Will Gholston’s Future
January 6th, 2017
What is his market value?
While the Bucs played much better on defense as the season grew older, it’s not like the front line had a lot of quality depth.
So with Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht walking around with his pockets full of Team Glazer loot to dole out before the free agency dinner bell rings in March, might the Bucs spend some of that on their own?
Jenna Laine of ESPN things the Bucs should invest in one of their own and bring back defensive lineman Will Gholston as long as some other general manager doesn’t go drunken sailor at Gholston with a pile of cash.
Multiple starters on defense will become unrestricted free agents, including left defensive end William Gholston, a former fourth-round pick who started 14 games this season and emerged as one of the Bucs’ best run-stoppers. His presence was sorely missed against the Saints in Week 16. How much will the market command for him?
Joe doesn’t know what the Bucs want to do with Gholston, but again, it may depend what another team(s) offers him.
If the Bucs let Gholston hit free agency, then it would take just one general manager to think he can turn Gholston into another Michael Bennett, and boom, he’s gone.
January 6th, 2017 at 7:26 am
Sign him to an incentive based contract that pays him well but gives him even more chance to cash in if he meets goals like sacks or tackles for loss, pro bowl selections things like that. That’s the easiest way to make sure players don’t get paid on a contract year and take a paid vacation during the regular season.
January 6th, 2017 at 7:44 am
i would like him back but someone could pay a bunch of $.
January 6th, 2017 at 7:48 am
I hope he stays, he hasnt reached his ceiling yet
January 6th, 2017 at 7:54 am
Bucs fans don’t be fooled by talk of quality depth. No one has starters just sitting around riding on the bench across the league. Considering where will got drafted and having to break away from the talk of being a bust like his brother he had a good run with us but the guy we need is out there and he can’t keep starting because of his run defense, people around here forgot there are guys who can do both stop the run and rush the Passer. If he signs I hope it’s just long enough to develop one of those guys unless he’s in this year’s draft. We need a home run defensive end and he’s not it
January 6th, 2017 at 8:08 am
We always talk about incentive-based contracts, but we never actually see them, do we?
Gholston has had years to prove he can become a dominant player, and he hasn’t. I doubt he’ll take backup money, so I say let him walk. I’d rather give someone else a chance to prove themselves.
January 6th, 2017 at 8:17 am
Gholston is as good as gone…….thanks for the memories Will!!!!!
January 6th, 2017 at 8:23 am
Pay the man!!!
January 6th, 2017 at 8:28 am
why would they let him go?…would be very stupid…deja vu written all over this with Bennett history…Time for this team to seek continuity and keep the locker room together…cash is there, reward him, he’s only 25…Shepard, A.Spence and McDougald…same thing…they’re 25!!!….RE-SIGN!!!!
January 6th, 2017 at 8:50 am
Pay him to an extent. He has to know he’s not getting JPP money. But still offer him what he’s worth. Stopping the run is essential to get to third down. And you got Noah Spence for third down so it’s not like Gholston is costing us games. He’s been a huge part of this defense. Go get a massive, strong, space eating 1 tech DT and watch that guy and Gholston shut down the run. Kind of like the Giants signing Damon Harris, because they knew they had to counter Dallas’ OL and sure enough the Giants were the only team to beat the Cowboys when it mattered. So yeah, if you don’t get players who stop the run, you wont get to make use of players who can rush the passer.
January 6th, 2017 at 8:52 am
Hayes, the d-line coach, might turn him from silver into gold. I’m curious what another year with Hayes might provide in 2017. If he is an asset already and the money is there, then re-sign him!
January 6th, 2017 at 8:53 am
Miko: agreed. They won’t be expensive. They’re excellent backups and at worst we tread water and keep guys around that say they want to be here and have been very helpful to have thus far. I don’t want any of those guys starting, but they can do if they have to. And Gholston is beast against the run. He can definitely help us win on first and second down at least.
January 6th, 2017 at 8:54 am
I hope they re-sign him. He is strong against the run, goes 100% when playing, knows our system, has great attitude, we have the cap space, and who in the hell is out there that you are going to replace him with? Another Michael Johnson?
January 6th, 2017 at 8:57 am
I would say it comes down to what the salary number looks like on Will Gholston… He has now proven he has value, and as Joe states here, particularly as a Run Stopper… We all witnessed what happened in his absence when we played the Saints the second time around.
I do not see Michael Bennett dollars here, but letting him walk is not likely The Bucs GM’s approach until he speaks with the agent on Gholston’s behalf…
I would like to see us keep Will for the right money!
