to claim Watson with an exemption, if another team doesn’t sign him from free agency, he would be available for recruitment by other organizations.
Before the draft, Watson openly discussed his struggles with weight management, indicating that it had always been a challenge. “It was my same problem… I’m starting to understand better what it takes to succeed at the next level,” he reflected, suggesting he gained valuable insights through this journey.
