Tampa Bay acquired veteran nose tackle Steve McLendon and a…
Tampa Bay acquired veteran nose tackle Steve McLendon and a 2023 seventh-round pick from the Jets for a 2022 sixth-round selection. McLendon immediately joined a Buccaneers defense that finished the 2020 season by winning Super Bowl LV, giving Tampa useful veteran depth during a championship run. New York improved the timing and round of its draft asset, but the title-season contribution gives the Buccaneers the edge.
New York Jets Received
- pick 2022 6th round pick (206th overall subsequently traded, Matt Henningsen)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- player Steve McLendon
- pick 2023 7th round pick (230th overall subsequently traded, Nick Broeker )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Tampa Bay acquired veteran defensive tackle Steve McLendon and a 2023 seventh-round pick from the New York Jets in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round selection. The deal came during the 2020 season, when the Buccaneers were building toward a playoff run and the Jets were moving an older veteran from a rebuilding roster. The clubs were pursuing very different timelines.
Why the Value Separated
McLendon did not need star-level statistics to justify Tampa Bay's move. He provided experienced interior depth for a defense that surged through the postseason and won Super Bowl LV. The Buccaneers paid only a small move in future draft value to add a trusted veteran for meaningful games. New York, meanwhile, improved from a distant seventh to a sixth and opened snaps for younger players, a sensible return for a player who did not fit its competitive window.
How the Deal Aged
This is one of the rare trades where context matters almost as much as raw production. The Jets' side was efficient asset management and deserves a respectable grade. Tampa Bay's side delivered precisely what a contender seeks from a midseason depth trade: a reliable veteran who could step into the rotation without a costly acquisition price. The championship does not mean McLendon caused the title, but his useful presence on that roster increased the value of the move.
Final Verdict
Tampa Bay wins narrowly, B+ to New York's B-. The Jets made a smart rebuilding transaction and improved their future draft position. The Buccaneers, however, spent little to reinforce a championship defense at the moment the help mattered most. Both teams can like the trade, but Tampa Bay received the more valuable football outcome.