January 6th, 2017 at 8:57 am
4 years – $15.6M with $6M guaranteed in the first 2 years
No reason not to bring Will back unless he seeks substantially more $ (which he is not likely to get).
January 6th, 2017 at 9:19 am
I’m sure JL is taking notes of all these fantastic contract offers..
January 6th, 2017 at 9:38 am
I think that some people are selling Gholston short.He is dominant in the
run game and with his big wingspan is disruptive when he gets in the backfield.
he opens up the door for LVD to get sacks.Last point we have had a string
of DE’s that have talent but are on injured reserve.Even Spawn was injured
this year. Gholston and Ayers are stout at a position where a little extra
beef is important.
January 6th, 2017 at 9:46 am
Not every player will be a superstar after their first 4 years. Will has improved steadily since being drafted in 2013. He’s averaged right at 14 games each season, which for a DE taking a LOT of snaps is a good sign. His sacks have increased each year (up to 3.5 this year), and he’s made the most tackles BY FAR of any Bucs DLineman over those 4 years (126 tackles and 63 assists) … yes, way more than GMC (who has the 2nd most).
Fans get enamored with sacks, but being a great DLineman is much more than that. Will Gholston is the type of DE that you build your team around, not a backup or rotational player. And the best part is … He’s just now coming into his own. PAY THE MAN, and be thankful if he re-signs with the Bucs.
January 6th, 2017 at 9:50 am
Show him the money!
January 6th, 2017 at 9:57 am
Pay him, load the guaranteed money in the first two years.
They’ve overpaid for much less before.
Can’t have enough talent on the D-Line!
Let’s go!!!
January 6th, 2017 at 10:06 am
Licht has got a pile of Glazer coin to burn according to all published reports. Gholston has proven himself. Give him a raise, and he’ll stay. He knows the history of the great Buc defenses. That history is starting to repeat itself. Couple it now with DK’s offense. YEOW!!!!
January 6th, 2017 at 10:16 am
Curious why some people think an NFL player, an alpha male type personality would actually go into a free agency period thinking about getting paid even at the cost of sitting the bench in his prime? Mike Glennon isn’t even going to do that so why would this guy take more money with a lesser role…. So unrealistic because I hear people say they wouldn’t keep Evan Smith and Verner because of the cost. Why do people care about the glazers wallet so much? He’s not Michael Bennet he’s simply a run stuffer but if he gets paid I’d be happy if he moves on I’m OK with that also. Jac Smith should return from injury to boost pass rush downs. I’m excited about adding pieces more than subtracting see panthers after letting Josh Norman walk
January 6th, 2017 at 10:26 am
pay him….he was missed even more vs. dallas….great locker room guy….versatile….production….got to pay him….that sends a strong message to the locker room….GO BUCS!!!
January 6th, 2017 at 10:42 am
Largobuc I completely agree with you if mike smith somehow stays in Tampa his defenses have always thrived when he had a huge dt that “ate” up space in the middle i.e Marcus stroud in Jacksonville and Grady Jackson in Atlanta. McDonald is a good piece however he’s more of a rotational depth guy like he was in Seattle. I do think gholston should be resigned but obviously can’t break the bank for him. Give him an offer and put the ball in his court. Sounds like he and Akeem both want to be back.
January 6th, 2017 at 11:10 am
Orlbuc nailed it..Pay the man!!!!
January 6th, 2017 at 11:17 am
I have to agree with Defense Rules, who did a great job supporting his opinion with facts. I will add that while Gholston had only a few sacks, he had nine tackles for loss, which is third on the team behind Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander. I hope that I have my stats right on this. I support bringing him back. We still want to draft a DE or DT (best available) to bolster the defensive line.
January 6th, 2017 at 12:32 pm
We’re talking this guy up as this great run-stopper yet the Bucs defense was 22nd in the league in that category. And comparing him to Michael Bennet is absurd. Offer the guy a fair contract based on his talent. I’d like to see him back but there is no need to break the bank for a one-trick pony. We’ve got plenty of those already!
January 6th, 2017 at 1:33 pm
Reward his efforts!!!
January 6th, 2017 at 2:33 pm
After the injury bug that has hit us and seemingly the entire league…we need to stock up on all the decent DL we can.
I like Gholston and agree with Defense Rules and Doc Stroud.
It’s not always just the stars…as in baseball sometimes you need a reliever who can just eat up innings for you. Gholston has played in all but 7 games in his four years. Who else on this DL to you trust to eat up plays like that?
Seriously. We need to find at least some guys to demonstrate Tony Dungy’s favorite ability….availability. Gholston may be the ONLY DL to have done that the past three years.