Bucs Release Vernon Hargreaves Shortly After Bruce Arians Called Him Out for Lack of Effort

Just two days after Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians benched cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, he's sitting him for good.

The Buccaneers have released Hargreaves after four seasons with the team.

In his career, spent entirely with the Buccaneers, Hargreaves only played all 16 games once, which came during his rookie year in 2016. He has played a combined 19 games over the last three seasons, including just one in 2018.

However, the former first-rounder's departure seemed most likely after Arians benched him in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals for lack of effort.

In nine games this season, Hargreaves totaled just one interception and four pass defensed. He has not quite atoned for his pass defense with good run defense, either. He has not recorded one tackle for a loss in the last two seasons. He had three in his rookie year and one in the 2017 season.

The Buccaneers have allowed nearly 300 passing yards per game, the most in football, in addition to 22 passing touchdowns, the third most in the NFL.

Tampa Bay is also allowing a league-worst 31 points per game. However, the pass defense is more to blame considering the Buccaneers have allowed the fewest rushing yards per game.

Someone may pick up the former Florida Gator over the next week or so.