The Pewter Plank
FanSided

3 wildest free agent signings in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history

By Cory Kinnan

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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SAN DIEGO – JANUARY 26: Head coach Jon Gruden and wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stand on the field before the start of Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on January 26, 2003 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers defeated the Raiders 48-21. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO – JANUARY 26: Head coach Jon Gruden and wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stand on the field before the start of Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on January 26, 2003 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers defeated the Raiders 48-21. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mention: Keyshawn Johnson

Keyshawn Johnson earns honorable mention here because he was technically not a free agent signing, however his situation was as close to a sign-and-trade in the NBA comes in an NFL context. Nearly 20 years ago, the Buccaneers pulled off a blockbuster trade for Johnson with the Jets for two first round picks.

Talk about a huge splash, the Buccaneers had just landed one of the most polarizing receivers in the entire league.The Buccaneers then immediately signed Johnson to an eight-year, $56 million contract.

Johnson went on to play out four of those years before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys for Joey Galloway in 2004. While Johnson may not have lived up to the high expectations of the time, he went on to be productive with the Buccaneers in the four years that he spent in Tampa Bay wearing the pewter and red.

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Johnson went on to play four seasons in Tampa Bay and was a part of the 2002 championship team. He tallied two 1,000 yard seasons, one season of over 100 catches, and 17 total touchdowns in his stint with the Buccaneers; he was named to a Pro Bowl in 2001 as a member of the Buccaneers as well.

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