Keanu Neal returns to safety position as he signs with NFC rival

According to NFL’s Ian Rapoport and several other sources, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed unrestricted free agent Keanu Neal. The Dallas Cowboys signed Neal to a one-year contract ahead of the 2021 season. Despite playing the first five years of his career as a safety with the Atlanta Falcons, the six-year veteran converted to playing linebacker in Dan Quinn’s defensive scheme when he got to Dallas.

Now, the 26-year-old is switching positions and switching back to his original division. Neal heads back to his home state to join the Bucs. The converted safety was a first-round pick out of the University of Florida and became very familiar with Tampa Bay in his first five seasons in the NFC South. The now Buccaneer was an immediate starter for the Falcons out of college. His success as safety was clear given he started his career with back-to-back 100+ tackle seasons and earned himself a Pro Bowl nod in 2017.

Sadly, injuries plagued his final two years in Atlanta leaving him available for the Cowboys to pick up ahead of 2021. Just a few weeks ago, many speculated that Neal would be leaving the Cowboys in free agency given that he posted on social media that he would be switching back to safety for 2022. The change makes a lot of sense. Neal didn’t quite gel as a linebacker. In 14 games, he had just 72 tackles and earned a dismal 35.9 grade from Pro Football Focus. It was his first full season since 2017 when he didn’t reach at least 100 tackles.

Now, the Florida native is moving on from Quinn and heading back to Florida for another chance to play the position he is best at.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Dallas Cowboys unrestricted free agent Keanu Neal as a safety to help add depth to their backfield

The Cowboys clearly didn’t have a need for Neal at safety given they re-signed both Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker this offseason. Plus, his attempt at helping in the linebacker corps clearly didn’t go so well. Truthfully, for once, this situation seems like a win for all parties involved, including Neal.

The former Cowboy now joins a Bucs secondary that has added plenty of depth after struggling massively with injuries last year. Neal will play alongside Super Bowl champion Logan Ryan and 3x Pro Bowler Antoine Winfield Jr. at safety. Those three join Super Bowl champs Jamel Dean, Carlton Davis, and Sean Murphy-Bunting as the cornerback corps. Is anyone else feeling a little bit of jealousy? In all seriousness, we wish Neal the best moving forward.