Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5 best moves made this offseason
By Cory Kinnan
![TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 02: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with fans after defeating the Carolina Panthers 24-17 at Raymond James Stadium on December 02, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 02: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with fans after defeating the Carolina Panthers 24-17 at Raymond James Stadium on December 02, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ac26b7f50ff99b1c146253d27a596b14e07e3053a9dd3df2903e9e3ba18d79b6.jpg)
3. The signing Ndamukong Suh
In a corresponding move after the release of McCoy, the Buccaneers turned around and signed defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to replace him. The second overall pick, one selection before McCoy, in the 2009 NFL Draft, Suh will now wear 93 in the pewter and red.
While there is heavy debate over whether or not Suh is an upgrade from McCoy, there is no doubting the financial side of the move as Suh signed for $3.75 million less than McCoy was due in 2019. Suh’s deal has potential to earn him a total of $10 million this year in incentives, but this still gave the Buccaneers all of the breathing room with the cap they needed.
While Suh has not performed up to his namesake over the past three seasons, he has a chance to thrive under new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles in Tampa Bay this season. Suh, after a regular season of less than maximum effort, put together a torrid postseason to put himself in the position for another big contract.
Due to the financial maneuver of clearing around $3 million in cap space while still adding Suh to the defensive front, this move comes in at number three for Jason Licht and his team this offseason.