Tampa Bay Buccaneers waive Desmond Watson over weight concerns

In the United States, on August 25, 2025, Desmond Watson, a defensive tackle known as the heaviest player in NFL history, was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite being a promising player, Watson's weight management issues led to his release. He spent most of training camp on the non-football injury list because he struggled to meet the team's strict weight reduction goals. Initial reports indicated that he needed to shed significant pounds from a frame that neared 470 pounds. This issue ultimately prevented him from participating in practices and games, keeping him off the field. The team had expressed hope that Watson would streamline his physique and contribute significantly during the season. However, despite efforts that included working with a nutritionist, Watson only managed to lose about 25 to 30 pounds before the preseason. His weight continued to hover above the desired threshold, which became a recurring point of contention for the coaching staff. As a result, Watson's promising rookie season ended abruptly as he was unable to overcome these obstacles. At just 22 years old and a former college player at Florida, Watson was expected to transition successfully into a professional environment, yet his struggle with maintaining proper weight sidelined him consistently. The Buccaneers were left with no choice but to officially waive him, a decision that reflects the importance the NFL places on player fitness and conditioning. Watson's agent, EJ Gonzalez, noted that Watson was still motivated to work on his weight issues, indicating a potential for future opportunities. As the news broke, fans and analysts reflected on the implications of Watson's release, questioning whether he could find another team willing to take a chance on him based solely on his size. Given the current dynamics of the NFL and the emphasis on performance, teams might be hesitant to gamble on a player with such significant weight issues. Watson's future in the league now hangs in the balance as he faces the challenge of proving that he can meet the physical expectations required to play at the highest level.