The NFL Network insider reported Keanu Neal signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Later, the team confirmed the rumor and officially announced the new agreement. Besides, the franchise resigned the backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
Gabbert, the ex-Jacksonville Jaguars first round pick, has spend three years with the Buccaneers after signing in 2019. Now he is joining the quarterback room again alongside Tom Brady and Kyle Trask.
Keanu Neal has spend five seasons at the Atlanta Falcons’ safety and a single year with the Dallas Cowboys. The Buccaneers now need to restore their defensive backfield that severely suffered due to many injuries last season. Keanu will now partner with Logan Ryan and Antoine Winfield Jr. who have been recently signed.
Neal was a first-round pick of the Falcons in 2016 and was a 2017 Pro Bowl selection. The injuries prevented him from playing in more than four games in 2017 and 2018, and he ended his deal with Atlanta in 2020. In 2021 he played 14 games in Dallas, and will now get back to safety with a familiar team.
In 2021, Neal rejoined Quinn in Dallas and transferred to linebacker, where he played in 14 games with five starts and tallied 72 tackles. It wasn’t the greatest fit, though, as evidenced by his 35.9 Pro Football Focus overall grade.
Last updated on 07 Apr 2022 - 15:03
