Former  Jets CB Bryce Hall joining Buccaneers on 1-year contract, AP source says

Tampa, Florida (AP) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and free agent cornerback Bryce Hall have reached an agreement on a one-year contract, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday.

Because the contract with the fifth-year pro had not yet been formalized, the person talked to the AP under the condition of anonymity.

Hall, 26, played his first four seasons with the New York Jets, where he was taken in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Of his 39 appearances, Hall started 26 of them.

Just one day after completing a $9 million, two-year contract with former Jets safety Jordan Whitehead, the Bucs grabbed him.

Hall gives depth to a secondary that will look different with his two career interceptions.

Next season, Whitehead will play safety alongside All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr., while third-year cornerback Zyon McCollum will cover the void left by the trade of Carlton Davis to the Detroit Lions.

Whitehead spent the last two seasons with the Jets after playing for Tampa Bay for four seasons. Of the nine games that Hall played for New York last season, Hall started two.

After acquiring a player from the New York Jets’ secondary to open free agency, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have now added another member of that group.

Two days after returning safety Jordan Whitehead from New York, the Buccaneers and fifth-year cornerback Bryce Hall, one of his former colleagues, reached a one-year agreement on Friday. After being selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Virginia, Hall spent his first four seasons as a member of the Jets.

Hall (6-1, 202) spent his time with the Jets appearing in 39 games, 26 of which he started. He participated in nine games last season, starting two of them, and finished with five passes defensed and one interception. He also brought back a fumble for 39 yards after recovering it.

for a touchdown in the last minute of the Week Five victory over the Denver Broncos, 31-21.

Hall was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list for the majority of his rookie campaign, but he did start seven of the eight games he did participate in, totaling 36 tackles, an interception, and six passes defensed. When he started all 17 games at left cornerback for the Jets in 2021, he received the most work. With 79 tackles, he tied for sixth in the NFL in the pass defensed category and set career highs. He also added two quarterback hits, four tackles for loss, and a half-sack.

After dealing six-year starter Carlton Davis to the Detroit Lions on, the Bucs needed depth at cornerback.

Wednesday. Hall, who also has experience playing in the slot, may face competition from third-year player Zyon McCollum for the starting position opposite Jamel Dean.

Since free agency opened, the Buccaneers have added three players from other teams, all of whom are surprisingly members of the two Meadowlands teams. Hall is the third player from a different team. The Bucs signed versatile offensive lineman Ben Bredeson on Friday after dipping into the Giants’ roster to acquire Whitehead and Hall from the Jets.