Jack Pyburn, the former LSU linebacker, just got cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of the 2026 NFL season. But get this: that move might actually be a *win* for his wallet, thanks to a Louisiana judge stepping in! This whole situation is wild because Pyburn could be looking at a serious payday if he heads back to college.
The Money on the Table: NFL vs. NCAA NIL
Let’s talk numbers because this is where it gets crazy. Pyburn signed with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent, and if he made their squad, he’d pull in an $885,000 base salary for 2026. His entire three-year deal was worth $3.1 million. That’s good money, no doubt, especially for an undrafted guy trying to make it in the league. But here’s the kicker: with this new judge’s order, Pyburn could potentially return to college. And according to two NIL agents, his value in the college market could be “in the $1 million range” for just *one* more year. That’s right, $1 million for a single season! He said it himself, “I’m kind of caught in the middle of a whirlwind, and I’m just trying to play football.” Who could blame him when these kinds of figures are flying around?
Lane Kiffin’s Playbook and Pyburn’s College Prowess
The judge’s ruling is a game-changer because it means coaches could potentially add new players to their rosters with less than two weeks before the regular season kicks off. And who’s already showing interest? None other than LSU’s Lane Kiffin, a coach who’s been a major player in building his teams through the transfer portal. When reporters asked Kiffin about making late changes to his roster, he played it cool. “There’s a lot into that,” he told them. “The questions that come to that. So, it’s a fair question but I’m not going to comment on any of it. It’s too many directions of questions that it could go to.” But you know Kiffin is keeping his options open for a talent like Pyburn. Pyburn made 41 appearances in college over four seasons, playing three with Florida before heading to Baton Rouge. Last year with the Tigers, he racked up two sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss, showing he can still bring it.
This whole situation puts Pyburn in a wild spot. Making the Buccaneers’ 53-man roster would probably be the best thing for his long-term football career, giving him the chance to practice against pros and get meaningful snaps. But man, it’s tough to ignore that potential $1 million college payday. He’s got a nice fallback now, which is huge, but the choice between NFL development and a massive NIL check is real. What does he do next? The clock is ticking!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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