The Tampa Bay Buccaneers under general manager Jason Licht have been known to take care of their own.
Players who perform well for the Bucs are almost always rewarded with contract extensions to keep them in Tampa Bay.
There are three players entering contract years and set to enter free agency next offseason, but they’ve already proven themselves and the Buccaneers should act accordingly and extend them early.
3 2027 free agents the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should re-sign early this offseason
K Chase McLaughlin
McLaughlin has been one of the best kickers in the NFL. Back in 2024, he set a new franchise record in single-season field goal percentage.
Last year, he kicked a 65-yard field goal that was at the time, the longest outdoor field goal in NFL history. He also made NFL history with 11 consecutive 50+ yard field goals.
The Buccaneers know what it’s like to not have a reliable kicker — the infamous decade-long kicker curse cost the team countless games over the years.
They’ve finally got their guy in McLaughlin, who is one of the most reliable kickers in franchise history. They can’t let him out the door, and he’s proven enough to be extended early this offseason.
DT Vita Vea
Vita Vea is the heart and soul of the Buccaneers defense. Tampa Bay has had the No. 1 rush defense in the NFL since Vea became a full-time starter in 2019, and they’ve had a top-five rushing defense in six of his eight NFL seasons.
His impact somehow goes unnoticed, but he’s one of the most impactful defensive players in the league, constantly disrupting opposing offenses.
Vea is entering his age-31 season, so he’s likely entering the last few years of his career. As long as he’s playing at this level, the Buccaneers need to do what it takes to make sure he finishes his career in Tampa Bay.
He won’t come cheap. There are currently 17 defensive tackles making at least $20 million per year, and Vea is closer to a top-10 defensive tackle.
Vea’s deal that he signed back in 2023 paid him $17.75 million per year over four years, and he’ll likely want to cash in before he hangs it up.
The Bucs should sign him early to a two-year extension to prevent him from hitting the open market, where teams will be willing to tempt him with a massive payday.
QB Baker Mayfield
The Buccaneers are not going to let Baker Mayfield out the door. From ownership down to Jason Licht, the organization is set on Mayfield as their franchise quarterback.
The only question is whether he’ll be extended this offseason or if they’ll allow him to play out the 2026 season before locking him up long-term.
There are 10 quarterbacks making over $50 million annually, and Mayfield could very well be the next to join that group.
The longer they wait, the more the quarterback market continues to explode. Heck, Matthew Stafford just signed a one-year extension this week that will pay him $55 million.
If Tampa Bay doesn’t extend him now, and Mayfield lights it up in 2026, they could be forced to pay him close to $60 million per year to meet the demands of the market.
The sooner the better, and it would benefit Mayfield to enter the season with long-term security and without the thought of a contract lingering in the back of his mind.
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