NFL Free Agency Tracker: Buccaneers, FA Cornerback Bryce Hall Reach One-Year Deal
Free agency is finally upon us and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have several moves to make by retaining some of their own while looking to improve in 2024 by bringing in new faces to the locker room. Free agency is set to officially begin next week as unrestricted free agents' agents are allowed to begin conversations with other teams.
Stay with us as we track the latest free agency moves by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
March 4th
WR Mike Evans, Buccaneers agree on 2yr/$52 million deal
WR Mike Evans will remain a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, for now.
The first domino to fall for the Buccaneers was the re-signing of Mike Evans to a two-year, $52 million deal coming off a record-setting 10th season in the NFL that saw him record his 10th consecutive season of 1,000 receiving yards.
There was some apprehension on whether the two sides would be able to reach an agreement as Evans and his camp set timetables prior to the 2023 season, but eventually, the two sides were able to come to an agreement to keep the stud wideout in Tampa Bay.
The full contract details can be found here.
March 5th
Buccaneers place Franchise Tag on S Antoine Winfield Jr.
Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Antoine Winfield Jr. put together his best season as a professional in 2023 that saw him be the second-highest graded safety in the league according to PFF while being snubbed as a Pro Bowler, but being awarded as a First-Team All-Pro.
The day after the re-signing of Mike Evans the Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on AWJ while they continue to work towards an agreement on a contract extension.
Reports have surfaced that a deal between the two sides will come sooner rather than later, so expect an update as free agency continues to play out. If AWJ and the Bucs aren't able to reach a deal before the 2024 season, the standout safety will make approximately $17.1 million this upcoming season.
March 10th
QB Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers agree on 3yr/$100 million deal
One of the biggest moves the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed to make was to re-sign Baker Mayfield to a contract extension. The hardest part wasn’t convincing Baker that Tampa is where he should call home, but rather whether the two sides could come to an agreement on the value of the contract after Mayfield’s career setting 2023 season.
They were able to do just that on Sunday, eventually meeting smack dab in the middle of where each side started discussions. The deal is worth up to $115 million with incentives with full details here.
March 11th
K Chase McLaughlin, Buccaneers agree on 3yr/$12.3 million deal
The Buccaneers are closing in on general manager Jason Licht’s dream of retaining all of their key core players this offseason as the Bucs have come to a three-year, $12.3 million contract agreement with kicker Chase McLaughlin.
McLaughlin put together the best kicking performance in the history of the Buccaneers’ franchise by making 19 out of his 21 field goals, with the only two misses being blocked attempts. He was super efficient from beyond 50+ in 2023 as well making 8 out of his 10 attempts during the regular season and post season.
The Bucs will be hoping that McLaughlin continues to play at his 2023 level as we make our way into 2024.
DT Greg Gaines, Buccaneers agree on 1yr/$3.5 million deal
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Greg Gaines (96) pressures during the first half at Raymond James Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
The Buccaneers’ stood true to their offseason goals of retaining players on their roster as the 2024 free agency period got underway on Monday by re-signing veteran defensive tackle Greg Gaines to a one-year, $3.5 million deal.
Gaines production slipped off a bit last season after coming over from the Los Angeles Rams, but he has been a vital depth piece inside for the Buccaneers and will once again be returning to that role alongside the likes of Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, and Logan Hall.
Buccaneers decline WR Russell Gage's 2024 option, enters free agency
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a move on Monday to let go of one of their wide receivers after declining Russell Gage's option for the 2024 season. Gage is now a free agent and free to sign wherever.
Gage was signed to a $30 million deal just a few years ago, but rarely saw the field during his short tenure with the Buccaneers in large part due to injury. He was initially brought in to become the WR3 next to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. He missed multiple games during his first season with neck and back injuries and missed the entire 2023 season due to a torn patella tendon in training camp.
Luckily for the Buccaneers they had young guys step up to help fill the role left by Gage last season - making this an easy decision in order to clear some cap space and move on from a player who wasn't providing much for his price tag.
Buccaneers send two sixth-round picks, CB Carlton Davis III to the Detroit Lions
In the midst of the free agency frenzy, the Bucs made a move outside of it by turning to the trade market - sending starting CB Carlton Davis III and two sixth-round picks (2024 & 2025) to the Detroit Lions for a 2024 third-round pick (No. 92).
