Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Top 10 free agency signings in team history

Number 4: Vincent Jackson – WR (2012-2016)

When the Buccaneers signed Vincent Jackson to a five-year, $55.5 million contract in 2012, he was already a two-time Pro Bowler with the then-San Diego Chargers. It was the kind of splash signing that gets a franchise and fanbase amped up. This was not the brightest time in the history of the franchise, which can be said for a lot of Buccaneers’ history, but the ugly time was coupled with uglier uniforms.

Jackson didn’t let that get him down though. In his first season in Tampa in 2012, Jackson set a career-high with 1,384 receiving yards. Jackson would go on to catch 268 balls for 4,326 yards and 20 touchdowns during his five seasons with the Buccaneers. Age and injuries would eventually catch up to Jackson however, but not before he was able to become a mentor for the next-great Buccaneers receiver, Mike Evans.

Vincent Jackson was not only one of the greatest signings in the history of the Buccaneers, but he was also one of their greatest ever receivers. Tragically, Jackson was found dead by a housekeeper in a hotel room on February 15th, 2021, with details still yet to be resolved. It’s a truly unfair and beyond unfortunate end to a life that brought joy to so many fans, and people.