3 wildest free agent signings in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history

Tampa Bay Buccaneers #97 Defensive End Simeon Rice on the field during the Baltimore Ravens vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on September 10, 2006 at Raymond James Stadium Tampa, Florida The Ravens defeated the Bucs 27 - 0. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers #97 Defensive End Simeon Rice on the field during the Baltimore Ravens vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on September 10, 2006 at Raymond James Stadium Tampa, Florida The Ravens defeated the Bucs 27 - 0. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 11: DeSean Jackson #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stiff-arms Greg Stroman #37 of the Washington Redskins during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 11: DeSean Jackson #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stiff-arms Greg Stroman #37 of the Washington Redskins during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /

WR DeSean Jackson

In the Spring of 2017, the Buccaneers went on a spending spree, including the addition of speedy veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson. At the time of the deal, the signing was graded as an A.

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The deal certainly made a splash as the Buccaneers paid Jackson to a three year deal worth $33.5 million, $20 million of which was guaranteed. Just two seasons later, the Buccaneers shipped him back off to his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles for a sixth round pick.

The Buccaneers were certainly trying to install a deep vertical threat under Dirk Koetter to put Jackson opposite Mike Evans. Instead Jackson and quarterback Jameis Winston had more conflict and bitterness than they did a connection on the football field.

The fanbase was certainly in a positive uproar at the time of the signing as the Buccaneers believed that their window was open with a young Winston on his rookie contract. This signing, while it made waves, did not pan out as Tampa Bay, fans and organization alike, thought that it would.