NFL Free Agency Rumors: Buccaneers meeting with Charles Tillman

Sep 8, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) takes the field against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field. Chicago defeats Cincinnati 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

The plan for the Buccaneers — at least in theory — seemed to be pairing Charles Tillman with Darrelle Revis to form one of the more potent secondaries in the NFC. That plan isn’t going to happen, as Tampa Bay has moved on from Revis and he’s no longer an option. But rather than pair Tillman with Revis, it appears the Bucs want to pair Lovie Smith’s former cornerback in Chicago with his new cornernack in Tampa Bay — Alterraun Verner.

Even with #Bucs signing of CB Alterraun Verner yesterday, I am told #Bears CB Charles Tillman still very much in play in Tampa.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 12, 2014

Tillman still being an option, and his meeting with the Buccaneers on Wednesday, seems to further confirm that he’ll be once again playing for Lovie Smith in 2014.

There’s nothing to guarantee that, as he’s likely to draw interested elsewhere as well, but the Buccaneers have leverage with Smith being their head coach, and that may be the deciding factor when it comes to where Tillman plays in 2014.

Home/Chicago Bears