A legal battle over college eligibility could see Tampa Bay’s rookie linebacker return to the NCAA, where lucrative NIL deals dwarf the deals of many NFL rookies.
A strange development is brewing that involves the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and undrafted rookie linebacker Jack Pyburn.
Pyburn and 15 others were granted a temporary restraining order that grants them an extra year of college eligibility. These would-be NFL rookies are now trying to return to college football despite signing contracts with NFL teams.
Pyburn and the others filed a lawsuit seeking to return to college football. The 16 players were awarded a temporary restraining order on Wednesday, which is not a final ruling on the lawsuit but allows them to return to the NCAA while the lawsuit is litigated.
The rookie is seeking an extra year of college eligibility due to a torn ACL that ended his 2023 season at the University of Florida after nine appearances. Pyburn would finish his collegiate career at LSU, and a strong 2025 campaign afforded him a chance at an NFL career.
Money Is A Big Factor In Potential College Return
After going undrafted, Pyburn was guaranteed $115,000 by the Bucs as a rookie free agent. Tampa gave him a $15,000 signing bonus and guaranteed $100,000 of his 2026 salary.
While that is a decent amount for an NFL team to give an undrafted rookie free agent, it pales in comparison to the amount of money Pyburn could make if he returned to college.
If Pyburn does return to college football, he would likely be one of the most sought-after defensive players available. He could potentially fetch millions in NIL money from whichever school signed him. One more season of college football could set Pyburn up for life financially, and he could return to the NFL next season.
Greg Auman was quick to point out that if Pyburn does indeed return to college, the Bucs would retain his rights if and when he returns to the NFL.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who recently won his own lawsuit against the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility, is earning upwards of $6 million from the school this season. That $6 million is more than 250 of the 257 players drafted this year will earn during their rookie season.
Needless to say, this isn't your grandfather's NCAA. Or your Father's. Heck, it's not even your big brother's NCAA.
Final Thoughts
The Pyburn saga is a crazy story that is unprecedented for the NFL and NCAA. While players have sued the NCAA for extra eligibility in the past, this lawsuit is the first that involves players who have already signed contracts with NFL teams.
It has been an incredibly busy day for the Bucs. Earlier on Wednesday, the team and star defensive tackle Vita Vea finally agreed on a one-year, $30 million extension that keeps him in Tampa through the 2027 season and also guarantees his $18 million salary for this season.
While one Buc got the contract extension he had been seeking, another is now trying to get out of the contract he just signed with the team.
Pyburn made a statement with two sacks against the New York Jets in Tampa's opening preseason game last Friday. That performance boosted his chances of making the 53-man roster and significantly boosted Pyburn's profile. Now the rookie is looking to delay the start of his NFL career by returning to college.
Stay tuned as this is a story which will have plenty of ramifications for both the NFL and NCAA.
