The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have decided to part ways with Randy Gregory, marking yet another chapter in the player's tumultuous NFL career.
A Brief Stint with Buccaneers
Initially signed to a one-year, $3 million free-agent contract in April, Gregory's tenure with the Buccaneers was short-lived. The defensive end never formally joined the team in practice, skipping out on the mandatory minicamp in June and missing the first 24 days of training camp. The team's patience wore thin, ultimately leading to the decision to release Gregory on Sunday.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles commented on the matter, succinctly stating, "No, I never found out. I wish him the best. We'll move on from there. You can't miss what you never had."
An Unsteady Career Path
Drafted as a second-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys, Gregory's career has been marred by various challenges and controversies. At 31 years old, he finds himself yet again without a team, following a short and unfruitful spell in Tampa Bay. Prior to this, Gregory was released by the Denver Broncos halfway through a five-year, $70 million contract. His time with the Broncos also saw turmoil, including a lawsuit against both the team and the NFL and a significant $500,000 fine for testing positive for THC last year.
Health Struggles
The context for some of Gregory's challenges includes his diagnosis and subsequent prescription for THC to manage social anxiety disorder and PTSD. These health issues have undoubtedly impacted his availability and performance on the field, complicating an already unstable career. Gregory’s mental health struggles are no small matter in the high-pressure world of professional football, and while the prescription for THC aimed to provide some relief, it also resulted in punitive measures from the league.
A Future Unknown
Gregory had a brief stint with the San Francisco 49ers toward the latter portion of the 2023 season, but that too failed to provide lasting stability. Now, his future in the NFL remains uncertain. With the release, the Buccaneers decided to free up the roster spot and move forward without a player who consistently failed to report to team activities.
What happens next for Randy Gregory is anyone's guess. While his talent is undeniable, his availability and commitment have been questionable at best. Teams across the league may have to weigh these factors carefully should they consider adding him to their rosters. As for the Buccaneers, they've chosen to move on, echoing Coach Bowles' sentiment, "We'll move on from there. You can't miss what you never had."