The move makes sense for the Buccaneers who will be able to save salary cap $$ this year and next year by dealing Davis III. He has been a shell of himself since his breakout season during the Bucs' Super Bowl run in 2020. He regularly dealt with injuries and never quite seemed to get back to 100%.
The two sixth rounders on top of Davis was questionable, but considering the Bucs had two sixth-round picks to work with this year (due to receiving a comp pick) it wasn't that difficult to part ways with.
With CDIII now headed to Detroit, Zyon McCollum will become the favorite to man an every down role.
RB Chase Edmonds, Buccaneers agree on one-year deal
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stick to their status quo after re-signing backup running back Chase Edmonds to a one-year deal. The Bucs backfield is led by Rachaad White, but when he needed a breather Edmonds was the first off the bench.
Edmonds didn't see a ton of playing time in 2023 and dealt with injuries that caused him to miss four games, but really started to pick things up later in the season.
Edmonds will now return to a backfield that features himself, White and undrafted sophomore back Sean Tucker. The Buccaneers likely would want a more formidable running back room so they could look to steal a RB2/RB3 in this years NFL Draft.
March 12th
Buccaneers' free agent LB Shaq Barrett signs one-year/up to $9 million deal with Miami Dolphins
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will move on from elite pass rusher Shaq Barrett after five seasons as the veteran LB has signed a one-year deal up to $9 million with the Miami Dolphins.
Barrett came over to Tampa Bay after spending four seasons with the Denver Broncos and immediately showcased his elite playmaking ability off the edge as he led the league in sacks during his first season with the Bucs with 19.5. In just his second season, he was able to help lead a Bucs' defense that was tops in the NFL on their way to the franchise's second Super Bowl victory.
Barrett's play and production have taken a hit over the past couple of seasons and it made sense to part ways at this juncture. Barrett had become a favorite of the fans in Tampa, so it will be tough to see him go, but for the purposes of competing at the highest level it was a move the organization needed to make.
LB Lavonte David, Buccaneers agree on 1yr/$9 million deal
One of the most beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers ever will be returning to make plays in Raymond James Stadium in 2024.
Linebacker Lavonte David and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were able to reach an agreement on a contract extension, re-signing on a one-year, $9 million deal with the possibility of reaching $10 million with incentives.
David has spent the entirety of his career in Tampa and had expressed his desire to retire as a Buccaneer, and this contract gets him one step closer. David will once again lead the Bucs’ defense as one of the most highly productive, yet underrated, linebackers in the league.
The re-signing of David completes the Bucs’ task of retaining their key guys after coming to terms with WR Mike Evans, QB Baker Mayfield, K Chase McLaughlin, and franchise tagging Antoine Winfield. Jr.
March 13th
S Jordan Whitehead, Buccaneers agree on 2yr/$9.5 million deal
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have brought back one of the locker room’s favorite teammates after coming to terms with former Jets’ safety Jordan Whitehead on a two-year, $9.5 million deal.
The Bucs have struggled to find a replacement since Whitehead departed two seasons ago next to Antoine Winfield Jr., but they now will bring back the two-headed tandem that helped lead the defensive secondary to a Super Bowl back in 2020.
Getting Whitehead on a deal is huge for Tampa Bay as they can now pull their resources and attention to other areas of need as we continue into the NFL offseason.
Buccaneers' free agent G Nick Leverett agrees to deal with New England Patriots
Bucs’ backup free agent guard Nick Leverett will be heading North to join the New England Patriots have coming to terms on a deal.
Leverett has spent the majority of his three-year career as a depth piece along the Buccaneers’ offensive line and likely will fill that same role in New England. He did start 10 games for the Buccaneers in 2022 during Tom Brady’s final season as the team was dealing with some frustrating injury issues along the line. The Bucs will continue to look for line depth, not changing much of their plans leading into free agency.
March 15th
Buccaneers, Free Agent CB Bryce Hall reach one-year deal
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought in free agent CB Bryce Hall for a visit on Thursday and on Friday morning they signed the young corner to a one-year deal.
Hall is the second acquisition from another team, joining his former teammate with the New York Jets Jordan Whitehead.
The move makes sense after the trade of Carlton Davis III, and it seems likely that Hall will be a CB2/3 for the Bucs as he looks to compete with Zyon McCollum for the starting role opposite of Jamel Dean. Either way, it was a piece the Buccaneers needed and Hall will see plenty of playing time in the Bucs' secondary as long as he can maintain his health on the field.
Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 offseason.
