Mike Edwards took off his baseball cap in the halls of the AdventHealth Training Center on Monday to reveal his close-cropped, un-dyed hair, a departure from the blond accents he favored during his first stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That's a change, as is the fact that he left the Buccaneers in 2023 with one Super Bowl championship ring and returned with two. Edwards is two years older now, and well-traveled in the NFL after stops with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans.
What hasn't changed, Edwards believes and the Buccaneers certainly hope after claiming him off waivers from Tennessee last week, is his nose for the football.
Tampa Bay drafted Edwards out of Kentucky in the third round in 2019. He started seven games as a rookie and was on the field for about half of the team's defensive snaps, but his role was significantly reduced in 2020 when the Bucs' drafted Antoine Winfield Jr. and put him right into the starting lineup. Edwards saw his playing time climb over the next two seasons, but he wasn't a regular starter until Jordan Whitehead left for the New York Jets in 2022.
Put it all together, and from 2020-22 Edwards was on the field for 1,533 defensive snaps, ranking sixth in that category among all Buccaneer defensive backs. During that same span, Edwards was first among all Tampa Bay defenders with seven interceptions. There's a reason he was known as a ball hawk during his first go-around with the Buccaneers, and that's a tendency that goes back well beyond his NFL days. He had 10 interceptions at Kentucky, for instance.
"Yeah, since I was a kid I always just try to find the ball – always love the ball – so I feel like I had a knack for just being around the ball," said Edwards. "That was my thing and I carried my way all the way to the league. I feel like ever since my rookie year, I've been trying to find the ball and that kind of stuck with the name 'the ball hawk.' Try to find the ball and go get the ball – that's my main thing. More than that, just try to bring whatever it may be to the defense, whether it be tackling, or blitzing but I'm kind of known for going to get the ball so that's what I try to harp on."
View photos of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' players participating in the student mentorship program with Middleton High School and King High School on Monday, November 18th, 2024.
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Punter Trenton Gill #16, Outside Linebacker Jose Ramirez #33, Offensive Lineman Lorenz Metz #71, Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #95, Tackle Raiqwon O'Neal #75, Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 and Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers work with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Punter Trenton Gill #16 and Outside Linebacker Jose Ramirez #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers work with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Punter Trenton Gill #16 and Outside Linebacker Jose Ramirez #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers work with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Tackle Raiqwon O'Neal #75 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Offensive Lineman Lorenz Metz #71 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Punter Trenton Gill #16 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Jose Ramirez #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Offensive Lineman Lorenz Metz #71 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Tackle Raiqwon O'Neal #75 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Punter Trenton Gill #16 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Jose Ramirez #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Jose Ramirez #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Punter Trenton Gill #16 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Punter Trenton Gill #16, Outside Linebacker Jose Ramirez #33, Offensive Lineman Lorenz Metz #71, Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #95, Tackle Raiqwon O'Neal #75, Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 and Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers work with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors participate in The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Guest speakers talk to students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Guest speakers talk to students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Guest speakers talk to students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Guest speakers talk to students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Guest speakers talk to students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Guest speakers talk to students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Guest speakers talk to students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Guest speakers talk to students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - University of South Florida activation for students from Middleton High School and King High School and their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Army activation for students from Middleton High School and King High School and their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Hillsborough Community College activation for students from Middleton High School and King High School and their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Hillsborough Community College activation for students from Middleton High School and King High School and their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works with students from Middleton High School and King High School along with their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Navy activation for students from Middleton High School and King High School and their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Navy activation for students from Middleton High School and King High School and their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Marines activation for students from Middleton High School and King High School and their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Army activation for students from Middleton High School and King High School and their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Hillsborough Community College activation for students from Middleton High School and King High School and their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 18, 2024 - Navy activation for students from Middleton High School and King High School and their Buccaneers staff mentors during The Buccaneers Player-Student Mentoring Program at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Edwards won his first Super Bowl ring with the Buccaneers at the end of his sophomore season. In 2023, he left for the Chiefs – coincidentally the team Tampa Bay beat in Super Bowl LV – and was rewarded with another championship season, as Kansas City defeated San Francisco in Super Bowl LVIII. His contract with the Chiefs was for just one year, so he moved on this past offseason in free agency again, landing with the Bills. He didn't find much playing time in Buffalo and was eventually released in early November. Edwards signed with the Titans a day later but was waived after just one week in Tennessee.
The Buccaneers put in a waiver claim on their former ball hawking safety, and brought him back to his original NFL home. They had done a similar thing in the offseason by re-signing Whitehead after his two seasons with the Jets – Jamel Dean said on Monday that they were slowly bringing the Super Bowl secondary band back together.
It's not immediately clear what role the Buccaneers envision for Edwards in their secondary this time around. Winfield and Whitehead appear entrenched as starters but young safeties Tykee Smith and Christian Izien are being used more as slot corners. Tavierre Thomas is listed as a cornerback on the Bucs' roster but is on the depth chart as a safety and has essentially been a special teams ace so far. Second-year safety Kaevon Merriweather was waived on Monday to create a spot for cornerback Troy Hill's promotion to the active roster. Utilizing Edwards in some capacity as a centerfielder, where he has excelled, could allow the Bucs to get more creative with Winfield and Whitehead around the line of scrimmage. It may take some time for the coaching staff to figure out exactly how Edwards can help out.
"Hopefully I can bring a spark or whatever it may need, bring any type of help that I can bring to this team," said Edwards. "I mean, not just defense, but the whole team and yeah, they had struggles but they also had some great parts of the season. It might be a play away from winning any one of those games. I've been keeping up with them from afar, watching some games, stuff like that, so I mean [they're] still a good team. The record might not show, but still a good team, [they] have players all over on both sides of the ball and [we] have to get a good playoff push and take it week by week.
"But I mean, just from what I've seen from afar and coming in and viewing, it's a good team. [They] have a lot of guys, very good teammates and very good people that I can see in the locker room so happy to be a part of that and hopefully I can help in any way possible."
The Buccaneers' secondary has indeed had some shaky moments in 2024, significantly exacerbated by a few key injuries, and the team currently ranks 30th in the league in passing yards allowed per game. The return of Jamel Dean could help significantly, and the Bucs still expect some more splash plays out of the Winfield-Whitehead duo. Whether or not it can get back to the heights of the team's postseason run back in 2020 remains to be seen, but it least one of its best ball magnets from that era is now back in the mix.
