When Baker Mayfield joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after having somewhat lost a grip on the narrative of his NFL career, he found something he desperately needed: A welcoming environment. “They all just told me to be myself,” Mayfield said. “It’s felt like home from the beginning.” But not every player has felt that same warmth. Just ask Desmond Watson.

The former Florida Gators defensive tackle joined the 2025 Buccaneers training camp surrounded by hope, hype, and heavy scrutiny. However, unlike Mayfield, it looks like Watson might be struggling to fit into Bowles’ system. Is the team applying pressure too early? Or are they simply asking a rookie to meet basic NFL standards? There were several questions raised about Watson as the team’s training camp kicked off. 

After Watson joined the team at 6-foot-5 and 450 pounds, he instantly became the league’s heaviest player. His signing, worth nearly $3 million, made waves, and many Gators fans were excited to see the big man stay in-state. But reality hit hard once training camp began.

On July 27, 95.3 WDAE & AM620‘s official X page shared a video that left the community divided. While several Bucs players were seen in full gear on the field, the 22-year-old was seen pacing on the sidelines. “Desmond Watson still not in pads at training camp as the Buccaneers continue to try and get him in better shape,” the caption read, clarifying what was going on. Notably (read: unfortunately), Watson was placed on a non-football injury list due to his weight.

Reacting to the same, head coach Tedd Bowles said last week, “It’s just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player and getting him on the field a little more. That’s kind of where I’m at right now. He’s working at it and we’re working with him and that’s all you can ask right now,” before adding, “I don’t have a timetable on what we can get him down to or when that comes.” Watson weighed 464 pounds on pro day—20% more than the listed weight for last year’s heaviest player in the league, Baltimore Ravens’ Daniel Faalele at 380 pounds—and then lost 25 to 30 pounds before the draft. But the road, as we can guess, is a long one. Watson realizes that, too. But he’s ready.

In late April, the player noted as per FOX Sports, “It’s definitely hard. People have taught me to look at it like another addiction. It’s not drugs, but it’s addicting, whether that’s gaming, dr-gs, al–hol. I think this is my vice. I’m just trying to get a hold of it. Just like dr-gs can kill you, this can do the same thing. I’m trying to change my life.”

“I think it’s more of a mental thing, training to eat better, to make better habits for myself to sustain life and football. It’s opened my eyes to see I can satisfy myself with better things, to not have a negative effect on me,” he further said. That self-awareness impressed fans, but the weight has remained a concern throughout.

But with the preseason fast approaching, his patience is being tested, and the Bucs’ nation wasn’t really happy about it.

Fans react to Desmond Watson not gearing up at Buccaneers camp

One social media user pointed out, “Here’s my thing, if you want him to lose weight, why are you not having him practice? I mean it’s common sense right? The best way to lose the weight is by working out and practicing… Makes no sense.” And then there was another fan who questioned the team pointedly, “Why do you draft a 400 pound guy if you know he’s too out of shape for your liking?”

Some also decided to extend some advice to the head coach Bowles, “Don’t draft him if you think he’s outta shape he’s an old school nose guard/DT for a 3-4 defensive scheme he can take on multiple blockers which can allow your linebackers freedom to make the tackle… put him on the field against starters and he will shine but he’s not a 4-3 DT.”

One fan questioned the timeline: “So what’s he been doing since being drafted? That’s plenty of time to get in a least camp shape.” Another fan wrote, “Feel kind of bad for him. Almost like he’s getting shamed in front of his peers.” And honestly, isn’t that a valid concern? Putting a rookie under the microscope while he battles physical and emotional struggles can easily backfire.

“Dude went D1 at that weight played well, ran a 5.8 in the 40 at that weight. Running around a field isn’t getting into football shape, they signed him UDFA at that weight so they knew what they were getting into. Let the kid suit up and get some actual work in,” read another response. Another fan didn’t mince words: “When they signed this kid after the draft I bet the team gave him a diet plan and workout routine to start immediately. The fact that he not only didn’t lose a pound but probably gained a few is not a good start to his career. 450 is not functional.” That comment sparked even more debate: Should the team have taken a more structured approach in helping Watson transition to NFL expectations? Clearly, they should have, considering his track record. 

Watson’s college career was unique. He recorded 63 tackles, four TFLs, and one forced fumble, and even had a surprising cameo as a running back in Florida’s Gasparilla Bowl 33-8 win over Tulane. 

One fan captured the mix of hope and frustration in Desmond Watson’s situation, writing: “It saddens me. It really does. I get that he’s over weight. They drafted him and thinks he has potential. He wanna stay on that roster he better get it together.” Clearly, the support is still there, but so are the doubts. Despite all the questions, one thing remains true: If Watson can get himself to the target weight, plenty of folks will be rooting for him. But for now, the pressure is on, and his battle will only be uphill.