Now that the season is over for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it is time for the front office to focus their attention on the upcoming free agency class. More than a few key contracts are about to expire when the new league year begins in March, with around 20 players in total set to hit the open market.
Within that large group, are five players who stand out as the clear priorities that Jason Licht must focus on retaining.
5 players Buccaneers can’t afford to let get away in free agency
Antoine Winfield Jr., S
Antoine Winfield Jr. was the Bucs' MVP in 2023. The young safety is undoubtedly the key cog in Todd Bowles' defensive scheme, and his versatility allows him to be utilized like a chess piece against opposing offenses.
Throughout his career, Winfield has been used as an effective blitzer, a nickel cornerback, and of course, in the standard centerfield safety role. Winfield was PFF's highest-graded safety in 2023 and made countless timely plays that changed games and altered the course of the season.
An excerpt from a Buccaneers' press release reads: "Winfield Jr. is the lone player since data became available in 1999 with 100+ tackles, three-or-more interceptions, three-or-more forced fumbles, three-or-more fumble recoveries, and 3.0+ sacks."
Despite his inexcusable Pro Bowl snub, Winfield Jr. earned a prestigious First Team AP All-Pro selection, recognizing him as one of the league's top safeties. He is a crucial leader inside the locker room, both vocally and by example, and is loved and respected by his coaches and teammates. In 2023, Winfield further cemented himself as one of the best, if not the best, at his position in the NFL.
He conducts himself like a seasoned NFL veteran, but Winfield Jr. is still only 25 years old, and the Buccaneers have a chance to lock him up long-term and establish the young star as a cornerstone player for the franchise.
Mike Evans, WR
Few athletes have been able to create the type of legacy within one organization that Mike Evans has with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His contributions both on and off the field have made him one of the most beloved players in Buccaneers history, and Evans has a spot waiting for him in Canton and in the Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor whenever his career comes to an end. The fanbase was shocked this offseason when Evans and his agent gave the Buccaneers an ultimatum to offer an extension by a set deadline or they would cut off contract talks until the offseason. The parties failed to reach an agreement before the deadline, and now Evans’ future in Tampa Bay is up in the air.
Needless to say, if the Buccaneers allow Mike Evans to walk this offseason, it would be one of the biggest disappointments in the history of the franchise. Evans has been a model of consistency since the Bucs drafted him in 2014, maintaining elite production regardless of the circumstances surrounding him. His attitude and effort never wavered, despite the dysfunction of the franchise early in his career. In 2023, Evans recorded his 10th straight 1,000 yard season to open his career, an NFL record and a milestone that has helped cement him among the elite receivers in NFL history.
His 13 receiving touchdowns tied for the highest in the league.
Many expected Evans' production to slip when Tom Brady retired and was replaced by Baker Mayfieldbut instead, Evans had one of the best statistical seasons of his career in 2023. He developed a strong connection with Mayfield this season, and following the season-ending loss in Detroit, the quarterback made it clear how he felt about Evans' impending free agency.
"He makes my life easy. He did all year. He did it today, over and over," Mayfield said during his postgame press conference. "If I'm back, I want Mike back."
Apart from being a superstar on the field, Mike Evans may be even more impressive off the field. Evans has become a beloved and respected figure in the Tampa Bay community due to his philanthropy, as he gives back to the communities that have been a part of his journey through the Mike Evans Family Foundation.
Evans has embraced his stature as perhaps the most popular player within the Bucs' fandom, and he makes sure to always shows his appreciation. Whether it be his tradition of giving the ball to a fan after he scores a touchdown, or always stopping for pictures and autographs for fans, he is one of the most iconic players in franchise history, and the fanbase will have his back during this negotiation period.
From a business perspective, Evans has restructured his contract multiple times to create flexibility for the Buccaneers to build the roster and he even once offered to take a pay cut to ensure his teammate Chris Godwin could get a fair contract to remain in Tampa Bay.
Now, it is time for the Buccaneers to do right by their franchise player. The two parties will have to come to a reasonable deal for both sides, as the reports indicate that Evans is looking to break the bank, while the Bucs are hesitant to fork over a massive contract to a 30-year old receiver. Despite the tense negotiations, Evans has made it known that he hopes to retire a Buccaneer, and Jason Licht and Todd Bowles have both publicly expressed their desire to get a contract extension done. Losing a player who is such a staple both for the fanbase and inside the locker room would be a major failure for the franchise.
