Buccaneers celebrate huge win by trading for Jets DT Steve McLendon

The Buccaneers are shoring up their defensive line by trading for veteran Jets nose tackle Steve McLendon.

What’s the best way to celebrate after your biggest victory of the season? Go out and add a key piece to your defense.

On Sunday, the Buccaneers and Jets agreed to a trade sending veteran nose tackle Steve McLendon from New York to Tampa Bay, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times and several others.

Details as to what the Jets will get back in return have yet to emerge, but with an 0-6 record, it’s safe to say a draft pick could be in play.

The Buccaneers will fill the hole left by Vita Vea with Steve McLendon

McClendon is an 11-year pro who spend the first six years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He signed with the Jets in 2016 and has started 59 of 65 games for them since.

Tampa Bay was in the market for a big body in the defensive trenches because of a season-ending injury to Vita Vea. The 12th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft had established himself as one of the better nose tackles in the league before breaking his ankle against the Bears in Week 5.

McLendon will be reunited with Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, who was the head coach in New York from 2015 to 2018.

He’ll be joining a defense that is coming off a dominant performance against the Packers. They held Aaron Rodgers and company to 10 points while generating four sacks and two interceptions. McLendon’s veteran leadership and presence should only help them keep that momentum.

The timing of the trade could be fortunate for McLendon. Aside from leaving a franchise in disarray for a playoff contender, he’s already in the state of Florida. The Jets were trounced by the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. It’s a short trip to Tampa Bay.