Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie files lawsuit that would allow him to quit the team and go back to college if he wins
Buccaneers rookie Jack Pyburn is filing a lawsuit that would allow him to go back to college if he wins. It’s an intriguing move after he had a great night against the Jets.
You never know what’s going to happen in the NFL and the case of Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Jack Pyburn’s lawsuit is a perfect example.
Per CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz and AYS Sports, the NCAA has granted the 2022 recruiting class “another year of college eligibility, there are players who’ve signed NFL contracts who are now looking into filing lawsuits that would allow them to return to college and possibly even transfer”.
Therefore, the Buccaneers rookie is taking advantage of the situation and will be one of however many players filing a lawsuit in hopes of a collegiate return. To be specific, a win in the courtroom would grant Pyburn a temporary injunction that gives him the option to return.
At the same time though – why wouldn’t he return if he was granted the option to do so? It’d be waste of time if he decided otherwise.
Honestly, Pyburn’s idea makes sense, but there are some negatives attached
Look, we’ve seen so many UDFAs stack good performances in the preseason just to get cut and bounce around the league until they either a) find a somewhat-consistent career or b) fizzle out.
If Pyburn can go back to college and improve his resume, then why not? He clearly regrets how he utilized his time during those years after speaking with reporters after Monday’s practice. Refining his game, with his current perspective, could take things to a whole new level in terms of his overall stock.
“At the end of the day, my entire college career, I just don’t think I worked hard enough,” said Pyburn. “You know, when I reflect back on it, no matter where I was, whether I was at Florida or LSU, I just did not dedicate my life to it. And simply, this is everything that I’ve ever wanted since I was a kid. You know, my screen saver is me as a little kid playing football, and it says, ‘Do it for him’.
“I look at that every day when I wake up at 4:30-5 in the morning, and you know, that’s what I’m doing now.”
In the grand scheme of things, it’s understandable. Especially when considering Pyburn might not even be EDGE6 on the roster, right now.
At the same time however, it’s odd when considering the fact Pyburn was guaranteed $115k at the time he signed with the Buccaneers and he just had a very good performance against the Jets. His overall contract is a three-year, $3,115,000 deal, but again, he’s currently buried on the depth chart. There’s a chance he gets a solid payday going back to college, but again, it’s an odd move when considering his self-perception.
“When I sat on my couch on the day of draft and I didn’t get drafted, I had to look myself in the mirror and decide who do I want to be, you know?” said Pyburn. “Do I want to say why me, why me, or do I want to say why not me? And in that moment, I chose why not me, and I’ve worked, you know, harder than I’ve ever worked in my life to be where I’m at, and I’m going to continue to work even harder.”
At worst, practice squad players make decent money and it’s likely he’d make the Buccaneers’ 17-man PS roster if he were in fact cut. Sure, that’s not the same as the multi-million contract he signed, but it’s a solid salary. And, he has the chance to refine his game in front of a coaching staff and front office that likes him. He’s not guaranteed that if he returns to college.
Regardless, one would think a return to college would come with a refund for the Buccaneers, but this is clearly unprecedented times we are experiencing. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. But no matter what, hopefully everything works out in the best possible way for Jack Pyburn.