Baker Mayfield, QB
Last offseason, Baker Mayfield took a huge gamble on himself by taking a small prove-it deal in Tampa Bay, and it paid off for both him and the Buccaneers. The Bucs were in a difficult cap situation and couldn't afford to swing for a top tier quarterback. Mayfield knew the value he could offer the Bucs and it was actually Mayfield and his camp that targeted Tampa Bay as their preferred destination.
In an appearance earlier this season on "The Season with Peter Schrager", Jason Licht said, "He was targeting us. Maybe more than we were targeting him. He saw this as a great opportunity for him."
Mayfield's contract with the Buccaneers was a one year deal for $4 million, which turned out to be one of the biggest free agency bargains in recent memory. 19 starting quarterbacks made at least $24 million last season, and Mayfield was being paid like a backup quarterback as the league's 37th highest paid at the position.
Baker massively outplayed his contract, throwing for over 4,000 yards, 28 touchdowns and just ten interceptions. He set career highs in completion percentage and passer rating. In addition to an impressive statistical season, he led the Buccaneers to the divisional round of the playoffs in a year where the team wasn't expected to contend. Most importantly, Mayfield gained the respect of his coaches and teammates and is one of the key leaders inside the Bucs' locker room.
He bet on himself and won, and he will cash in this offseason when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers give him a well-deserved, much larger contract to keep him in Tampa Bay in 2024.
Lavonte David, LB
Bringing back Lavonte David should be a no-brainer for the Buccaneers.
David joined the Buccaneers in 2012, making him the longest tenured player in the organization. He has been named a team captain ten years in a row, and his presence is invaluable to the franchise. He is the definition of a leader and competitor, and his leadership is crucial for the future of the Buccaneers.
David’s counterpart, Devin White, is also an impending free agent, but has struggled with inconsistency throughout his career, and is reportedly seeking a large payday this offseason, one the Bucs should be reluctant give him based on his play. It makes more sense for the Buccaneers to use that money to allow David to finish his career in Tampa Bay, and help to develop and mentor the future Bucs' linebackers.
In 2023, his age 33 season, David showed no signs of slowing down. He recorded an impressive 134 total tackles, and also produced 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble. David continues to excel in all elements of the game as he puts the finishing touches on the Hall of Fame résumé he has built in Tampa.
Whenever David retires, he will join his teammate Mike Evans in the Buccaneers Ring of Honor and have his number retired — and likely be a Hall of Famer. Until that day comes, or until he stops performing at an elite level, the Bucs need to keep their long-tenured leader in Tampa Bay.
Chase McLaughlin, K
The kicker position in Tampa Bay, particularly over the last 15 years, is enough to give most Bucs fans nightmares. It was almost undeniable for a while that there was a “kicking curse” in Tampa Bay, as almost every kicker the Bucs trotted out either got injured or simply couldn’t make a kick
Connor Barth ruptured his Achilles, and his successor, Lawrence Tynes contracted MRSA and ended his career during the infamous Greg Schiano years. Who could forget the decision to trade up for Roberto Aguayo in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, who went from one of the most accurate kickers in college football history to the least accurate kicker in his rookie NFL season? Matt Gay cost the Buccaneers multiple crucial games due to missed kicks before turning his career around and becoming the league’s highest-paid kicker with the Indianapolis Colts.
All this to say, the Buccaneers have had serious trouble finding a long term answer at the kicker position — until Chase McLaughlin fell right into their lap.
The Bucs decided to move on from Ryan Succop and signed McLaughlin as a free agent last offseason, and he delivered in a major way, making 93.5% of his field goal attempts including 7-8 from 50+ yards, and 100 percent accuracy on extra points.
Unlike many kickers in recent Bucs’ history, McLaughlin has become an asset and not a liability. He is not leaving easy points on the field, and can connect consistently from long distance, taking some pressure off of the offense to drive deep into opponent territory to reach field goal range. McLaughlin is on just a one year deal, but the Buccaneers can’t allow him to leave the building and continue the endless carousel at the kicker position.
At just 27 years old, there is potential for McLaughlin to become the long term answer at kicker that the Buccaneers have long been searching for, and they need to do whatever it takes to keep him in Tampa Bay.