The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reached an agreement with defenseman Randy Gregory and are prepared to release him next week, according to multiple reports.
The Bucs placed Gregory on the reserve/non-reporting list on July 23, the very day veteran players were scheduled to report for training camp.
Gregory, 31, was notably absent for the team’s two preseason games this month, and he voluntarily missed both preseason workouts and the mandatory three-day minicamp, the latter being an unexcused absence. As a consequence, he was reportedly fined more than $1 million.
Coach Todd Bowles commented on Gregory’s absence, stating, “You can’t miss what you didn’t have,” clearly expressing frustration and bewilderment over the situation.
The Buccaneers signed Gregory as a free agent on April 3, with a one-year contract valued at $3 million and an additional $2 million potentially available through incentives.
In a dramatic turn earlier this year, Gregory filed a lawsuit in June against the NFL and the Denver Broncos, alleging discrimination in violation of Colorado’s right to accommodations law. The lawsuit claims Gregory has been fined more than $530,000 since March 2023 for using synthetic cannabis, a substance banned by the league. Gregory asserts that THC-containing medications are essential for managing his social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
During his stint last season with the Broncos, Gregory started three of four games, accumulating nine tackles, one sack, and two quarterback hits before being traded on October 6 to the San Francisco 49ers.
Gregory’s impactful presence was felt as he participated in 12 regular-season games and three playoff games, helping the 49ers advance to Super Bowl LVIII, though they fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs. He registered 2.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits during this run.
Over his career, spanning time with the Dallas Cowboys (2015-21), the Denver Broncos (2022-23), and the San Francisco 49ers, Gregory has amassed 117 tackles, 22 sacks, 69 QB hits, 10 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception. His career, however, has been beset by injuries and suspensions, causing him to miss the entire 2017 and 2019 seasons.
The tumultuous journey of Randy Gregory is a vivid reminder of the complexities faced by athletes in the NFL, balancing their immense talents with the myriad challenges on and off the field.
