Bucs Reveal New Players’ Jersey Numbers

Surprisingly, number 68 hasn’t been worn by a Tampa Bay player on the active roster since offensive lineman Joe Hawley from 2015-17. Bredeson wore No. 68 in New York with the Giants.

Opeta’s new number was infamously worn by former starting left tackle Donovan Smith from 2015-22. Smith, who helped win Super Bowl LV with the Bucs in 2020, was released by Tampa Bay after the 2022 season where he signed with the Chiefs and won his second Super Bowl last year. Opeta wore No. 78 in Philadelphia, but of course that number is worn by Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs in Tampa Bay.

Bredeson and Opeta were brought in as depth pieces to compete for the vacant starting left guard role. Tampa Bay is likely to add another interior offensive lineman or two through the draft making this an open competition. Bredeson may also challenge Robert Hainsey for his role at center.

New Numbers For Bucs Defensive Players

SS Jordan Whitehead – No. 3

CB Bryce Hall – No. 21

CB Tavierre Thomas – No. 37

DL Lwal Uguak – No. 75

DL Eric Banks – No. 93

This obvious one that stands out the most is Whitehead at No. 3. In his first run with the Bucs, Whitehead wore number 33 as he played four seasons for Tampa Bay, winning a Super Bowl as the starting strong safety. However, when he signed with the Jets two seasons ago, he wore No. 3. It’s also the same number that Whitehead wore playing at the University of Pittsburgh, so it has a sentimental value to him.

At the beginning of his time with the Bucs, No. 3 was occupied by former quarterback Jameis Winston. Once Tom Brady came in and Winston went to New Orleans, the number was given to kicker Ryan Succop. It had since been worn by wide receiver Russell Gage over the last two years when Whitehead was in New York.

Hall is wearing No. 21 for the first time in his playing career. He had No. 37 on the Jets and wore No. 34 while playing at Virginia. The last Buccaneer to wear No. 21 was running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn. Other notable Bucs that have worn it were defensive backs Justin Evans, Alteraun Verner and Donnie Abraham.

Thomas keeps the same No. 37 that he wore with the Texans. This infamously was donned by current Bucs assistant special teams coach Keith Tandy, a former Tampa Bay safety.

Uguak had the No. 99 while playing in the Canadian Football League. Of course that number is retired, as it was worn by Bucs Ring of Honor and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp.

The No. 93 now that Banks is wearing may be one the most controversial numbers in the organization. It’s two most notable players to occupy the jersey were defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and Ndamukong Suh, who took over for McCoy once the Bucs released him in 2019.

McCoy thrived with the team, making the Pro Bowl six times. But McCoy, a first-round pick in 2010, never made it to the postseason in Tampa Bay in eight seasons with the team.