The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to overhaul their defense in 2025, regardless of the 2024 season’s outcome. One potential addition to help with this transition is veteran Detroit Lions defensive end John Cominsky. Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder suggests that Cominsky could be a cost-effective solution for the Buccaneers, particularly in strengthening their run defense. Cominsky, who signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Lions in March 2023, suffered a season-ending MCL tear during training camp in July 2024, but is expected to be healthy for the 2025 season.
Tampa Bay’s defensive line may need reinforcements as interior linemen Greg Gaines and William Gholston are set to become free agents. This would leave the Buccaneers thin on the defensive interior, while pass rushers Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall, despite their talent, struggle against the run. Cominsky could be an ideal replacement for Gaines and Gholston, offering solid run defense that would complement Kancey and Hall’s pass-rushing abilities.
Cominsky’s medical recovery will need to be assessed before any contract agreement is made, but if healthy, he could be an attractive free agent in 2025. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 285 pounds, Cominsky was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. After three seasons in Atlanta, he joined the Lions in 2022, where he has had the best years of his career, recording 19 starts, 66 tackles, 20 quarterback hits, 7 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks over the last two seasons. His performances helped the Lions reach the NFC Championship Game in 2023.
During his time with Detroit, Cominsky has established himself as a solid defensive player. He earned a career-high 11 starts in 2023 and became an integral part of the Lions’ defense, which performed well enough to make a deep playoff run. His experience and production over the past two years make him a viable option for Tampa Bay, especially considering their defensive needs.
In 2024, the Buccaneers have struggled defensively, ranking 28th in the league in total defense with 380.5 yards allowed per game. However, their run defense has remained relatively strong, ranking 11th in the NFL with 115.2 yards allowed per game. This success has been largely due to the play of interior linemen like Vita Vea and Kancey, but there is still room for improvement across the defense.
If Cominsky recovers from his injury and becomes available, he could be an affordable option for the Buccaneers, potentially signing a one-year, $2 million contract. With just $24.5 million in projected salary cap space for 2025, the Buccaneers could use this cost-effective move to bolster their defense while also focusing their free agency efforts on acquiring a top cornerback—a pressing need for the team.
This strategy would allow the Buccaneers to address their most urgent defensive concerns, with a potential draft focus on improving their defensive line. The Buccaneers’ failure to develop young pass rushers like Logan Hall and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka has hindered their pass-rushing efforts, and their lack of depth in the secondary has become a growing issue. With these challenges in mind, the Buccaneers are expected to prioritize defensive players in the 2025 NFL Draft.
