Ben Bredeson and his younger brother, Max, will be separated by a sideline. But their family is expected to sit together at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
There is only one rule that may split the allegiance: everyone must decide which jersey to wear.
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“That was the one rule we put in,” said Ben, the Bucs’ starting right guard. “No split jersey. You have to pick a side. So we’ll see what everybody wears on Sunday.”
At 28, Ben is five years older than Max, a rookie fullback for the Vikings.
Ben is in his seventh NFL season, having also played for the Ravens and Giants.
Prior to his NFL career, Ben was a two-time captain at Michigan, three-time All-Big Ten selection and 2019 second-team All-American.
He has had a front-row seat to Max’s evolution.
He watched his brother arrive at Michigan as a walk-on, having played quarterback in high school. Max appeared in one game as a freshman in 2021 before moving to tight end and fullback.
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“Everything kind of in the beginning of Max’s football career, not a lot went his way in terms of injuries and things like that,” Ben said. “It’s great to see that things are panning out for him now. He stuck to that. He never messed up and never did anything wrong. It’s good to see it all paying off for him.”
By 2022, Max played 14 games with one start, catching five passes for 78 yards. The next year, he was named the Most Improved Player on Offense. In 2024, he became a Wolverines team captain, starting six games. Last year, he made the move to full-time fullback and won the Lowman Trophy as the nation’s best at his position with third-team All-Big Ten recognition.
“He did everything in college that I wanted to,” Ben said. “You know, the timing works. Max had a phenomenal college career. Like he came in scrawny and left a national champion. Big Ten champion three times. Fullback. … I’m really happy for him.”
The Vikings enter Sunday’s game 2-0 with wins over the Packers (39-22) and Bears (9-3).
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The Bucs are 0-2 after losses to the Bengals (33-27) and the Browns (23-19).
While the Bucs have run the ball well, the pass protection has been leaky. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has been sacked seven times and lost three fumbles.
“It’s early in the year and we’re close. We’re close on a lot of things,” Bredeson said. “We’ve just got to play together and put a complete game together. I don’t think it’s any time to hit the panic button. Nothing like that. I don’t think anyone here is feeling that.”
Even if their teams appear headed in opposite directions, the conversations between Ben and Max have continued this week.
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“I talk to him pretty much every day,” Ben said. “I wouldn’t say any smack talk or anything like that. Who knows if that’s going to shift? But you know, I check in with him every day to see how he’s doing, and we haven’t really talked much about the game in all honesty. It’s more just catching up and seeing how he’s doing out there.”
Max’s timing entering the draft could not have been better. A fifth-round pick of the Vikings, he replaced fullback C.J. Ham, who retired after a 10-year career. Few teams in the NFL utilize a fullback, so Max found the right home.
There’s been no shortage of brothers competing in the NFL. Bucs defensive back Ronde Barber played five games against twin Tiki, a Giants running back. Michael Bennett was a defensive end for Tampa Bay while younger brother Martellus played tight end for the Cowboys and Giants.
Safety John Lynch knocked out his brother-in-law, Bears tight end John Allred, in a game at Chicago‘s Soldier Field in 1997.
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The Bredeson brothers won’t share the field at the same time Sunday, but the family bonds will be tight.
“I don’t know if we’ll get emotional at all,” Ben said. “I think my older brother and my parents might a little bit. But you know, for us it’s still Sunday. We’ve still got to go out there and win. And you know, I love him. I’ll talk to him before the game and after, but you know, we’ve got to go out there and get a win.”
vs. Vikings, 4 Sunday, Raymond James Stadium TV/radio: Fox; 97.9-FM
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