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REPORT: Buccaneers Working On Contract Extension For Star Safety
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are working on locking down one of their star players
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers know exactly how valuable Antoine Winfield Jr. is. And now, they're working to make sure he stays in Tampa Bay for the foreseeable future.
The team used the franchise tag on Winfield Jr. earlier this offseason to ensure he played for the Bucs in 2024, but it appears as if the team wants him in Tampa Bay for much longer. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Bucs looking to sign Winfield Jr. to a long-term contract and that the two sides expect the deal to get done.
As Schefter mentioned, the Los Angeles Chargers' Derwin James is currently the highest-paid safety in the league at $19 million a year. Winfield Jr.'s number would surpass that, though whether or not he is worth that is another question. Spotrac currently has Winfield Jr.'s market value at $18.4 million, but slightly overpaying for premier talent is the norm in free agency — and if Winfield Jr. can play like he did last year going forward, it's absolutely worth it.
Winfield Jr. had an unbelievable year last year, netting 76 solo tackles, six forced fumbles, three interceptions and 12 passes defended. The effort saw him get a First Team All-Pro nod for the 2023 season, and Tampa Bay will want him to continue that play after making him the highest paid safety in the league.
Across his entire tenure in Tampa Bay, Winfield Jr. has accrued 266 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, seven interceptions and 11 forced fumbles in four years.
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