Overview
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived Jack Pyburn as part of their final 53-man cuts on Sunday, Aug. 30, which started the roughly 24-hour NFL waiver period that will decide if he stays in the league or becomes a free agent.
- A Louisiana judge issued a temporary restraining order covering Pyburn and more than 30 Class of 2022 players that allows them to regain a fifth season only if they formally terminate any professional contracts and repay earnings.
- If another NFL club claims Pyburn on waivers that team would inherit his contract and he would remain a pro, but if he clears waivers he must forfeit his current deal to seek reinstatement to college and would be barred from signing with an NFL team during the 2026 season.
- LSU coach Lane Kiffin’s staff has been tracking newly eligible players and already added other plaintiffs, and the program faces a tight window before roster and transfer-portal deadlines and LSU’s Sept. 5 opener.
- The decision forces players to weigh immediate guaranteed NFL money, legal and conference-compliance risks from Power Four rules that seek to bar returning pros, and the potential competitive and NIL upside of another college season.