Following the re-signing of Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans, Pro Bowl quarterback Baker Mayfield, and legendary linebacker Lavonte David by Bucs general manager Jason Licht, as well as the team’s surprise signing of Jets strong safety Jordan Whitehead, supporters of the team may be wondering, “What’s next?” for Tampa Bay in free agency.
Licht, though, has a different idea.
Licht appeared to speak with broadcasters Steve Wyche and James Palmer on the NFL Network program The NFL Report. While Evans’ continued prime was a major topic of conversation, Licht also spoke about possible contract extensions for left tackle Tristan Wirfs and safety Antoine Winfield.
Before the deadline, Winfield was franchise-tagged in order to guarantee his Buccaneer status for the upcoming season. The tag is expected to bring in $17.123 million for the All-Pro safety in 2024, but the original intention was to simply keep him in the building until a long-term agreement could be negotiated by the summer.
As Wirfs approaches the fifth year of his rookie deal, he has made a name for himself as perhaps the NFL’s top offensive tackle. Given what Wirfs represents to the team, there is no way the Bucs will allow him to leave. Although his fifth-year option is worth over $18 million, Tampa Bay is hoping to finalize a long-term agreement by the opening of the 2024 campaign.
Therefore, Tampa Bay’s next goal may not be to bolster the team with a new player but rather to ensure that two key players will be there for the long run.
Licht remarked, “I believe they’re (both) headed toward potentially having a historic career.” “They should stay in Tampa for the duration of their careers, which have already been fantastic but historic. We currently have Antoine as our top priority, followed in no particular order by Tristan, in order to get them permanently imprisoned.
View the entire segment and Licht’s interview on the NFL Report.
Is the Bucs front office able to repeat?
Antoine Winfield Jr. received a fantastic compensation of $17.123 million, but it was only for one season. Because of his excellent play, he should be the best paid safety in the league. Derwin James, a safety with the Chargers, now makes an average of $19 million a season, so it wouldn’t be shocking if Winfield reset the market at $20 million. Strangely enough, Winfield made first team All-Pro in 2023 while missing out on the Pro Bowl, a more prestigious honor.
Tristan Wirfs doesn’t appear to be in a rush to complete an extension at this time. Now that he and his partner are expecting their first kid in late March, he has much bigger things to worry about.
In response to a question on his contract when he entered his fifth year at the end of the season, Wirfs seemed content to follow the Bucs’ best interests.
Wirfs remarked, “I’m still learning how that works.” “I’m still under contract, right? They picked up my fifth year. I don’t care what occurs. It’s nice to be here. I’m not really concerned about it. Coach Kirk Ferentz of Iowa would often say, “I just try my best to play good football because your film is your resume.”
Given that the Bucs’ budget has somewhat decreased following their earlier free agency signings, signing Wirfs to an extension would actually help them reduce the burden on their salary cap for this season. In order to reduce Wirfs’ anticipated $18.244 million cap cost in 2024, the Bucs may decide to sign him to an extension.
Josh Queipo, the resident salary cap guru at Pewter Report, predicts that Wirfs will sign a five-year, $135 million contract that will reset the tackle market. That’s $27 million annually, which is more than Laremy Tunsil of Houston earns in a year ($25 million).
Sometimes it’s hard to understand why the Bucs front office, whether it’s in acquiring high-profile free players or retaining the team’s own free agents, doesn’t receive more credit for the success it has had during the last four postseason seasons. Jason Licht and company deliver year after year. Winfield and Wirfs signing extensions would be two amazing additions to Tampa Bay’s already outstanding offseason.
