Report: Bucs to acquire McLendon from Jets

The New York Jets agreed to trade veteran defensive tackle Steve McLendon to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

New York will acquire a 2022 sixth-round pick from Tampa Bay for McLendon and a seventh-round selection in 2023, according to Stroud.

McLendon, an 11-year pro, boosts the Bucs' interior run defense following the loss of standout nose tackle Vita Vea in Week 5. Tampa Bay's move reunites him with defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, who was the Jets' head coach for McLendon's first three seasons in New York.

The 34-year-old is coming off a productive 2019 season in which he tallied 2.5 sacks, 36 tackles, and a career-high 10 tackles for loss while starting all 16 games for a Jets defense that finished second only to the Bucs for fewest rushing yards allowed.