The Tampa Bay Buccaneers recently faced a difficult decision regarding their rookie defensive tackle, Desmond Watson. Weighing in at a staggering 449 pounds, Watson was recognized as the heaviest player in NFL history. However, the team set specific health-related milestones that Watson needed to achieve before he could even participate in practice. Unfortunately, the rookie was unable to meet these goals, prompting the Buccaneers to move on and waive him ahead of the roster cuts.
According to reports from Fox Sports, the Buccaneers decided not to sign Watson to their practice squad after waiving him. Initially, they placed him on the non-football illness list at the start of training camp. This decision was made to give him additional time to meet the weight-loss and conditioning targets set by the team. Rather than placing him on the reserve/non-football injury list, the Buccaneers opted to cut ties with the promising rookie.
Watson's journey to the NFL has been filled with challenges, particularly concerning his weight. At Florida's pro day, he weighed in at an astonishing 464 pounds, which became a significant talking point nationally. Despite not being selected in the draft, the Buccaneers signed him as an undrafted free agent, offering him a three-year contract worth $50,000, including a $20,000 signing bonus.
In an effort to improve his condition, Watson managed to reduce his weight to 449 pounds. However, the Buccaneers felt that he was still not in optimal shape to participate in practice. This led to his placement on the non-football illness list as the team sought to ensure he met the required health milestones. According to Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht, there were specific benchmarks Watson needed to achieve: “We have some milestones we want him to hit before we get him out there,” he stated in an interview with Pro Football Talk.
Head coach Todd Bowles also shared his thoughts on Watson's potential: “We didn’t get him for the Tush Push,” he said. “We got him because we really thought he could play. It’s just a matter of getting up to a point where he can play more than three to three plays a drive.” Despite his size, Bowles believed in Watson’s capabilities but recognized the need for the rookie to improve his conditioning.
While Watson did not participate in any of the Buccaneers’ three preseason games, he is now available for other NFL teams to claim on waivers. If no team picks him up, he will become a free agent. There remains a possibility that another organization could sign him to their practice squad, providing him with an opportunity to continue pursuing his dream of playing in the NFL. Watson has openly acknowledged that managing his weight has always been a struggle, but his journey is far from over.
