Rueben Bain Jr. signs $23.75 million contract while repping Warren Sapp

Rueben Bain stepped out of a bus paying homage to Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Warren Sapp. All after the prized NFL Draft pick signed a blockbuster $23.75 million deal Thursday.

Bain fell all the way to No. 15 in a gift selection for head coach Todd Bowles and company. Now he’s agreed to his four-year rookie contract, which he signed while wearing Sapp’s jersey.

Buccaneers first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. signed his four-year, fully-guaranteed rookie deal worth about $23.75 million. pic.twitter.com/gwBnGq5FRI

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 7, 2026

The NFL legend Sapp and Bain both share a Miami (FL) football connection. Sapp emerged as a revered star for the Hurricanes before becoming his own first round selection. Bain emerged as the latest dominating trench standout at Coral Gables. 

Nicknamed “Hurricane Bain,” the edge rusher piled 20.5 career sacks including 9.5 during his final season. He also picked off one pass and tallied 15.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Bain’s relentless motor and energy helped spark Miami’s return to the National Championship Game despite falling to Indiana.

Sapp himself sent a text message to Bain congratulating the draft pick on becoming a Buccaneer. Tampa will aim to recreate new defensive line dominance with Bain on board.

Sapp formed a feared front four during his late 1990s/early 2000s run with the franchise. Tampa clinched five postseason spots with Sapp on the defense, including winning Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders.

The Bucs dominated the NFC South before the 2025 season, winning four consecutive titles for the first time in franchise history. Last year’s team fell short of a fifth, though, as the Carolina Panthers took the crown. Bain arrives to reignite the Bucs in the same fashion Sapp once did.

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