Grading every Tampa Bay Buccaneers offseason move so far, including Carlton Davis trade
By Brad Smith
Baker Mayfield, QB
Contract: Three-years, $100M
Grade: A+
Succeeding forgettable stints with Carolina and Los Angeles in 2022, Mayfield signed a one-year, $4.5 million "prove-it" deal with Tampa Bay last offseason. Mayfield's decision to bet on himself proved to be the right one, as the Buccaneers and the 28-year-old agreed on a three-year, $100 million deal.
In his first season in Tampa Bay, Mayfield completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 4,044 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, ten interceptions, and a 94.6 passer rating, and was named as the NFL's 2023 Most Improved Player of the Year.
With that, the Buccaneers made Mayfield the 16th-highest-paid quarterback in the league with an average annual value of $33.3 million. For reference, Mayfield's contract is cheaper than those of Atlanta's Kirk Cousins ($45 million), New York's Daniel Jones ($40 million), and even New Orleans' Derek Carr ($37.5 million), further portraying a win-win deal for Tampa Bay and Mayfield.
Antoine Winfield Jr., S
Contract: TBD (Franchise Tagged)
Grade: A+
In the hours leading up to the franchise tag deadline, Tampa Bay used the tag on Winfield Jr to keep the superstar free safety as a Buccaneer for the 2024 season. The move also gives the Buccaneers time to come to a long-term extension with Winfield Jr., who has quickly become one of the premier safeties in the league.
Starting in all 17 games last season, Winfield Jr. recorded 122 tackles, six tackles for loss, six sacks, 12 passes defended, three interceptions, six forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. As a result, Winfield Jr. earned his first All-Pro First Team selection, while leading the Buccaneers to their third straight NFC South division title.
At just 25 years old, Winfield Jr. is arguably the best safety in the league, and still hasn't entered his prime. In the months leading up to next offseason, securing a long-term deal for Winfield Jr. will be key, but tagging him is a good first step in retaining Winfield Jr.
Mike Evans, WR
Contract: Two-years, $52M
Grade: A+
The first and biggest move the Buccaneers made this offseason was to lock up Evans on a two-year, $52 million deal, keeping the superstar wide receiver in Tampa Bay through the 2025 season. In doing so, Tampa Bay managed to keep Evans on the team before he could begin contract talks with other teams, such as the Falcons, Patriots and the Vikings, all of whom were potential suitors.
At 30 years old, Evans was still one of the NFL's top receivers, catching 79 passes for 1,255 receiving yards, a league-leading 13 touchdown catches and 15.9 yards per catch. Since entering the league in 2012, Evans has totaled 762 passes for 11,680 receiving yards and 94 touchdowns in 154 games while catching over 100 yards in 36 games -- a franchise record.
Even though $26 million per year is expensive for a 30-year veteran receiver, Evans is clearly worth every penny for the Buccaneers. With his return, quarterback Baker Mayfield is set up to repeat his success from last season, while giving him and new offensive coordinator Liam Coen a stout skill position room alongside Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer, Rachaad White, and Cade Otten.
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