Ex-Eagles Super Bowl Champ Inks Deal with Buccaneers

Rasul Douglas, a key cog in the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LII triumph, is taking his talents to Tampa Bay. The veteran cornerback, who’s been a free-agent hot commodity this offseason, signed a three-year, $35.5 million deal with the Buccaneers on Friday, sources confirmed to ESPN. It’s a major splash for a Tampa secondary desperate for a lockdown presence.

Douglas, 29, brings a championship pedigree and a knack for big plays. During his three years with Philly (2017-2019), he was part of the squad that toppled Tom Brady’s Patriots in Super Bowl LII. Since then, he’s bounced around—Carolina, Green Bay, and most recently Buffalo, where he notched 58 tackles and 5 picks in 2023. Now, the Bucs are banking on his experience to shore up a pass defense that ranked 26th in the league last season.

The move fills a glaring hole for Tampa Bay after losing Carlton Davis III to Detroit in 2024. With Jamel Dean as the lone proven starter, Douglas slots in as a Day 1 CB2, offering versatility in Todd Bowles’ zone-heavy scheme. “He’s a ball hawk who’s been in the fire—perfect for us,” a Bucs source said. That $11.8 million annual average reflects his value as a seasoned vet still in his prime.

For Eagles fans, it’s a bittersweet twist. Douglas’ departure from Philly in 2020 left a void, and now he’ll face his old squad as a rival in the NFC. Tampa’s already got the upper hand in recent matchups—winning 4 of the last 5, including a 33-16 rout in 2024. With Douglas in the fold, the Bucs are doubling down on their Eagles kryptonite.

Next up: a potential Philly-Tampa showdown in 2025. Circle that date—it just got personal.