Buccaneers Non-QB MVP Selected Due to ‘Toughness, Smarts, and Leadership’

Quarterbacks historically dominate MVP races, but if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a second-best candidate, it’s center Ryan Jensen.

Something was missing from the 2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

They had the legendary quarterback in Tom Brady, a receiver in Mike Evans who is 82 percent of the way toward Jerry Rice’s consecutive 1,000-yard season record, and the coaching staff was largely the same as it had been when the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl at the end of the 2020 season. 

What was most different last year compared to the two before it was the offensive line. 

And the most important change was the loss of center Ryan Jensen. 

“If they’re going to be a competitive team this season, it’s going to take a fully operational offensive line to make it work,” said NFL.com’s Eric Edholm when he selected Jensen as the team’s non-QB MVP. “Jensen’s toughness, smarts and leadership all will be put to the test.”

READ MORE: Bucs In Deeper Cap Trouble?

No offense to retired guard Ali Marpet, but Jensen’s loss was much more profound and it didn’t necessarily have to do with any talent gaps between the two, real or perceived.

Market’s retirement came as a shock, for sure, but it came early in the offseason giving the Bucs plenty of time to reel and rally. 

But Jensen was supposed to be on the field for 17 games. Instead, he didn’t make it 17 snaps into the team’s offseason program. 

When Tampa Bay lost its center, it lost its heart, plain and simple. 

No amount of yelling from Brady nor All-Pro caliber play from offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs could stabilize things. 

Opposing defenses suddenly had a smaller hurdle to clear when rushing the quarterback, and the result was a passer who was as immobilized by fear of getting pummeled as he was from a lack of athleticism that predated his NFL days all the way back to when he was benched at the University of Michigan.

READ MORE: Bucs Rookie Getting National Attention

But Jensen is back, and coupled with a younger and more mobile quarterback in Baker Mayfield who brings his own brand of juice, they’re looking to give the Buccaneers what they didn’t have last season: Heart.

Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the season.

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook