Three of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ top players are now eligible for NFL free agency as they enter the offseason after making it to the playoffs the previous season. Though every attempt is being made to keep their famous trio, the talks are apparently not going well.
This offseason, wide receiver Mike Evans, safety Antoine Winfield Jr., and quarterback Baker Mayfield are all free agents. The three players not only helped Tampa Bay go to the postseason, but they were also selected to the Pro Bowl, with Evans and Winfield Jr. earning All-Pro teams.
Due in large part to his age and the franchise tag’s affordability, Winfield Jr. is the most likely to return to Tampa Bay for the upcoming season, but efforts to keep Evans and Mayfield aren’t going so well.
In their contract talks, Evans and the Buccaneers are “far apart,” according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. Though negotiations are still in progress, there is a growing belief that the five-time Pro Bowl selection will be available this summer.
A lack of progress in contract talks with Evans isn’t the only problem Tampa Bay is facing. As FOX Sports’ Greg Auman details, the expiring deals for Evans and Mayfield void on Monday. As a result, regardless of whether or not they re-sign with the Buccaneers, there will be a combined $14.5 million dead money charge counting against the Buccaneers cap space in 2024.
On the one hand, Tampa Bay’s front office is experienced in dealing with sizable cap hits. In 2023, the team made the playoffs despite carrying $79 million in dead money leftover from contract restructures when they went all-in with Tom Brady.
However, the financial situation also puts the Buccaneers in a difficult position. Winfield Jr, a first-team All-Pro in 2023, is expected to be hit with the franchise tag in a matter of days. While the franchise tag value for a safety ($14.46 million) is much cheaper than that for a quarterback ($32.416 million) or tagging Evans (#28.4 million), it comes with all $14.46 million counting against the cap because franchise tags are all guaranteed.
With the lingering uncertainty surrounding Evans’ contract, there is now a distinct possibility that Tampa Bay might only be able to retain Mayfield and Winfield Jr. this offseason. With that said, Mayfield’s willingness to take a slight discount does leave the door open for Evans to remain in Tampa Bay.
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