AUGUST 18: As Greg Auman of Fox Sports observes, the Bucs still need to reach a resolution on the fines that Gregory has accrued as a result of his absence. Auman notes that Gregory has racked up at least $902K in non-waivable fines — $50K per day for each day of missed training camp plus $102K for missing minicamp — and another ~$150K for missing Tampa Bay’s two preseason contests.
AUGUST 17: Randy Gregory remained absent from the Buccaneers during training camp, and his time with the team will now come to an end. The veteran defensive end has reached an agreement with the Bucs and will be released, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Gregory’s absence has been shrouded in mystery, but Stroud’s report suggests an injury settlement has been reached. Such arrangements are commonplace during this time of year, as they allow for players to be let go while rehabbing ailments before being positioned to sign with a new team. Gregory will be a free agent once his release is official, though he will no doubt have a tepid market.
The 31-year-old had been on the reserve/did not report list since late July after also missing mandatory minicamp. The reason for doing to was unclear, but Gregory filed a suit against the Broncos and the NFL for being prevented from using a prescription medication containing THC earlier this offseason. Updates on his situation since then have been sparse.
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said in the lead-in to training camp he had not been in communication with Gregory, who signed in April. The former Cowboy turned down a Dallas offer in 2022 and took one with identical terms to join the Broncos. His tenure in the Mile High City did not go according to plan, however, and after only 10 Broncos games he was traded to the 49ers in October.
Gregory posted 2.5 sacks in San Francisco, but his overall production while playing on a five-year, $69.5MM pact was underwhelming to say the least. He took a $3MM deal to head to Tampa Bay and serve a depth role in the team’s pass rush. Shaquil Barrett departed in free agency (and has since retired), creating a vacancy along the edge for the Bucs. After Gregory was absent from minicamp and training camp – accruing fines along the way – however, it seemed as though he would be released before the start of the season.
With that decision now having been made, the former second-rounder will (presumably) attempt to land with a team ahead of Week 1. Clarity on his situation over the past several months will no doubt be needed for any suitor to add him, though, so Gregory may spend an extended stretch on the free agent market for the second time in 2024.
